Andy M

I finally succumbed to the charms of the Dukedog today and acquired a weathered black version. It will become 9023, one of the trio that were loaned by Swindon to Newton Abbot in 1954/55 for trial on pilot duties. Along with 9011 and 9018, their stay was short and unsuccessful as they proved underpowered for the heavier trains and disliked for the primitive cabs compared to the usual Grange and Manors. It is a little early for my 1958 period but so was the 72xx, and I couldn't resist that either! As others have said, first impressions are that we have another little gem from Bachmann. Andy.

I think you could be forgiven for that distraction 81C! King + Pilot on the down Riviera for me please. Andy.

Sorry Rob, what I meant to say was…………these trains ran on to Plymouth and beyond, usually consisting of exactly 20 wagons and were often noted to hold at Brent for photographic purposes and inspection by the Finching sisters! My mistake Andy.

Those Stoneycombe Quarry ballast trains by the way were a regular turn for a 83A Grange or 2884 (depending on loading). The diagram often involved running from Hackney Yard up to the quarry, loading and running round, then retuning down the hill tender first to Hackney! Alternatively the wagons would be left for a more sedate loading and collected by a light engine move later in the day. Sorry to burst your bubble, but not a regular turn through Brent. Still its your railway and all that! Andy.

Hi Rob, I'm pretty certain that Dia. P6 and P22 hoppers were used on the Stoneycombe Quarry ballast trains prior to the advent of the BR Catfish/Dogfish wagons. From memory, doesn't that David Fish shot you are referring to show 6829 in Lined Green. In which case it will be post May 1957, when the BR hoppers would be the sole preserve at Stoneycombe. Love the figures and detail of the flowerbeds on Brent by the way. Top draw! Regards, Andy.

Rob, I can give you the little bit of information I have on 41734. It spent its whole working life at Newton Abbot and was fitted with pipes for both vacuum (for brake release) and steam (for carriage heating), both of which hung down below the headstock. This particular 'Chariot' was primarily used on the carriage siding shunt duty (hence the pipes) paired with 2021, 57xx, 74xx, 94xx and from 1959 onwards 400hp diesel shunters. One account questions whether the steam heat was ever used on stock in the sidings, but it seems odd to have gone to the trouble of so fitting the M3 truck if it was not to be used. Another snippet I have is that the original angled lamp irons were replaced with the sloping variant on the toolbox (as per the Bachmann model) in May 1936. Additional irons were fitted to the buffer beam in Feb 1950. There is a photo of it attached to a diesel shunter in GWRJ 26, obviously in a guise too late for your period. Hope this is of interest. Regards, Andy.

As requested here are a few more images from Bridgnorth yard. Kinlet Hall really does look the business and a taster to what we can look forward to in a few years with Hagley Hall. Regards, Andy.

I visited Bridgnorth yesterday and the yard had the air of a large Great Western shed about it. It is not that often that the ranks aren't infiltrated by 'foreign interlopers'! Seen from l-r are 7812 Erlestoke Manor, 4566, 5643 (soon to leave the line) and 5164. Out of shot to the right is 4930 Hagley Hall and behind the line up was 4936 Kinlet Hall and 2857. More images available if anyone wishes. Regards, Andy.

Good Evening All, Look what turned up in the post today! Mine had a few minor scuff marks on the cast running plate, but nothing to unduly worry about. Runs beautifully and overall I am very pleased with my foreign purchase. Anyway here are a few images for those still waiting, or undecided whether you want one. Regards, Andy.

My order was processed yesterday, so it should be on route imminently. Really looking forward to this model. Andy.

Well I do have a heavily re-worked Hall body somewhere, that lost its insides and under-gubbins an age ago. As for the auto tanks, I went down the Airfix Comet/High Level route for my ensemble and never built a K's version (that said Captain Kernows' model in post #59 looks the part). Whilst K's kits were fun and easy to build, things have moved on a wee bit in the intervening years! Regards, Andy.

Whilst having a sort out the other night I dusted off this aged Grange kit that has not seen the light of day for some years. Originating from a K's body with a scratch built chassis, she does not bare scrutiny alongside contemporary offerings from Mitchell or Hornby, but I quite liked the image anyway. So here we have 6814 Enborne Grange sat on the coaling road sidings at Newton Abbot shed in the autumn of 1958, waiting to work back west to her home shed of St Blazey. Regards, Andy.

This is the sole surviving K's kit in my collection. Built in my teens and one of my first conversions to EM Gauge, I keep it more for sentimental reasons than anything else. Although it is found wanting when compared to more modern offerings, she runs like a sewing machine and will haul a ten coach rake without complaint (much like the real Granges). Apologies for the poor quality image, which is a quick grab with the i-phone, but here is 6814 Enborne Grange sat down by the coaling road at Newton Abbot. Regards, Andy.

I took the plunge and ordered one today…….just couldn't resist. There was 121 left on the pre-order page of the website. Not my period, prototype or region, but I'm getting a real soft-spot for pre grouping liveries. Andy.

Alan, Fantastic looking little project of a charming prototype. Good luck with it, and I for one will be watching your progress with interest. Regards, Andy.

I've been trying to acquire a couple of these N23 'Felix Pole' kits for some time now, without success. Speaking with Colin Ashby at EM North, he still has the moulds which are now quite worn, but no plans to re-issue. Regards, Andy.

I'm sure I read somewhere that the maximum permitted speed for a 28xx on the Torbay Branch was 35 mph, and that was of course built to main line standards. I will hunt out the exact text and see if it expands further. Andy.

Steve, She is due a boiler washout but you might strike it lucky. If not it will be the two eight coupled tanks plying their trade. Either way enjoy! By the way I have posted a few recent images of Lydham in the 'Loco Portraits' thread that might whet your appetite. Andy.