Andy M

Don't suppose Colas operate Large Prairies do they?

Mikkel, Superb photo's and an interesting read, cracking stuff! Is there a website dedicated to Victorian facial growth and styling?!? Regards, Andy.

David, No problems at all, I have quite a soft spot for 1608,as did many of the crews at 83A during its time there. It could often be seen charging up and down the lower yard with dead ex-works engines bedding in their springs and running gear. Off the top of my head I'm sure there is a colour image of it on the Ashburton Goods leaving Dainton Tunnel in Peter Gray's 'Steam in Devon' (Ian Allan) and a B+W one of it on the Teignmouth Goods in the same authors 'Rail Trails South West'. I will PM you with other details and how I can get some other tasty images I have of it at Newton to you. Regards, Andy.

Hi David, 1608 was allocated to Newton Abbot mainly for the duty of Works Pilot as some posters have eluded to. The staff at the works affectionately called her 'Charlie'. It replaced 1362 which returned to Laira. It was obviously used on other turns during its time at 83A, such as the Ashburton Goods and the Teignmouth Pick Up Goods, pictures have been published of it on both duties. I have had it confirmed by David Rouse (ex Newton Fireman) amongst others that it did venture up to Moretonhampstead and to Christow on the Teign Valley but not as a regular diagram due to its power rating and the fact it was needed at the works! If you are modelling her and need some images let me know as I have quite a few in my collection. Regards, Andy.

The Penzance - Kensington milk trains in the late 50's early 60's usually had a Hawkesworth Full Brake at the rear of the train, which would have been full of milk churns. The evening Up diagram often had a DD4 Corden Gas Tank attached to the back as well, returning empty to London after filling Restuarant Cars at Penzance and Plymouth. Andy.

Stop messing around and wind it forward a couple of decades.............double chimney Castles, early green Hydraulics, chocolate & cream Mk1's............BR(W) you know it makes sense! Andy.

Amen to that statement Larry. The Hornby green is too blue and the Bachmann lining is way too pronounced and ORANGE! Still it was for that very reason I purchased a lining pen, taught myself to use it and stopped making excuses for not doing full repaints following gauge conversions. Andy.

That's made my mind up David........They are ugly and do not fit in with my modelling sphere. But do you know what?..........I'm off to the shops because I've got to have one! Andy.

Nice one Mikkel, interesting use of the different media. Thanks for posting. Andy.

That is really nice, surely a candidate for the MRJ. Don't know how I have missed this one, has it been exhibited widely? Andy.

Nice one Rich........................keep us posted if you are to be the first one 'ouf of the traps'! Regards, Andy.

Lovely work Trevor, and great to see it back on the new RMWeb. You have captured the early 1970's look perfectly...................all very functional but in need of a good clean and a lick of paint! Thanks for showing, Andy.

The wife has gone and secretly ordered one for Xmas (bless her) without me knowing. It looks like all that brainwashing and dragging around preserved railways is starting to pay off! Now I have to pray it can be converted to EM Gauge without too much fuss. I have always secretly wanted a model of CoT as I have a cracking photo of it sat under the coal stage at Newton Abbot in 1958 during one of it's many forays down to Kingswear. I thought the Finney kit was the only reasonable option and what with this being a bit of a 'non-standard' addition to the loco roster, it was way down the list of priorities. Good on you Bachmann, now I just need Ultrascale to do me a big favour and rustle up a nice little conversion pack! Andy.