Poggy1165

Haywood Railway do two types of LNWR buffer, although what types I don't know. Invertrain do 4 types, albeit he is retiring and it's uncertain what will happen to his range.

One of the books on the M&GN (I can't recall which) mentions a cattle wagon register kept at Melton Constable and states that almost every imaginable company was represented in it. I have an idea that the M&GN Society hold that book. I know that the GC had representatives at a wide number of cattle markets including some way off the GC system. Obviously, they were there to tout for traffic, but what I don't know is whether if they 'won' a GC cattle wagon was sent or a local wagon hired.

Wow, that is impressive! I have sometimes fancied a GCR glass wagon (although, fortunately, I don't model the St Helens branch were several would be needed) but I could never even imagine how that framework could be modelled. You're right. It has to be metal. Plastic, or even 3D printing, simply would not last.

The bearings supplied by Gibson and Haywood are both much smaller. However, they are also open-ended (which can cause issues with glue) and don't take Slater's axles (from memory). I have occasionally found these smaller bearings useful. The Slater's bearings, to my mind, could be almost half the size they are. Another issue is that 'manufacturing tolerances' mean that axles can be of differing lengths. This was pointed out (on here I think) by Bill Bedford. I had previously thought that my occasional need to file down axle ends to get a smooth-running wagon was my fault! Once Bill explained this it lit a lightbulb in my head and I no longer feel guilty when I have to do this.

The fineness of the brake gear really stands out. Incredibly delicate. And this is 7mm! What would 4mm look like? Almost a hair.

'SOLD' to Polybear. Send me a PM with your address and I will put them in the post

Bought due to fat fingers on the keyboard, thinking they were 7mm. Four pairs in CAM RYS style, Free to the first person to ask for them as my days of 4mm modelling are long over. Brian

The honest answer is - sources vary. I tend towards grey, based on advice received from an extremely knowledgeable GC expert. But if memory serves me, Dow states chocolate brown. Bear in mind that it's quite possible the livery changed at some point. If they exist the original contracts for the wagons might supply an answer.

If Dapol ever do the 517 in 7mm, a force beyond my power to control will compel me to buy at least two. There are things no reasonable person can resist.

I think you may at least sleep secure in the knowledge Dapol will never make one of any of these.

Mike, your 'near misses' are what most of us call perfection. I reckon you could sell your rejects on Ebay and do really well.

Best wishes for your continued recovery, Bill.

In one of Eddie Johnson's books, there is a photo of one of those NSR milk vans in a passenger train (headed by an 05 2-8-0!) at Gorton and Openshaw, GCR. I have often wondered whether it was going to Macclesfield via the GC and NS Joint line or whether it was exchanged with the LNWR at London Road and is off to some locus to the east of Manchester. No knowing of course, but it does show that such a vehicle could appear at quite an unexpected place.

There was a similar signal box arrangement at New Mills (Newtown). Some photos here: http://sutherland.davenportstation.org.uk/aaprint/nmn.html

On this point, I am reminded that I once read an article that mentioned a 'demurrage train' that used to run from Manchester to Carlisle on a daily basis. It had to be in Carlisle by a certain time, so it was important. It took me years to figure out what a 'demurrage train' was, but I think you can safely assume that Scottish wagons appeared in the Manchester area. (Though I suppose Maryport and Carlisle and maybe even North Eastern wagons might also have been returned this way.)