Hal Nail

Presumably they made chassis in various standard lengths and not all completely random? I actually quite like the longer ones of which there are plenty of photos around but I've no idea what wheelbase these would have been.

Perhaps its a sign?!

I'd be interested in the dimensions - I genuinely think its about right between wheels and only looks odd due to that low body which throws the proportions but i'm far from an expert and having a real example would be handy.

Well the first part of that sounds familiar!

So which one did you think we were struggling with?! Mount Everest (3) took me longest to spot. Kept me quiet though so happy to have another one next weekend please!

You could probably rework each casting a little bit but the other thing is the sheets were flat originally and the classic tent later, so doing one covered form would immediately rule out two sets of purchasers! I'd imagine the master will be needed again in future but I dont know whether a sheet could be added to a casting (I'd probably use modelling clay so I could sand it to shape) and then make a second mould from that?

It's been repaired then?!

Just stumbled on this that I couldn't find the other day - have a look at May 21st, one page from the end. The Bedford flatbed conversion makes the chassis look fairly normal.

Er.... Hate to put a dampener on things but who has said you are an exception???!!! This will be the first year in his adult life that my 73 year old Dad hasn't played cricket but with covid etc he just doesnt feel like it at the moment even though technically they have restarted, albeit with no tea or beer! Seems a real shame for him not to finish on his own terms and we are all hoping come next year and (hopefully) things improved, the enthusiasm will be back. Just one of many examples but my point is its affected many people in strange ways and I wouldn't give anything too much thought at the moment and just get through to next year and see how things are then. (I say this while putting the house on the market as ive had enough of it!) Chin up!

No I think we spotted that. Its the other one!

I'm still stuck on 9. Has a gear split by the second shot?

No they dont. There are umpteen threads on here discussing quality control (or lack thereof) and that a certain level of returns is expected, although obviously each manufacturer will have their own approach.

Like a rainbow, coming colours everywhere?

I stir it pretty thoroughly then put a small amount of it onto a palette (Kipling's pie tin) and let it down with thinners. I usually only do small areas, eg number patches on wagons but even so have got an even matt finish and not had any problem, other than invariably chucking half the tin as it goes chalky.

You might have stumbled on how to turn these into something appealing. Cut and shut two of them together into a sort of freelance clayton-bear.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dapol-O-Gauge-Meat-Van-7F-054-001/264863080578?hash=item3dab11e082:g:kacAAOSw9VxfXH32 These are in stock at £40 with rails. Am I missing something?

Plenty of threads on here about similar issues and the general consensus is make sure it comes back in one piece - so yes collecting is a good idea - do a refund and move on. Fortunately it doesnt happen often and if you only lose a bit of postage now and again it could be a lot, lot worse. Yes I'm sure you can argue the position but it seems the buyers can get away with a lot so may not be worth the hassle ultimately. I'm always a bit relieved when a sale goes well but to be honest that's the risk we are taking using a relatively low fee platform with a massive market.

All sold out at full retail price then? (4mm may be different to 7mm of course).

I dont have my books to hand at the moment but I'm pretty sure the photos I've seen on the Torrington branch (ball clay) in diesel days were generally standard BR opens with corrugated ends, rather than the specific china clay "hoods".

Would fitted 1/051s have worked with ex GWR unfitted toads? I thought I'd seen photos at Bodmin General and on that branch c1960 behind praries but wondering now if these would have been the unfitted ones, which i didnt know about until today. Difficult to tell BR type from earlier GWR in black and white at any sort of distance (especially if covered) but the BR ones had straighter side door bumpers and solid tie bars.

Really useful summary!

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/137515-mike-hughes-workbench/page/6/#comments Latest post shows the 1/051.

Theres another thread on here somewhere discussing exactly the same thing as well! The strapping on the 1/051 is also different to the 013, BR v GWR axle guards etc.

Yes, although interestingly the clay is pretty lopsided in this one. There are better photos but I dont have my reference books to hand. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/416442296784597601/ Built by BR in the 50s to replace the very similar looking GWR version (diagram 013), they were flat sheeted until converted in diesel days. Incidentally the original flat sheet only covered the top couple of planks (or in practice most of one side and hardly any of the other) so you cant get away with not modelling the strapping!

Where do you find out the correct name for drain pipe parts? Is there a forum for that?