Hal Nail

I think these would likely have been patched but in 1960 the question is more whether they would have had any paint on the rest! Ample scope for replacement planks and much darker seasoned and unpainted wood.

Yes and 10 ft wheelbase as well. There are always exceptions to most rules (and RMWebbers do love to throw them into a discussion!), but black patches for grey, no patches for bauxite and xp on 10 foot fitted was the norm in your time frame. Something like this might be of use but not hard to find photos either http://igg.org.uk/rail/6-livy/br/9-br-4864.htm

Dont think its that book, unless i just missed it. All the grey ones have patches.

Latest state of play: I did end up painting the safety valve cover green in the end. The contrast between my laptop and my phone is so vast its impossible to judge what people are seeing when i put a picture up. To the naked eye its quite a rich green with a dusty boiler top.

These two have clearly had tender swaps as the crest has reverted to the earlier one. I think more than likely black in that photo tho, as very few tenders would be green large early crest at any point, let alone in the 60s (the two locos werent allocated to Barnstaple till later on). Now you've said it, could be persuaded the loco is green though!

Its a staggering amount of capital tied up. Given the Heljan mogul didnt really sell quickly either, I cant see any more tender locos being done in a hurry - although of course people tend to ignore obvious lessons these days so hopefully someone else wades in!

Not quite the point of the question but related, if using 3 link, for stock where access to the hook is restricted (eg Lionheart mk1s, rear of Hattons LNER tender etc), Ive been thinking a simple solutìon is to just have a variety of "one link" loops that can be slipped on the hard to access hook (easier to do if only one loop, as rigid and thus self-supporting as you aim)! Wouldnt look any less prototypical than resorting to alternative types of coupling or more drastic modifications to allow access and can just be taken off again once not needed.

I find it ironic that we have all these things to be aware of these days but despite that, society is going downhill fast. Stuff that affects everyone, like unusually high call volumes, an inadequate electoral system and declining levels of education, we are apparently powerless to do anything about. But we are quick to stamp out laughter in case anyone is accidentally offended.

There are good deals around and I would certainly argue O is better value but I dont think its true to say they cost roughly the same (per earlier) and prices are going up. I would aim to pay or get £28 for a Parkside kit 4 or 5 years ago. Its nudging £40 now and not even for a new release, just the cost of exactly the same thing. That said, this works both ways when you come to sell. My net outlay is nothing like it would be if my hobbies involved cars or women! By the way, in case the OP isnt aware, the secific 7mm section on here has a range of useful threads.

Actually i buy and then sell quite a bit so maybe its just a few of us swapping stuff!

Who is it selling all the O gauge stuff on eBay all the time then?

Noticed the other day that Antics had some 16T for 30 quid so snapped them up and I've been messing about with these. The 45xx is progressing, building up weathering on the cab front, firebox and boiler very slowly, removing most each time to try and get an even finish. Green is the hardest colour to weather as it "adopts" whatever shade you put on.

You've brought the memories flooding back with that comment.

I'm not in the market for these but have been idly watching the thread. I wish all new releases got a nice balanced summary like this!

Not covering the return would be poor but if they are happy for it to be sent 2nd class its their risk and if you get proof of postage then I wouldn't pay extra personally. I had a class 45 from Tower which was a poor runner. They sent out a replacement the day I rang and another courier to collect mine, all free.

Thanks that's interesting - i hadn't spotted that link. My model is actually the shorter cover but it certainly looks taller than my Warren Shephard one on 4505. I don't fancy getting it off though - its pretty solid and the paint chips very easily on these metal bodies. I steered away from 4564 because they have done it with the taller type safety valve which I didn't want but I would have preferred one with the longer valences really. Mulling over getting a black one with that chassis and swapping the bodies!

Thats not the loco im doing!

Revisiting this. For some time I have been puzzling over a couple of locos that ended up at Barnstaple 5336 and 5376. I have a photo in June '58 of 5336 in green late crest and 5376 got early lined green in '57 with a small early crest. I've seen much later photos of both after 1960 with tenders with the large early crest Whilst you can never be certain under grot, i'm pretty sure that the locos are unlined black. You can see the boiler bands and cleaner patches and there is absolutely no hint of lining and the shade doesnt look remotely green. Is it possible a handful of the locos lasting that long reverted to black having had lined green previously? Maybe at the same time economy green was coming in but they've used black where only a black tender was available? eg Western Steam in Colour, Ballantine, page 20. 5336 on the turntable in Feb 64.

For anyone wanting to get to West London without going all the way to Paddington?!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304629466097?hash=item46ed54c3f1:g:YdEAAOSw2o9jImNr&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsHLp7J7WVEoSzC4XK9Jt0jPx8Q9A%2B1%2B8e5mtY%2BxcF%2Bo0OU9X56UCceHYi7e0rBilQU%2BCMjl4AEMEx1jiPXRcKstJS%2BUKhK6mFKiWOmG3Xoj3OazqrXS27pNRpuhEmPnglTZgEr1RJ4wx3Pgv%2BMDSmIvTBg2GXp3D6RCWUdysAmEkUNN3wph8FDYhUSGuGtwRwpGtZno%2FSVj25Zu7VSNWHyMRJn%2BJdzStVhp7e%2BsZIcVu|tkp%3ABk9SR7y8ifbnYA Or you could have 15 Dapol ones and a mars bar. Tricky.

I am 100% confident a SR van at these prices isnt going to sell out in advance!

I tend to mix by eye but one of the Precisions - pre 1954 i think - was spot on for my Heljan class 46 without having to alter it. I havent tried the 43xx though. The finish affects the shade so buffing or varnishing to the same level will make a difference.

They always release photos of the decorated samples long before they actually appear.