dave k

I did not know that Shawplan did glazing for the Bachmann 'Toad' or is it a special? By the way wen't you going to re-glaze an Airfix 'B' set?

I must have missed the first two parts of this conversion method - I've just used the Ultrascale dropped in wheel sets onmy 45xx although it will be getting a new Comet chassis in the further. However, in part 1 you say you removed one of the Bachmann transfers. I want to do the same with my 45xx, i.e. removed the late 30's G.W.R and replace it with a 1920's Great Western. What did you use to remove the transfer with?

I believe that Dart Castings do a lever and base set that can be used for either in a signal box a ground frame - well that's what they say.

When I detailed the underframes of my Airfix (E140) B set I used brass angle for the trussing - fiddly bur worth it in the long run. Concerning having laser cut glazing - please let me know how you get on as I have a "K" 'B' set to build and I would in the market forsome decent windows.

Mikkel, "I haven't been able to find any record of when the reversible shoes were introduced?" I thought I had read somewhere that the reversible shoes were introduced sometime around 1910 but can't find where I read it.

Very much like the Catcott and I would like to do something similar myself so can one dare to ask which member of the 'popular press' this will be?

Just to let you know that I spoke Mr Carr of MRD about doing sprung buffers for the inner buffers for 'B' sets and gave him the drawing for the E140's (which I think will also do the E147) and E145's. We will have to see what develops. Also I've found an A3 copy of an official GWR drawing, dated 5/1932, (from the NRM) is was given to me entitled "Arrangement & Detail of Brake" for the diagram E140 of E147. If you would like a copy I can copy it and post it you? If so please contact me off line.

For Paul, I believe that Masokits do an etch replacement underframe for the old Airfix Esso tank wagon - I think it also has replacements ladders as well. Dave

Nick, I've been following your blog with interest as I'm building a model of Hallatrow (or part of it myself). Regarding the numbering on your signalling diagram. If it is to follow the same system as Hallatrow then, to same the poor signaller shoe leather, then all signals and points are numbered from each direction e.g. your 2 & 3 would be 1 & 2, your 1 would be 25 and your 21 & 22 would be 23 & 24. You could see if there is a copy of the Camerton diagram in the appropriate volume of Pryer's "Signal Box of the GWR & SR". Dave

"A couple of weeks off" - not demoing and flying the EM flag at Wells this year.

If you are modeling the early BR period most of the passenger workings were 'B' sets.

When Hallatrow was exhibited at the final of the 18.83 Challenge I did not have a station building, however Tim Venton of Clutton fame had previously made a model and has loaned to me ever since. So I thought it was about time I made a start on a model of my own. The engineer for the Bristol & North Somerset Railway was William Clarke, who was the engineer to a number of local independent companies whose lines were to connect their local community to a main line. In a number of instances these companies were initially worked by the Great Western and were later taken over by them. As a result his distinctive architectural style can be found around the Great Western system. The station building all followed the same basic design, only increasing in size with the importance of the station. An article in 'British Railway Journal' No. 8 on William Clarke's 'Standard' Buildings gives further details. This article and the Wild Swan book on the Abbotsbury Railway have copies of the original plan of Portesham station. A re-scaling of these plans and that of the GW official survey, plus photos confirmed that the station building at Hallatrow and Portesham were to the same basic design and size. Thus the Portesham plan was used as the basis for Hallatrow's station building. A site visit in 2003 confirmed that the building still existed, although it has been altered when it was converted into a private dwelling. After looking at the various types of plastic stone, Wills' Course Stone was a good match and Evergreen strip for the cornices etc. And so finally we have. Now that the basic structure is finished all that is left are the windows, doors, canopy, roof and chimney.

Ian, Have just come across your Blog. The outside frame Toad is still available from ABS however he now does it as two kits - one with the clasp brakes and the other with push rods. Dave

I currently use the Scalefour Society's Shropshire and Herefordshire Area Group designed lever frame as designed with the microswitches connected to relays and ultimately Tortoise point motors but at Railex there was a layout using relays to lock point and signals. I am thinking of adding interlocking to my layout at some stage but don't want to go the whole hog and using DCC accessories decoders etc. In your system how do you change your signals and points, are they still connected to the lever frame or what?

Mikkel, You are right, in yards and on branches the keys were not always in the direction of travel as on main lines. However there are photographic examples where the track was 'inside keyed'. Just to add to your deliberations if you are modeling totally 1908 some yards and even branches were still laid with 'baulk road'. In the book on the Mortenhampstead branch it states that the branch was relaid with standard track between 1910-12 and there is a picture of Newton Abbot yard in the 1920's with baulk road sidings.

What colours would you/do you use for brickwork as I have to paint a couple of buildings one a signal box which is mainly the standard brick colour with engineering blues at the corners the other mainly engineering blues.

Mikkel,<div><br></div><div>I know what you mean about the pleasures of track building, of threading on the chairs and getting them in correct direction at the end of each track panel. On my layout <b>Hallatrow</b>, although it's P4, the track is made from 'Exactoscale' full depth sleepers and 2 bolt chairs. It surprised us what a difference there was between the full depth and half depth sleepers.</div><div><br></div><div>And don't let anyone tell you the ply sleepers and glued chairs won't last - I've got a short demo length of track built over 20 - 30 years ago and the chairs stuck and still to gauge.</div><div><br></div><div>Dave</div>

I see you have the Great Western modellers wagon bible - Tourret.

Such attention to detail.

So are we likely to a 'clay branch line passenger charter' run at RailEx???

I can't seem to remember weather you have built this to EM or P4?

I'll look forward to see Engine House at Railex this year, although in my railway world it's 1912 and the Great Western extended the Camerton branch and re-modelled Hallatrow as a through station.<br>

Craig, You got me reaching for my copy of Mr Smiths book now. I take it we are all talking about what are shown on pg.98 as 'Slide Chairs "SS" ', if so they look very similar to the current slide chair that Exactoscale/P4 Track Co. do except they have 3 bolts per chair where as the GW had 2. What would be nice would be the "1S - 3S" Heel Chairs. Also are the photos on the Templot site the same as those on Finescale Rly Modeller's?

Craig, Yes it is a pity but I don't see why you say its to difficulty to mould them, they seem to look no different to other type.

Craig, I'm sorry for the delay in posting an answer to your questions but my friend Roger, who now lives in Somerset, was playing with a Class 25 and an 03 yesterday and I could not confirm all the details of his jig with him. All the points on Hallatrow have GW 'old type curved switches' which are loose heel. I've attached a photo of the original jig and some of the point work on a new post.