Markeg

Hi Chris,

That is great news. I have ordered 2 (LNER & BR) and am looking forward to them. They look great and seem to run very well after all your tests. I managed to see a kit built one (possibly Nu-cast) on a layout at the Bristol Modelrailex while I was in the UK recently which only wet the appetite.

I look forward to getting my hands on the next Model Rail, which will be another 6 weeks away for us in OZ.

Thanks

Mark

Hi Gilbert,

I have found the source of microswitches. I found them in the Expo catalogue I picked up in the UK and a web supplier Futurelec.com.

keep up the good work.

Mark

Hi Darren,

Looks like you had a great day. Photos look good, did you get a photo of yourself doing the work, always handy to show others?

I enjoyed the article about your layout in the recent Model Rail. I picked up my copy while I and my wife were in the UK. We even stayed in Devon (around Spreyton) and had the option of heading to the L & B, but chose to use our full day as a rest day (and washing clothes) and just went into Exeter for an outing (shopping and sight seeing).

So may put it on the 'to see' next time.

Mark in OZ

Hi Gilbert,

Looks good and is coming along.

I have been in the UK recently for 4 weeks and was able to see plenty of UK layouts, including Gresley Beat, which was top of my list. But I do like eastern region layouts and have a few BR A4's and several other classes. I was inspired by a layout in an early Model Rail (about 1998) called Safton which had LNER and a changeover to BR eastern. While in the UK we had limited access to internet, but most of the time we were downloading photos and adding titles to them so we wouldn't forget where it was, so couldn't follow your progress.

I have 2 Hornby B17's on order and the Blue A4 Sparrow Hawk with sound which I may change to Sir Nigel Gresley which I saw at the North Yorkshire Moors Rly gala earlier in May. TW certainly takes some good photos. The D16's are a very nice looking loco, I'm hoping for the Director, especially a D10 and will name and number it "Walter Burgh Gair" 5433 in LNER lined black and one in BR lined Black 62654.

Enough of my rambling. I have one question, it may have been asked and answered previously. In the picture with the Cobalt point motors you can see a micro switch in front, what brand are these and where can you get them from? I have seen these on TW's layout too. Haven't seen these in OZ, but then I haven't been to any exhibitions here for a while because they tend to be the same and was planning to visit Bristol exhibition which was excellent. Not much english exhibition modelling these days with so much aussie RTR available here in OZ.

thanks Gilbert for the update

Look forward to seeing more as you progress

Mark (Gair)

Hi Chris,

just checked out the youtube video and looks good. I ended up ordering 2, a BR and LNER version. I have just returned to Australia from 28 days in UK and have plenty of photos and footage of large and small trains. I went to Bristol Model Rail ex where a kit built one was running and the hand (of god) came out to push it along when it got stuck on the point frog. This doesnt seem to be the case with this MR-Dapol version, good weight to by the sounds of it.

Look forward to receiving them in August hopefully.

Mark in OZ

Hi SRman,

Looks like some progress has happened since I last looked which is over 5 weeks ago.

Have been in UK for 4 weeks and France for 5 days. Have got some good photos and footage, will try to post some. I have 2mins of A4 Sir Nigel Gresley at Grosmont NYMR on a Gala weekend in May, unfortunately it did not download the remaining 1.22mins which has wheel slip and pulling out of station. We had a good time.

See you some time too.

Mark

I had no trouble ordering the LNER and BR versions. As I am in Australia it worked it all out for me, minus VAT and Postage. It looks like a 'cracking' model and I look forward to the UK summer release.

I am not a subscriber to Model Rail, though I occassionaly buy it when something interestes me, a friend buys it and BRM and RM and I buy Hornby Mag.

So we share. I am quite willing to pay the postage for such an item.

Mark

Thanks Chris for keeping us up to date with the Sentinel Shunter. It has been a while since the last news.

I will probably be home from my Holiday in the UK (April18-May22) and will order on line when an email comes thru, unless ordering is open while I am away. Fortunately I will have access to emails & internet.

regards

Mark in OZ

Hi Roger,

I bought a Morley a few years ago and it is a very nice piece of kit. When I had a bit of trouble with a short, they fixed it very promptly. As I am In Australia, we have a distributor & agent here. Communication was excellent. It takes some time to get used to the control knobs as there is no off switch such as Gaugemaster, it is just centre off. The fan makes a little bit of noise too. I will eventually box it in and hoepfully cut down the noise.

The Hand helds are great feature and are about a metre long.

Mark

Looks very nice, Paul. Well done on the lining. I repainted a couple of Triang Blue&Grey Mk1's in Maroon and attempted to line them before trying a Loco.

I have never seen a photo of the hopper attached either on a model or the prototype.

You say that "all being well" you will be at Middlesborough. Is that at Ormesby Hall in May? If so I plan to be there.

regards

Mark in OZ

Hi SRman,

I see you have a large 'Hoover' next to the class 58 on the layout.

Looks good.

See you in March BRMA meeting, not attending Sandown this year. thats the plan.

Mark

Hi all,

It is unfortunate about those who have difficulties with Rails. I wish to state the opposite. In the 5-6 years I have been using Rails, I have never had any problems. I live in Australia, postage has been as quick as others mentioned and packaging is somewhat better than others mentioned, boxes are solid and not just cardboard wrapped around the items. And prices are comparable and sometimes cheaper depending on what you want. I bought a 7F for £89 generally £99-£103 and it arrived last week with the current Hornby Catalogue safe and sound.

Mark in OZ

Thanks Mick for the photo of the G5 and ex-NER Autocoach, after all my drooling (spelling?) I will definitely look into a model of the G5 when I am in the UK and a Autocoach/Push Pull set for my layout and the branch line to Ponteland to be built. I'm not sure I will be able to find an ex-NER coach and may just stick to the Ian Kirk LNER plastic kit. The G5 will most likely be the London Road Models version. I better start saving for them now.

I have ordered my Bachmann 13T open steel wagon and the 12T Box Van vans. The light weathering looks good.

I have finished this Full BG, when Hornby announce a BG, isn't it always the way? I just noticed that this picture is before lining and decals applied.

This afternoon I got out to the layout for the first time in a month or so. Check out the track which needed a clean before running took place. The K3, A3, 04, V3, L1(BR green) and the bargain 7F all got a run. Also need to finish some wiring of isolated sections.

Mark

Brilliant work there, but just noticed that myself that you have the valances the wrong way round or simply the steps are transposed as Mikej has stated.

Should not be to had to fix I would think. Did you add weight to the Hornby A4 so it could pull the set? excellent work on the A3 and the scammel too. I like the G5 too behind the Bachmann wagon. While I am in the UK, I will be looking out for one. Otherwise I will buy one when I return.

I am looking forward to seeing The Gresley Beat layout when in the UK in APril-May. I am still waiting for confirmation of this, but have arranged a visit to Ormesby hall with Pilmoor when an exhibition is on and a visit to a home layout, though BR eastern region.

It will be nice to see a majority of English layouts. In Australia, there are not too many at exhibitions. Mostly Australian, a couple of US, European and other.

Mark in OZ

The G5 looks great.

I hope to buy/build one in the future for the Ponteland branch line I intend to build when I get back from visiting the UK in April & May. I may even buy one when I am there. It will be the London Road Model version as I have read this is the best to date. What I can remember the boiler is rolled and etched. It is a good price to. You will have to buy the usual wheels, motor, gearbox, paint and decals.

Mark in OZ

Hi Gordon,

Good on you for keeping 'dry.'

I have just read the article in Model Rail 150, it takes about 6 weeks for the UK mags to get to Australia, though I now subscribe to the Hornby Magazine.

Hope the back is improving and you can get on with the layout, especially after the op. The layout plan looks good and nice to have some long runs. Interesting how you can get access to all the track?

I have been so busy with work that mine doesn't seem to progress at all.

Tetley Mills, Borchester Market are certainly inspirational layouts. My all time favorite layout is probably The Gresley Beat, mainly due to the fact it is LNER. All that fine detail and rolling stock. I hope to see it in 3 months time when my wife and I are in the UK. As you can probably tell I model LNER, but I do model BR all regions too, including 3 diesels (Classes 08, 47 & 108 DMU).

Keep on with the great work.

Mark

That sounds great, at least someone is doing the LNER horsebox. Do you know when its likely to be released?

I will sell the 2x GWR horsebox's (ones BR) I picked up cheap.

MArk in OZ

Hi,

Is there any further news regarding the Model Rail Sentinel? especially ordering one.

Just picked up the December issue(no150) today.

Mark in OZ

Hi Jeff,

Nice work there, Doug has done a good job with the baseboards. The layout looks like a good plan too.

I was at Doug's place a couple of weeks before Christmas and saw his excellent layout. I was inspired by the North Eastern feel of the layout and the sound locos, of course DCC. I will be in UK in April-May and will check out this aspect a bit further when there and I may have to visit yourself and ask some questions.

Keep up the good work.

Mark

Superb Gilbert Superb.

The GA A4, The ex Coronation twin set and the Gresley Restaurant Triplet set are excellent and I look forward to seeing the rest of the stock and your layout progress.

I have built the Mailcoach Silver Jubilee set, which I am happy with, but know etched kits are much better. Cost and skills the determining factor. I have also built a single Restaurant car and a full baggage coach, both Kirk kits in LNER Teak. I have started collecting the Coronation sets to build next year, other than some Wagon kits and the layout I will have to find some time.

Keep up the good work and have a great Christmas.

Looking forward to see some British layouts when I am in UK in April-May next year.

Mark in OZ

I have ordered several items over the years from Hereford Model Centre and they do give excellent service. I am looking forward to visiting in the new year all the way from Australia. I dont think I will come out empty handed either, not planning to. I also have a relative there and it was 20 years ago when I last visited. So Hereford and surrounding area is certainly one place worth a visit in the UK, not only for the Model Shop. I might get some comission from the Hereford tourist board or what!

Mark In OZ

We visited from Australia in 1993 and it seems not much has changed but the rolling stock.

Nice photos. We saw the steam hauled pass pull in and fed a vervet monkey a wrapped lolly which he/she unwrapped and chewed on for quite some time.

Mark in OZ

New Owners for the Reds, still americans, hopefully they will improve.

I'll be visiting next year and going to the ground to have a look at Museum. It would be a sad day if relegation took place. Hopefully the guys on the field can pull their socks up.

I may have to leave my Liverpool hat at home.

Mark in OZ

Hi Chris,

Thanks for keeping us updated about this little gem of a loco.

My question is regarding ordering from Australia. If the next Model Rail comes out in UK some 4-6weeks before we get it, is the loco likely to be sold out before we can get the magazine and know about how to order one? Can we order the Loco on/through the Web? I thought I would ask because I wish to buy the LNER version and may be tempted to buy a BR version and would hate to miss out. I am on the update list when emails are sent through.

Have just returned from the British Railway Modellers of Australia convention in Melbourne OZ with special guest speaker Ian Futers. Could have listened to him all day. I asked him about finding sources of survey maps for old railway lines in the North East (Ponteland just out of Newcastle upon tyne).

regards

Mark in OZ

I have succumbed to buying an L1 'British Rlys' green one. At first I thought that they don't really suit, especially the LNER 9001, but as I also model BR all regions.

I looked at the photos and gave in and bought one, now winging its way to OZ.

Simply stunning. Can't wait for the B17's one LNER and one BR. will sell old tender drive B17 Man Utd.

Will have to run Gresley red and creams with it.

MArk