Markeg

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

Hi Mick, Superb cab detail. You could be up for work at Hornby or Bachmann yet! Regarding the kitchen roof detail, I came across a photo somewhere on the web with the Silver jubilee kitchen car detail in model form clearly visible, but do you think I can find it now. It looked correct, lining up with drawings, etc. When I find it I will let you know. Have just returned from an Exhibition in Melbourne Australia, 2 &15hour drive, only 2 English layouts which were no longer than 10 feet. One N gauge and the other end to end DCC. All the rest were Australian, American and European and a couple of Japanese N gauge. My friend just picked up 2 boxes of '0' gauge track for a future layout. We in Australia are having elections today. It will be very close. Mark

Hi Mick, Wheels are definitely Silver Grey according to attached drawing. Grey in black and white photos always appears darker. This drawing from Nigel Digby of BRM, he also has a website where I downloaded this from clearly show wheels silver grey. his website is: www.myweb.tiscali.co.uk/redhouseguitar after a few minutes of searching for Magazine. I have found the BRM article by Nigel in December 2008 issue, and he has the wheels as charcoal grey as on the front of the A4 and this is written in the text. Another website, www.locos-in-profile.co.uk So there is some doubt over what colour they are, even by Nigel. More research. Mark

Hi Mick, The silver Jubilee is coming along and looking good. One thing is the wheels on the Silver Jubilee were painted the silver/aluminium grey and the wheel rims were painted white according to drawings and information I have. I must admit I painted the wheels after I fitted them in the bogies. But with a fine sable brush I was able to paint them without getting paint on any of the axles, etc. Off course you can make it like you want it, but it will improve the look that much more. great job on them, look forward to the triplet set. Obviously you are making the seven car set and not the post 1938 8 car set. I have done the same. Mark in Oz

Hi sn, There are other RTR Turntables available. Fleischmann and Roco make excellent TTs. I have the Fleischmann TT. It is motorised and is easy to set up. It is very European, but with a lick of grey paint can be made to look like a UK TT. There was one in a recent Hornby Magazine, I think the layout was called Kingsbridge. Walthers is the same as Heljan and look very nice too. The Peco kit can be motorised with motors available from Frizinghall Models and Expo Tools, check them out and look for info on this forum. Mark

Hi Gwiwer, Good summary and nice photos. Here a couple of mine to add to list. 2x VR R class locos pulling a Steam Rail special into Bendigo in 2009. Puffing Billy G42 Garrat Mark

Hi Arpster absolutely terrific. The small details, weeds, grass, broken fencing, drains, etc, really bring it to life. Your excellent photography make for an inspirational layout. Not to mention your fathers handywork. Is your father going to add some figures? Mark

Hi Mick, and all the LNER experts on this thread. A great place to learn. happy new year too. Great looking stock you have there Mick. How did you get on with Fox transfers about the Silver Jubilee '1' & '3' for coach doors? I am interested in some as they don't come with the Fox Transfer. An option might be to use any remaining small numbers on the sheet, but really these are a little too small. My Silver Jubilee with 2512 Silver Fox was in the Readers layouts section of the October issue of BRM, did you see it? I have improved a few things on it since the photo was taken, adding curtains and roof vents and improving running qualities. I don't recall the Mailcoach set having the correct vents for the Kitchen car, but will check and maybe have a go at making some. I think I may have asked you previously about the High Level gearbox, if you did please excuse my forgetfulness, could you tell me where you get them from? I am in Australia. Good to learn of yours and others methods of painting teak. Have a chivers kit, a full brake to build and paint and will probably buy some more coaches this year (2010). Maybe even the TPO. I also am planning a trip to the old dart in Apr/May 2011 and hope to see some good qaulity layouts, not to mention adding some purchases to the list. regards Mark

Hi Simon, I have 2 Schools, 1 Black & 1 Green and one T9 (NRM SR 120). The Schools could pull a truck, well maybe a large toy one. I like the detail and lining on the black Schools the best. As already mentioned, there is a problem with the early T9's in regards to haulage power. This is due to the front screw pip/retainer being too long and pushing down the front bogie and thus raising the front driving wheel which has the traction tyres. I took the chassis out of the body (3 screws - 1 front & 2 back) and filed the pip/retainer down no more than 1mm with a nail file. This has worked a treat. The T9 pulled 7 coaches very easily and could possibly pull a few more. hope this helps have a merry Christmas every one too. Mark