Markeg

Progress is coming on and looking good. Wheel centres were crimson red on the Coronation, like the locos that pulled them. A4's in garter blue. I have painted teak coach wheel centres using a fine paint brush while turning the wheel with my thumb or finger. But will paint the Coronation wheel sets before I make the bogies. Mark in Oz

Good news for some. It does look good. If only it was a LNER G5 0-4-4T. Mark in Oz

I Read on this forum that the latest incarnation of the Heljan 02 with some decoration is to be seen running on Grantham at the Grantham show. Photos please when possible. mark

Congratulations on hitting 100. Re celebrations, lots more photos and movie footage. And running sequence for the weekend. thanks Mark

That is correct regarding the pickups. I picked mine up today from a local seller here in OZ. Had one of each weathered and LNER version and only $5 more than Doug. The LNER version above which I duly ran in at least 40 mins each way and then ran with 4 Hornby small clerestory's, 2 Bachmann HO 6 wheel Clerestory's repainted in teak (Thomas range) and a Parkside Cattle wagon on the flat and no trouble at all. But I might just add the extra weight to give better haulage and planting on track. I did this with the D49 and made a big improvement. I duly cancelled my order from box shifter. Lining is superb and I would say that boiler lining is not much different to the old Bachmann J39 I have. So is consistent. Mark in OZ

I have the LNER version and have added extra lead weight in the boiler over the driving wheels. Yesterday I tested and ran it with a set of Gresley teaks, these included a Kirk Full brake, 4 Hornby full length Teaks and a Comet etched brass Restaurant Triplet set and a CCT Van at the rear. The RTS adds extra weight to the train. It had no trouble at all hauling the train. Nice and smooth. I am so pleased with it, I am thinking I might sell my DJH model to fund another. Well done Bachmann and Locomotion for a superb model. Mark in OZ

It was BRM February 2007 Vol 14 No 11 and P32. I have just found my copy. Hope that helps. Mark in Oz

Hi Tony, like the photos, great inspiration. I think that a new volume on Modelling the LNER would be a great idea. The last volume published did not really provide much inspiration for modellers. It was more on the rolling stock. The Modellers' guide to the LNER, M Adair was published in 1987, nearly 30 years ago. A lot of progress has taken place since in terms of researching the internet, access to historical documents, books on areas or places, improvements in rolling stock, both kit and r-t-r. So as you indicate, you have plenty of material and plenty is available. Hope it comes about, I certainly would buy it. Mark in Oz

That is very good value, considering the exchange rate is poorer that when they were first projected to arrive. The Hornby RRP is 110 pounds and works out to about A$230. But if bought from a UK retailer it may be about A$20-25 cheaper. I have the LNER version on order from a UK retailer. So not far away. Mark

I cancelled my order for these coaches once the price jumped to GBP 60ea. Now that our currency has dropped against the pound also made it very expensive. I was thinking of replacing the Bachmann Thompson coaches too, but they have been listed at just under GBP60, so will be content with what I have and save for some parts to finish a LNER gresley TPO. I have the side and Net. Model Railways Direct have 3 models of the E4 (2x BR and the LBSC) at GBP84.99, and plenty of them. A saving of GBP10. I have the SR 473 model which pulled our Afternoon Cream tea Train on the Bluebell in 2011. Paid full price for it. Up from 76 to 94. Ouch. Mark in Oz

The coal stack looks great and progress is really moving along. The layout is definitely coming together and looking like alive. If I can say that. The Velcro is one idea that we use here at our club in Bendigo OZ. Its good that The Gresley beat was the inspiration for the Velcro. I went to see it at its home in 2011 and is my all time favourite layout. Grantham is certainly not far behind. The blue is the right colour too. I presume that was planned? Mark in OZ

Hi Doug, You must have been on the same route. No 6 had a conny who sometimes swung off the bars and kept all the kids in line. Mark

My SR 473 runs very well over all my code 100 points. These include streamlined large, medium, small and curved points. It has been run with 4 LNER suburban stock (Hornby) and 3 SR Maunsell Coaches. I did have some SECR birdcages on order, but as items are going up in price I decided that I did not need these so cancelled my order. So the LNER and Maunsell coaches will have to do. Mark

Fortunately I can run one set in 30th June 1938. When it ran with and along side Sir Nigel Gresley LNER 4498 for the 50th anniversary of the Flying Scotsman. Though I don't have 4498, I have 5 LNER A4's, soon to be six, 3 Silver and 3 Blue. Not to mention the other 25 + LNER locos. So if you model LNER , then it is plausible to run one. Will be ordering mine tomorrow. CC cycle ends. Mark in OZ

I will place my order next week as I have hit the limit on the credit card. Look forward to seeing this in about 18months time. It will give me some time to allocate funds. I have the Bachmann HO Emily and that has the same as the G scale. Large wheel and trailing (bogie) wheel are driven/geared. This was in the process of becoming GNR 1003. Mark in oz

Looks like a cow got loose in the last photo. I noticed that the well wagon still has tension lock couplers and other stock has Kadees. I presume you are running freight stock with Kadees and have yet to convert this wagon. I have converted some of my passenger stock to Kadees, but not the wagons. must head back to the shed to do more work. Mark in OZ

I have the LNER version on order and that GNR version is looking very tempting. It will be interesting to see how it compares with my DJH LNER (4444) version when it arrives. Mark in OZ

Hi Phil, Thanks for posting these photos. I was not able to attend the BRMA convention as my wife changed her holidays to that very week. I hope to visit some time this year and hopefully see this layout and others for myself. I am about 7hours drive away. You must publish these in the Magazine so others can see this inspirational layout. Mark

Hi Rowanj and Graham, I am about to do the very thing. Convert a D11 to a D10, specifically 62654 Walter Burgh Gair. He was a family member. The main frames were stepped as Graham has said. The cab had the cut out sides and the back portion of the D11 can roof needs to be trimmed. The boiler was 2.54mm (1") lower than the D11, but in OO this works out to be .33mm. So wont be noticeable. The tender is different, but I think I can live with that for a while. I have been looking to do this for a while. Rather than build a kit I thought I would tackle the Bachmann D11 Prince Albert. After thinking about the cab sides a bit, I initially thought I would use plasticard, but checked a Bachmann 04 cab and have ordered a 04 body from Bachmann @ gbp40, so not a cheap option, but I could not get the detail as good. I will post a photo when I have done it. I will file the main frames and cab roof and try and reposition the rivets and builders plates. I have also ordered the nameplate and cabside no's from Modelmaster decals. PDK do a etched brass kit. I didn't think to ask them if they would supply a tender kit. Maybe down the track. I will be happy when its done. Then Bachmann may announce one? Mark Gair

Hi Doug, Let us know when you get one installed. It would be nice to hear. May even tempt me. I like Digitrains 01 sound chip, which actually is a B1 sound. Mark

Welcome back Scott. Look forward to seeing/reading the changed plans. Mark

Congratulations Andy for reaching 10 years. A lot has changed since the beginning. May you keep enjoying the ride. When looking at the Wedding anniversary stone on Wikipedia for 24 years of marriage celebrated last week end, I noticed that 10 years is Tin. So hopefully its not back to Tin for the Models. I doubt it. Mark in OZ

Preiser have African/Zoo Elephants in N, HO and larger. There is 2 in the pack and the product no: is 663-20375 Now where might I be able to fit one with a cart in somewhere on my LNER layout? Mark in OZ

Like Nile, Rails have processed my order and one is winging its way to Australia. Interesting motor and gearbox set up. Will be interested in seeing it in the flesh. Mark

There was a LNER J15 listed on Ebay when I looked a few moments ago. I think it was Flair Rail. So they are starting to filter through. I thought that they would be a week or two yet, but obviously Hornby had received them and unpacked them. I can only hope that my order is up the list. Mark in OZ