A Murphy

I hope you were wearing a high viz jacket when you took that......... Alastair

Dave, really sorry to hear about your tribulations with this. As you are aware I am going to do an N gauge version of the J10. Looking at my trusty RCTS 5, the writer refers to different types of cab. The first seems fairly obviously on the Parker engines, GC 9D with smaller cabs, shorter roof, no vertical handrail at the rear. When we come to the section on Pollitt and Robinson engines, the author seems to imply that there are small and large cabs, with different cut-outs to match different size tenders. By later LNER days, most members of the class seem to have had larger, Robinson style cabs. However, no 134, which masqueraded as a J11 for several years when converted back to J10 in Dec 1924, was fitted with "a Pollitt cab as on the Beyer Peacock locomotives." There seem to be at least 4 different kinds of cab in play here. On most of the engines illustrated in RCTS 5 and Locos illustrated 156, the small rear splasher seems to butt onto a plate or beading mounted on the flat of the spectacle plate. Might the drawing you prepared be slightly adrift because of these differences? I am really struggling to see what they are, but that's probably just my incompetence. The rear splashers on a J10 look really tiny, but not having a decent side on shot, it's difficult to see if there are differences in the way the "large" or "small" cab lines up in relation to the frames. In the drawing you sent me, it seems possible that the cab front may be a tiny (really tiny) bit too far back? Could that be enough to throw your clearances out?? I wish I could help more. Best wishes, Alastair

This looks excellent. I love the broad idea but the attention to detail really makes it. Best wishes, Alastair

I don't know if Colin is around at the moment, I spoke to him about a month ago. I asked about new locos and he said that he hadn't decided anything for this year and therefore as and when he does it is likely to be the back end of 2012 (at the earliest) before we see anything. Best wishes, Alastair

Holy Cow!!

Hope you're not feeling too down hearted - I can't wait to see the next post. Best wishes, Alastair

Another cracker from the House of Coach!

Looking good Dave. I can't wait to see the end result. Thanks for all your help this year, have a great Christmas and 2012, Best wishes, Alastair

Chris' Johnson Class 2 looks great. I'm detailing a J11 at the moment, which I'll try and post when its finished. Does anybody know if Colin has anything new planned? (I think we knew about the Cauliflower this time last year)... Thanks for the photos, Alastair

Simon, I understood for a fee - I'm used to buying ship plans from the National Maritime Museum and they don't come cheap. MOSI is a (relatively) new discovery for me and after your post I went for a good rummage. I couldn't find a tender for the J10 in the Beyer Peacock archive, but will ask how to search when I call them. Also very intertested in the J11. I love this aspect of RMWeb, helpful knowledgable people. Thank you both, Alastair

Simon, That is really helpful, thank you. I want one of those! A call to MOSI on Monday morning then. Thanks, Alastair

PM sent Dave, a big thank you to you. Alastair

Dave, I too went looking for a drawing of the J10 and finding nothing doing from the usual places decided to try and do my own using dimensions etc from RCTS 5, Locomotives illustrated 156 and scaling from any and all other photos I could get my hands on. My problems started with the positioning of the front axle (of course wheel base and spacing is available from published dimensions) and went from there! I am temporarily stopped, but will resume this project nearer Christmas. I am wondering if a thorough rummage in the MOSI collection: http://www.mosi.org....ons-online.aspx might turn up something? The J10 (and J11) are great looking engines with a very long life span. Good luck with yours and I can't wait to see the results, best wishes Alastair

That Thompson Brake 2nd looks pretty special even by Coach's ludicrously high standards. Is there any chance of this layout appearing in MI3 or 4? Inspirational doesn't begin to do it justice. Best wishes, Alastair

Simon, Fantastic - just what I needed. By the way I loved Parnhams - really simple but a lovely layout, with a great atmpsphere I enjoyed watching the trains go by. So, I shall go away and finish the 01 now and try and do a blog of my own. I was going to have a bash at scratchbuilding the GC tender body on the Farish chassis. many thanks Alastair

Hi Mr Simon, I wanted to ask you about your 01 conversion above. I met you at TINGS (is the layout called Parnham??) and was really impressed with the Langley B1 body on a Farish chassis. Was that the 8f chassis you used? I've now done lots of work on a Langley body, but no matter how much metal I gouge out of the interior, I cannot get the B1 to sit low enough on the (recent) 5 pole motor. At one point i had rippling on the outside of the firebox, so it seemed sensible to stop trimming. Did you use an older Farish 8f with a smaller motor? Or did you use a Union Mills GC tender? I'd love to know, because I'm currently stalled - I'm pretty happy with the body, rebuilt front end, handrails etc etc but cannot get the b****r on the chassis. Any and all suggestions gratefully received. Alastair

And the positioning of the cab windows on the front face?

Dirty Duck...... very nice

That's looking very good David, Alastair

J10, as in the ex GCR loco of that ilk? Are there photos of it on RM Web anywhere? Hope you feel better..... Alastair

I really enjoyed Parnhams as well. Thanks for the pics.

That is very good indeed - really captures the look of the original. I'm sure I saw a few of these at Ranelagh Sidings in the mid/late '60s?

Oh yes, I'm good for at least one of those when it's ready. Alastair

Well that's gone straight to the list of favourites. Outstanding - the glimpse of the lower level to the right of the station is great. I would love to see more.

Wow. That's great. Are the mill buildings actual prototypes or have you put together real features/dimensions to suit your location? I am trying to produce ex-GCR prototypes in 2mm at the moment, but this is inspirational. Guide Bridge is (was) a wonderful location (busy/varied too). Is that an Alan Gibson J11? Alastair