Brinkly

Hahah! Snap! Well, almost! Although, I haven't got round to the steam heating and vacuum brake pipes yet - mine are on order. Mine has ABS (Fourmost) buffers and Lanarkshire roof vents. The Parkside kit is finer and the chassis less 'chunky', but for stock which is just going to whiz by, they aren't bad at all really. I like the fact that it is molded in three parts - roof, body and underframe - it has made detailing much easier. Kind regards, Nick.

Hi Alex, 4574 was unlined, certainty from March 1961 onwards, having received a general overhaul at Swindon in February/March 61. I'm not sure what livery the locomotive would have been in before this date. From January 1957 until October 1961 4574 was based at Truro. October 1961 - August 1962 Newton Abbot was her home shed. August 1962 - being withdrawn in March 1963 she was based at Laira. I'm currently in the process of working out what worked on the line and when. I have quite a few gaps, however, I do have quite a bit of information for summer 1961 onward - all of this information comes from photographs, which can be cross-examined, so it is accurate! Other possible options could be; 4561 was based at Laira from July 1961 until being withdrawn in May 1962. Not many photographs, but a couple taken at Horrabridge in July 1961 shows lining and a small late crest. 4566 was transferred to Laira in October 1961, having previously been a Truro locomotive. 4566 received her final overhaul at Newton Abbot in June/July 1960 and was outshopped in lined green with small late crest. She was withdrawn, I think, in April 1962. 4570 was photographed on the branch a couple of times in August 1962, having moved up from Penzance in the July of that year. She was lined with small later crest. The only other regular 45xx locomotive to work the line from the summer of 1962 onward was 4555, and quite frequently performer until closure later that year. 4555 was the sole member of the class based at Laira still sporting her early BR black livery with early crest ,and was bought for preservation in this condition in 1963. One earlier example which I can draw on is 4549, which sported the original BR black livery with small cycling lion crest; although, the smokebox number had been removed - possibly nicked - and sported a GWR style buffer beam number from early 1960 until her even in December 1961. 4549 only worked on the branch for a few months between early 1960 and the summer of that year; transferring to Penzance. She was in appalling external condition in the couple of photographs I've seen. Quite a lot of photographs of the line were taken over the winter of 1955/1956 before the closure of the Princetown branch, and I think every locomotive was in plain black with the early BR cycling lion crest. A lot of the photographs of locomotives in this 'era' were withdrawn in the late 1950s and I think most were painted black. Again, there is another flurry of photographs taken from the summer of 1961 onwards - presumably because enthusiasts and local residents knew that closure was not far off - there were a lot of debates in parliament over rationalising the railways in that area during 1961. January 1962 formal notice was given that that the line would close to all traffic in December, and certainly the number of photographs being take rocketed that year. There were a healthy number of the larger tank variant based at Laira. 4588, 4589, 4592, 5511, 55315541, 5544, 5545, 5560, 5568, 5569 and 5572 all operated on the branch between 1958-1962, but not at the same time! Liveries vary, but certainly from 1961 onward, only 5511 was still in in the earlier black livery with a large lion crest. Hope this is of use. Kind regards, Nick.

Your model is cracking, Merfyn. Something to aspire to. BR road vehicles is quite a fascinating subject. I never thought of SR items transferring over to the WR once the lines came under WR control. Very interesting and Launceston was a WR/SR station originally. Thanks for another most useful piece of information! Kind regards, Nick.

Thank you, Merfyn. A very useful piece of information there. The model van in the photograph is lovely. Is it yours? Kind regards, Nick.

Thank you, Clive. That is very helpful. I know there were other vehicles based at Tavistock, but, as yet, don't have any solid information about what type or make they were. Until I find something else, these vans will feature on my layout! Best wishes, Nick.

Thank you, that is really helpful. I got a couple of photos of the preserved van and will build/modify something to match. Best wishes, Nick

Thank you, @LMS2968. That would be really helpful. Kind regards, Nick.

Have I identified the small van and lorry correctly?

Thank you, Pete. That is very helpful.

I wondered if if that a MK1 Cambridge to start with; however... ... dad thought it was Consul. Either way, both 'period' and I can have one of each and swap them other. Thank you gents.

That is brilliant; thank you @giz Absolutely! That bus will definitely feature on the layout.

Hello! I'm after a little bit of advice with regard to a couple of British Railway's road vehicles. Both photographs were taken at the former GWR station at Launceston. I believe this photograph is showing the rear end of a Fordson (or Thames) E38W small van. I know Classix produce a model of this vehicle, but it appears to have a different body fittings on the side. December 1962 - Photographer unknown. The other photo was again taken at Launceston, but this time in 1964. Is this a Ford Thames ET6 panel van? I'm rather hoping it is because I have a Road Transport Images kit to of one! Launceston October 1964 - Sid Sponheimer Lastly, if anyone can identify the two cars and bus in the above photograph. My knowledge of buses in this period is almost no existent! Kind regards, Nick.

Beautiful work, Robin. The building looks just right. Kind regards, Nick.

I don't know if I should post this here, or in a 'review' section, or both. Either way, I want as many RMWeb members to see this post as possible. For many years, I have bought my railway books from Simon and always look forward to my item(s) arriving. Today was no different! The postman (thank you Royal Mail!) delivered a parcel, which I knew instantly who the sender was! Any package I received from the Titfield Thunderbolt shop arrives in a manner that no harm may come to the treasured contents. The books are always wrapped in either a paper bag or tissue paper, inside the cardboard sleeve. Inside there is always a thankyou note, and I have quite a collection of postcards depicting various railway scenes across the country, most of the South West. This card isn't a pre-printed message, no, no, this is handwritten - a lovely touch. I always look forward to the postcards! Since the start of lockdown, I have ordered a couple of books and MRJs from Simon. My previous order arrived with a copy of the MRJ 1990 Exhibition Guide and a note apologising for sending, potentially, unsolicited mail! It certainly wasn't! The first note arrived earlier in the month, towards the start of the lockdown. The second arrived with today's order. Earlier today, my second order arrived, a copy of this month's MRJ and a copy of Don Rowland's latest book - one I thoroughly recommend for any wagon enthusiast - but also a free copy of The Somersetshire Coal Canal. Accompanying these great reads, another note, again apologising for the 'potentially unwanted paper'. I wouldn't have ever thought of buying this title, but it is such a lovely record of a long-gone world, and I am incredibly grateful for such a kind gesture during what is such a grim time for so many people - families and business proprietors alike. So, next time you are thinking of buying that new book, don't go to Amazon, visit Titfield Thunderbolt bookshop website. Buy it from a proper shop, run by a proper owner, who publishes railway books, supports the hobby and, who I presume, pays his fair share of tax to the UK exchequer! Once again, thank you Simon @Not Jeremyfor your fantastic service! Kind regards, Nick.

But I don't stop Camborne Wednesdays!

Blame the iPad! It doesn't like 75% of the place names I type in!

That is looking very promising, Geoff. I have a rather old 43xx Mainline body, which will partner a Perseverance chassis at some point in the future. This thread has been incredibly useful. Best wishes, Nick.

I now really regret not purchasing a 43xx Mitchell kit last year. I have a Perseverance chassis and elderly Mainline body, which is why I didn't. I will have a go at detailing the body at some point and see how I get on; I'm currently waiting for the Markits wheels to arrive. A 43xx has no place on the Launceston branch; rule number 1 is coming into play here! Kind regards, Nick.

Several years ago, a certain S scale modeller of this parish took one of his layouts to the Barnstaple show. It didn't take him too long to unload the car and get the layout assembled ready for the 10:00 am opening. However, with a mere quarter of an hour before the doors were due to open, he discovered the rail bridge was not with the layout! It was still at home! Being the talented craftsman that he is, our skilled model maker fashioned a temporary bridge from lengths of 0 gauge rail (borrowed from a fellow exhibitor). With the temporary bridge in place and mere minutes to spare, the first train bravely crossed the temporary structure and crossed without injury! The temporary structure held out all day; albeit with a temporary speed restriction (a gentle walking pace) in place through this section of the 1:64 scale Dorest countryside! Best wishes, Nick.

I have to say I am tempted to try a set if Gibson wheels on a 57xx pannier chassis. I have everything else, just no wheels and have been waiting for them for quite a while. I will follow with interest! Best of luck. Nick.

I have to say, the camera stand I bought for my phone (iPhone 8 Plus) has been invaluable of late. It is ideal for video calls as you don't need to hold it, or work out a precarious balancing system! Only a few quid from Amazon. Best wishes, Nick.

Brave work sir! Looks good. Out of interest, what motor and gearbox is fitted? Best wishes, Nick

Jokes aside, it will be interesting to see what, if any, effect this whole situation has on physical notes and coins when we come out 'the other side'; I suspect a big drop. About the only time I have cash on me is when I got to model railway shows!