Mikkel

From the Dapol website: "New cab with higher and shorter roof" "Porthole cab windows above the firebox – where appropriate" https://www.Dapol.co.uk/blogs/news/oo-gauge-43xx-mogul-decorated-samples

I agree, a nice suite of wagons there. The L&Y wagon print looks good, and quite cheap too, I see. And available in other scales. L&Y in TT:120, anyone? This hobby is changing fast.

That does look like a bit of a challenge, nice result. Looking at the photo you posted above, there are some challenging shapes there!

Ah yes, the order of jam and cream - those all-important little clues that have blown the cover of many a secret agent. Looking back through this thread, it is interesting to note that all images of the Finchings have disappeared. Clearly someone is trying to hide their identity. This is the last we heard of them: I bet Rob knows more than he is letting on.

Yes indeed, she is a Dickensian character. I can't remember how Minnie came in - maybe Rob can - but the two of them are part of ANTB lore (according to the RMweb search engine they were first introduced by Rob on March 29, 2013). As for the RSS station, it seems impossible to find anyone who can confirm or deny!

All that, no doubt, but maybe it's just a cover? https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-65707500 😄

Sad to see the layout go, Graham. But as others have said I'm sure something new and excellent will rise from the ashes. Did you save the large oak? A bit of a signature piece for Chuffnell Regis, in my mind.

And Flora Finching sat on the bench. But where is Minnie and why are they in Penzance?

Neustadt an der Weinstrasse looks spectacular. And 3.4 kgs! Clearly the kind of structure kit that is a whole project in itself. If you built nothing else for a year it would still be a satisfying achievement, I think. Historically it looks like an interesting station too:

Thanks Dave. Well that just goes to show how effective those photos are! And unlike other photo backscenes they seem to work from most angles. Food for thought.

Thank you, I get it now. I should have studied the photo of your new den more carefully. You are a lucky man.

Inspired by Al's recent blog post, I've been wondering whether I really needed a new 43xx, or whether my trusty old Bachmann version was enough. Here is No. 4301 in early form at Swindon (as posted earlier): Here's the new Dapol 43xx (thanks Rob): Here's a shot I took today of my old Bachmann version, which really is more of a 63xx I now realize: And here is Dapol's earlier 63xx - mirrored to allow cab comparison: (Personal conclusion: Dapol 43xx for pregrouping work, but old friend Bachmann 43xx gets to stay for grouping sessions, albeit with some mods. Everyone wins 🙂).

A very pleasing trio, Mike. And an attractive "livery" too! Will you be printing them?

The last shot is particularly attractive, with the foreground and background details helping to create a believable scene. Dave, am I correct that the downpipes on the backscene buildings are full relief? If so, a clever trick.

I've had two tabs open in the browser, switching between your two stations - the one above and this one below from your Beyond Dover/Sao Lucas thread. Partly to admire them, and partly to work out if they are the same layout (I think you were working on a concept some time ago where the same layout would depict different locations)? Apologies for losing the plot a bit, it's all borne out of genuine interest!

I was intrigued by the chalk scribblings, telling stories of long lost journeys.

Acid.

Thank you, the pre-WW1 features are useful. I would want to address some of them (whether on this one or on my trusty old Bachmann version, which for all its issues runs like silk and has personality). Looking at these Swindon shots of 4301 and 4302, which presumably have the wooden rooves, I'm wondering whether the rooves are notably different from the model in visual terms.

I've just realized that Iain Robinson - one of my modelling heroes - has built an excellent 4mm model of Princes Risbourough. He has posted photos of it on Instagram (sic), if anyone is interested. Registration not needed. This link goes to the first photo, click right to see his solution to the distinctive "Westbury" style: https://www.instagram.com/p/C20cQy3sQS1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Thanks Håvard, a fine list of craftsmen. Skövde sounds good! Do you know the Ribe Club in Denmark? Good stuff. They have an English website here, with some quirky videos captioned in English. The style is deliberately slow-paced, not your usual social media chop-chop 🙂 https://vibefilm.dk/rhjms-english/

They don't make station buildings like that anymore. Very attractive!

The Rainhill Trials anno 2024 ! Hornby Dublo does it again. I can imagine dilemmas will emerge once the testing is done, e.g. whether to go with the lowest common denominator for your gradient (allowing all locos to run), or to set the bar higher even if it means some favourite locos won't make the cut. Thanks for posting this S., it will be interesting to follow.

A lovely scene here, on Didcot's Facebook page. Probably posed, but so are model railway cameos 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/DidcotRailwayCentre/photos/a.210517012308528/3629346803758848/

Nice harvest, Chris. So you're the one who got the last A7 trade horse 🙂 They are currently sold out. But I follow in your footsteps with a couple of Shires and the horsebox from Gary on order. I look forward to seeing how the horsebox goes. It is strange to think that esoteric pregrouping horseboxes can now be purchased fully printed. The brewer's dray looks good, better than the Shirescenes etched one from the same, er, stable.

The For details and photo, see this page and scroll down to "Water Fillers" near the bottom: https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/zrailmotor93/features/features.html