46444

Thanks Jim, Any idea of the size of the plates used on the Pannier's? Also the height of the numbers would be useful as well? Cheers, Mark

See AY's post...

Has he got one?...

In my line of work I often have dealings with Haddenham Healthcare. Purveyors of fine medical compression garments. Sounds like a good gathering. Hope you have a good turn out. Cheers, Mark

Absolutely fascinating Typographer and to hear it from someone who was there makes it more interesting. Thankyou for the links as well. The book looks like a very informative read. Cheers, Mark

Thanks Keith, Asking the owners of one of the preserved LT Panniers had crossed my mind. The funny thing is I used to see L92 on the SDR quiet a bit down at Buckfastleigh when it was repainted. Living in West Yorkshire now I will enquire with the KWVR to see if they have any information on the reporting code plates. Cheers, Mark

Thanks Keith, That's brilliant. Size wise I was thinking more about the prototypes so it would be easier to scale them for all scales. Thanks once again. Mark

Hi Tony, I have some Fox GWR bufferbeam numbers going spare if you would like them. Thanks, Mark

Out of interest does anyone know the size of the three digit reporting numbers? Both the backing plate and the font? Thanks once again. Mark

Thanks for all of your replies. Very useful and something to work with. Out of interest this is the no longer available Model Master 4669 LT Engineer's Wagons transfer sheet. They do sometimes come up on eBay. I would agree. These are in Johnston font. Thanks once again. Mark

Thanks Jeff. I would agree re: Microscale. A very good product. I have used them when I've modelled North American Railroads as well as military aircraft. Thanks, Mark

I am currently researching these 3 digit train reporting codes used on London Transport and synonymous with the engineering trains worked by the Pannier tanks. Some images below to illustrate the number sets. I have asked Steve at Railtec Transfers if he could make me up some 3D printed sets but he requires some prototype information. I have approached the London Transport Museum library and they have been most helpful. However, they appear to be struggling to find information on these numberplates. With the demise of Model Master Transfers I can not find a source of engineering wagons/brake van transfers. I do have a small stash of the Model Master ones. Does anyone know of another supplier in 4mm scale or know of the type face used on engineering wagons/brake vans I could use to get some transfers made up. With the soon to be released Rapido Metropolitan E Class I would image there would be a need for detailing and transfers for engineering stock. Thanks in advance. Mark

Wonderful sight there. Nicely done... Think a SW 1 could handle that lot..🇺🇸😉

Likewise Robin. I remember the Invacars parked up at football grounds as well as in the High Street in the 1970's Thankfully times have changed motoring wise for those with disabilities. Cheers, Mark

I've seen a prototype snap of that combination somewhere...😉 Well observed and nicely modelled...👍 Cheers, Mark

Thanks Mike, That's one of the methods I've seen done for making lashing rings so I'll give it a go. Venturing into new territory so to speak. Must admit. It would have been quiet easy just to plonk three Isetta's on the Lowfit and think you've gotten away with it. In this instance modelling the Lowfits and Isetta's turns it into modelling the prototype. Thanks once again. Mark

Thanks Mike, That does sound very plausible and the one I will use. In practice it would be far easier than lashing individual wheels on the vehicles and less time consuming when loading/unloading. All that threading sounds a bit like macrame though. It may be worth replacing the moulded on lashing rings with metal ones to make the process easier. Thanks once again. Mark

Thanks Mikkel, I certainly agree they do make an attractive load. The Blood & Custard website is a wonderful resource for Southern modellers. Cheers, Mark

Lovely modelling Alex. You have certainly captured this Forest trio nicely. Some nice prototype acutraments embellish the models giving them that work-a-day Forest look. The Railtec 3D printed numberplates from Steve look good and I have been converted. An excellent product. All the best for the forthcoming exhibition. Cheers, Mark

Some of you will know I do like the 1950's/1960's micro cars and courtesy of Oxford a Messerschmitt three wheeler often appears on my layouts. Recently I was researching Southern Railway push-pull coaches and came across the excellent Blood & Custard Southern/BR Southern Region reference site. This article was of some interest: https://www.bloodandcustard.net/BMWIsetta.html It appears BMW built their Isetta micro-car in the old LBSC/SR/BR railway works after it closed in the late 1950's. Here's a link to the Issetta/BMW Owners Club giving some history of production: https://www.isetta.org.uk/page16.html The photographs on the Blood & Custard website show new Isettas loaded three to a Lowfit wagon for distribution. Coincidently I was converting two old Mainline Lowfit wagons by fitting Parkside LMS 'J' hanger underframe kits. Additional details came from Lanarkshire Model Supplies and wheels from Alan Gibson. The Lowfits are essentially finished needing weathering and couplings fitted. The prototype BMW Isettas were finished in an assortment of colours including two tone schemes. A list can be found in the Blood & Custard article. Oxford make a small number of colours at present in OO including the interesting RAC version. I chose four red and two yellow versions as loads for the Lowfits. The Oxford Isettas capture the prototype nicely. I will give them a coat of varnish to tone down the bling effect. One thing I have started to do is remove the numberplates from the models as they would not have registered before delivery to a dealer. To do this I am using T-cut and gently rubbing it away with a cotton bud and a blunt cocktail stick. Since this photo was taken I have used a Sharpie permanent marker to ink in the windscreen rubber surrounds. The red versions have this already. I have tried to find a picture of the prototype method of securing the Isettas to the load bed. There are eight securing rings on the Lowfits. I presume rope would have been used around the wheels and not chains. Also would wooden chocks have be used? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance and more soon. Cheers, Mark

Thanks 4630, That would be the pair. They were certainly heading south towards Alnmouth. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R06739/2023-09-28/detailed Initially the working was not showing for the time I saw them around 17.20. As the above RTT shows they were running on an early path. I must say it was lovely to see two Class 56's again. Something I had not seen for a longtime. Thanks once again. Mark

After a lovely walk this afternoon on Cocklawburn beach I was held at the level crossing on the road off the beach. After witnessesing a procession of Azuma's, Voyager's as well as a GBRf Class 66 what should pass before my eyes but two Colas Rail Class 56's heading south. The trailing loco was named. Out of interest does anyone know which members of the class they were? Thanks in advance. Mark

Blimey Dave, Driving all that way to Billing Aquadrome, near Northampton in your Land Rover is a sign of commitment. The River Nene* one side and the A45 the other. What's not to like? Cheers, Mark *Coming from Northamptonshire Nene is pronounced Nen....Not Neen.

1022 County of Northamptonshire that'll be...

Think he's been on them there Ginster's again...