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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...

Manor's as we know maketh man... You certainly won't be disappointed when your's arrive Robin. Cheers, Mark

In good time....😉

Time to get that black Sharpie permanent marker out... Agree. A bit blingtastic...😎

Recently I have come a cross a transfer supplier I never knew existed. They are called London Bus Replica Transfers (LBRT) and have an excellent website. https://www.lbrtransfers.co.uk/ I am in the process of detailing a number of London Country Area GS, RF and RT buses for a new layout. I usually use Fox Transfers but their range is limited. Here's a photo of my first order when it arrived. They arrived promptly and also well packaged. For those modelling London Transport in 4mm scale well worth having a browse of the website. Cheers, Mark

Hi Keith, They can be applied directly but like you say adherence may be a problem. I tend to use a ceramic tile to let them dry out on. Once dry they are robust but still need careful handing. I've used them on several GWR locos and fitted new smokebox numberplates/shedcode plates with no problems or the transfer breaking up. If you look on Wiggoforgold's Yelverton layout thread he uses them as well on GWR locos. Fixing them in place with a small amount of varnish in my experience offers both the most secure method for fixing them and also time allowed for getting them on straight. No cutting or filing and a brilliant product. No relationship with Railtec. Just an happy customer. The turn around time is good as well. I will be using them on my 15xx when my next order goes in along with a few other Pannier tanks. Hope that helps. Mark

It was a favourite I do seem to remember..

Hi Rob... This one was an experiment with Halfords varnishes. At one point the lining transfers on the rear of tender didn't look too happy after an application of laquer. Leaving well alone they settled. Thankfully. Bit more work to do on the finish, but as it's a friend's loco it will be clean. Diolch, Mark

Thanks Rob, Can't beat a tidy one as opposed to a filthy one.. A Mogul that is! Cheers, Mark

Brand new and unused Bachmann SR USA tank body in black with Sunshine lettering. I am looking at £25.50 including Royal Mail Second Class Signed For. Will be well packaged. Payment by PayPal please. Cheers, Mark

Hi Keith, Mine arrived like that as well. Like the prototypes they slide towards the front windows. Just push them gently. Rob's suggestion of a cotton bud is a top tip. A nice touch from Rapido and perhaps a first for a OO Scale Pannier... Cheers, Mark ****Snap***

Eveventually I came across some pictures of Collett cabbed Moguls with lining which answered my previous question. Using Fox GWR/BR passenger loco lining I have finished the lining out including the wheel splashers. The lining transfers were fixed with Johnson's Kleer when in the correct place. Once dry a couple of light coats of Halfords Laquer varnish was applied. To tone things down a misting of Halfords Matt varnish was then applied A nice front end shot showing off the new chimney and 3D printed Railtec smokebox numberplate and 81E Didcot shedcode plate. Window frames have been edged in with a Citadel acrylic brass colour. Real coal added to the tender, fixed in place with Kleer. Jobs to do include adding flush glazed cabside windows. Front ones are Microscale Liquid Glaze. Also to do are the two uprights in the tender for the cab weather sheet. Light weathering, add a crew and a local passenger lamp on the smokebox door. The contents of the photographic plinth are well recommended by the way.... Cheers, Mark

Noted...

So far Dapol have not done the Collett cabbed Moguls so detailing the old school Bachmann job is one way to get one. Here's one I've almost finished. Blog entry shortly. Railtec 3D printed numberplates fitted. As an aside I replaced the axles and gear with new ones from Peter's Spares. Nice easy job and it's runs like new. https://www.petersspares.com/p/peters-spares-ps117-replacement-Bachmann-axle-set Well worth resurrecting a split axle Bachmann loco for £10. Cheers, Mark PS: I think Phil's been on the Ginsters again but I totally agree with him. The Rapido 15xx is a proper job Pannier...

For custom numberplates and a fast turn around I use Railtec 3D Printed Transfers. https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=4362 Steve does a cracking job and the product looks brilliant. Just release from the decal paper as per a normal waterslide transfer. Allow them to dry out on a clean surface. Then I use matt enamel varnish to fit them to the cabside allowing a bit of time for poking around with a cocktail stick for positioning. Cheers, Mark

It certainly is x 3...😉 L89, L90, L92

Thanks Pete, Must say it's been a great project to work on. The Peter's Spares replacement gears/axles have resurrected what could have been non-runner. In theory picking up a £20 Mogul with chassis failure and spending £5 on the Peter's Spares axles/gear is a nice project. I'll post an update entry later and weathering will be discussed. Cheers, Mark

As new never run TMC/Bachmann BR lined black/early crest Class G5. Comes in mint condition with paperwork and detail pack I was contemplating modifying this model to represent an Eastern Region based loco but have decided against this. £145 including postage via Royal Mail Special Delivery. Payment by PayPal please. Thanks. Mark