ianfolland

Thanks for the info., and the links. It is curious just how sparse information regarding 3' 6" gauge modelling is, given the mileage constructed in various parts of the Empire and elswhere, and the interest in it. There are apparently people modelling Japanese railways, but references are virtually nil. Perhaps there just aren't many people doing it. I must admit I didn't know about the St Albans exhibition, but having looked at the website it appears to be worth a visit. It would also be an opportunity to alight from the West Country express at Clapham Junction and travel to St Albans Abbey via a direct train to Watford Junction, avoiding the Underground. I'm looking at scratchbuilding a Class 19D or a 24 as a first step. Ian

I was interested to come across this whilst browsing around RMWeb today as I've been collecting drawings and information to model South African 3' 6" gauge, and S scale appears to be the best way to do it. I'll watch with interest the postings here, and it might be the inspiration needed to make a start. Ian

A few more pictures (taken at Banbury. I don't have the details handy): [attachment=126132:QXA RDB977091 data.jpg It still seems to be in remarkably good condition, even the interior. See also http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=62132

A few pictures, quality less than perfect, but hopefully they'll be of use. M11045, Crewe, 1985 M11028, Milton Keynes, 21 July 1983 RUB M10026, Milton Keynes, 21 July 1983 M12079, Milton Keynes, 21 July 1983 BG (NEA) M91539, Milton Keynes, 21 July 1983 Mk 2f FO M3353, Euston, early 80's Mk 2f FO M3370, Crewe, 1985 Mk 2f FO, M3376, Milton Keynes, 21 July 1983, BG (NHA) M92026, (on the rear of a Banbury-Tenby excursion, all Mk 2e/f FO's, blue/grey, one with "Inter-City Scotrail" branding), Banbury, 11 May 1985 BG (NHA) M92026 FO M11045 Mk 2f FO M3376 I also have pictures of Mk 1 RKB M1567 marshalled between a Mk 2 FO and a Mk 3 TSO (Milton Keynes, September 1982), Mk 1 RBR M1653 marshalled between a Mk 3 FO and a Mk 3 TSO (Milton Keynes, September 1982), and Mk3 TSO M12101 (Milton Keynes September 1982), unfortunately not scanned. Finally, for the record, the interior of BG (NHA) 92026: Ian Since posting this earlier I've come across this thread: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/39042-br-mk33a3b-coaches/ which included this link: http://80srail.zenfolio.com/p520092474

The terminals at Padworth and Newbury were mentioned above - Padworth was closed by the mid-80's but can just be seen in the background of a picture I posted on the old RMWEB site at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=48193, showing the Reading trip, 6A89 in Padworth sidings 10 October 1986. I believe the oil terminal is still there (and connected?). The rest is built on. This train also conveyed occasional (TEA's) traffic for Newbury at this time, though not on this occasion, as well as the odd stray tank for Theale. Newbury was on the up side near the racecourse and served by setting back off the up line. A similar thread about Army sidings no more might also be interesting. The vans on my 6A89 pictures were destined for Thatcham, now a housing estate, with extremely tight curves, the scene of several mishaps, mostly it seems involving parked cars, but I seem to recall a story about the demise of the end wall of the army's engine shed. Does anyone know?

Alex's original query commented on detailing etc. Surprisingly no one has mentioned buffers and marker lights yet (and of course tail lamps being carried), as these details are prominent. The 121 pictures on this thread show oval buffers, and some of the 117's had buffers squared off top and bottom with round ends, and no marker lights. I have some photographs showing these in the late 70's and early 80's. At least some of the 117's in white with the blue stripe ran in this condition, and the last link below shows a 117 in blue/grey with the squared off buffers in 1982. See http://www.railcar.c...19/117/sd03.jpg ; http://www.railcar.c...117/L418600.jpg ; http://www.railcar.c...117/L403600.jpg An interesting thread. Ian

A picture of blue/grey 9124 in preservation at Loughborough, February 1982. Unfortunately I didn't make a note of the identity of the coach on the right. Ian