JaymzHatstand

Just a quick note to say that I ordered a Mousa GNR wagon on Tuesday of this week, and despite the hint on the website about 28 day delivery, it arrived today! Can't fault service like that and the quality of the product is excellent! One of the leaf spring details has snapped off in transit, but that is very easy to fix (and I was expecting them to be separate fittings anyway!) Looking forward to getting it out together, and that'll appear on my workbench thread in due course! Cheers J

This is looking incredibly good! In certainly tempted to indulge, as I'll definitely need something to gang behind my Single and C1! Looking forward to further updates Cheers J

Exactly the same issue I'm trying to solve with a J21 0-6-0 chassis, and probably why it runs better in reverse as that is where the motor is! Looks like I might try making the rods solid and see how it behaves after that. The centre drivers do seem to have a bit of a wobble, but when checked appear to be on straight so this may be a result of the rods flopping about (hopefully) If it turns out that one of the wheels is a little out of true, is there a way to adjust them (Gibsons) or would it be easier to get a new pair? Cheers J

As predicted when I started this thread, it's been a while since I updated it, but that doesn't mean I've not been doing anything! I want to try and keep to regular updates, so I'll do what I can and we'll see how that goes, even if it's just one photo a week, or a bit of blurb! Seeing ratings of my posts, and receiving feedback is always encouraging that I'm not just talking to the air, so thanks to all who have done so thus far! So, where am I at? Time for some photo updates of aforementioned projects (which should help undo some of the PhotoBucket missing images above!) First up is the D&S NER B15 dropside wagon, which is now lettered and ready to enter service. Likewise (pending a little bit of tidying of paint spotted by the cruel camera) is a Parkside Fruit van The Parkside Toad is in its base livery, the roof is still to be fitted as I need to paint the interior (nothing OTT, just so there's a hint of colour through the windows) I've rolled a new brass roof for the H&B vent van (and of course managed to loose two of the roof vents, but picked up some new ones at the York show over Easter weekend, so they'll be fitted soon (probably!) The plastic roof method described in the instructions went very banana shaped very quickly, hence the replacement! I've still not done the interior of the D&S clerestory, as I still need to fashion some more partitions (for some reason there are some missing from the etches) but the chassis is getting closer to being ready for all the whitemetal castings which will add a fair bit of nice weight! And now we move into the world of 009 with some light weathering and a real coal loading of a Bachmann WD bogie wagon (that's real Ffestiniog coal in there too!) Finally, a couple of Worsley Works scratch aid etches are ready for a start to be made on their interiors, FfR 'bowsider' Brown Marshall bogie carriage of 1876 (not yet decided on the livery or number it'll carry) And a memento of a couple of very comfortable trips aboard the WHR's Pullman carriage, Bodysgallen. This is a monster of vehicle when compared to any of my other 009 stock! Right, hopefully that's me up to date, I'll try to keep this regular, as it also encourages me to actually crack on too! Cheers J

Not specifically, the different panels, no matter their location on the vehicle could vary in shade, but would generally be in a similar condition as the vanishing process would likely be done atvthe same time per carriage as it was/is a long involved operation. The age and shade of the panels beneath could of course vary, causing a contrast in shade. The main differences you'd notice from a distance are in the overall tone of each carriage in a rake. Those that have been out if the shops longer would generally be darker than those with a fresher finish on them. In model form, on factory printed carriages, very light washes of brown shades can be used to reproduce this effect. Cheers J

Now that would be useful, a scale, DCC controlled shunter who couples/uncouples stock on command! No more 'big hand from the sky', as they could be strong enough to give a loco a prod when it stalls on a dirty bit of track! Then they become self aware, and James Cameron makes a film about the rise of the model railway robots! 'Listen, and understand. That shunter is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop until every last coupling has been unhitched!' Terrifying stuff! As you were...! Cheers J

Wow! That does look absolutely magic! Now, do I build mine with our without cab? Decisions decisions! Cheers J

From a distance, they look nicely subtle. I've not inspected one close up, so can't comment on that. From the photos you can make out that the artificial grain goes in the right direction in the right places and gives a reasonable representation of the multi shaded appearance of the prototype, though perhaps a little more colour variation would be nice but hard to do without it looking like a repeating pattern on mass produced models. Definitely a nice looking model, though not one I have a need for in this livery. Like many, the maroon ones will be my downfall! I've got a blood & custard one, and it's lovely. Cheers J

As Stephen states above, my pre-ordered pair on the website still show the original price, contrary to the emails today so I'll be interested to hear what feedback you receive Olivegreen. Cheers J

Bear in mind that 66779 Evening Star is a main range model, I can easily see the same happening with 789. Bachmann will know how well it will sell and is an easy enough release for them, with the tooling all in place and just the artwork to produce. As to whether retailers can discount them, that all depends on how long they hang about! I'm pretty sure it would be a big seller! Cheers J

Ooooo! Excitement, I've received, and paid the invoice for my DeWinton! Very much looking forward to its arrival as and when! Cheers J

Wouldn't normally be bothered with such an announcement, not my region and all that (I bet you can guess where this is going) but having definitely regretted not getting the infinitely pretty SECR C class, an order has gone in for the preserved loco (Yup,you guessed right!) Proof of the adage that pretty liveries will sell! Even the Financial & Domestic Authoritative Management thinks it looks very smart so I think I'm on a winner (for now!) Anyway, plenty of time to put the pennies away. With two G5s as well today, it's a right onslaught of delights! Cheers J

Some of us would get stay discount too! If only! Cheers J

That's excellent news, and I'm very much looking forward to receiving one. Assuming everything goes to plan, will I have mine running by the Redcar show in August? Only time will tell! Cheers J

Absolutely cracking anouncemnt! I can't wait to watch this develop! So now it's not a question of which one, more which ones! Time for some research methinks! Cheers J

I was wondering how long it would be before someone spotted that! (Ooops, wrong show!) In my defence, I had just got in from work and was (still am) rather sleepy! Cheers J

Flay Otters Warty Towels There are a couple more, which I shall leave clear of the swear bot, and of course the ones with just missing letters! You'd need a tall wiry hotelier up a ladder trying to 'see girl in room' and his waiter holding the ladder. A 1940s layout would be too early for the red mini van being thrashed with a handy branch, but there are plenty of other cameos (probably not the Germans though!) Cheers J

Having a J21 kit on my workbench, Im guessing you're hinting atvthe myriad of detail variations the class had. Trying to find one with the right combination of bits, shedded in the right place for my tastes was a task and a half (and I'm still not sure I'm 100% right!) I'm sure if some of the variations are left out of the equation, but thought about enough at design so that enterprising modellers can use the RTR version as a conversion base, that a very nice model could be produced. Obviously that would leave it open to the 'they aren't doing the version I want' brigade, but that is something to take into account at the design phase and try to minimise. The standards of RTR livery application now is superb and really lends itself to the ornate pre-grouping colour schemes, oh to have some Saxony Green, factory painted locos in my fleet! I'm just not brave enough to try it myself, yet! Cheers J

Just having a thumb through the first issue of the British Steam Railways book now. For a loss leader, it's a good quality publication. As noted by Dan above, it's a tad simplified, but certainly worth a couple of quid. Not sure I'll go for the rest though! Interesting that the inside cover photos both feature Glenfinnan Viaduct, the first with an un-numbered and un-crested, but lined black 5, and the rear cover features 62005 in full glory! Mallard is also referred to as 4498 in one caption, which is at least a sister loco and not one from a totally different class! I'm sure there'll be something of use or inspiration in there! Cheers J

They look stunning, so much so that pack E has just been ordered! I'm sure they would have trundled through York so easily fulfills one of my modeling criteria (which are pretty loose as it is!) I dare say that when funds allow, more will be added too, though I'm sure for now they'll fit nicely amongst a mixed rake of like traffic vehicles, and a brake van of course! Looking forward to their arrival in due course. Cheers J

Hornby have shared an imagevof their stereo samples of the Toads via their Farcebook and Chitter accounts, presumably Instagran as well, but I'm not on that! Hopefully the link below should work for those who don't use any of the above! https://twitter.com/Hornby/status/954028276724445185?s=09 I've not posted the image directly as I'm not sure if it's a copywrite issue. I dare say that as they've shared them publicly it wouldn't be the end of the world, but you never know! Cheers J

There's a lot of mention of the Q6 as an RTR NER loco, though the only version that has thus far appeared is the post 1938 (I think) version with the later boiler. I've got one which I have rolled back with a casting for the older dome, and a few other tweaks to make an older version. The boiler bands aren't quite right, but I can live with that. The Hornby tooling would allow for this variation, as the parts break down suggests that variations were planned at the tooling stage. Fingers crossed! A J27 would be a grand choice, especially as they lasted right to the end of NE steam, and there's one not far away from a return by all accounts. Stock wise, I'd like to see the 20t hoppers, which in terms of size aren't too dissimilar to the LMS ones which appeared a few years ago. For now though, i'm happy to build kits, slowly admittedly, and await future developments with anticipation! Cheers J

My word! I've just seen this after being pointed in its direction by my dad, and I have to say it really captures the feel of the area. The sea looks particularly 'right' and North Sea-ish! I built a representation of Fortunes for my 4mm layout 'Whitborough' using measurements gleaned from Google Maps and various photos I could find online. It's the sort of building that just sort of looks right almost anywhere and I'm looking forward to seeing your version! Ballasting is a chore indeed, but thankfully, once it's done it really makes a big difference and can be pretty much forgotten about! Looking forward to further updates Cheers J

It certainly is a minefield of variation and subtle and not so subtle changes and options to be worked through, if indeed that's the final plan. I suspect the mechanism may well have been designed with such things in mind, but only time will tell on that front. It's good news about your 71, having my name down for one, but as I said at the time of ordering, I'm not in a rush and personal delays are completely understandable. Cheers J

Depends on how the reverser is positioned (hat, coat, dark glasses and ferry to Belgium!) I suspect that the short bunker would require a lot more tooling adjustment than just detail bits that can be plugged in afterwards or other less awkward changes to do. It's still good to see that it's not a case of 'one shot covers all' moulding and that plenty of variation can, and I suspect will be produced over time. It does create a bit of a minefield for those wanting to renumber of course, but thumbing through books is all part of the fun! I also wonder if driving wheels of a slightly larger diameter (around 6") would be accommodated in the chassis! Food for thought and froth there methinks! Cheers J