JaymzHatstand

I'll certainly raise a glass to that! What a fantastic memoir that is! Like others, I'm also looking forward to the F8, like I've got nowt else to be going on with! Happy birthday once again! Cheers J

Well, I picked mine up from Monk Bar in York today, and must admit that in the flesh (or plastic) it looks considerably better than in some of the photos I've seen (both here and elsewhere). The green has a nice sheen to it an a reasonable shade, certainly better than some of Hornby's recent offerings to my eyes. It was a nice surprise to find a set of flanged wheels in the box for the rear pony truck as well! I presume this is just because the original releases had them too. Anyhow, I'm glad I finally have a Clan, now to decided whether to rename it, and whether to repaint the running plate or not! Cheers J

Some views don't look too bad, others look rather insipid, and I don't know if it's the running plate adding to the green-ness of it all. I'd like to see one with a black running plate (if indeed it should be, and I suspect it should). I dealt with the rather flat shade of 71000 with a coat of Kleer, I wonder if something similar would work for the Clan. I'll pass further judgement on Friday when I pick mine up from Monk Bar. Cheers J

Speaking to the Peco rep last weekend during their event at Monk Bar Models, York, he said they were looking at around £150 which, if the mechanism is good, smooth and controllable isn't too bad. Though I am holding out a decision until I see the final product as there are a few things which don't look quite right at the moment. Cheers J

Lovely! The weathering on the A4 is very nice, it really looks very much 'in service' but not filthy. What did you use to achieve it? Amongst other projects, I have a couple of A4s in my works, the early RailRoad range Falcon, which will become Silver Fox, when she was blue with polished casing/boiler bands in hopefully a similar external condition to your Gadwall! I'll post some photos as I get on with it, but am currently trying to disguise a couple of scratches it has from a previous owner without a full repaint! I look forward to further updates Cheers J

Yes, every time I see one of the Oxford ones, the lack of 'door-dish' is obvious. Seeing it next to your Bradwell one really emphasises this. I dare say I'll end up getting one, as you say, this is ready made, and I've got more than enough in my 'to build/finish' pile as it is! I could be tempted to enquire if Mr Bradwell would sell his smokebox door casting separately in order to get the face right, as I imagine it wouldn't be a massive surgery job, if thought about logically. But we shall see. Cheers J

From the original CAD drawings (page 6 of this thread) the earliest of the four first models (lined version) was shown with no balance weights on the centre drivers, which is correct for a non-superheated loco pre-1932. I was wondering if this was the case on the production models, or if they've used the same wheels across the full range? Cheers J

Number 2392 (it became 5894 in 1946, and 65894 under BR) was outshopped in September 1923 so would probably have carried the red lining, though I'm not sure about the ampersand in the company initials. It was also built as a superheated loco with the longer smokebox, but it has carried lined red in preservation (mainly with NER lettering and number plates) Hope this is of some help. Cheers J

I notice the Railfreight red/grey van has a red roof as well, how prototypical would that be? I can see its red in the catalogue photo, but was just curious as to how common a feature that would have been. Obviously painting a wagon roof isn't an issue if needed, but I've got a few Parkside ones already and was thinking of adding a bit of variation. Cheers J

It must have been one of the NG modelling groups on FB that I saw it then, I have found and joined the 'official' group this morning! There are some really good RWS modellers out there, but from what I've seen from the outskirts of the fandom, there do seem to be a LOT of negative people in it, who don't seem to appreciate genuine skill and effort like yours, which is a crying shame. I'm glad that you kept going though as your work is indeed inspirational, though my bank account and workbench may not agree as I've already got several new ideas floating around! Cheers J

Some absolutely wonderful and inspirational modelling, which is giving me more improper ideas! I've seen a number of your posts about this on the Twitter machine, but ever so glad I stumbled across it here for the added detail and explanations! Rheneas looks absolutely fantastic, the extra detail (and especially new chimney - where's that from please?) really bring the loco to life. I don't know if you've mentioned it anywhere else, but is there any chance you could give us a bit of background info on the models you've used for the various locos and rolling stock please? Very much looking forward to further updates. Cheers J

Well, that looks superb, and certainly answers the questions I'd been mulling over about rolling one back to P3 condition. A P2 might not be out of the question either, once they started getting P3 boilers and bigger cab spectacles. Will you be removing the wheel balance weights? Though they aren't overly visible to be fair, and I imagine it would be a bit of a tricky operation. I really must see how much is in the piggy bank! Cheers J

If no-one beats me to it, I dare say I'll do something of the sort Cheers J

I watched Sam's Trains review yesterday, not really for the editorial content, or the carpet running, but his close up images are usually pretty good. He did have an issue with the crankpins working loose when it was running in. I don't know if that is an isolated incident or something for us to look out for. I certainly do like the look of what I've seen thus far, definitely an improvement on the earlier samples (which is what they're for) so I dare say it won't be too long until one joins my fleet. Cheers J

The Q6 has the wrong boiler for any pre-1946 (ish) locos. I backdated mine by changing the dome, but the boiler bands are in the wrong place. I can live with that, but if they were to produce it, it would need sorting. Enough of the parts are separate to make it seem that this has been thought of at the development stage, so we can but hope for a T2 or pre WWII Q6! Having seen some shop photos of the J27, Monk Bar Models, York, posted some on their Facebook page and I must say, it does look much better than some of the pre-production photos, which is good. I'm very much looking forward to seeing some detail photos and analysis on here in due course. Hopefully I'll get one myself in the fullness of time, once I've had a proper trawl through Yeadon to work out which one(s) I want detail combination wise. I'm not adverse to changing the odd bit or repainting/re-numbering for that (unlined black is quite an easy livery!) Cheers J

If the mechanism and internals are good, and the basic shape/dimensions are right, then I'll be happy to pick one up at some stage, and as none of the locos I'd want are catered for in the first batch detail wise, I'd be having to replace bits to get what I want anyway. It would be nice if the basics were right before they came to market of course. Very few models are absolutely perfect when they are released, but I suppose a lot of it relies on what the individual purchaser is willing to put up with in terms of inaccuracies/compromises. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the real things when they arrive, and see what can/needs to be done. Cheers J

Hahaha! It would make things much easier! Cheers J

My P1 kit arrived on Monday but it might be a while before I make a start on it as my son also arrived! I've managed to have a quick look through the box and instructions in the brief moments when there's been a lull in the new fatherly duties! I was most impressed with the pre rolled tender raves, a lovely touch, as they've always been a pain on other NER locos I've built! Looking forward to making a start, but also happy that it could be a while! Cheers J

What a cracking operational diorama that is! I've been thinking about doing something similar myself, and this just adds fuel to the inspirational fire! The simplicity of a 'point-less' layout is a real bonus! It's really the small details that don't catch the eye, but would stand out a mile if they weren't there which really add to the scene (if that makes sense!) And I'm certainly looking forward to seeing more developments! Cheers J

Thanks for the updates, it's good to hear about the J25 and I'm certainly anticipating seeing how the F8 progresses. I dare say I could be tempted to add a Q7 to my list in due course too! Looking forward to further updates Cheers J

Just a thought, would it be possible to open out the axleboxes and fit bearings to aid running/reduce drag? I've currently got the wheels out of one of my kitchen cars, and it looks like there's quite a bit of plastic to work with, I just don't have the necessary tool for opening out the holes. If anyone has tried such an operation, on these or any RtR coaches, please do report back as if it's viable, it could well be a useful tweak. Cheers J

Yes, if looking straight down, with direction of travel being straight ahead. I realised it wasn't the easiest to follow description and should maybe have added a caveat. Cheers J

I'm not sure if you've got this sorted yet, but I shall attempt to describe it for you (and anyone else!) Loco Corridor Brake Third (brake end leading, corridor on right) Vestibule Third (single seats on left) Kitchen Car (corridor on left) Vestibule Third X2 (as above) Kitchen Car (as above) Vestibule First Diner (single seats on right) Corridor First (corridor on left) Corridor First Brake (brake end trailing, corridor on left) I hope this is of use. There is a full diagram in the LMS 150 book by Patrick Whitehouse and David St John Thomas. I imagine it'll appear elsewhere too, but obviously copyright prevents me posting it here. Cheers J

Yes, with a dried inspection of a couple of vehicles, the pickup could be heard catching on some wheels/axle stubs, so a session of adjustment will be required. I'll do that when I take the weeks out to paint them black anyway, which is something I usually do with RTR coaches, and it really improves the look of the running gear. Other than that, I'm thoroughly impressed with the quality of the coaches, especially for the price. The attention to detail is superb and the level of decoration is far beyond anything I could hope to achieve had I ever got around to making my own set! There's a photo in one of my books (possibly Power of the Duchesses) showing Atholl with the CS set in tow, along with a number of other vehicles. I can't remember the exact circumstances, but it's definitely an allowable occurrence of not a common one! Cheers J

I've got a full set waiting for me at Monk Bar Models in York, I don't know if they got any more, but I only decided to put my name down for them in January without any issues. I'm very much looking forward to picking them up on my days off! From what I've seen so far, I don't think I'll be disappointed! I really do need to sort out somewhere to run them though! Cheers J