2mm Andy

Hi John, You are correct - it is likely that the underside of the railway sleepers would be at the level of the stone course you mentioned. The attached sketch from some old British Rail notes might be of use, although it's not to scale. You are right about the headroom - the signed headroom is that available between the white 'goalposts'. In practice it will be a few inches more than that displayed. Andy (bridge engineer)

C&L's website is not the easiest to navigate, but the code 40 9mm gauge roller gauges are still there; https://www.clfinescale.co.uk/online-store/N-GAUGE-FINE-ROLLER-TRACK-GAUGES-9-0-MM-CODE-40-PAIR-p233811771 No sign of any PCB sleepers though. Andy

That looks very much like a Parkwood resin body; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175744390361 Andy

Hi Jerry, any chance you could check the tender etches for your Jumbo or Cauliflower to see what the wheelbase measures? I have an LNWR 1800 gallon tender etch here in N Brass packaging and the wheelbase measures 27mm (should be 25mm if its to 2mm scale). Andy

I'm sure I have seen an article/drawing of the WCJS sleeping composite coach recently - possibly in a LNWRS or HMRS journal? Andy

Amberly Components (note the subtle difference in spelling) are still trading it seems; https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/suppliers/op/43872-AmberlyComponents I think this is their ebay listing; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235355652625?hash=item36cc4a4211:g:UGwAAOSwMuxlhekz Andy

I don't know if this will help Matt, but attached is a photo of an LMS D2026 CCT axlebox/spring. The photo was taken at the Tanfield Railway - the CCT body had been removed and the chassis used to carry a NER carriage body. Andy

I wrote earlier this year enquiring about his kits and enclosing an SAE, and got a handwritten letter a week or so later. Wagon kits available included a North British Rly 4 plank fixed sided open wagon, the SER open wagon William has built and a SER ballast wagon. Paul noted that he was hoping to have an LNWR dumb-buffered loco coal wagon available at Scaleforum (which was back in September). The kits I ordered are very nicely cast/etched with good instructions. I haven't built them yet though. Andy

The parts that Edward mentioned above? Andy

yes - see https://railsofsheffield.com/products/efe-rail-e85501-wd-austerity-j94-saddle-tank-68075-br-black-late-crest Andy

Photos from other sources show thing to be a little more serious; https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/engineers-undertake-urgent-work-on-crumbling-historic-rail-viaduct-in-northumberland-10-10-2023/ Andy

John, I think Adam is looking at the plastic MR van kit (2-580), not the etched ones (2-490, 2-491). The plastic kit represents the 10 ton vans, which need a 10ft underframe, not the 9ft one that 2-342 represents. IIRC someone told me that the plastic body kit is somewhat overscale but I can't remember who and by how much! Andy

Another Michael Bentine link with the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway here; Also featuring Deryck Guyler and Clive Dunn. Andy

There was a note in the trade news section of the latest Gauge O Guild Gazette to the effect that the Kemilway range has been acquired by CSP Models of Carlisle. No mention of the Peter K etches/kits. Andy

The 15th June prohibition notice has been published by the ORR; https://orrprdpubreg1.blob.core.windows.net/docs/P-KB-14062023-West-Coast-Railway-Company-Ltd-prohibition-notice.pdf Andy

The 3-102a should suffice for both the intermediate gear shaft and the rear axle (they come in packs of 2). The metric spur gears go on the narrow side of the rib turned on the muff. Andy

Has Wansbeck Road emigrated South then, Kevin?

I'm pretty sure that it is not the ex-Bluebell carriage, but a different one (4958 Post Office Tender vehicle, ex-Mid Hants Railway); http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=518 Andy

That one is Hornby. I've not seen a Dapol one up close so can't comment on any differences there might be. Andy

Is this any help? Andy

If I remember correctly, Ivan Smith at Southwark Bridge Models did get some etches produced in 2mm scale for some of his range of kits/bits (point rodding stools, bicycles, etc.). It might be worth sending an email to Dave Hammersley at Roxey to see if there were any 2mm point lever etches amongst the bits he acquired after Ivan's death. Andy

It has made it into the local press here in York; https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23433629.national-railway-museum-york-set-host-miniature-marvels-event/ Andy

Wizard Models sell pack of 5 thou thick phosphor bronze strip. Not sure from your description if you need 13mm wide or 13mm long though? https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/locomotive/1220/ Andy

According to the advert in the latest Railway Modeller, the reprint is only available from Amazon. Andy

I can empathise with that Phil, having had a very similar experience on Saturday. I'd had a stressful week with work and other things, so made a last minute decision to drive down to the railway where I used to volunteer (they had previously put out a call on the member's email group for help sorting out the p.way yard). It's been at least 4 years since I last visited, and probably at least 10 years since I was a regular there, but within 10 mins of arriving I was nattering to friends, catching up on developments on the railway and getting my boots on ready to help. I realised just how much I missed all of the things described above, and am now hoping to get back there on a semi-regular basis again. The only downside is the 2hr drive each way (the worst bit of which is the M60 around Manchester) but that's manageable, especially in the summertime. Anyway, a bit of a plug for the Moseley Railway Trust who operate the Apedale Valley Light Railway in Staffordshire. Orenstein & Koppel loco undergoing pre-operating season testing. As a bonus I was able to measure up and photograph a few things for some modelling projects too! Andy