nigel newling

... but it is good manners to hide it away between the frames ... :-)

I was thinking more along the lines of a Lima body on a High Level 22 chassis to get me a 94XX

Is there any evidence that a 94XX is a tank version of a 22XX Collet Goods?

Can't abide green hanging plates, they are just wrong. :-)

Agreed - lazy composition on my part - I only meant "Open" as opposed to "Shut" :-)

Few points re the position of the 14XX regulator. The 1442 picture may be misleading as it only shows the top half of the backhead (from the tea caddy shelf up) I cannot see the auto gear linkage. Has it been removed? The regulator is open, how far down would the handle go to be shut (as I assume the CAD image is)?

Diagram L / P Autocoachs were built in substantial numbers and a kit has been available from David Geen for many years - I know and have two.

Dare we ask if they will sell us the tenders separately? I can only justify 1 King, but I have a load of other 4-6-0s that would definitely benefit from the upgrade. :-)

... and the LMS vans are only authentic in bauxite . Both non-fitted, of course.

I am really surprised that no one has mentioned the horrible representation of the cladding band at the front of the firebox. Not only is the band buckle seriously over size, but the firebox levels on either side of the band are not level, giving a wierd stepdown behind the band. Yuck.

May I say "thank you" for the weekend's pictures? I got both the 72 and the Castle that I asked for. Bliss. :-)

Castle, Can you do me a favour please. I am fitting an Brassmaster's Easichas conversion to my 72XX and have noticed that, alone amongst the pony truck fitted classes, the front vacuum pipe on the 42/72 tanks drops straight down from the buffer beam before bending back to pass through the pony truck. This is very noticable in any picture taken from the front but I cannot see why nor where the pipe run goes subsequently. Can you have a look for me and offer advice? Sorry to ask and please ignore the request if it is a burden, I would quite understand. Nigel

It would be nice to see a 72 ambling North collecting coal empties and being held at SB while the Wolverhampton goes flying by with its Castle gleaming in the sunshine. Any chance?

Put the camera away? Don't even think of doing such a thing. Just keep the pictures coming. :-)

Sods law isn't it! I want a 14xx in GWR plain green without top feed - (and, ideally, with a GLOS shed code). Still, mustn't grumble too much, things are definitely on the up. :-)

Me too a 72xx easichas and a set of Gibson wheels to go with it. Got a promise at the Hornby stand that the next batch of GW 72s will be with us early in the new year - for what that is worth! :-)

Is it possible to swop out the elbow steam pipes with castle pipes? The outside cylinders seem to be cut into the hanging plate already so the change does not look as if it would require major surgery

... oh, and take the steps and hand rail off the luggage end - not fitted at van ends without watertanks during this era of coach building at Swindon.

I would also note that the interior molding of the Hornby attempt has little to do with a D95. It appears to be from a brake composite with two 1st class compartments (one for the Guard!). I have chopped it arround to give a more reasonable match to the sides and added a luggage space partition. It was quite fun moving the Guard's compartment door to where the side light was and then filling in the old door light and removing the old door features. Inside, where the door was, I now have a guard's seat correctly positioned. In addition to moving the ends inside the sides, I also cut off the roof to remove the vertical section of the profile. 247 Developments provided most of the bits and pieces I needed below the solebars. For a £10 buy of a junk stall, I have quite a good D95 now. :-)

Am I missing something? How do you get replacement Castle inside cylinders and retain a "joggle" under footplate frame extension? Surely you would have to fit a dished straight frame extension at the same time?

... so how do we explain this photo? Have they simply got the date wrong? http://railphotoprints.zenfolio.com/p608550011/h2F40EC66#h2f40ec66