Colin parks

Hi Arpster, Marvellous photos! I especially like all the wagons. Colin

Hi Arpster, That train of 56t hoppers is the best I've seen in along time! (The long train of unfitted coal hoppers behind that Q6 looks just right too). All the best, Colin

Hi Dave, I have a copy of the LB&SCR plan of the Kemptown site. I hope the orignal document survived privatisation. However, I don't think it is relevant for your project. One thing I remember from going to the site after it was cleared, was that there were two small buildings (offices?) on either side the southern entrance to the station. They would make a nice addition to the station complex that you are going to build. I sadly have no pictures to offer. There is one of the station building on my Newhaven c. 1974 topic though. Regards, Colin

Hi Kipford, That point in the tunnel mouth at Kemptown was a four-way one. The LBSC had to save space when they built the real station. Colin

Hi Boris, Well done! I have been watching your topic since the start - what a fascinating build it has been. By the way, there is nothing wrong with rail blue, so keep up the good work. Colin

Hi Dave, Very nice photos indeed! The black and white ones are especially effective, the recent one of the DMU coming out of the tunnel in particular - I had to do a double-take to see if it was a model. Colin

Hi Kipford, The pictures of your control panel are really inspiring. It all looks very neat and well designed. Colin Parks

Hi Gordon, I've just seen the picture of the trackside debris and discarded track parts. Absolutely convincing work! Colin Parks

Hi Kipford, I am glad to see another layout based on a South Coast location. Your layout looks very promising! Excellent trackwork and a well thought out design by the way. I suppose you'll be using some of the finescale components for the third rail sections? All the best, Colin

Dear Arpster, I've just viewed this topic for the first time. Fantastic modelling! I shall be taking notes on the scenic details - in fact on all the details. How long has all this taken you so far? All the best and keep it up! Colin Parks

Dear Pete, I agree that there are many hours of fun to be had making EMU kits. There are some people who quote seven or eight hours to put a 2 BIL together - I'm not one of those and nor are you! The N.N. Bulleid style EPB looks to be of very high quality, although I was surprised that wire held with split pins should be suggested for the roof conduit. The Hornby class 73 is certainly worth a go. I spent a great deal of time on chopping up the chassis detail between the bogies and creating a 3-D set of underframe components. Mine is repainted from the Fragonset 'Spitfire' model which gives an easily prepared black undercoat for the BR blue livery once the printed names, logos and numbers are removed. Order your set of Ultrascale wheels now if you want it running this year! (They can supply 13mm dia. replacement wheelsets which only require the removal of a small amount of plastic on the motor bogie moulding to accomodate the flanges). The Ultrascale wheels made a lot of difference to the running and appearance of my 73. Out of the box, the model won't run on code 75 track, at least not SMP bullhead. The constuction of a DC Kits class 74 was subject of an article in BRM a few years ago. Watch out for the bogies, they seem to be tricky.. Colin

Hi Pete, There are quite a lot of suspect drawings about! I have thought about the 2 HAL and might shelve th project for now. The SR designed EPB is much more suitable for my project. Have you built a No-Nonsense kit before? Old Lugger has one of their kits fot the EPB and it looks just right - if a little costly. Colin Parks

Yes Pete, sorry I've not replied to your question before now, it's been hard to get on the system. I agree with your analysis of the kit situation for 2 HALs. I'm still thinking about the Branchlines 2 HAL option, but it would mean an all-brass body and roof (Branchlines sell a 'Universal' roof with etched fold lines on the back). Of course, there is a rumour of a ready to run 2 BIL from Hornby. We could stick the Branchlines' etched sides on that instead couldn't we?!

Excellent model of the 71 Pete. Colin Parks

Dear Pete, It's good to see the 2 BIL pictures. Well done! The Kirk kit is not easy is it?! Mind you, it's worth the trouble whenit turns out like yours.# Colin Parks

Dear Pete, I've just seen your pictures of the 2 BIL's progress. It's very interesting to compare your kit with mine and how you are going about the detailing. I have detailed mine following the Andy Mullins drawings from Branchlines and some guess-work about the centre buffers etc.. You have just the one buffer. I have put one short buffer on each coach as per a PDH drawing. I now think they're incorrect but it's too late now for me! Your work on the running boards along the solebar is a great improvement on the Kirk mouldings too Colin Parks

Hi Pete, You mention a 2 BIL. I'd like to see a photo of that! I have just finished mine, although not completely satisfied yet with the running on the Black Beetle motor bogie. Have you considered making a pre-war 2HAL? Branchlines have all the bits (apart from the Kirk 2 BIL kit!). I think it could be done without the Kirk plastic kit parts and scratchbuilding those 'missing parts' instead. 2BILs and 2HALs commonly ran together. Colin Parks

Hi Pete, Just come across your blog. I'm very interested to know which manufacturer's kit you made this EPB from. Old Lugger and myself have been pondering on EPBs this week. He is making a No Nonsense kit. Is yours the DC Kits BR design? What will be the final livery/period for your model? Colin Parks

Dear Kevin, I've just viewed your Leaford photos. I really like the layout, especially the consistency of the detailing, the lighting and the variety of stock. Did you really get a Hornby (sic) 4 VEP for Christmas?!! Regards, Colin Parks