lapford34102

Rather off topic but.... Mike, You have presumed correctly. The Southern Railway/Region didn't run anything on the Tram until Weymouth changed region - Sept 59 was the last WR Boat train. I think what 4630 was referring to was the practice of running services on alternate weekdays from Southampton and Weymouth during the winter timed sailings to the islands. To allow for this there was a Southern Railway train into Weymouth (Town) which as you mentioned arrived 30mins before the GW Boat Train to allow passengers to make their way to the Quay. Back on topic just dug out my DC Kits 74 :-) Stu

Loco change at Bournemouth, 74 off and a 33/1 on for the non electrified bit to Weymouth. The line speeds on this section were relatively modest so keeping time with a 33 and 10 wasn't too difficult. Reverse happened for London bound train. The boat train, IIRC, also had different (fewer - minds going.....!) stops to a regular service train. Cheers Stu

DY444, thanks, you've summed things up nicely there and rather more coherently than my scribblings. A Class 71 was tested out of Waterloo hauling VEPS in 69 but I've never heard an explanation as to why. Stu

The 74's never worked a boat train west of Bournemouth, it was always a 33. The 74's, when they worked, were fast and powerful but as DY444 points out the electronics sadly weren't that suited to the loco environment. Ironically as the work for them dried up they sometimes ran into Weymouth on a parcels though phot's of them on that are few and far between. They were aimed at being a MN/Brush Type 4 replacement - their late delivery meant that Southern had to borrow a handful of Type 4's to cover certain workings from 67-68. (And some would have happily kept them) In good shape a 74 with a pair of 4TC's out of Waterloo would go. Stu

Firstly thanks to T for his stalwart efforts over the weekend. Thanks to AndrewP for the photos and good to have chat with you and friends on Sunday, plus thanks to everyone who stopped by for a look and a chat. We even got Mr Petty"s attention..... Always realised Wessex Trains was a niche interest but the guy Sun AM who had a good squint at a couple of units then asked if it was a ficticious company rather proved the point! Bonus Sun PM was meeting Paul,the ex Wessex Traincrew, who spent some time with us. It was great, nay educational, to hear his comments, observations and tales (123 passengers on a 153!!!.). "Best in show?" Couldn"t possibly comment Andrew but suspect he might have agreed from what he said. Great weskend and again thanks Stu

A big thank you to Alex and the team for invitingus, we had a great weekend and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. A great selection of layouts, inspiration and a bargain or two. Portwey is taking the slow road home today via the family. Stu

Portwey prepped and ready for the trip north https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/125196-portwey-wessextrains-oo/ You'd better be, or someones refunding my Ryanair ticket! Mike. I'll keep an eye out for the sombrero then.........! Stu

Hi, Firstly apologies to Paul for overlooking his post for 8 months! Thank you, appreciate any comment from those with first hand experience. Having recently experienced a gWr class 166 Westbury-Weymouth I can safely say it just doesn't have the ambience(!) of a Wessex150......... Portwey's off to Derby next weekend http://www.mmrg.org.uk/exhibitions/ if you're around do say hello. Stu

Really going round in circles now........! Truffy, it's been pretty clearly explained in a number of previous posts that this is not the case. If the designs, which are the subject of the registered designs, have been available in the EU more than 12 months prior to the date on which the applications for registration were applied for then the registered designs will be invalid; If I've read black and decker boy's post correctly then even some of DJM's registered IP's are automatically invalid. This whole business is a right mess and I can't see anyone coming out as unscathed. Stu

As one of those quoted it was the wording rather than the content that amused me. My advice to Dave and put forward in a supportive way would be to run things past a couple of people before going to print. Stu (Who has a couple of DJM boxes in the stash)

Love it. An announcement of an announcement ! Stu

Have a look here https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=756 Stu

Hi, As the matters of sanders has come up an anecdote passed on by my father. Prior to '59 the Western and Southern workings out of Weymouth were pretty much separate operations in terms of footplate crew, guards etc. He said it was not uncommon that if a Western train was going up Bincombe bank ahead of a Southern train that the Southern crew would ask the Western crew to put some sand down for them. Now whether this was specific to Bulleid's or more general I've no idea but do have a vague recollection that MN/WC/BoB sanders weren't that good. On the matter of "slippy" locations starting from the London end of Bournemouth Central, on a curve and an incline up under the Holdenhurst Road bridge. Starting something like the Boat train with 12 or so on in bad conditions would be a bit of a test. Stu

No "give" in the Boxpox wheels. That was the explanation I was given. Weymouth shed in the 60's, assorted drivers, including my father. Stu

Hi, Try http://www.alangibsonworkshop.com/orignal-index.html Then Downloads then RTR Conversions. They don't have a specific 56XX sheet but a look at the 57XX conversion plus a few others should tell you most of it. HTH Stu

Quite true but I suspect you've never tried the likes of Sword, Modelsvit or Valom to name but three. Don't think anyone has described their kits as "perfectly fitting" - ever. Stu

Hi, Firstly thanks to all who have commented or tagged my post; appreciated. The masking for one of those has always made me pause and think - a Luftwaffe Norm82 F-4F would be easier :-) With 250+ stencils to do it was really the only option. To be fair though I'm rarely that organised. Excellent, look forward to seeing it. Not sure if you're on other forums but my only advice would be to have a look at some build threads and see how others got on. PM me if you need any links Thanks again Stu

Hi, Just checked back here so thanks to all those who reacted to the Zero post. Just realised that the notifications bit was turned off so hadn't notice so apologies. Note to self though - canopy masking..... :-( Got a Tamiya one tucked away - somewhere? Been really keen to do this kit for all sorts of silly reasons - Airfix's new Spey Phantom in the only worthwhile finish - Fleet Air Arm. Interesting kit with lots of options. Anyone interested in an in-depth review should have a look over on Britmodeller forum where those far more knowledgable than me have reviewed it. The decal sheet alone would fetch well north of a tenner if sold separately. Hence why I've pictured it on the stencil instruction sheet. Putting them on tested my eyesight and patience sorely but rather smug feeling when done. So without more ado Fly Navy ! Stu

Hmmmm! Watched it and felt informed and entertained by the end and will certainly watch the next one. Did feel there was a hefty portion of journalistic licence being dished up here. Those with a casual, for want of a better word, knowledge of the subject would have probably come away with a certain impression of things. Those with a wider knowledge may well have a differing view., Will ponder on this further. Nice that Airfix are getting such positive comments on here. They've been doing good things for quite a while now and consolidating their reputation (largely). Just off to finish my Phantom FG.1 Nice kit, tad expensive, still some QC issues that seem to be sadly dogging Airfix. Stu

Hi, Finally got hold of a copy of Zero - Fighting Colours. If you think railway colours can be contentious then WW2's Mitsubishi Zero is well up there. The book does have a lot of useful and well researched information. Based on that I've had a go at a Nakajima built Model 21 using the Airfix kit. For £7 it's a decent effort though the 3x more expensive Tamiya kit is easily the best available in 72nd. The early Nakajima Zero's were finished in a version of IJN "grey" that had a distinct caramel tinge and this is my take on it. The fabric control surfaces appear a different shade as they were finished with coloured dope rather than being overpainted. The white surround to the fuselage Hinomaru was particular to Nakajima built planes. Stu

Hi, You could try Tamiya acrylic paint thinners. Use a cotton bud soaked in thinners. Best applied and left for a moment or two before rubbing to see if it comes off. Word of caution though. I have no idea about Hornby lining but I use this method to remove factory numbering. HTH Stu

Whether it would have been is a moot point now but remember they did do a 153 in FGW "basic" livery. Equally I'm not sure how much relevance the length of time any livery lasted has to how many models get sold. As for RTR reproductions of "local lines" it has been done by RealTrack and Dapol but on shortish lengths so wonder if there is more to this. Solution - indulge in a bit of modelling as both vinyls and decals are available. Stu

Probably because they think it will sell Pics here https://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/UKRailwayPics-1/Great-Western-Railway/Great-Western-Railway-Class-15/ Stu

Poor reporting and I probably should have mentioned it. The units involved were HST's. Another link https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/14570921._It_stinks_of_diesel__so_you_have_got_to_shut_your_doors_and_windows__/ Stu

Residents complain... https://www.aol.co.uk/2016/06/21/horrendous-smell-idling-trains-dorset-weymouth-residents-complain/?guccounter=1 Stu