Mark C

I buy mine direct, and from H&A Models and Transport Models (the latter via eBay - no connection to either) - all offer a good mail order service... Mark PS: the sobs you might hear are me wishing I had spent more time gazing into Hitchin engineers' yard from Benslow Lane bridge in my youth (it's now a housing estate!) - you only miss things once they're gone.

The film in #7018 includes a glimpse of the very rarely photographed Langford goods yard (never a station there (although Station Road still exists), just a goods yard) - blink and you'll miss it... I'll leave it now to get back on topic!! Mark

That's them!! Many thanks.... Mark

Doh! I think I've rumbled the bang/rapping plate question - the raised strips on the outside of the hopper body(?)...I've carved enough of them off the Parkside mouldings in recent times...!! Mark

I chanced upon some foam rubber strips - used, I think, in packing a laptop battery - whose cross-section dimensions were a perfect fit for the inside of the hopper bodies. By cutting the strips into blocks they can be used to simulate wagon loads that fit without gaps but can also be easily removed. Cut/carve the top face into a 'wagon load lump' profile and glue on a layer of the desired (coal?) load and hey presto!! Good work you three...what's a bang/rapping plate? Mark

Thanks Steve - I built mine in batches and I would recommend that route, but just ensure you keep track of all the parts... Looking forward to Phil's output... Mark

Thanks Phil - there's fourteen of them spread across the six variants - I'll be looking at the other options next... Mark

Many thanks - Parkside's mouldings are excellent, the only other change I made was to substitute steel buffer heads. Mark

Talking of chopping and hacking, I'm up to six variants using Parkside's kits (this should probably be posted on Kitbuilding and Scratchbuilding...) ie: - LNER riveted as built, LNER underframe re-bodied 6-panel, LNER underframe re-bodied 3-panel, 6-panel as built, 3-panel vacuum fitted and 3-panel unfitted...and there are still more variants to do by the looks of it. I've included photos of five of these awaiting completion and weathering. Parkside have been extremely helpful in selling specific sprues from their kits to enable this. In all cases Paul's definitive website is a mine of information. The close clearances are just as difficult with the kits - there is often less than 1mm between the hopper bases and 00 gauge wheelsets. I have used Alan Gibson wheels and the way round it is to ensure the wheels are gauged in the centre of the axles, the wheels run true, ensure no wobbly wheel rims and any moulding pips from the plastic wheel centres are removed. Hornby's model is superb and hopefully the start of a line of more variants. All that I would do to it is add the brake cross shaft, handrails across the end stanchions and replace the wheelsets.

Hello I'm watching your builds with great interest - I have just taken delivery of one of these kits and am finding my way through the mass of components. What size GW Models' rollers did you use? I have a 6 inch set - will they be big enough? Many thanks Mark

In those days the grass was greener, the light was brighter, the taste was sweeter, the nights of wonder... From somewhere further south on the ECML... Keep up the good work!

Hi - take a look here http://www.ebmrs.org.uk/show.htm - well worth a visit!! Regards Mark

I don't think it's been mentioned here yet - but take a look at Hatton's website for some up close photos of the 'first painted sample'.... Notwithstanding the heavy windscreen wipers (not a criticism...!) it has the Wow factor!!

....not only that but the CAR has a representation of the brake handle and gauge(?) as well as the handbrake wheel - which I have only just realised is present on all three (it's difficult to see in the gloom...)...!! Mark

Hello - I particularly like the fruit van. Whose screw couplings did you use on this? Best regards, Mark

Hi Peter Many thanks for that - I'll follow your lead on this, your 47s really are excellent. All the best Mark

Brilliant photo of the blue Bachmann 47 - what is the base model...I'm struggling to find a blue version without the riveted windscreen frames (and chassis 'wobbl')? Thanks,

Take a look at Kernow's website...but be very quick!!

The models look really good - keep them coming! I'm building 5 MDVs right now as well as an ever-increasing number of Parkside vans...where did you get your vac pipes?