Mike G

I can almost smell the dirt from here. Magnificent!

Tim That's a cracking piece of chassis work. Is the other gearbox retrievable? Running it thru white spirit might clear the debris...just a thought. Mike

That is superb!

That class 2 is awesome! Brilliant job on both build and weathering. Mr Newitt's 16t beasties are a joy to build (as are most/all of his wagon chassis). Mike

The Dapol body will adorn my 9f, it's been built for more years than I care to remember. I used the Comet upgrade kit for all the castings infront of the cab and added copper wire for the pipe work. There are a lot of really good ref books not to make mistakes with the pipework. The smoke deflectors came from the Jackson range - doubt if these are still available but ebay is a good starting point. I also have to admit to holding a DJH 9f kit, which will probably never see completion! As to the wheels..why not give Colin Seymour a ring and see if he'll skim the centre wheels for you? You will have to pay I'd have thought, but unless you know someone competent with a lathe there isn't much of a choice. Just remember that the front drivers cannot have any significant side play at all and the rear driver must have side play. Unless your planning on scale curves... Mike

Bill Bedford also does a 9f etch for the coupling rods (available from Eileens). They are correctly sized and allow for articulation. Bill also uses a novel way of lining the 3 layers up for soldering. But and a big but - no instructions. But once you give some thought to the build it should be obvious which way to go. Another alternative is to see if Dave Bradwell will sell an etch for coupling and valve gear from his excellent 9f chassis kit. https://traders.scalefour.org/DaveBradwell/ Were it my choice, I'd go Bradwell for the chassis kit. Expensive? More than other chassis kits but then there is a lot in the kit and its very high quality. I have one in my to do pile. I have failed on 2 other occasions with a 9f build but I used the Perserverance chassis - que wild laughter from certain qtrs - any way good luck. Mike

NICE!

Nice work Gav, and a good result for you. Personally, I don't like Dinghams. They are way too big and look, well, not good. But I do appreciate that they give reliable coupling and un-coupling with hidden electro-magnets. We use them on the new club layout and there's no more double shuffle as when S&W's are used. I never minded the double shuffle, but again I can understand those who don't. Love the experiments, keep it up mate. Mike

Looking exceptional John...any chance you can put the Brit in the background on the next round of photos? Dearly missed here... Mike

Just had my scanned figures after Scaleforum. Well worth the wait absolutely thrilled! Thanks so much Alan!! Mike

Something like this? Got shot of the underframe as well as the sides, Bill Bedford sprung bogies. I know I must be mad!. Mike

No glue used. All solder construction on a Comet kit. Except the roof which is glued to sides. Mike

So a bit later in the year than intended, but that's what happens when life gets in the way of modelling . So I finished this last night, I have to find some cross over security bars for some of the door windows - either that or etch them myself. I would have got them from Dave Geen, but no longer available it seems and no sign yet of the business being sold. Anyway... kind regards to all Mike

"You saw my Thomas at the S4 test track!?" You were chatting to some of the Dorset group and I didn't like to intrude...Thomas was just rounding the far curve. By the time I'd lapped the show you'd disappeared. Mike

Very nice Gav. As I'm about to be come a Grampa for the first time, well worth watching. I think you'd get an even better result if you sprayed the vanish on. I use the Vallejo acrylic with a flow improver, can be used indoors without the annoying smells. If you're interested in the results I can send you some pics to your email, or you can ping me and ask. Liked the way your Thomas ran at Scale4. Mike

Fabulous work John. Were that mine...I'd be surprised Mike

You will just be in time to see a complete first train for Hengoed. I know the engine doesn't fall in the water on Barrow Road, just a question of the coaches :-) Take care and see you soon. regards Mike

You over for Scale4? No, normal size pages, just a lack of patience to see where Morgans' work began. And having re-read those pages it still strikes me as one of the classiest acts I have ever seen or read about. Hate people with talent! Mike

That starts on page 26!

WOW, you really have cracked on in a week! Looking forward to the 12/10. I should have a completed train to run, if all goes to plan! Mike

That's really good, nothing uniform. Did you re-colour some of the ground work to give the different shades? What techniques did you use? Mike

Anyone who drinks decent beer out of a half pint glass!

Just finishing off a GWR full brake, in BR maroon (cellulose)...my usual methods employed for getting the lining straight - which on the previous 30 odd coaches worked well. Added the Micro sol, off came the top covering to reveal a donkey's hind leg. Added more micro sol and went about trying to repair the line. Gave up! So the question is what will remove the lining without damaging the paint or it's high gloss finish? or is this heading to a bath of cellulose thinners and start from scratch... Mike

Dave That looks spanking...is it the DJH kit? Mike

Nice work mate.