RussellD

Off topic, for which I apologize. It simply, represents a growing 'attitude' to the few remaining historic structures on the GWR. We have talk in another thread of 'blowing up' a Brunel overbridge because it's inconvenient for getting the OHLE under it. There's no longer any interest in 'form', it's only function that matters today. One wonders how many modern constructions will be around in even 100 years' time, never mind 500. For the most part GWR design continued the flair and style that began with Brunel, albeit that quality of construction and such things as adequate footings were sacrificed to cost-savings in the late 19th/early 20th century. With only single examples of Brunel station designs left, it is interesting to try and find extant examples of some later GWR designs. While Toddington (a preserved station) is a rare surviving example of a '1902' design, try finding - anywhere - the '1890s' hipped roof/peaked canopy design which once existed across the system. Pembroke Dock, maybe, but even that is unusually executed in stone rather than brick. (CJL)

I think Bramley station in Hampshire on the Reading-Basingstoke line still exists? https://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz=1C1ARAB_enGB467&biw=1366&bih=637&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=I0i9WsmbBcjQgAaIr7HIDA&q=bramley+station+hampshire&oq=bramley+station+h&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i24k1l2.18637.18929.0.20632.2.2.0.0.0.0.113.223.0j2.2.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.2.223...0i30k1j0i8i30k1.0.gQ4w5k5D1fI#imgrc=_ 

I agree with, I think, The Stationmaster, that the station building might be the closest to a Great Western design, but it will get jolly cold in the booking office and waiting rooms come the winter!

 

I suppose there may be changes to these "approval samples", so I hope that this will include chimneys in this case.

Also I don't know what Oxford intended for the roof covering texture, but it doesn't look like slate to me.

I think there might be a clue here:

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/118446-jasons-2017-mystery-tour/page-4&do=findComment&comment=2579780

 

Or is it just another Rapido red herring?

The "New look" Birmingham standard buses have already been produced in 1:76, see http://www.forwardmodels.net/ although they seem to have gone very quiet recently.

I received mine today, 5808 in GWR shirtbutton livery. A surprise as I wasn't expecting it until after Christmas, well done to Hattons and the Royal Mail for getting these delivered quickly. What nobody seems to have picked up on yet is the hinged opening cab doors. I agree with the previous poster, the number plates really aren't an issue at all in my opinion.

Even better it's in colour here http://www.colourrail.com/Category1.aspx?class=LNER although you have to search for D16/2 as its been wrongly labelled.

Both the low and high cab side sheets and both the 'D' and 'parallel' slots in the tenders.

 

The separate LNER steel cab roof modelled allows for the original lower wooden roof as an alternative but AFAIK there is not yet a version backdated that far.

 

If there was then there would need to be other changes to boiler type/dome position and chimney type/Ramsbottom safety valves/whistle position/no tender coal rails, more types of wheel and coupling rods and the brake rods outside the wheels on the contractor-built lot.

I think this is the version you are looking for with the lower cab roof. http://www.hattons.co.uk/69489/Hornby_R3230_Class_J15_0_6_0_7524_in_LNER_Black/StockDetail.aspx

Could well have been, after all most of the 'grey' liveried locomotives were more cost saving exercises rather than any effort at some form of 'camouflage'. Plus train crews, being fairly individually minded persons, could well have decided that they weren't prepared to look 'scruffy', especially perhaps GWR.     In any case as is said elsewhere this is just a fictitious assembly of an 'ambulance train set' anyway though I'm sure at the price it will get many buyers.

I agree that this set is just a generic ambulance train set so is not 100% prototypical. I know that locos were painted in grey or khaki primarily for cost reasons and to save time . However my reason for thinking that there would be no polished brass was that there was a staff shortage on the railways due to men being called up to serve in the armed forces and given the extra workload they were under I doubt whether polishing brass was high on the list of priorities of the railway staff. I accept that perhaps on some quieter rural routes, away from the busier main lines and docks, there may have been some proud crews who had the time to devote attention to their engine.

Surely the safety valve bonnet and splasher beading wouldn't have been polished brass during the war?

I pre-ordered a loco from Hattons, but when it arrived it had some broken detail and a gluey fingerprint on the side. Emailed them to say I would like a replacement and got a reply within the hour! Unfortunately they haven't got any more in stock but have agreed to refund and place an order when they come back in stock. Usual disclaimer applies; no connection just a happy customer.

The new Bachmann train sets and packs look really good, particularly the Western Wanderer set is ideal for my requirements. Also they seem excellent value for money compared to buying the components separately. The good news for me is that Bachmann have finally made a pannier in GWR livery with a shirtbutton roundel, the bad news is that the real 3650 has the later squarer cab (as shown here http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/locos/3650/3650.html) and as the model shown in the picture on the Bachmann website has the earlier cab with round spectacle windows it would need to be renumbered.

Picked up the Wynns Heavy Haulage Scammell Highwayman (76SH001) last Saturday. At £11.95, its good value although the lack of flush glazing for the distinctive wrap-around windscreen slightly affects the otherwise good rendition of the prototype. Here's hoping that Oxford Diecast tool up a tanker trailer and do one of the very attractive in my opinion Shell BP or Esso fuel tankers. I would also like to see the earlier squarer cabbed version and hope they do the variation with the boxed in front wings rather than the cycle type mudguards that are on this particular model. Can't wait for the Pickfords version to come out and also looking forward to the Scammell Pioneer and Showtrac!

Update on progress with this model on website with CAD pictures posted and one extra model announced.

http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/index.html?action=23

 

I would guess this may be the 'last hurrah' for a venerable loco whose origins go back to the launch of Mainline nearly 40 years ago.

 

The Bachmann "Collett Goods" is not the same as the old Mainline one, it was the first of their high-detail "Blue Riband" models and was completely retooled around 1998 if I remember correctly. I have one of the previous versions of these (32-304) and whilst it isn't up to the latest standards it is more than adequate. It would be desirable to have a representation of the inside valve gear (like the Hornby T9) rather than the flat chassis block under the boiler but I can live with it like it is. I wouldn't say no to an all new model, but doubt it is likely to come soon and I would prefer a GWR loco that hasn't been modelled before.

 

 

...and is anyone going to give me odds on Oxford releasing that MkVI Bentley in Midnight Blue, as Ivo Peters' NHY581? It could become the Somerset & Dorset modellers' equivalent of a bus on a bridge!, http://www.wllr.org....pril%202010.jpg

 

 

Yes, its been announced here http://www.goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/pre-order-oxford-76bn6001-bentley-mkvi-ivo-peters-176-p-49719.html

There are a few good websites I have been using whilst researching ideas for my GWR branch line layout. There are sites on the Lambourn branch http://www.lambournvalleyrailway.co.uk/index.htm, the Fairford branch http://www.martin.loader.btinternet.co.uk/Fairford_Branch.htm and the Abingdon branch http://www.abingdonbranch.co.uk/home.aspx. All of them have lots of information and excellent pictures.

An Englishman, Scotsman and an Irishman were walking together in the desert. The Scotsman and the Irishman asked why the Englishman had a bottle of water in his hand. "So I won't get dehydrated" he said. The Englishman and the Irishman asked the Scotsman why he was wearing a hat. "To keep the sun out of my eyes" he said. Finally the Englishman and the Scotsman asked why the Irishman was carrying a car door. "Well if it gets hot I can wind the window down".

I came across this Land Rover fire engine today whilst marshaling on the Ipswich to Felixstowe run. It said BR Engineering on the cab door, so does anyone know if it is genuine?