Coach bogie

I think it is easier to agree to disagree. History shows that 4 and 6 wheeler designs were phased out and bogie designed coaches used to this day. The ride quality was a major factor with bus competition taking away customers. Mike Wiltshire

Only two coaches rather than four to gas up, check the vac brake system, emergency brake, heating pipes, coupling condition etc. less staff hours. Usual time and motion applications the railways loved at the time. Mike Wiltshire

In later years they were being used as separate vehicles. Mike Wiltshire

The E40 pair was cheaper to maintain and could run at higher speeds on the mainline and for passengers, a much more comfortable ride. Having ridden on a metropolitan four wheeler at speed, I can see why they the four wheelers were replaced with bogie coaches. Built up Worsley etches. Mike Wiltshire

Pic of the etch here. Makes up into a nice pair of coaches. They are where the B set idea came from. Mike Wiltshire

Now showing in stock at Rails. Mike Wiltshire

Unlike the G the Siphon H had end doors and could be used for any traffic that required end loading. They were fitted with additional Westinghouse air brakes, to work off the system until the early 1930's. As far as Yorkshire is concerned, in the 1920's there was a Sheffield to Swindon train that usually produced an LNER Atlantic through to Swindon. There are images that show a GWR Siphon H at the head of the train. Whether it work through to Sheffield is another story. Mike Wiltshire

When the brake rods are between the wheels I often make up a frame of stiff wire and attach to the base of the chassis where it is hidden by the wheels. Brake blocks are soldered to this via the cross rods. This allows adjustment to ensure they miss the wheels. I find there is less adjustment hanging them from the top. I do no have any mounting rods at the top of the brake hanger, or only cosmetic ones. This is a Saint but the idea is the same. This one the brake assembly is removeable as in this case, it screws to the chassis in the base and end. I have never had any shorting issues. Mike Wiltshire

Kernow link is not working, well not on my PC. Must be popular as Rapido's own site has this and many other 1907 PO wagons already sold out. Mike Wiltshire

I recently had a play with a Hornby Dublo three rail set up. I have to admit, it was great fun. I went home wondering if I had become too obsessed with accuracy and forgotten how to just enjoy the hobby. Mike Wiltshire

Now where is that K's bodyline kit and the block wheel Triang Jinty chassis to make things more scale? Mike Wiltshire

Sometimes 'The Westlander' only has one loco, but it is rare. This time Brisbane is being reached by the less direct, Tennyson loop route which happens from time to time. Mike Wiltshire

If I was 40 years younger, I would be less discerning, with a much lower expectation level due to ignorance of youth. Greater awareness of the prototype, as you get older is what increased the need to build kits. These days availability of components is a major factor. I do miss the convenience of my local model shops stocking motors, gears and Romford Wheels. Mike Wiltshire

Newly rebuilt QR, low emissions 2904 and 2906, the latter yet to receive final livery, out on test, going through Graceville. 19.3.24 Not best view - they took me by surprise! 2903 Hauling 'Westlander' through Sherwood a few days later. 2902 appeared on the 15th. Livery variations going on here for a small class. Mike Wiltshire

One area to consider is the splashers. Pre WWI the brass beading was removed. On some it left a line of rivets whilst others had a plain metal strip in its' place. All depends on your loco. The footstep in the front drop frame varies in size/width and again depends on different cylinder types with some an actual step whilst others it is a valve cover that doubles as a step. Talking of cylinders the Lady series had a different cylinder bore size though externally, there was no difference, but gave them greater tractive effort compared to the other batches. Look out for the reversing rod. There were batches of Saints with curved fronts/backs that still had a lever reverser parallel to the running plate until the end. Not an issue with the Courts who all have screw reverser. Out of interest 2933 Bibury Court, internally, had a unique blast pipe fitted not extended to other members of the class. Mike Wiltshire

Blob of old style polystyrene cement out of tube works just as well. Used to use Cystal Clear until I ran out. Mike Wiltshire

Close to UK home is Heighington, built in 1872. Another claim to fame, this station saw the departure of the first, steam hauled passenger train behind Locomotion no1. The 19th century box controls the entrance to the 21st century Hitachi factory building the Azumas amongst others. Still in operation, not due to close, along with Shildon Box until 2027. Mike Wiltshire

I thought this Fowler, being delivered to Truro might be overweight. I have since confirmed at 11 tons, it is within limits for the Loriet L, rated at 15 tons. It will be chained up, eventually, as soon as I can source some chain locally. Mike Wiltshire

Dapol prairie manages my 6 coach rake with no issues even on uphill stretches. Mike Wiltshire

You need to check the wheels. I once bought a no motor loco thinking a nice easy job to add a motor and discovered all the driving wheels were all live. Clearly for a display case. Mike Wiltshire

it is also mounted via the two hooks/brackets hung over the central hand rail knob as well as the lamp bracket. I have not seen that before. Mike Wiltshire

I have just accessed the article (July 1923). The quality is much better than my faded photocopies. Thanks again. Also found some useful van images and plans as I got carried away looking through other months. Mike Wiltshire

There were a few different ones about, The Sharman one has the extra support plate seen top right and came with sufficient bearings. Gibson pack 4M57 has 1.5mm bearings to suit. You can make your own. The only other images I have here is the SEF Metro tank.. When all was running sweet, I tack soldered the gearbox to the frames so it would not move and then made an additional support from scrap brass and a piece of copper tube with a 1.5mm bore, soldered between the frames. The weakness with the DS10 was the bearing at the worm end. Vibration of the shaft would work the bearing loose sufficient for the worm to rise and drop out of mesch or gear lock. If you hold the shaft on a DS10 you can flex it as it is only 1.5 diameter. It took a while to figure out the cause. Picking up the Sharman box it was eureka moment. Saying that, with the extra support the DS10 has proved reliable on a number of small engines with some of mine now over forty years old and still running fine. I had a friend who put one in a K's LMS Garratt and wondered why the kept failing. My father and I (and many others) had a lot of issues with the DS10. There were no further problems with the added support or if using the Sharman type gearbox. Mike Wiltshire

If you are using the DS10, I recommend adding an extra bearing o the end of the shaft. It stops the bearing in the motor wearing at the worm end, an issue that came up in the past resulting in a new motor required. Some of the fold up gearboxes had a plate with a bearing included to just this. I have some in smaller locos and they are as good as new. Mike Wiltshire

I haven't. Will have have a play on there when I get home. I am using a photocopy of a frail edition in a friend's collection. Wish I had a scanner at the time.