Coach bogie

Saga of Pacific National 8314, with MOVEMBER moustache. February 1st 8314 had been tripped from Redbank Works to Tennyson container base waiting to be transported back to Gladstone via a north bound container train. By February 22nd 8341 was being returned south, back to Redbank Works in a Tennyson bound container train hauled by PN010 approaching Sherwood. by March 1st the problems appear resolved as 83i4 is returned north for the second time in a month seen departing Sherwood behind PN007 Mike Wiltshire

I did buy 18000 from rails to replace my very tired and tatty 18000 whose motor drive is worn out. I have not gone for 18100 as my much extra detailed Silver Fox has a lot of life left in it, and to be honest, I rarely run it. I am tempted with E2001 as I used to see it parked up near Ashenden Junction when I was very young. I never saw it move but I did see it, which what counts. Mike Wiltshire

Yes. Complete coach and wagon kits of remaining stock. Etches only can be supplied of all the Geen and Haye development Coach range. It is castings that cannot be produced. Also most of the Mitchel loco kits are also available as the castings for these are bought in. Do not go asking for lists of current stock. If you know what you want, then he will be able to tell you what can be supplied. Phone number still 01429 269600

There used to be one parked at Westbury up to the resignalling in 1984. The original lettering is still visible with the additional S&T branding. Mike Wiltshire

I made up and painted the body shells for a 10 coach train of Centenaries with window frames but sort of lost interest in it. When David Geen took over the Hayes range, we both went through the films and discovered a never released underframe to fit the Airfix Centenaries. I have a couple of test etches called off but with the move, never got around to ordering more. I might sort some more underframes and bring everything back on my next trip home. Mike Wiltshire

I look forward to seeing them complete. You have shamed me into finishing the growing pile of half finished coaches. We are going into winter now which will make painting possible. I was trying to line an E73 but the paint kept drying up in the bow pen. I have managed to complete some non passenger vehicles by working on them before dawn, usually when my wife has an early flight to Canberra. I never had this problem in Yorkshire! Mike Wiltshire

And there is the Bygone Wagons 3D output available as complete or just the top. Mike Wiltshire

Unfortunately my 2021 is in the UK and I am in Brisbane and cannot measure until my next trip home. If you have some spacers, the dimensions could be calculated using the 16mm driving wheels as a guide. Sorry Mike Wiltshire

No idea where it had been - a pair of Watco, WRB2174 and WRA004 tow narrow gauge One Rail livery GWN001 towards Brisbane through Chelmer.14/3/24.

It is a pity that government/rail operators do not have the same forward thinking as New South Wales. Deja vu of Swindon A shop potential as a preservation workshop. ABOUT CHULLORA HERITAGE HUB Transport Heritage NSW is partnering with the NSW Government to deliver a new storage facility for heritage assets at Chullora. The Chullora Heritage Hub will enable many opportunities including: Proper storage for the collection including rolling stock and small objects, providing much needed protection from deterioration. Large workshop for restoration projects and ongoing maintenance. Easy access to the main line network for more efficient heritage train operations. Potential for other recognised heritage transport groups to have a presence at the new hub. Knowledge sharing and skill development. In the longer term, public access for special occasions. Watch the video https://www.thnsw.com.au/chullora Mike Wiltshire

I think mine has been waiting a similar amount of time to replace the missing foot step. Mike Wiltshire

That railmotor much be about 50 years old. I was still at school when I first saw it on Pendon. For my 18th birthday money was requested the Mallard kit, but at £26 + wheels and motor , it was still out of reach. I wonder if the rtr will still run at the same age? Mike Wiltshire

They must have made it down under as well. Sudden appearance of unbuilt K's vans for sale. At the equivalent of £2.20 I could not resist. As my wife was binge watching cookery TV. It was built by bed time. Mike Wiltshire

For me they are all BSL apart from the toplight. The C54 corridor third, D84 brake third, D94 brake third and D95 brake third are the older wooden roof BSL. You can just see the join on the bow ends. Other BSL features being the turned round shank buffers. I am not sure of the toplight as it does not have a slaters roof. From the age of the other coaches I would suggest pre Slaters. The ends are different to my Mallards (right hand bogie also mounted wrong way -footstep should be outwards). It could be a Trevor Charlton. The Autocoach is a BSL in my opinion. I have several unbuilt in my spares box. Many appeared at shows for pennies when the Airfix came out. The siphon J is either a Mallard or scratch conversion from a Lima. Next two siphons are re bogied and much improved ex rtr Airfix/Mainline/Dapol/Hornby - yes they have been in production over 40 years - I am getting old. The last re bogied and much improved ex rtr Lima Mike Wiltshire

They are still out there. A couple of years ago I was in Northallerton, on market day when I passed a second hand book stall and came away with five of the LNER wagons books for £20. A few days later I found mint copies of both parts of Great Western Steam in the 30's in a charity shop for £10 the pair. I gave them to one of the authors as his file copies were, let us say, not quite mint. (also let him have one of the LNER books to complete his set). My son is obsessed with car boot sales and finds some gems. The locomotives illustrated magazine on the early GWR panniers which I have seen for £25 at shows was bought for 10p. Mike Wiltshire

I have also found a lot of useful photos and plans of vans and parcels vehicles in the Pendragon Publication series Historic Carriage drawings Vol 3. There are two other volumes on coaches, Vol 2 - LMS and Vol 1 - LNER. I picked up all three new for £4 each at a seaside pop up book shop in Llandudno. Mike Wiltshire

Most likely the stock will have shunted by 15100 from 1935 at Old Oak Common carriage sidings then 15101-6 post 1948 years. Mike Wiltshire

Odd as an E prefix is a composite. Thirds have a C prefix. Build register has E101 as composites with lot 1261 7901/7902 (22/2/20) and lot 1273 7903-7912 (19/6/21) Mike Wiltshire

Plus others I pick up. I bought this pair in Aus. Not part of the plan but could not resist as complete with wheels

I am down to my last two 'shorter' toplights. Only a few 70 footers left on the shelf. I never appear to have enough thirds when making up trains so Dapol could be solution. It depends if Mark Seward beats them to market with his Blacksmith C30/1 Mike Wiltshire

4920 left Devon back in February 2021 and had been at Carnforth for cosmetic restoration as 5972(II) . As Hogwarts Castle, it sailed from Southampton in December 2021 so the Japanese have been hiding it for some time. I could be wrong but I understand that Warners are NOT the new owners, they just lease it. If anyone knows different I would be interested to know. Mike Wiltshire

David Geen kits sell this etch in nickel . Might be worth a call as he still sells some of his range. GW/O1 - Double Door Grills GW/02 - Large Single Window Grills GW/03 - Small Single Window Grills GW/04 - Stowage Van Window Grills Mike Wiltshire

I use the same. When we had an extension built, I went round picking up the offcuts. My builder asked what I wanted it for and then gave me the remains of the roll. I am still using it. In Australia, weight for wagons was an issue as I forgot to pack any lead. I have been using fishing weights from Big W, sold in big bags. Mike Wiltshire

As a rule, I usually do not rely on preserved examples but here is an example. It looks like black/gun metal colour to me Personally I just draw the grills onto the glazing strip with a fine marker. Mike Wiltshire

I liked the Hornby Grange. Sadly it lacked the pulling power required. as my Granges are usually on fitted freight. Grandfather used to work them to and from Swindon to Weymouth. He always preferred a Grange over a Hall out of Weymouth due to the climb away from the coast. Mine freight Granges are heavily modified K's that are VERY heavy and can haul the van trains up my incline. I find it bizarre that a Railroad Hall will pull two coaches more than the Hornby Grange, well on my train set anyway. Looking good John as always Mike Wiltshire