Robert Shrives

Thanks for updates good to see perfection improves ! Robert

Hi Steve as a one man band is busy- I think he pulls 27 hour shifts most days !! made worse by the viral event . JHB try his "contact us" page - it worked for me the other day . His site contact email link I recall was OOS during an upgrade a short while ago. Steve does when time allow look over at these pages. I think a while back he had stopped on some very esoteric suggestions - trade off on time V money back in the tin . A slight revision on newer packs works better hence his complete loco pack idea - you order and he will respond PDQ to get number required. Like my 3mm class 40 106/ D200 pack it then goes on general release as it is easy to push the go button. Older packs may well be on older version softwear and Steve tries to convert to latest version - sometimes being the perfectionist this is a total redraw as a slight improvement on perfection is possible ! As a hobby were are so very lucky to be supported by such sole traders . The 201 pack was a surprise but possibly it was commissioned by a fellow on this forum - if it was you thanks ! Robert

Hi New transfers from Steve , £9.50 a pop looking the deal with V.6 printed plates 3D printed on trasfers, folk will be printing cream teas next ! Stay safe and keep well . Robert

I have just got my N version for the older sprung as the NEM version sold out twice already. I think they win on things like emus or fixed rake stock as they are easy to point and couple under corridor connections which you can do with other couplers but heights etc make for unreliability. I have fitted corridor connections to a 4 CIG emu so that I can make a 3CIG if wanted so a little thought on coupler orientation and corridor ends to fit. It does mean that it is possible to only couple in the correct formation, which will be a boon at shows when others roped in to rail stock. I think they make the interwagon space look sparce and odd having two dustbin lids rather than a "delicate" looking link and a brake pipe. Tension locks ,kaydees and others mentioned above give the fussy look in between which my eyes make right to what the grey cells know what should be there. N couplers unless using some DGs or similar etched affairs looked after carefully have to be functional but robust to take the rough and tumble of stock in the "wild world" outside the factory gate. As a result are visually battering rams! Happy modelling Robert

Nicely Ex Works! Neat construction and a good add to the roster. Hopefully when newness wears off some weathering where crew have battered it a bit and the soft rain has fallen and started the gentle decomposing of the tin! Thanks for showing and glad to know almost all ok and life grinds on ! Modelling hopefully gives a get-away period for you. Robert

Hi got several part built looked to making a comet style kit with a brass end vice the overlay road as it means less chopping about with ends available as parts and better bogies available than the lima offerings. Robert

I was lucky enough to have a look in the cab at Stoke where it was converted, bits of 141 cab were on the floor waiting to be inserted - these had been awaited, I offered to tidy up but told only just enough had been supplied . The cab was a bit of a mess and it is possible it was never finished in Stoke. good project I used some cast parts and a Airfix brake for mine, like you hacking into a locomotive priced coach was somewhere I did not want to go at the time , so good luck and enjoy the journey ! Robert

Good stuff ! 4 train operation and you filming shows great confidence and a testament to good track ! It was good to see the orange army no where near the track with such activity. Thanks for showing and 8 years have flown by! Robert

Given the odd report of seeds getting damp with interesting results is it worth doing a load on a piece of plastic sitting on the braces and then moulding some in resin ? Or perhaps for variation is it possible to make a mould that is several wagons in size and cutting shapes to suit and give variation? A great build report and yes the lead in resin works well. I have numbered mine but left in red primer but having seen this It makes me wonder if going over in grey and starting again would be better , I plan to run mine empty so making a removable load might be a way to finish. Thanks for sharing.

Like the cautionary top line of the manual, in BR days it said much the same or "not for publication" - like the lockdown in UK who obeys when intent of not following a rational course, would you sit in a pub with the 121 manual and tell all and sundry how to pinch one ... not hopefully you would get to far, Looking forward to the models arrival but good to see training in progress ! Robert

Hi Good news on accessory pack . thanks Robert

Good to see progress, will save pennies ! I am sure it has been said before but if packaging not fully finalised is there room in the box for a spare stack of kegs to be squeezed in to the cornner as a bonus and help scenic fun ? Stay safe Robert

Lovely work , trying not to fall into the gizmo buying but just ordered a set of the tamyia paint turntables inspired tools with good reviews Thanks for inspiration Robert

Warb, Great OLE work - in Brass it ought to be fairly bomb/ hooman proof. It will make track cleaning a bit of a pain but I expect you have a plan. The light weight cross spans are amazingly fine- you must be pleased with them. Thanks for up date and more power to your elbow! Robert

Ha, I did promise to look at that. pivoting on 0.3 steel wire possible at a push but the sliding back into the void might be fun. Robert

Bits of railcar would look good with a C class on push pull look a like. Robert

The beet container does look very good and gets my vote - 10/10. I short rake of 4 would fit nicely ! Robert

Well another vote of confidence from me, lovely models - graced the office desk today ! I am sure a second run will come in time but after the A , C ,class 80, Beet double decker, BR based heating van and a 47 foot flat or maybe between one of the forgoing ! Not wish listing of course !! thanks IRM gang. Robert

Like the pics - but if anything normal to go by the buffer stop would have been move a coach length up the bay rendering it useless !! So well done for getting the Civils to put in a sensible place... thanks Robert

Thanks guys, E mail today saying on the way ! Looking forward to these and future A class fun! Robert

That says a lot about market demands and careful stocktaking ! Any more bumps in the floor ? Looking forward to ferts even more now ! Robert

Fifth photo next to bogie is a screw jack - this on a sliding I - beam - its opposite site friend just to left of it - pulled out and sat on packings, jack to take load, to spread load and watched like a hawk by crew.

As others have said thanks for the candid update , and welcome to the Chinese industrial experience of the new year and factory delays !! A balancing act of being ignored by the factory or inviting an expediting voluntary fee if you push for a given delivery date or being laid back and letting time take its course. It is just great dealing with the culture. Robert

A great bit of film ! Just a quick question what no. kaydees are fitted ? thanks Robert

Brilliant rendition, What colours used ? I too had wondered about lights- seeing how surface mount LEDs now come suitable for N locos I guess these would be suitable. Top head I guess a light guide in bent perspex with led and heat shrink tube connector would work, the pain being drilling the casting. Hopefully not missed it on earlier pages but what power plant in the model - I have looked at several. Robert