Horsetan

The two Class Y engines were only short-lived, coming over in 1944, in the context of anything built from the end of WW2 onwards. No.19 did last about as long as the VS class 4-4-0s. They were actually tested on mainline freight haulage on the NCC lines. What became apparent was a propensity to run hot, which was a factor in their subsequent restriction to shunting work. It was thought that the problem of keeping the axleboxes cool was due to the way the engines had been regauged. You'll remember that converting to 5'3" was done very simply, by removing the wheel centres from the axles, plus the tyres and crankpins from the centres, and turning them around. This inside-out approach apparently gave the correct gauge without needing anything more other than "light machining" of the wheel hubs. Absolutely nothing was done to the frames and axleboxes - they remained at the original measurements for 4'8½". This was different to the Woolwich Moguls, which did have their frames spaced at least 6 to 7 inches wider apart for Irish use. Had this also been done to the "Y"s, the stresses which showed up in longer distance running might not have happened, since the axles would have been more correctly supported in relation to the frames. By contrast, the Jinties/Jockos running in Britain did not often run hot and were used on almost everything within their power capabilities....and sometimes beyond.

No. 18 was withdrawn in 1956, whilst no.19 lasted until 1963.

The Australian 18.201 set me back about £135 at the time, which was a third to a half cheaper than UK or European retail. Your mention of the Bavarian S3/6 (another compound) reminds me that I obtained a complete Fleischmann chassis some years ago (it even has working inside cranks and rods), and later an ancient M+F S3/6 tender kit, the plan being to motorise the Revell plastic kit for the preserved 18.505. On the other hand, there are some items that always go for over the odds, and the old M+F German loco kits are usually good examples of this - snap them up if you can!

Agreed. All of my ex-DB and DR stock has been derived from eBay. Much much cheaper than going to a shop or looking at a dealer's website. In one case, I acquired a Roco model of the DR's famous test engine 18.201 from a seller in Australia, and even with postage added on, it still worked out cheaper than buying here. Likewise, three Weinert DB loco kits from Australia, two of which now retail at 800+ Euros each, and the third at over 1100 Euros. I had them for an average of £150 each plus post. I recovered some money from selling one kit (which was a duplicate) for £250 to a German buyer who couldn't believe his luck at getting a bargain. The latest bargain to arrive here is a Bachmann-Liliput model of the ex-Baden compound Pacific, 18.316. Cost £79 from eBay, still brand-new.

Probably doesn't want it popping up on eBay.ie later for twice the price

The Belt & Road Initiative of President Xi is alive and well, and encircling the world as planned....

@Weshty supplied me with a spare pack of castings from the SSM J15 kit, as he thought the smokebox door and possibly the chimney might be suitable for a GSR/CIE period J26.

There is an Irish variant of no.1, which is to "Ignore the law".... It's so popular that increasing numbers of the British are adopting it.

Yes, I know. I have one, and would like the Alphagrafix one for comparison.

One MGW J26, and one GS&W J30

I though @Colin R was going to do that. We'd then contact Roger directly when it's time to pay the bill....

That looks like a Triang product. They made pedal cars as well, vaguely modelled on something from the 1950s, although I think the tyre on those were solid rubber rings mounted on plastic wheel centres.

I'm not sure Jeremy will remember building these - they were done a very long time ago.

There's a lot of those.....

Late news: have finally found my rolling mill, which was hiding in plain sight in the shed. There are some etched boilers that are overdue some rolling....

None of the Wild Swan modelling books has ever been revised as such.

I think I last saw that model in December 2001

That's an angle not often seen, especially that close to the home signals on both branches.

Daylight shrubbery!

I don't think there'd be any problem recreating body odour....

A bit difficult if he's no longer a Minister....

Come to think of it, that's the last link in the chain for model railways. We have had steam and sound effects; all we need now are the smells to complete the atmosphere.

Parts of Hounslow and Hayes still look like that, albeit with more satellite dishes and SUVs. Also the smell of curry.

This just screams "Hayes and Hounslow, late 1960s/early 1970s"

I suppose he did whip it out...