Horsetan

They seem to be out of quite a few 5'3"-related items. I'm just after having a message from Jeremy saying he thinks he's out of the back-to-back gauges as well (even though the online shop says they're available). Not good if you're wanting to make a start in 21mm.

Not sure what's happened, but can't see any photos here.

A bit like Forbes was doing on the CDR.

Here's a thread about the Voith Maxima model. I wonder who the manufacturer is.

I detect the hand of a skanger

Time to get the frame etch out and start checking measurements: Coupling rod bearing holes come out at 38mm centres, which is dead-on for a scale 9'6" wheelbase, and this matches the measurement for the axle centres on the frames: Now I did say I would be trying to equalise the chassis using Continuous Spring Beam suspension. On this four-coupled chassis, I want the centre / fulcrum point of the leaf-spring beam to be above the level of the hornblock guides. Looking at the chassis frames as supplied.... ....this could be a problem, because the low top line of the frames means there's nowhere to install a fulcrum. In an ideal world, the topline of the frames would continue straight through where the letters "T M D" are, instead of dipping down. 'tis time to improvise......

Standing on the LUAS comin' from Tallaght one morning. Two drunks got on at Heuston. There was a girl obviously going to work all dolled up in makeup and a black dress. One of the drunks looks at her and shouts down to his mate at the other end of the carriage: "Jaysus Jimmy, ders a fine lookin bird in front of me here!" To which Jimmy replies: "Is she a fine ting?" The other one starts smiling and leering at her: "She looks da spit of ur wan, Princess Di". Then Jimmy just shouts back: "Before or after the crash?"

This open day would have featured Bulleid's turf burner. Even though officially withdrawn in 1963, the underframe and bogies hung around Inchicore at least until the mid-1970s. What a gas that might have been if the RPSI had been around to save the remains.

High Level hornblocks and bearings arrived for engine and tender. No gauge, but think I'll make a start anyway. These show the four hornblock guides in different stages of preparation, from flat etch to ready-to-fit. The whole thing relies on a few folds, taking a few minutes; no soldering needed until you fit them onto the chassis frames.

Thanks for all replies so far: looks like IRRS and RPSI are the ways to go.

As the title suggests, I'm on the lookout for copies of the engineering drawings which relate to the GNR(I) "S"-class 4-4-0 - particularly anything which relates to the cranks and inside motion between the frames. I've searched on both the NRM and Manchester Museum of Science & Industry catalogues, and nothing comes up. Would the Irish Railway Record Society have anything suitable? Thanks in anticipation

Ah, thanks for that. If anyone out there knows where I can get drawings for the inside cranks and motion of the "S" class, I'd be really grateful. I don't think the NRM (York) holds many Irish works drawings. OT, but I have found plenty of drawings for the NCC "WT"/Jeep 2-6-4T in this list

There is likely to be some rationalisation, but the question is whether the better-detailed Exactoscale track products will survive, or whether it will be C&L über alles

Sure it'll fall apart by the time I come back

AGW wheelsets have arrived, and I can't wait to get started, even with no back-to-back gauge....

Yes, the wheel has come full circle, as Len Newman has been a central player in K&L (which became C&L), the P4 Track Company, and Exactoscale.

Did they ever do any work on it? When I last saw it (2003, I think) the thing was quite decrepit!

Careful now.

I find that Carr's Yellow Label flux is very good at helping the tinning/cleaning process, without being (too) corrosive. Electrical multicore solder (which contains resin rather than acid flux) is also quite good.