Mike 84C

Almost jewelry is about right Jim. And he is a very pleasant guy to talk with. Minister, I am inclined to agree about the size of the locking room windows but I thought the box timber framing etc was rather good.

I was at our local Lincoln model railway club show this weekend and came across this guy;Severn Models, he produces some very useful model of garden sheds,lineside huts, workshop tools, and a Mackenzie & Holland Type 3 signalbox all photo etched,which I thought could look rather Irish if painted in the correct livery. The sample etchings on his stand were excellent; so I bought the signalbox kit. His website is http://www.SevernModels.com Also http://www.petite-properties.com who do a very good range of buildings and their range of paint/colour for finishing looks very good. Usual disclaimer just a customer! Mick

Thanks for the prices Harry, I could not remember how much they were. I think only a professional loco builder could justify the more sophisticated, pricey versions.

I used one on a visit to Tony Wrights and I was impressed. I believe they now do a longer one, a B1 chassis just fitted in the standard model so I shall buy the longer one. And a sensible price.

Get friendly with your dentist, those little burrs he attacks your teeth with are very useful. I like the serrated ball shaped ones and the ones that are like milling cutters. They should fit your Dremel and a hand full have lasted me for years.

Excellent Kieran, I d'ont know how you find the time!

They are excellent Nelson, Sat in the colliery sidings brought back happy memories your work just gets better!

Dave,that is brilliant. Your client is a lucky man and is getting a quality job. That sweeping curve on the viaduct is beautiful and will show passing trains at their best. Enjoying the photos!

Great stuff you are off to a flying start! I look forward to seeing more photos of your progress. Enjoy!

Thanks for for all the help and comment guys and Mayner the drawing explains all thank you. Its easy to make assumptions about fittings etc; which I often do and am proved wrong! I asked because for a number of years I worked under 1'11 3/4" gauge carriages, all only had one cylnder and some very ingenious pullrods to make it all work! I know, 20 mph narrow gauge but its worth knowing.

It was the tank that made me think American. The very large dome is typical of ACF tank cars turned out from the First world War era.

Did each bogie have a brake cylinder or were both bogies braked from one cylinder? difficult to tell from the photos I have. Thanks for any advice. mike

A very odd vehicle. A very American looking tank, mounted on a coach style under frame on what look like arch bar trucks. If my supposition is correct where did the parts come from?

Roxeyguy, I bought a B1 of similar price and vintage and was very disapointed. The split frame chassis seems to be very variable in performance and I have bought a Comet etched chassis to cure the problem. Having said all of that I have a J39 that runs very well and a V1 that runs well. But I would not buy an older split frame Mainline/Bachmann loco via ebay. Best to see it running first. And best of luck if you have already gone ahead!

Sixty behind an 0-6-0, thats a loco with some umph! as I assume the Derry road was not flat? = to 76 was the load for a 9f up Hatton bank on the BR Western route from Oxford to Birmingham.

That looks really good. It has all the curves and rivets of the prototype. The injectors add a lovely touch.

Just got home from a very pleasureable day helping David Holman operate Arigna Town. Just brilliant! all who are interested should get to Cultra in December? its a treat to watch and operate. I never realized there was so much potential for operation from a platform loop, two sidings and a turntable road. A real treat I could be a bit smitten! And a very good exhibition all round.

Richrua,Irish railways in Colour a second glance 1947-70 by Tom Ferris page 14&15 will help you no end LH & RH views. Mine is based on 378 green lined with LNE B&W transfers but my loco was dark green to start with. Bob Wills of South Eastern finecast will sell you snifting valves for the smokebox but you will need to modify them for the footplate. Only thing that displeases me is the smokebox door if you find a solution please post:) I thought I had posted a couple of pictures of my attempt. Good luck Mike

It looks like it was based on the "Latill" system which had a type of weight transfer so the tractor always had traction. I believe they were popular for work in docks and were used a lot by the meat trades in London and Liverpool. Latill also made a 4 wheel drive version that was very popular as a timber tractor. Off to google Latill now!

Watched it last night, brilliant its back to the past of the first three. Was it really 1977 when it was released?

In the UK "fitted" meant working vacuum brakes so would have the rubber "bags" on each end, piped was just a steel pipe running under the wagon with the rubber "bags" on each end. It just made a connection for the vacuum. Never knew why the rubber pipes were called bags!

Congratulations FL they are top drawer

Your vans look rather good flange lubricator, I did my solitary one by cross kitting with a BR plywood side van and finished with a H van as well. I did not do the X braced ends far to much carving off for me!

JHB check out Cheltenham Model Center website CL 55 were £39.99 brand new & they were in stock last week

Those are really nice castings David, I can see £90 because how many sets will he sell in a year? But you are really raising the bar with this one.