RedRich

Great vids Anto . Have you got lights in the MK11 Genny. Rich,

How many people do you think would notice it Des. When I lived in London I used to travel through Clapham Junction daily and I really got interested in all things per way. I love seeing all the wires rodding and associated bits leaving the base of the cabin and along the track to the crossings and signals. Your signals are that good Des that I feel adding all the other machinery will really set them off. Take a look at all this (taken at Clonmel with permission) just for one crossover. This is the equipment leaving the cabin taken on the same day. I believe that if you choose to model a real location in it's current state, and you are hand building the track then you owe it to yourself to try and complete as much of the detail as you can. To be honest Des I am more freaked out about having to do the wiring and scenic work than the actual building of track, signals, buildings etc. I kind of hope that the layout will always be a work in progress and although it might look complete it would be nice to always add or change little bits and pieces as time moves on. All I need now Des is for you to produce a nice footbridge (hint hint) and most of the raw materials will be ready for when the build will commence. Rich,

The thing is Vincent if City want to sell Tevez he has to be playing regularly if they are to get the money they want for him. I don't think Mancini would have the same power at City that Ferguson and Wenger have at Utd and Arsenal. Roman Abramovich was 19 when Ferguson took the Utd job so Ferguson holds a lot of power at Utd. Could you imagine the scene in the Utd dressing room if the Glazers came in after a match to have a go at the players. I would imagine that there would be a few boots kicked in their direction a la Beckham. The reason I mention Abramovich is because when he did that last season Ray Wilkins told him to get the f**k out of the dressing room and he was sacked the following week and there was nothing that Carlo Ancelotti could do about it. Ancelotti was sacked himself at the end of that season after winning the double the year before. Rich,

Excellent Jim . Rich,

I'm a Man U fan myself lads and if you look at both teams performances in the league over nine months then I would say that the best team won. How Mancini handled the issues with Tevez and Balotelli proves that he is a great Manager as he didn't let it affect the rest of the squad. There have been some great celebrations in Manchester over the last 20 years and tonight and tomorrow night will be no different. It was a bit worrying to see John O'Shea limping off today as they are saying that he could be doubtful for the Euros. Rich,

Jim thanks for uploading that. The Derby show always seems to get rave reviews from UK modellers. One of these days I will pop over for a weekend, attend the show one day and take a trip the next day out to Peak Forest to check out some class 60 and 66 movements. Rich,

Eamonn anytime I look to herself to save me when the kids want me to do something, the answer is, well Rich you dipped the wick now it's time to pay for the oil. Women have never had it so good:((. Rich,

I had the same experience yesterday Gareth, the young fella said quick dad come and have a look at this. I said to the young fella I'm busy, he says but it's too much of a good opportunity to miss. He is only six and after a statement of intent like that, how could I say no. What I want to know is how the hell a six year old can make a statement like that. I'm still laughing thinking about it. Rich,

The Van and the LC look great Eamonn. The most important aspect of the hobby is to catch a moment in time, and you have recreated a very evocative period of the railway at that time so 10 out of 10 for that, and the fine modelling also. Are the signals the SSM signals Eamonn. I have some to build but I am trying to hold off on building them until I can actually start building the layout. Rich,

It's good to have you here Steven. All the regular guys are here too, so it's more of a change of house as opposed to a change of city or country. Rich,

That looks great for your first attempt at a kit Declan . That cutting mat won't stay that clean for long once you really crack on. Rich,

Excellent work John, how did you manage to fit 28mm pin point axles, or have you used an inside bearing set up. Rich,

Welcome aboard George. I had meant to give you a ring to let you know about the new group but other things got in the way, anyway it's great to have you here mate and the brake van looks fantastic. Rich,

I always thought that the 121 was MIR's finest loco. 8208 sounds good Stephen, the more I hear DCC sound the more I am giving in to it. Rich,

Lovely job Stephen. I'd settle for something like that myself to keep me going until the man shed gets built . Rich,

John the j hangers, axle boxes, sprung buffers were the one area that I was seeing as a potential stumbling block for myself when considering a complete scratch build. I looked at the idea of having them designed and manufactured by a company, but the initial outlay for the design alone wasn't worth it as I only needed enough for 16 wagons. The Bill Bedford type springing is the way to go John as the bearings move up and down with the use of the supplied wire. I had looked at using an inside bearing but that would create too much drag on so many wagons. I hope you don't have too many problems getting the 3D software problem sorted John, and the best of luck with this venture. I will certainly support you and purchase the kits when they are released. Rich,

Will it be possible to convert them for 21mm John. I will be very interested to see how you design the outside w irons. Having seen your other designs I imagine it will be a top notch model. I will certainly be interested in purchasing some when they are ready. Rich,

I managed to find some of the photos of the wagons in the loft today, and to be honest they're not any more detailed than the pic that Richie uploaded. They also have the support bars and spigots for the keg cages, so it is difficult to see all the detail of the trusses. We always look for the money shot of the loco, coach, or wagon and we very rarely take shots of the more mundane parts of the vehicle. Rich,

Looks very nice Stephen not over cooked just right. Rich,

My resistance has finally been broken Fran. Direct me to the nearest retailer. Athearn are really ahead of the rest of the game with these models. Rich,

Will do mate. Rich,

I still have a roll of the 1mm masking tape that Howes Models used to produce and it was always one of my favorite tapes to use as you never got any paint bleed when using it. I am not sure if they still produce it but it might be worth having a look on their website. Rich,

John I have some pics that I took of the flats from the footbridge in Kilkenny 10 years ago. I will dig them out over the weekend and pm them to you. Rich,

I just uploaded a pic 2848 x 2136 as a test with no problems Stephen. Rich,

Fran I'll post some pics of the Details West, Graham White (salem) air filters as I have a bit of spare time tomorrow. I am waiting on some telescopic brass tube and wire for the pipe runs and I also need to get some close up shots of the side of a 201 that has the larger of the air filters. All of the pipes run from the compressors inside the loco, through the filters and into the air reservoir tanks and I want to get it just right. I am hoping to have some etches in the next six or seven weeks for this as it is underscale on the model. This pic was sent to me by Csalem as well as some others which have proved to be an invaluable resource. Rich,