Castle

No problem Steve - put yourself on the 2016 tour! I hope the family issues are getting sorted. All the best, Castle

No worries Brian! That would be quite a gala now wouldn't it? Maybe one day - who knows?! If all the new builds and a few loans were accomplished you could in theory do a 4-6-0 line up that went: Saint, Star, Castle, Hall, King, Grange, Manor, Modified Hall, County Fantasy land stuff for sure but one can dream... All the best, Castle

Hi Brian, What would you like to know? The loco is being prepared as the 4-6-0 version to start with. The Atlantic needs a new set of rods in order to make it work. The loco is pretty much there and the boiler isn't far off either. The virtually new tender is fast on the way to being finished too with the brand new flush riveted tank about 70% finished. It won't be too long before the second GWS recreation brings another loco back from the dead! If you want to know anything else then please let me know! All the best, Castle

The dreadnought is quasi gutted but you can see inside from outside as some of the panels are not in place! I can get you alongside if required. The other two are Pete's department... Cheers, Castle

Hi All, Simon - I look forward to having you along with us - see you there! CoY - Great! Glad you have it sorted! Pete - it would be fab if you were available mate! Can I leave the sensitive departmental organisation (!) to your good self? Cheers! All the best, Castle

No problem Doug! All the best, Castle

Sounds good! Castle

Hi MIB, The P/way train looks great - very nice work. Thanks for the honourable mention too! I hope the employment situation sorts itself out soon. All the best, Castle

Hi All, As promised - the first in an ongoing series of updates on the progress of everyone's favourite Mk. 1 Castle* is now live on the Didcot Railway Centre website: http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/guide/projectitems/4079project.html My roving reporters, Ben and Andy, are both young members of the team and are also both in the initial stages of careers on the big railway too. Enjoy! All the best, Castle *With apologies to No. 4073...

One Vision - Queen

Hi All, Alex - Correct that is the regulator oiler. The picture from the GWT archive is of No. 1363 and if you have access to the works photo of No. 1361, it is exactly the same as that except it is in the 'proper' colours! I hope this helps! All the best, Castle EDIT: Sorry I'm not allowed to publish it but it is the property of the GWT...

Hi Mark, Definitely not colour... I'm still working on it by the way! All the best, Castle

Hi All, IKB - sure thing, see you there! SJRixon - we usually go all afternoon from 12:00hrs until near to centre closing time if not slightly after... All the best, Castle

Hi All, A duo of Castle and Boiler Basher will be in attendance at 10:00hrs too! See you all there! All the best, Castle

Hi All, There is apparently a really early image of No. 1363 in the Great Western Trust photo collection at Didcot. I will see if this is true and report back... All the best, Castle

Hi Nigel, The more the merrier! See you there. Castle

Space for a small one - check! All the best, Castle

You are most welcome Rich! See you there, Castle

Shhhhh - don't tell everyone Trevor!* *I wish this were true - It would rank as amazingly cool...

Hi Rob, Who do you think was the interface between me and my team working on No. 1363 and Kernow / DJM long before the 1361 class project was publicly announced? I guess I'm not bad at it either... All the best, Castle

The possible is a probable Mike - you will need to poke people at your end and I will make the movement happen! PM sent. This is all a bit mysterious isn't it people?!? It should be good though... All the best, Castle PS: I KNOW these cloak and dagger postings are irritating to those not in the know but really, it will be worth it!

You've got it Mr S. G.!

Hi All, Rich - that's a shame. Next time perhaps? Velopeur - good to have you aboard! All the best, Castle

Hi All, Just to confuse things further, in the Dreadnought coaches, some had corridors which swapped sides half way down! This can be seen in the last survivor at DRC although not in the picture on the web page(!): http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/coaches/3299/3299.html All the best, Castle

Hi Mikkel, Now this sounds like a chance for some very exciting dual gauge track like Didcot's too... Yikes! All the best, Castle P.S. You will have to come over and get the tour sometime to get the prototype information!