Jack P

No worries! I haven't tried anything except the markits screwdriver, but I reckon some pliers would do the job too. The end of the buffer shank is actually threaded, so part AB is more like a nut, that keeps the internal spring captive. It can be a bit of a faff getting it all back together, but I usually glue the buffer housing into the coach, and then while the chassis is still apart from the body, feed the buffer through and screw the nut on. Hopefully that helps! For what it's worth, I certainly think this is a worthwhile endeavor, I fitted screw links and sprung buffers to mine, and they can finally go around corners!

Hi Truffy, I've fitted the same markits buffers to two rakes of birdcage stock. How I do it isn't the only way, but it is my way. I drill holes in the floor, directly behind where the buffer shank sticks through, this is because the lip you've labelled 'B' protrudes too far upwards and won't allow the buffer to sit level without the hole in the floor. The nut on the end of the buffer shank (labelled 'A' 'B', is removable, a markits screwdriver is usually required to get them off though - having said that, you don't need to take them off to get the buffers in place. However, if you do there's less risk of gluing everything solid when you attach the buffers. Let me know if you have any other questions or anything, I can take some extra photos too if you need

Hi guys, I'm wanting to add some 'prototypical' variety, and i've seen a few photos of Southern/Southern region locomotives at the head of a rake of GWR coaches. With a little bit of digging I can already tell that the rakes are made up of a fairly large mix of stock. Does anyone have any good images, or approximate suggestions for what a typical rake of GW stock on other railways (specicifally the Southern) might look like? Thanks in advance!

I don't have my own layout, but I can see the appeal of having one device that you can use for the entire layout - especially as you mention, for those who operate alone. I don't really have any/many similarly afflicted 'railway friends' (although that is changing, but even then; most aren't in the same country as me) that I could enjoy an operating session with. The idea of 'displaying' my layout to friends and family, and being able to sit in one spot and do everything, instead of running around like a headless chicken, is also both appealing, and more likely.

Jeez, February already?! I've been enjoying the 3 weeks of summer we NZ'ers get, but have also found some time for modelling. Most recently this has taken the form of tinkering/tweaking locomotives and rolling stock. I've started adjusting back to backs, I've got an Alan Gibson 00-FS gauge and i'm getting everything to that standard as best I can. Still no layout, but the intention is that the track will all be to the same FS standard/gauge - whenever it happens. I had my TCS order arrive yesterday, which meant that I could finally get around to dcc fitting my two H's. They have had a rather large period of inactivity, and needed some running in. I noticed while running them up and down my length of test track, they seem to have really excessive side-to-side sway, generally rockin' and rollin' all over the show. I had already started to strip the chassis down and give everything a good clean/re-grease, and while I was at it I decided to see if fitting washers to the wheels would help. Excuse the rather average photos. I was using some paper towel to make sure I didn't smear any grease around. It was pretty straight forward, using some finger pressure I just had to pop the wheels off the axle ends. Re-quartering is also relatively easy as the ends of the Hornby axles are splined. I also added washers to the rear bogie. I only had the larger ones that are for driving axles, so until I obtain some smaller ones (2mm?) these will have to do. It makes a world of difference. The axles already flop around a lot, coupled with the bogie having it's own range of motion meant that it exacerbated the rear end 'waggling'. Here's 1319 and 1551, both with Decoders fitted, and axle washers in place. I really can't overstate how much of a difference it makes to the running qualities of these engines. I'd like to add one more H to the stable eventually, ideally one of the straight bunkered versions for some variety. I've done a few other bits and pieces, but it seems that I have forgotten to take photos! More anon.

It's fantastic! I feel a bit foolish - I only went and read the LRM page on the B4 after you posted that - turns out the kit comes with the two different boiler options! Do you happen to know what Motor/Gearbox combo was used? And apparently one of them carried the name 'La France'.. The caption on same photo on the SREMG website states that it's sitting out of service at Hither Green in that photo. Also I note that the name is applied in an odd fashion, not quite even across the splasher.

That's fantastic, thanks for sharing! Do you have any details about the build?

I have found some further images of Later-in-life B4's Of particular interest is 2054 below, in deplorable condition. Unfortunately, this website doesn't list the locations of the photos, but if someone can advise of shed allocations of the class, it should be straightforward to work out.

A quick amendment - Page 101-103 of 'The Bible' (J.H. Russell's Pictorial of southern Locomotives) details the B4, and this shows; - There were two positions for the dome, it appears that the first position was directly over the front driver, between the 3rd and 4th boiler bands, and the second position was forward of this, between the 2nd and 3rd boiler bands - The dome in the forward position appears to be smaller than the one in the rear position, measuring the drawings on pages 102-103 suggested there is an (approx.) 1mm difference at the base. I'll also touch base with the good people at LRM and see if they have any notes on the class

Hi guys, I recently found out that some 7 B4's made it to BR, although not all of them in revenue earning traffic. LRM do a 4mm kit of the B4 in it's original condition, and i'm looking for some information on how they were modified, by the late 40's, from their original condition. Not the ones that were modified into B4x's, but the ones that remained classified as B4. So far i've been playing a bit of 'spot the difference' with the below photos, from Mike Morant's fantastic website. So far the differences I can see are: - Extended and Riveted smokebox - Replacement Chimney - Removal of whatever the little bulbous things at the base of the smokebox are (snifters??) - Replacement safety valves - Whistle was later relocated from the Cab roof to beside the safety valve - Cab roof extension (behind the handrail) - Ejector pipe down the side of the boiler - Filled in Coal rails - Some appear to (possibly) have had clack valves fitted, and then removed - Steam heat/Vac/misc bufferbeam pipework Is there anything else i've missed? Some other features of note are; - The cab appears to be in 'As-built' condition, is this correct? Most LBSC locos ended up having their cabs cut down - The frames at the front end appear to remain the same, buffer - The dome appears to be fatter on the later engines, but I can't tell if this is a visual discrepancy, due to the smokebox extension/Chimney replacment. - LBSC's 59 had different frames at the front end, which don't seem to feature anywhere else, SEMG also doesn't list a withdrawal date. I'd love to see photos of peoples models, if they have also done some type of conversion, please post away! Thanks in advance to all.

I've had a brief look at the etches, they look ok, certainly not one of the etched kits of old. From Dave's build log, it's clear that the bits fit together with some ease. I think the trickiest looking bits are the etched beading. I'll make an effort over the next few days to get the chassis out, and might give it a go, getting this running and wired fully before starting anything else will be my priority.

That looks excellent Dave, a real transformation. How did you find the Fox Transfers?

That's really fantastic Adam. I'm sure I've asked before, but I can't seem to find it in the depths of the thread, who's screw links do you use, please?

In fairness, the H was later classified by BR as 1P, so they probably couldn't manage much, I'm sure I've seen photos of them at the head of a rake of birdcages though.

SNAP! Although I ordered mine back in early august for my birthday at the end of August.. it arrived on the 22nd of December, better late than never. You may have already seen, but DLT has an excellent series of posts on his construction method of x2 different DMR Z kits.

Both of my Hornby H's and another one that I tinkered with had a little clear spacer in the rear bogie arrangement, this served to lift the rear driving wheel ( the driven one) ever so slightly off the track, causing it to spin, even when running light engine, I've since removed this from all 3 and it's improved running dramatically. You're right that it would be a bit odd for all of the I3's to be assembled with this error, but if it's built into the design, it's a possibility? By the way, those OO works I3's look excellent!

Bit of an odd request, but if anyone who has purchased A Hatton's P and is interested in selling off the (unused, not fussed if it's open) detail pack/spare buffers they haven't used, please drop me a PM. After multiple, and not fussed if it's just the couplings etc. Thanks in advance.

@Oliver Rails do you or @RailsOfSheffield have any updates? I appreciate that The global pandemic situation has of course probably impacted timeframes. I can't recall if this was stated as being scheduled for release after the GWR mogul?

Is it a case of building an unpowered test model to check over everything (and if so, is this your usual practice?) or was there another reason?

Merry festive season (which is now over) and Happy new year to all. I've spent some much needed time away, relaxing, doing other things. Kiwi summer is ramping up, and despite (generally) not getting on well with heat, I've been enjoying the hot days and warm evenings. First off the blocks is the PDK W, it's now returned from DLT and has been 'finished' - atleast to the same standard as my other locos. It runs beautifully too. I've just noticed that i'm missing the draincocks, I'll probably have to araldite/glue these on, but it's minor. Very happy with the finished article. I've also finished off a Q1 and a C, the C was modified slightly, with SECR 'Bottle' buffers. The Q1 was also modified, with one of the doors modelled open, and a riveted patch on the smokebox. Both have been repainted/renumbered. Rolling stock hasn't been left out though. The SR R1 2nd Open has had all of its glazing fitted, and my LMS Parrot has been weathered. I'd like to fit something to it, but i'm not sure what. My Teak coaches have also moved closer to being finished, with one of the full brakes being lettered, reglazed and weathered I've always had a bit of difficulty with weathering roofs, but i'm happy with how this one has turned out. Hot on the heels of the Hornby announcement to produce the Dining cars, I decided to turn my Restaurant Car into a Buffet car. More updates shortly. Santa also decided to be nice this year and I have some further editions of the excellent Pen & Sword books to get through. And finally, I spent an enjoyable day with MikeCW of this parish, eating pastries, drinking tea, and most importantly playing trains. A very hospitable character, and an absolutely stunning layout, filled with handbuilt track, kitbuilt locos and rolling stock and some wonderful scratchbuilt buildings and scenery. Still a work in progress, but trains go around, which gave me a chance to run many locos I don't often get the chance to run, as they won't negotiate the club corners. Thanks for all the support in 2020, Here's hoping 2021 is even better (on the modelling front at the very least)

Did any of these end up in malachite?

Will the MN's have the same front end detail packs available with the standard ones? (steps, draincocks, etc)

Quick, start selling! I bought an upgraded one from Ebay, but later found out the builder/previous owner passed away before it could be posted (handled by his son). So i'll keep it as a form of tribute.

Excellent! These really deserved a retool from the horrific old margate version.

Always happy for more SR Maunsell stock, Woo!