John Isherwood

You may wish to read comment upthread concerning the colour of the Accurascale model. John Isherwood.

Lakeland Quick Shine has been stated to be the same thing. John Isherwood.

Around the same time, there was a series of article published about how to cut-and-shut Tri-ang clerestories into (almost) correct LSWR coaches; the results were VERY convincing. I wouldn't be surprised if that series sent Clive Mortimore down his 'hacking' path! John Isherwood

I've come across cut-outs in fall-plates to clear brake standards, but this one appears over-cautious. John Isherwood.

A quick search for 'Bachrus' on Ebay would be productive. John Isherwood.

Tony, I couldn't agree more - I bought the one with four sets of rollers some years ago. As you say - fully adjustable, extremely well built, and very stable. If they are no longer available, then it's a great loss to the hobby. John Isherwood.

As someone in the same position as the proprietor of D&S Models I decided, 25 years ago when starting up, NOT to publish a phone number. I have never had cause to regret that decision. John Isherwood.

Surely it should look like this? The chimney is MUCH shorter. John Isherwood.

I'd like to see an Airfix-produced EE 350hp shunter- but I'm certain that they never existed! You're thinking of the Airfix Drewry shunter - which DIDN'T originate with Kitmaster. John Isherwood.

Tony, The problem that you encountered with the loose layshaft was almost certainly due to over-enthusiastic opening-out of the etched holes in the gearbox sideframes. Your solution is an easy fix. Personally, I find that H-L gearbox assembly is a small price to pay for keeping the space below the boiler free of unprototypical machinery. I know, however, that you can overlook the latter in favour of fitting an off-the-shelf, assembled gearbox; albeit one that is less than suitable (visually) for the prototype. John Isherwood.

PC kits? John Isherwood.

Clearly the tender springs were getting tired - that enormous coal load has produced a distinct dip at the cab end. John Isherwood.

Sorry - £269.99 is a stupid price to pay for any mass-produced model locomotive; let alone a further price increase! I appreciate that there are a lot of potential purchasers with too much money, who will pay whatever Hornby choose to charge. However, there are also a great many potential purchasers, such as myself who, some time ago, said "Enough is enough"! I don't buy RTR any more. What will be critical in the future is the volume of the former category who remain committed, in the face of inevitably ballooning prices brought on by diminishing demand. There will come a day of reckoning! John Isherwood.

Seriously though - with all the multiplicity of electronic gubbins being built into today's models - WHY are interior lights so ludicrously bright? Could it be that the manufacturers know that potential purchasers haven't the faintest idea how dim the lighting was back then? Who would pay for lighting that can barely be detected - even if it was authentic? John Isherwood.

At 14mm. dia., I'd guess 4mm. scale - probably 16.5mm. gauge. John Isherwood.