John Isherwood

.... and this : Regards, John Isherwood.

Sorry - this is more like it .....

Yes - me.

.... the proprietor of which is a member here, and has kept us informed of his productions. Regards, John Isherwood.

There is a strong argument that, when considering physical construction, as opposed to 'acquisitive modelling', the hobby has seriously regressed since the days of the MRC. The trouble is, when near-perfection is available - at a price - the newer generation of 'modellers' will not consider purchasing anything but RTR - and as it will always be impossible to produce every variant RTR, we get endless complaints that Hornbach are 'missing a trick' by not producing variant XYZ. The more, and more detailed, models that are produced, the less the potential market will be satisfied. When I get back home from sunning myself and riding Lisbon trams - and despite the forthcoming RTR models - I will resume improving Lima GWR railcars; a remarkably simple task if you want 'layout' vehicles as opposed to ultra-detailed, too-fragile-to-touch ones! Regards, John Isherwood.

I could not agree more - what gets me is when we get postings saying that a new model is a complete 'No-no' for the writer because, say, it has / has not got overhead live wire warning flashes, or it has the wrong number. Everyone has to start somewhere; but if you won't start you cannot possibly arrive! Regards, John Isherwood.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh YES - I hope !!!! Regards, John Isherwood.

The weather here in SW Portugal is superb, thank you. I too have helped members on numerous occasions - and my Cambridge Custom Transfers offering is all about offering transfers produced for my own use to other modellers. It IS helpful to suggest that investment in the essential tools will make modelling infinitely more enjoyable and less frustrating. Regards, John Isherwood.

I'll be surprised (and gratified) if there is a sutable paint. Everything polypropylene that I've tried to paint (or stick) has resisted very successfully. Regards, John Isherwood.

Well - careful study of the exploded diagram conveyed to me what was intended. A suitable 'mini-crowbar', produced from wire, removed the fitted open discs; I managed to get the half discs to fit without problems - but a small tapered broach would have assisted if there had been resistance. The correct tool is invariably the answer to modelling difficulties - but so many of our brethren see investment in tools to be a waste of good money, that could be used to buy more RTR models with problematic detailing bits ! Regards, John Isherwood.

Nor I ?!? John Isherwood.

Then he would be wrong - anyone can build locos, if you are prepared to serve the 50+ year apprenticeship that I and many others have undertaken. I couldn't have built GT3 when I started, but so many people "want it now" and, if it isn't already available RTR, then they must consider the gamble that is crowd-funding. As I said, faith does not come into it. Regards, John Isherwood.

Sorry - I don't follow you? Regards, John Isherwood.

They don't like it up 'em, Mr. Mainwaring, Sir !! Regards, John Isherwood.

Faith is justified - sometimes. It's actually a matter of whether you gamble with your money - or not. I don't - but then I built my own GT3; the only gamble that I took was whether my faith in myself as a loco-builder was justified. I was pretty certain that I knew the answer to that - so my gamble was minimal. Each to their own - if you can't or won't build locos, your choices re gambling are much fewer. Regards, John Isherwood.

Loads of room there, Phil, for the tare weight - to the right of the black box. Regards, John Isherwood.

Could there be a lesson to learn here? Just two wires, and all that ? 'Nuff said !! Regards, John Isherwood.

As close to the RH end as the black box permits. In my experience, the tare weight was usually at the RH end, with the black box (where applied) to its left. Regards, John Isherwood.

No tare weight, Phil? Regards, John Isherwood.

Pure guseeswork follows ..... Having lived in the Fens, I know that road access to a number of railway stations, etc. was - how shall I put it - far from direct. Could it be that the Civil Engineers' Department of BR; (and its predecessor the LNER?); had a wagon etc. ready to transport the March Fire Brigade with a pump to remote railway stations? It'd be much quicker by rail !! ... or did the railway have it's own fire train for such occasions? Regards, John Isherwood.

What he said. Regards, John Isherwood.

Here's an odd one - something that I've not come across before :- March MPD 1963; no doubt painted red ! Regards, John Isherwood.

Bear in mind that the late crest / grey roof variant of 10203 should have twin horns in place of whistles. Perhaps that's why it's not been offered by Kernow? Regards, John Isherwood.

Jason, Quite so - though I have never claimed, nor will I ever claim to be an expert. The 'IGNORE' button continues to do it's good work; I simply miss anything that Rob may post that is not an 'altered image'. I can live with that. Regards, John Isherwood.

Please tell us how to do this !! Regards, John Isherwood.