John Isherwood

In line with the consumer rights advice quoted above, ask Rails to give you a breakdown of the costs that they have incurred that would justify their retaining your deposit. Just because thay say that deposits are non-refundable doesn't make the practice legal - in law, it has to be fair and reasonable. Regards, John Isherwood.

I do agree - but Tony builds big locos and has stated that he is not averse to the gearbox being visible below the rear of the boiler; performance is all at LB! As ever, each to their own. Regards, John Isherwood.

I buy my 'Plastic Weld' - as dichloromethane - from the internet; https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/331520614240?chn=ps&var=540685213532&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=540685213532_331520614240&targetid=520884138479&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006537&campaignid=1782815661&mkgroupid=70885935282&rlsatarget=pla-520884138479&abcId=1139126&merchantid=113617886&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvPrrxNLP4wIVAbDtCh1HXQ6GEAQYASABEgLCU_D_BwE . Similarly, I obtain 'Mek-Pak' as methyl ethyl ketone from the internet; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHL-5-Litre-pure-Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone-MEK-Butanone/371481665763?epid=1050938230&hash=item567e0860e3:g:wjoAAOSw5ZBWPQxw ; note the alternative name of butanone. The bulk packs smell like the branded product; behave like the branded product; and are vastly more economical to purchase. Regards, John Isherwood.

No. You know where the IGNORE THIS TOPIC button is, I presume? Regards, John Isherwood.

BT Superfast Fibre 2 Unlimited. Regards, John Isherwood.

Are the mainstream manufacturers now using mostly ABS? Traditionally, polystyrene has been the material of choice for injection moulded RTR models - the fact that they react to Mekpak, etc. indicates that. ABS, on the other hand, needs a more aggressive solvent such as Plastic Weld. Perhaps I have failed to notice such a change - though I continue to have no problems using Mekpak, etc. to attach polystyrene details to the latest RTR models. Regards, John Isherwood.

Really? Surely I've seen photos of high-density DMUs in plain unlined dark green? Regards, John Isherwood.

I'd have to agree - the radiator grille is definitely not the main body colour and has a remarkably similar tone to the bufferbeam. Certainly - on that evidence - I'd paint the grille red. Regards, John Isherwood.

Stewart, You are certainly correct about the Airfix Drewry, but I can't be absolutely certain about the Kitmaster 350HP. The latter was literally the first railway kit that I built, and I can distinctly remembering a part was missing; (the roof, I think). The wait between the complaint slip was sent in and the missing part being supplied was unbearable to a (10 year-old?) schoolboy. Sixty years ago? Surely it can't be so long ago? Regards, John Isherwood.

..... and on the D9500 0-6-0DHs - but NOT warning panel yellow; it was a distinctive lemon yellow. We; (the spotters with whom I spent my time); were somewhat less than convinced by this lemon yellow when seen on Westerns at Brum Snow Hill, and on D9500s at Swindon Works. Regards, John Isherwood.

Is it just my eyes / monitor, or is there a noticeable difference in the shade of khaki used for the boiler / firebox and the rest of the loco? Regards, John Isherwood.

Still not fine here. Regards, John Isherwood.

Tony, If possible, it would be very helpful to know the provenance of the (3D-printed?) trestles mounted on the 'WELTROL' (actually TRESTROL), and if they available to purchase anywhere. Regards, John Isherwood.

I would guess one inclined conveyor belt, feeding a second one, feeding a horizontal belt. Again, I'd guess that there is a maximum length of inclined conveyor belt, after which there is a danger of the coal falling back on itself. .... on the other hand, this may be total b*ll*cks! Regards, John Isherwood.

From the Cambridge Custom Transfers instructions; " CCT transfers are of the waterslide type, and they should be applied to a smooth gloss finish ". ANY waterslide transfer that has a carrier film will show 'silvering' if applied to anything other than a GLOSS surface. The reason is simple; gloss = microscopically smooth, matt / satin = microscopically very rough / rough; the air is trapped in the 'valleys' between the micro-peaks. It amazes me that, no matter how often this is repeated, or printed in large, bold type, so many modellers fail to believe it, and then comment when the inevitable happens. There's no way round it - transfers onto gloss; seal with gloss; then apply whatever matt / satin, weathering you choose. For optimum results, apply the transfer into wet Klear floor lacquer - but practice first; Klear goes tacky / dries VERY quickly. Regards, John Isherwood, Cambridge Custom Transfers. https://www.cctrans.org.uk/products.htm

So Henrietta knew what she was writing about; a process that would have produced copious amounts of CO. Regards, John Isherwood.

When it comes to age-related matters; (as I know only too well); not talking about it will not stave off the inevitable. Better that it be known that MRJ is not immortal, so that anyone with the necessary skills / funds can express an interest while there is the opportunity for an orderly 'changing of the guard'. Whatever - I hereby disclaim any knowledge whatsoever about the future of MRJ - but I did put 2 and 2 together when the subscription period was reduced. Regards, John Isherwood.

I'm sure that this must be the explanation. Coal is mixed with iron ore and set on fire; it smoulders for some considerable time, (days?, weeks?), and the purpose is to remove excess moisture and concentrate the iron oxide content. It would be perfectly viable to sleep on a warm, smouldering calcine bank - especially after 'one-over-the-eight' - and be suffocated in the fumes given off. Regards, John Isherwood.

Well, not quite. Read back a bit and you will find :- "I phoned about the 4 issues and what I was told made me laugh. Apparently they are afraid that they are getting old and don't want to have to refund any money if one of the team falls of the perch" ! Regards, John Isherwood.

That is the imported article (and price). Regards, John Isherwood.

Pete, There was a thread on here at the time - that's what prompted my raid on Asda ! Regards, John Isherwood.

At that price, I will be forever thankful that I cleared the shelves of Asda when rumours of Klear's impending demise were circulating. I still have most of my stash in the shed. Regards, John Isherwood.

Isn't Alibaba aimed at business, whereas Aliexpress is aimed at the retail customer? I believe that items offered on Alibaba are custom-made products; Aliexpress items are often manufacturing over-runs, etc. Regards, John Isherwood.

...... provided that the locos in question were / had been oil fired at some time in their operational lives. Otherwise, it's a fairly tenuous 'what if' in terms of authenticity. Regards, John Isherwood.

Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than me can suggest what detailing items would be required to make the model as useful to modellers as is reasonably possible? Regards, John Isherwood.