John Isherwood

Works for me - I solder 0.5mm. brass wire to each stave of the ladder before cutting to length. A touch of draw-filing of the top of the wire after soldering gives a good impression of rectangular staves. Regards, John Isherwood.

Much as I would like to assist you both, it simply isn't practicable (secure post-resistant packing) or cost-effective to do mini-packs, I'm afraid. My transfer sheets are not expensive (remember that the prices include P&P), and you can always sell-on surpluses to fellow list-members. As to Giants and Monsters - perhaps in due course, but I haven't been asked for them before and I've been producing transfers since before the millenium. Never say never, though. Regards, John Isherwood.

Each sheet covers four wagons - by all means indicate the numbers that you want. Regards, John Isherwood, Cambridge Custom Transfers.

If you ask at the time of ordering, I can ensure that the numbers on each sheet are different. Regards, John Isherwood, Cambridge Custom Transfers.

Because the original BR colour for fresh meat vans was passenger crimson. OK, not as red as the Airfix plastic, but it was a decent base for a colour that is notoriously translucent. Regards, John Isherwood.

It's nearly a year now since we moved from Cambridge to Cornwall. However, on the several occasions that we used the guided bus service from Cambridge to St.Ives it was very well patronised. Let's face it - it could be worse. Here in Bodmin we have the Camel Trail - the entire Padstow to Bodmin line, and the Wenford Bridge branch, turned over to pedestrians and cyclists! In these days of heritage railways those lines would be a huge draw if the rails were still in place. OK - the Wenford Bridge branch would need some special short-wheelbase passenger accomodation, but that would not be insurmountable. If only ......... !! Regards, John Isherwood.

61974, I think. Regards, John Isherwood.

Likewise - I believe 61233 to be 61223. Regards, john Isherwood.

My point (elsewhere) precisely! 'Nuff said! Regards, John Isherwood.

Whether you require pre- or post 1937 GWR livery, or BR, I can supply the necessary transfers. See Sheets C102, C103 & C104 at http://www.cctrans.freeserve.co.uk/products.htm . Regards, John Isherwood, Cambridge Custom Transfers.

44846 - 44346 was a 4F. Regards, John Isherwood.

David, Possibly 44480? Regards, John Isherwood.

I don't understand - Kitmaster produced the rotating bunker type; Heljan are to produce both. .... or am I missing your point entirely? Regards, John Isherwood.

Are you certain it's 42685 - I read it as 42686. (... or is there a written record)? Regards, John Isherwood,

Odd - to the best of my knowledge, diagram 556 had Stanier bogies. Regards, John Isherwood.

If, like mine, your D1000 is missing a few roof panel lifting rings, you may be interested to learn how replacements can easily be produced and fitted. Take some fine enamelled copper wire, as used in 12V motors, etc. and a length of 0.4mm. diameter wire. Form the enamelled wire into a tight U around the 0.4mm. wire; grip the two tails of the U and turn the 0.4mm. wire so as to form a small ring with a twisted 'stalk'. Cut the stalk a couple of millimetres from the ring. Drill a hole to suit the 'stalk' at the location of the missing ring; grip the replacement ring in tweezers, and dip the 'stalk' in a tiny puddle of superglue. Insert the stalk in the hole. Result, after a touch of matching paint, is virtually indistinguishable from the etched originals, and *much* more secure. I've a feeling that, over time, all of the etched rings on my D1000 will be replaced by wire ones! ..... oh, and Phoenix Desert Sand is a dead match for the Dapol version. Regards, John Isherwood.

Mike / DapolDave, I have been concerned as to the provenance of this proposed model from the day that it was announced; see my posts 17 & 24 in this thread. It has been suggested that the BR diagrams may not accurately reflect what was actually built, but it would help us to make constructive comment if we knew which BR diagram the model is meant to represent. Regards, John Isherwood.

I am certainly not attacking the masses; my comments were directed at those few who did not contribute to the discussions during the product development period, but who now are criticising the final result. (In which connection it is true that I had assumed that, like me, most people use the View New Content facility. Clearly I was mistaken in doing so). As to the second quote, you miss my point. I believe that we are mistaken in believing that in-house designers can be expected to have detailed knowledge of every project that they undertake. It is not viable for a company to hire a designer expert in each subject, solely for the duration of that single product. The in-house designer will use the information known to him / her. That is how indifferent / inaccurate models have appeared over the years, and still do so. DapolDave recognised these facts and, uniquely, turned to a body of potential customers who would collectively be able to provide extremely detailed prototype information. In doing so, he has produced what I believe to be the (to date) ultimate UK RTR model. I am certain that any in-house designer could not have achieved these standards without the input that RMweb members provided. If all of those who now criticise the model were genuinely unaware of all of the consultation efforts that went into the design process, I apologise. My principle concern is that DapolDave should not be disheartened, and that he will continue to allow us to have input into the design process. In passing, I would make a couple of observations, (not criticisms), on D1000. As seems to be generally agreed, the black surround to the head-code glazing would have been best omitted as it is not possible, apparently, to apply a thin black surround to the apertures. The problems of access to install head-codes was a result of manufacturer assembly error; I understand that future batches will have the intended clip-fit disassembly facility. IMHO, the etched roof panel lifting rings are, with the benefit of hindsight, perhaps a step too far. The idea is excellent, but the scale-sized components seem simply to be too small to be firmly glued in place. My D1000 had lost several in transit, and more have disappeared during minimal handling. I am wholly opposed to Hornby's 'design clever' approach, but a rethink of this aspect of future Dapol D&E models would perhaps be wise. Regards, John Isherwood.

DapolDave must be considering throwing in the towel and taking up something uncontroversial such as politics! I don't wish to get into the rights and wrongs of the Dapol model - for me, it's superb as it is. However, I fail to see how *anyone* with the vaguest interest in the Westerns could fail to have been aware of the development of the Dapol model. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/33639-Dapol-western-update/ Thirty-seven (!!) pages, starting in March 2011, of the most intricately detailed debate, critical appraisal, and positive input, which must constitute by far the most interactive product development ever in the field of model railways. I cannot understand how such knowledgeable members failed to be aware of, let alone participate in, this community effort to get a model correct once and for all. The excuse that "I wasn't aware of it" cuts no ice with me, I'm afraid; and the comment that "there's people at Dapol that are "paid" to check these things" strikes me as totally 'dog in the manger'! If you have knowledge, and you're going to be critical of the final product, why on earth would you *not* come forward when the opportunity for change was there? It is now well established that there are people who love the opportunity to show off their superior knowledge when it's too late to alter the 'offending detail; I draw my own conclusions. Regards, John Isherwood.

Yes. John Isherwood.

It would appear that the glued cab interiors apply throughout the desert sand and blue batches that are currently in this country; (see postings by DapolDave above). Regards, John.

Perfect; my memory was at fault anyway - it was 1962 that WESTERN ENTERPRISE was trialled on the S&D. Headcodes will be printed later this morning. Thanks again, John Isherwood.

Andy, Are you sure that your review model was from the production run? My D1000 doesn't look like that - the bit that appears to be foam on yours is solid plastic on D1000. The cab interior and headcode box are VERY securely glued to each other and to the body. My warning against dismantling stands - I learned the hard way and I'm not ham-fisted. Regards, John Isherwood.

See http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/67674-Dapol-western-photo-review/page-28?&p=957505 Regards, John Isherwood.

Nope - just a quick shot on the workbench. The 'trick of the light' is probably the result of slight under-exposure - it was a quick shot, after all! Regards, John.