Adam

Yes. 51L via Wizard Models. They do both the fitted (my take on that is on my workbench thread: hmm) and the unfitted (probably a better kit which I'll try, someday). Adam

Yes - they're clearly lettered for Iron Ore, and obviously of welded construction which makes them a BR build and though one or two appearing in the film/pictures are obviously fitted, most aren't which makes them most likely to be dia. 1/163: https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brironorehopper (the fitted ones are probably 1/166, but I couldn't make out the brakegear): https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brironorehopperrb Adam

And the full plywood sheeting, and the particular type of pressing on the ends. All unique to the type. Adam

And after this morning's deluge (thunder over Kent), the now complete Open C has had a flash of primer. Since the last picture it's had capping strips and irons, bolt heads and sundry other bits and bobs. I've popped the wheels back in and it's ready for livery. Adam

I don't think that was the same etch at all (it was a private commission and may have been just the valve gear) but the MRJ in question is no. 59: http://www.modelrailwayjournal.com/issue.php?s=59 (though, strangely, the article doesn't appear in the MRJ Index, it's there on the cover!). Adam

As Mike (Enterprising Western) and probably others will be relieved to hear, having got that out of my system, back to normal business. First some finished rail carriers, one last seen like this: And now laden with track panels: Apart from the aforementioned bicycle spokes, alterations are few: the chain loops are from the Rumney Models etch for detailing Bogie Bolster Es, the buffers from Lanarkshire Model Supplies and the axleboxes on the GW pattern plate bogies from plastic sheet. Chains (20 links per inch) and shackles are from AMBIS. This is a tiding up operation - I had made a start on the panels to load this: Now the problem, of course, is that the bolster pins are in the way of this sort of load so it's been given a load of flatbottom rail. The Salmon was the solution to that problem. I'll learn to plan, one day... Still, back to works in progress. First the detailing of the Ratio Open C: Fiddly brackets. Lots of them. The Warwell bolster is almost ready for the fiddly stage - I've stuck the bolsters on the stands and temporarily loaded with a large file. Adam

Finished? Weathered, coaled and crewed (thanks to ModelU, who also made the lamps - I made the fire irons). In time there will be some headcode discs added but that's about it. It runs quite sweetly, too. Adam

That's absolutely superb, Dave. An impressive job of what, for the period, is quite a chunky machine. Makes the Brighton Terrier I've just finished look positively dainty (which obviously, it is, but Hercules rather rubs the point in). Can't wait to see it painted. Adam

From experience, 1mm ID tube is quite easy to cut with nothing more sophisticated than a Stanley knife or, if thick-walled, a piercing saw. That's certainly how I do it... Adam

I haven't, but Pete Johnson over at http://www.emgauge70s.co.uk/model_omwb145.html has, simply by putting the existing wheels on longer axles. It may be possible (as it was with the class 14) simply to ease the wheels out on the axles - the flanges are happy enough with EM track. Adam

Thanks - well it has, but four years ago! https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/37002-adams-em-workbench-an-early-lms-brake-m806/&do=findComment&comment=1117206 The couplings are from Masokits - details of how to get them here: https://traders.scalefour.org/masokits/. Adam

Reviving a not-quite forgotten thread: it was a nice, bright evening and since it's now complete, a couple of pictures of Terrier, Brighton Works (the former work's shunter, latterly put back into capital stock as 32635 prior to withdrawal in 1963). The origins are a Dapol body as produced by Hornby on a combination of Branchlines and Comet chassis kits on Gibson wheels in EM with a huge amount of added detail, most of the Hornby paint finish, improved with the correct colour valences, and lining transfers from the Brighton Circle. There's more about it on my workbench thread (linked below) and it does need a spot of muck to make it plausible but it's not bad, I think. Adam

Thanks - they are (for better or worse) a lot of people's idea of a 'cute' loco, a concept I don't especially like. Having acquired the base model for a song, on the strength of the paint job and memories of Gordon Gravett's 7mm version from a double-figure MRJ, I'm really pleased with the result. It's just about the only one of these 1960s pre-group/nationalisation repaints I could remotely justify making a model of though the Great Marquess would be fun, that's more your end of the world, Tim. Adam

Well yes, but the blessed things won't move themselves. I have the thing marked down for a Brakevan Special (so building it is an enabling act, you see...). Adam

As is, to my momentary astonishment this lunchtime, Waterstone's on Gower Street, London. Adam

Not finished, not quite, but (very) fully liveried, yes indeed. Adam

I think he means buffers from Lanarkshire Model Supplies, Paul. At least, I hope he does... Adam

That's great! I'll have to have words with my sources for not tipping me off... Adam

Look, coppertop! Being unimpressed with metallic paint when casting around for options for the copper cap for a whitemetal chimney, I had a small epiphany when watching a timelapse video of preparation for an exhibition at the BL - why not try metal leaf? The technique is pretty simple, being exactly as it would be for signwriting - apply size, wait, wait some more and tap the leaf in place with a soft brush. I'm quite pleased... Worth sealing, I think. Adam

Lovely - is there any chance that you could supply the National Archives call number please? I'm down at Kew in a week or two and could usefully add such documents to my list of things to photograph (aside from the material I'm looking at for work). All best, Adam

Yes - and should have mentioned it - I can never remember whether it's the higher or lower holes that reflect a past life working motor trains. Any ideas? Adam

A useful picture, full of interest, of Brighton Works at Eastleigh just prior to scrapping (and donation of the chimney to Waddon - a Marsh chimney... - and perhaps the Salter valves, too). A1X 32635 at Eastleigh Works Open Day, 7 Aug 1963 by Ian Nolan, on Flickr I could witter on at length about the features of interest here and most don't concern the loco': the single bolster may well have been a BR build and it's already in internal use, the stencil lettering on the LNER steel open is a nice feature and then we get to the loco'! Meanwhile, here's the latest update: lots of pipework, including steam heat (front easy, rear much, much less so) and vacuum pipe which is trickier because on this loco (but not on others), it wasn't quite tucked in behind the valance. Compare this with this image from Mike Morant's invaluable gallery of images: https://mikemorant.smugmug.com/Trains-Railways-British-Isles/SR-and-BRS/LBSCR-tank-engines/i-XTCjrdh/A Up front, there's the steam heat firmly in evidence too, along with the restraining chain (anchored, prototypically, just below the buffer) and the drain for the vac' pipe - a short length of 0.7 wire soldered as a 'T' and a bored out bit of 2mm plastic rod - the mounting bracket for a tension lock coupling lifted from a spare Parkside sprue. The upright vacuum pipes and air pipe (on the front only) themselves will have to wait until I've painted and transferred the buffer beams. Next up, a couple of oil boxes for the tank fronts and then the thickets of lamp irons, one of the most beguiling 'Brighton' features. Then I can get the brushes out again. Adam

I've always admired the BTP tanks (and the Midland's Kirtley 0-4-4 WTs which are similarly visually unbalanced) and am slightly envious at the speed it's been built... Can only be the Tanfield Railway (somewhere I really must go...). Adam

Compare and contrast: So, lubricator line, blower pipe, top feed, steam feed to Westinghouse pump and vacuum ejector pipe (not fully fitted here, but it is now) and not least, the whistle (a spare box lost wax item). If you look very closely, you'll note that I've filled some misplaced/oversize holes with Milliput but any roughness is 1. very, very tiny and 2. will be hidden by clutter because on a Terrier there is nowhere else to put things like fire irons, spare lamps, headcode discs, etc. They all seem to have a bucket up there too. Adam

Yes, that's the one. No idea about motorisation but I suspect it would require relatively significant reconstruction. The obvious place for a motor would be the gearbox/transmission tunnel, suitably bored out/replaced with brass tube - I'd choose the latter course - but I'm not sure how you'd work the drive from there. If a 2mm finescale Ruston 48DS or a 4mm narrow gauge Muir Hill Fordson can be done (as I know they have) then I'm certain it's possible! Whether it would the haul anything is moot, but wasn't that a problem for the real thing too? Adam