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I promised myself that I would relate my loco build tales "warts and all" as Oliver would have said. The V4 is now complete however, when filling the tender with coal a splash of super glue must have lodged in the leading driver between brake block and wheel rim for when I finally assembled the loco and tender, reader, it would not run and the leading axle was seized! I was, to say the least, disappointed.... Using glue buster a managed to free the wheel and then cleaned it a re-lubricated. All is well now but sadly glue buster is also paint stripper so the cylinder casings need a re-paint. Its first Unclassified Repair and it hasn't really pulled a train. Giving the chassis a good run to ensure all is now well. It seems to be. Kind regards, Richard B

Apart from the red bits on the buffer beam, the tender is now built. Just requires painting and livery. Kind regards, Richard B

Couldn't agree more - I used them both a great deal when we lived near Salisbury. First class service. Kind regards, Richard B

Sorry guys, this is a hobby right? We all know that being occupied building things and using our brains to sort out problems is good for us? But it is not reality and it is just not that important in the wider scheme of things. I really like the cooperative and supportive way this website operates. Lets remember that we are here because we like the hobby and given that this is Tony's thread, looking in on the wonderful loco's and rolling stock that he builds and operates on LB. He inspires us to do better. So, do better.... Kind regards, Richard B

David, Thanks for all the wonderful images over the years. I am really glad that the shed has gone to a good home and hope you realised what you had hoped for. We shall all miss you and your fine images of Haymarket, especially those of us that visited the prototype. Kind regards, Richard B

The three tender sub-assemblies, chassis, tank bottom and tank are almost ready for assembly. Copper strip used for pickups on two trailing wheelsets. Almost ready for for assembly. Kind regards, Richard B

Thought it might be interesting to compare the V4 with its larger relative the V2. The V2 is my Pro-scale kit constructed a few years ago. Kind regards, Richard B

Busy watching Monza 6 Hour World Endurance Race but I can still do a bit of soldering.... Tender coming along. Kind regards, Richard B

The A2/1 look good Gilbert, but not as good as a V2 on which it is based. I have two A2/1 kits to build a PDK and a Nu-Cast. The latter with its original cast chassis, a very old motor and Romford wheels. I recall that Mr Wright advises replacing the cast chassis. He is probably correct but I thought I might give it a go. It did not cost much. Kind regards, Richard B

Thanks Michael, I imaged that was the case, I think the B9 kit was similar? I used EM spacers left over from a kit and cut/filed them down. I intend to fit pick-ups in the tender so having a removable tank will be helpful for access. On another subject, are you attending any exhibitions in the north later this year? It would be good to meet up for a chat. I am still intending to buy a Maunsell Diesel shunter kit when available. Having followed more of your threads on this site I can see why it can take a while to get a kit into production, you are so busy! As I think I may have mentioned, my first job after finishing the first year of my apprenticeship at Eastleigh Works Training School was performing an "A" exam on 15201 at Eastleigh Diesel Depot. It was withdrawn and scrapped shortly after. I don't think it was my fault although! I suspect the Depot Foreman knew it was to be withdrawn and sensibly wanted to reduce the risk to his operational fleet.... Kind regards, and keep up the good work. Richard B

Good progress with the tender. I have to mention the high quality of the Judith Edge KIts etches. The tender frame rivet detail is just so very fine - I used a scriber to press out the rivets. I decided to make a sperate subframe to locate the wheels and brake gear which is secured to the tender tank by two set screws soldered to the tank base. The tender side frames and tank base. Lovely fine rivet detail and I like too the axlebox castings provided by PDK Model Kits, little or no "flash". The subrame below with the brake hanger wires soldered to the frame sides. All fits together very nicely. KInd regards, Richard B

Thanks for pointing that out. around £45k for a new petrol, the electric figure was for conversion of a car... Secondhand will do Ta! Kind regards, Richard B

Hi, Maunsell and Urie 4-6-0's (excluding N15's I guess?) : The Book of the H15 and S15 4-6-0s Peter Swift - Irwell Press Urie and Maunsell 2 -Cylinder 4-6-0's David Maidment - Pen and Sword Books These two books have proved to be an invaluable help during my building of Urie S15's and all varieties of H15 4-6-0s. M7's - The Book of the M7 0-4-4T Peter Swift - Irwell Press is comprehensive. Q1's - SR O-6-0 Tender Goods Locomotive Classes - David Maidment Pen and Sword Books is a useful starting point. A starter for 10 as they say. Good luck. Kind regards, Richard B

Closer? On to the tender then. Kind regards, Richard B PS It looks much cleaner and fairly shiny in the metal!

Many thanks, it is clear enough. Some nice detail like the repair to the roof of the green cabin. Kind regards, Richard B

Getting there, I'm not sure where though... The powder I have used polishes up well. The next stage involves washes for oil and water staining. I may clean some off with Klear. Loco runs really well and is powerful. I think it looks to be a fairly good model of the prototype despite the (many) errors. Kind regards, Richard B

Hi Mike, Thanks very much for some really great images, a real help. The best way of looking at my layout is to go to: I still have lots to do and I will re-start work this Autumn. Kind regards, Richard

A very brief update. The V4 is now painted, however I was dissatisfied with the interface between the firebox clading and the boiler so filler added which still has to be cleaned up. Lining almost complete this side so I will have to be very careful cleaning up the filler and then re-painting. Not ideal.... I am though still pleased with the result. Smokebox door mounted lamp bracket needs adjusting! I have also replaced the front pony truck wheels with the correct diameter 10 spoke wheels. Kind regards, Richard B

Many thanks, brings back some great memories. We ran a Dyane for a number of years and what a great car it was. We then lived out in a village near Ashbourne, Derbyshire, and it was ideal for pedalling around the lanes. It could carry a great deal although the "performance" suffered as a result. A number of years later, we bought a lovely red 2CV (one of the last made) from one of the couples that ran our local. We bought it for our eldest as her first car after passing her test. The thing about the 2CV, and all of those 2 cylinder Citroens, was the need to really drive them and learn how to anticipate the traffic. Overtaking a lorry at 60-65mph was simply epic! Only to be attempted on a long duel carriageway! I would not mind a lovely clean 2CV now for high days and holidays. Kind regards, Richard B

Yes, if I recall correctly, it was a "heat resistant" paint. However, temperatures in the smokebox were very high when the loco was working hard. Smokeboxes would be bright and shiny ex works but even then there would be pale water streaks down the side after running up the yard for release. I remember painting my Lambretta expansion pipe with a heat resistant paint. It lasted about two weeks before turning a very flat black and then peeling off. I followed the instructions very carefully, honest! Kind regards, Richard B

Just a quick update - 70D now has it's first maintenance staff - gas welders and a boilersmith. They can be seen annealing boiler tubes for one of the G6 0-6-0 tanks that is outside in the yard. Figures from Modelu and painted by Phil who is Mallard6022. Thanks Phil they look brilliant. Kind regards, Richard B

Hi Mike, Sorry I missed this really useful and interesting post. We were on a one week break with one of our daughters and her husband. We rented a house in Rock which is near Alnwick. Had a realy fab week on the Northumberland Coast. I was what was then called a "Duel Trained" fitter which was Mechanical and Electrical - you couldn't avoid the latter on the Southern Region! Our generation (I am probably a bit older than you!) was very lucky - real apprenticeships, rather than the 6 months joke apprenticeships of today, gave you a real opportunity to start again. BR gave me the opportunity to study as well as learning skills. I was able to have a really good career as a result. I wish these opportunities were still available to lads and lassies now. When I was at the shed, very briefly, in 1964 there was no canteen as such but a typical fitters mess room with a stove and a kettle. Keep in touch! Kind regards, Richard B

Good Morning Tony, Hope all is going well at Ruddington. We have a "Railex" at Buxton this weekend so off to that later. The video of the O4/8 is very good and thanks for going to all that trouble. I hope it encourages more modellers to have a go at kit bashing - it can be a cheap way of obtaining a decent model of a different prototype. Kind regards, Richard B

As many franchise train operators have done so and, as you suggest, many water companies will effectively be doing so very soon. Yet again Britain has shown the world the way and produced the latest incarnation of Capitalism - Tax Payer Capitalism - it takes the risk out of investor risk thanks to us mugs. Sorry I will probably be arrested now!😬I should get back to my therapy and build another little locomotive.... Kind regards, Richard B

You are very gentle Sir! I would put it a little stronger than that! Kind regards, Richard B