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I'm sure things go wrong occasionally but Colin at Alan Gibson does a cracking job on delivery usually next day or day after. Kind regards, Richard B

Well 61475 is now finished and painted. I may add a little light dusting later but that is all. I don't think she looks too bad. Kind regards, Richard B

Hi Terry, Thanks so much for your kind comments. If I can encourage you to "have a go" then I will be a very happy man. I have found that our hobby abounds with skilled, experienced and helpful people so go for it. Kind regards, Richard B

Thanks for the praise Ian, much appreciated. The GC 4-6-0 looks absolutely wonderful (Sorry, don't know GCR loco's well enough to recognise - is it a GCR 8C LNER B1/18??) I have admired your work for some time. Yes I must look into an alternative material. Michael Edge pointed this out too. This loco has now been painted plain black as it was in the first year or two of BR so I thought that I could not really use lining transfers. It does not look too bad! Besides, I suspect lining transfers would not be visable if applied before painting. I use 5 and 10 tho sheet for some parts and have started to make strip for boiler bands but the edges are too rough. Needs more work and will try Scotch Tape. Kind regards, Richard B

Well, at last the loco is finished apart from a wee bit of filler and some wet and dry paper to prepare for painting. After painting I will fit the spec plate glazing and then the window surrounds. I have really enjoyed the build and all the helpful comments received and all the really good images of these locomotives. Thanks to Michael Edge for a really good etch of an interesting prototype and for his guidance. Recommended for the fairly skilled modeller, don't mean to sound big headed - I am learning all the time but you do need to scratch build the boiler and firebox (but only once for most people!) which is not for everyone. On to painting and the tender kit also supplied by Michael, again, at a very reasonable price. Last pictures then in the metal. Kind regards, Richard B

Simon, Vacuum standpipe re-positioned! Kind regards, Richard B

Hi Simon, Thanks for this advice. Sadly I have already mounted the vacuum pipe wrongly but will seek to rectify, many thanks. Loco is almost complete now bar centre footsteps and cab roof/handrails. Kind regards, Richard B

Bit of a foul day here in Buxton! Detailing the B9 body continues. It runs very well as an 0-6-0 on my Basingstoke layout! One piece handrails can be a bit tricky but I spent time measuring then bending and then checking/correcting the curves. Lastly, the setting sun just shone perfectly on one of my B4 0-4-0's - what charming and powerful little loco's they were. Remember Winchester yard B4s very well, 96 was one of them. Apparantly they ran back to Eastleigh as light loco's for servicing that must have been a sight! Kind regards, Richard B

Gardening most of today (before the rain comes, thanks goodness) but managed to fit the buffer beams and start to equip the cab. The chassis has been run in both forward and reverse. The bogie has been dismantled ready for painting and I will do the same with the chassis shortly. Basingstoke turntable - ideal for running in a B9 chassis. Cab needs brass valve handles fitting and painting. The body has not been fitted correctly by me before the picture was taken! Kind regards, Richard B

Brilliant work Simon with some great prototypes modelled, especially the B16/1. I would have a go at 2mm but I know my eyes would not be up to it. A long time ago I built many WW1 British and German warships in 1/1200th scale mostly those that fought at Jutland. Then I decided to have a go at 1/2400th scale, with fairly good results but all a bit daft really. That's not to say that 2mm scale is daft, quite the contrary! Keep up the good work and thanks for all your encouragement! Kind regards, Richard b

Hi Simon, Yes, I agree it does. Many thanks. Probably easier then drilling the boiler and smokebox in situ for the handrail knobs! A sharp drill with a pin vice does the job after marking the spot with a good scriber. Kind regards, Richard B Kind regards

Have now fitted the vacuum brake cylinder which was, as suggested, a piece of brass tube. Moved on to completing the body, in particular the reversing rod, vacuum ejector pipe and hinged cover over the valves. Brake cylinder fitted. I have to admit to an error (another one!!) the vacuum ejector pipe should have a slight bend close to the specticle plate - will try to remedy. The reverser rod is a little fiddly but goes together fine - prototype pictures help a great deal. Smokebox door is an adapted Craftsman Models casting. Kind regards, Richard B

Today was brake gear day for the B9. It went together very well due to the high quality and accuracy of the etches. I need to scratch build and add the vacuum brake cylinder under the cab. The centre driver wiper pick - up has been added too. B9 is getting close to completion. You can see where the brake cylinder needs to be added. Piece of brass tubing probably. Really pleased with the appearance of the brake gear unless someone tells me I have fitted the brake levers upside down! Kind regards, Richard B

Hi John, Thanks for the kind comments. Simon has answered your query, I noticed that the splashers were very wide but checking my Yeadon's revealed that many of the GCR 4-6-0s had very wide splashers so I think we are ok. Kind regards, Richard B

Yes Simon, I agree. Thanks for the suggestion, I will move it back. Kind regards, Richard B

Today I finished the boiler off adding splasher covers to the rear driver and boiler fittings. First time I have used printed components they seem fine. I have filed down the dome to match the latter appearance of 61475 but it needs more attention. Starting to look like a B9... Now that I am using a smaller motor and gearbox I have restored the underside of the boiler with a brass insert - you can just see it. Kind regards, Richard B

My view too - I have an A2/2 and an A2/3 from the Hornby stable but both will need "attention" to match the appearance of my DJH A2/3. Tim Easter has done an excellent job. Kind regards, Richard B

What a filthy old beast! But, as I suspect, this hides the Hornby green very well, assuming that it is a Hornby A2/2! Thanks for these absolutely great images of your wonderful layout. Inspirational. As to the Midland - The Deeley 4-4-0 Compound was such a graceful locomotive. Kind regards Richard B

Have a word with Colin at Alan Gibson, in the past he has supplied spare axles to me FOC although I do buy from him regularly. Kind regards, Richard B

I have continued with chassis and re-assembled valve gear - seems to be smooth running with now tight spots. Boiler assembly now soldered to running plate. So next will be fitting wiper pick-ups to the centre wheel set and then running in. Brake gear to add, it is a little more simple than most having a central single pull rod. Boiler has gone together well and fitted running plate with very little fiddling. I am concerned about bogie wheel clearances, I can see that I will have to remove a fair bit of the mainframe to clear those large 3'6" wheels, its either that or run as an 0-6-0 (picture taken before boiler soldered to running plate). Kind regards, Richard B

Hi Chaps, Please let me know, what is "American Style" - sounds like a way of cooking an egg! Kind regards, Richard b

Thanks for the advice Michael. You have far more experience than I have and I would be the first to admit that most of my loco's have not run that much so perhaps I have a problem stored up for the future on those loco's fitted with plungers. Kind regards, Richard B

My experience with Alan Gibson plunger pick-ups is good. You have to be very careful when soldering fine wire to the end of the plunger but they seem to work ok. I am happy with wiper pick-ups too. My voyage in GCR land continues with the construction of the cylinder covers - I used 5 though brass sheet which seems to work very well and retains its shape well making soldering easier. The two covers with cylinder drain cock holes pre-drilled. Soldered in position. As mentioned previously, think carefully about the order in which you solder to avoid bits falling off! Front view with covers attached. Kind regards, Richard B

Hi Clive, Amen to that. I have some personel and clinical experience of the condition. Keep up the really good and entertaining work that you share with us all. We kind of know that railway modelling is a waste of time at one level but its value, thanks to people like you, is incalculable. I note the contradiction but life is like that. Kind regards and thanks. Richard B PS Thought about a PM but since you were brave enough to share your thoughts I thought I would too.

What an interesting life you lead Clive.... How do you fit in any railway modelling? I'm sure you will come up with a creative answer.. Thanks for all the laughs! and the music too... J37 it has to be... Thornton Junction shed was full of them and J38's. All those Fife Coal trains relied on these two classes. Kind regards, Richard B