Downendian

Yes Phill it is. Neil

Thanks Jonny - that's what the eBay listing says. Neil

D837 Ramillies Newton Abbott 23/8/69. Full copyright for £3 one of a few classic slides I picked up this week including a couple of 22s, they're watermarked and will need to rescan. Neil

"Research to the same standard as those who made the Flintstones" Neil

It's a shame how polarised some of these discussions have become, I know this is a Kernow commission, but it does seem to have become a pro or anti-DJM debate. I'm pleased to see some more balanced postings emerge this morning. Sure the D600 have taken time, but we know the reasons why - I'm happy to wait, I need time to save to buy all five! I want the model to be a success, regardless who Kernow commission to deliver. It's been mentioned on another forum but discouragement of constructive criticism of EP samples may happen because of the polarisation that has occurred. Look how Dave responded to constructive (emphasis here) criticism of the J94, a much better second EP emerged this week. I'm no expert on these little saddle tanks, but mighty fine models they look. Look at the different atmosphere when the Dapol Western was developed under Dave's stewardship - huge input from us, superb model at the end, sure still with a few technical faults in the first batch but now sorted. I won't say how many of them I have, but they are still stunning, I wouldn't have bought so many if I'd thought otherwise. There were times on that thread when some had got the wrong end of the stick where EPs were debated "why can't you wait till you see the final model" was raised once by someone who clearly hadn't got the big picture. I think we are doing Dave's company a disservice if folk with valuable information to help development are discouraged from posting in this or any other thread with DJM involvement. This is especially important as we are moving into a critical phase with CAD-CAMs and EPs of the D600s in the not too distant future and constructive criticism should be free flowing. I'm sure Dave or Kernow would not want any restrictive debate on the models resulting. I want the D600s to be equally as stunning as the Dapol Western. Neil

Beautiful photos Chaz, keep them coming. Neil

Hi Julian In the last summer of their operations (1974) I noted many of them passing through Bristol on South Wales traffic predominantly to and from London. I'm pretty certain that 8A39 was one of the trains they still operated that late in their careers, as well as parcels traffic. All were Old Oak Common allocated by then. Neil

I agree Brian I thought it was Bath road too, looks like Totterdown in the background. Edit : I don't think a peak would be at Laira in that timescale either. Neil

A few more recent wins on the bay. Both originals as far as I am aware. D7094 at Newport (I'm fairly sure) in the early 1970s, the Siphon Gs suggest Newport to me. An unidentifed Warship allegedly at Laira, in the 1960s. Looks like an NBL one.

I remember Geoff well, his light blue Dolomite was fixed to the Tarmac at Bristol Parkway. I was on that ICRS trip too- I've posted photos of the lines of 24s at millerhill. I'm now sure our paths must have crossed in the distant past! Neil

Ah - you may well have outbid me last night Ivan Neil

Yes the 44 chassis has tanks added, it was bought secondhand and will be used for one of the 45s, and the bufferbeams painted black. I don't know why the previous owner had added them. Thanks for looking in John. Neil

A bit more modelling on the three projects on my workbench this evening. 1. The split-box peak with genesis headcode boxes- fitted- unfitted and fitted to make make square and aligned! fiddly but much better than the carved up Craftsman models 37/40 boxes. Warts and all model placed on Bachmann 44 chassis for photogenic reasons only. Handrails next task, and to choose a prototype loco to number. 2. Large boiler 7F. Filler added as boiler saddle - fits a lot better now, and 53808 numerals removed with T-cut. Fox transfers for cabside and smokebox numbers arrived today. 3. 44009 project- I pinged off the boiler grille as I decided from the photo upthread that it wasn't square (didn't notice it in the flesh). Hope to do some more work on her this weekend. Neil

Slight diversion - a daytime flying moth - tiny but very beautiful. A speckled yellow moth caught last Saturday on a four mile walk around my cottage. Neil

OK I promised some photos of the large boiler S&D 7F. Details of the conversion - razor saw applied with no mercy to a Bachmann 7F (53808, yes I know the incorrect Deeley tender version for 53807), and similar sized cuts to a Golden Arrow large boiler resin model. Completely stripped the 7F, and the boiler more or less a straight fit although I will need to apply filler to create a smooth saddle and work out some way of fixing the firebox, cab and boiler to the chassis. Looking for a Fowler tender- anyone interested in swapping the top sections? An expensive build but no more than the DJH kit behind her of the original 1914 small boiler series. it will become 53807 in 1953/4 condition before the small boiler was fitted. Sorry for the struggle with contrast the camera didn't like the exposure difference between the white resin and black locos. All has yet to be fitted in place- just posing the surgical nastiness for the camera. Neil

How would I cope without the daily chuckle from Viz? Neil

That's a deal Phil

A quick low resolution shot on an iPad of the PHD etches fitted to one side of 44009, I hope you can see how fine they are. I will take better shots when I'm back with the layout on the weekend. I will put on a 44 chassis when back in Bristol to show what internal detail can be made out. Some equipment cameos look to beckon. I think this etch will set a new standard - I just hope my spraying skills will do it justice. Neil

One for our resident RMweb grammar police - I'm sure they'll love this.

Thanks Peter - the 24/1 project has slightly advanced - I removed the cabs from the Hornby body and will splice them to a spare Bachmann 24 body (the Bachmann cabs have also been removed). The Hornby 25 has correct recessed grilles which are incorrect for 24s, and of course all Bachmann 25s have raised grilles which are incorrect, but correct for 24s and 25/0. The announcement of the new Bachmann 24/1 has put that project even more to the back of the queue.Neil

Thanks Stovepipe - I hadn't seen that on Flickr it is however a cropped version of the slide. It is very difficult to claim sole copyright however! With slides of that age the origins are sometimes obscure, this is a case of this. Anyhow back to the modelling - I fitted the Pete Harvey etches to one side of 44009 last night, and mighty fine etches they are - extremely fine and it's clear I will have to do something in the engine room as well. I hope to do the other side on the weekend and will post some photos. I also started on the large boilered 7F project - to become 53807 in 1953 condition. Took a razor saw to a brand new Bachmann 7F to remove the small boiler - needed stern discipline to do that, but now past the point of no return. Made similar cuts to the Golden Arrow resin model - which will serve as the source of the boiler and other bits. Neil

Talking of Rich beers, one of Paul's local brews has just been quaffed in South Devon, Palmers Tally Ho. Hobgoblin fans will love it although very parochial - I buy bottles straight from the brewery in Bridport. Gave me a steady hand whilst fitting etched grilles to my 44 this evening, may just have another. Neil

They were very infrequent in the late 1970s, Rob's time frame, I only recorded 40 106 and 40 118 both on rail tours. In the early 1980s the 3S15, a star performer, was re routed to travel North via the Severn Tunnel, possibly via the Central Wales line. It was around this time the 40s were diagrammed to appear on it. Unfortunately I'd packed in spotting by then. In the 1970s it was routed through Bristol Parkway, and normally was headed by a LMR 25, an ER 31 or 37, basically any off region loco Bath road could find. The 3S15 (or 3S14 depending on day) was a train we waited for because of the foreign motive power usage, plus the eclectic mix of BR standard, and ex big four parcels stock used on it. I justify my 40 fleet by the fact they were quite frequent visitors at Severn Tunnel junction in the late 1970s. I've got 24 057 (green full yellow) and 24 044 (blue) in my fleet Rob, exactly because of Fray's wonderful photo. I recall other mentions of 24s making it to Bristol on parcels traffic normally via the Severn Tunnel too. Neil

Indeed - wildlife - I can hear the Barn owl screeching outside again now Phil- he failed to mention that it kept him awake, as probably did my snoring but he is too polite to mention. Neil