Roy Langridge

It is not quite as simple as that, there are photos of blue 45s with the central bar and I am sure some the green 45s didn't have it. I imagine that there was a change of design and doors just got swapped around at overhaul and replaced as and when necessary. The ex-works photo of D11 when brand new seems not to show a central bar although that may just be the photo quality. ​Roy

Now you have done it, 68068 ordered, and it is not even suitable for my railways. I am afraid Dave, my wife is going to be very angry with you! Roy

Do you know if emails will be sent to those who expressed interest soon? Roy

What I am most looking forward to is receiving my two "free" 71s! Having paid for them some time ago that money has long been accounted for, so two boxes will arrive without a similar size holes in my bank account Roy

I ordered the DJM 71s after seeing what the Hornby model looked like. Whilst the Hornby model looks good, the DJM models seems to go to the next level. Comparing the bogies in particular tells me what I need to know - the DJM model gives the impression of depth that the Hornby version seems to lack. As for future sales, I am firmly in the BR Blue era and have ordered all the blue non-weathered 71s and 74s. If for more are available then I am likely to buy those also. Roy

And therein lies my issue with so much of the factory weathering - some bits must be clean. For example, taking the weathered 71s, whilst the front windows look to have the wiper pattern on them, the side cab windows appear to be far dirtier than they would have been allowed to be. Some weathering jobs (both professional and home weathered) have the front windows so dirty that the wipers have obviously packed in and the driver would have no option but to fail the loco. Roy

And to prove there is always the odd exception: http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/galas/070701.htm Only fitted in preservation though I think. Roy

When I was talking to Philip a while ago about my purchase of 24063, I commented that I was looking forward to their next model, his reply was that he had to sell a lot more 24s yet. Whenever it comes and whatever it is, I am sure to will be top-drawer and that I will end up buying several. For me a 25 would be ideal. Having said that, saving for another couple of 24s yet. Roy

I am not so inclined to agree. The red line has not allowed for the angle that the photo has been taken at / perspective. Take a look at the step on the left of the corridor connection, it slops significantly downward in the photo (despite being flat on the model), the red line should similarly slope downwards when it reaches the side of the corridor connection and then back at its original angle across the face of the connector. That would make it look more correct. What we really need is a front-on photo. Roy

I think I was one of the lucky ones who has just had to push my modelling period a bit earlier and not actually have to change much. 2 71s and 2 74s ordered, roll-on delivery! Roy

SEMG states "When first introduced the TCs appeared in overall rail blue livery with small yellow warning panels and small aluminium BR arrows affixed below their side cab windows. The yellow warning panels were subsequently enlarged to cover the whole cab front. They were repainted during the early 1970s into Blue and Grey, losing their aluminium arrows in the process, the 1974 conversions emerging in blue and grey livery from new. The TCs survived in service long enough to receive Network SouthEast livery." Taken from: http://www.semgonline.com/gallery/class438_1.html Hope that helps. Roy