PhilJ W

I have many of the Tomica models listed above. Undoubtedly the best one is the Chevy step side pick up. If it has the earlier wheels it could be plonked down on a layout straight out of the box. One came up on the USA e-bay a couple of years ago for $12, about £9 at the time, I was tempted but the postage would have been twice the asking price. They are all pretty rare nowadays, the Rolls Royce is the most common but the Cadillac Superior ambulance is as rare as hens teeth. Another Tomica model is a 1930's Packard drophead coupe', to 1/72 scale and does not look out of place with 1/76 models.

Two models in the Tomica range both 1/76. Currently available Yanmar Y5113 tractor, quite a good model and could be easily tweaked by the addition of things such as mirrors and steps. The other went out of production about ten years and is a Komatsu PC-45 mini digger, rather crude by Tomica standards but at least as good as contemporary Matchbox and Hot Wheels models.

I've received a reply from Rails, they have no idea of what chassis was used (or didn't bother to look).

It operated on BR metals and was smaller than the Alco's. Its a great pity that one of the centre cab Whitcombe locomotives from Longmore wasn't saved but unfortunately they were scrapped more than fifty years ago. This was before diesel locomotive preservation started in earnest. They were scrapped due to lack of spares to keep them going, indeed one was used as a 'Christmas tree' to keep the other going.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Jabbed lunchtime with the shingles and the pneumonia jab although I wasn't booked for the pneumonia jab it was offered so I took it. The nurse also took my blood pressure 178/82! but that was with white coat syndrome but I've got to go back in three weeks for more tests. Is he insured? Even if he is the insurance company will take a dim view of his actions. If he isn't and something happens you can sue him and he will possibly have to sell up. If he is making any noise with the pneumatic drill you could always report it to the councils environmental health department.

The Spanish Eko company produced HO scale plastic models of vehicles in the 1970's. However one model, the Jeep Waggoner was made to or very close to 1/76 scale.

This is also a quad.

Depends on who's asking the question, his missus or the police.

The package I was expecting this morning arrived half an hour ago. Five masks that give 99% protection for when I start going back to visiting exhibitions and swap meets.

If the undies weren't for his missus who were they for?

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Only one thing in the news this morning so a good time for those who govern us to sneak the bad news out. Now time to run a bath, be back later.

That is how its described.

Thanks, unfortunately there isn't a local Morrison's near me. But in my local Tesco's they have Hot Wheels models in those strips so I'll check them out.

Goodnight all.

What make is the model please.

Micro machines made a few motorcycles that are near to 00 scale, also a snowmobile and a quad bike. They also made an Isetta bubble car.

Gusset we'll have to wait then.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Alas the bread pudding is no more but there was no difficulty in polishing it off on my own. Got to go for another jab tomorrow, nothing to do with covid. This one is for shingles and as I had chicken pox when I was about eight years old so better safe than sorry.

It was purchased new by Esso to work at Fawley c.1949 where it spent all its working life and it was withdrawn in working order. It was still operable when it was scrapped because there was no space for it.

Thats the one. Scrapped because it didn't boil water.

The council I worked for it depended on which department you were dealing with. Some were very good but some were awful and tried to avoid their responsibilities. One in particular the head of department gave jobs to her cronies and promoted them above the people who should have been promoted. I can't go into details but a complaint went in from the union and there was a few resignations including the head of department.

The is an MBF member who has made a minibus model using the Matchbox one as a master. He designed it to fit on the Oxford Transit chassis.

They tried to do that were I worked where there had been an accident. Someone had witnessed an accident and they tried to browbeat him into saying it was not the fault of the council department. I was there as union rep and I just placed a copy of the health and safety at work act on the table and they soon changed their tune.

I've sent a message to Rails asking what chassis is used for the two 'scratchbuilt' locomotives. If it is as I suspect Kato chassis even then they are overpriced as Kato chassis are about £25 each brand new.

Scales quoted by Matchbox should be taken with a pinch of salt. Many of those quoted are far to large for 00 scale when placed alongside the same prototype made by Oxford and other current makers. Having said that the Morris J2 is almost spot on 00 scale as is the Thames minibus, Trojan and VW vans. The early Yesteryear Steam Roller, Traction Engine and Showmans Engine were all to 1/80 scale. The Triumph TR3 mentioned above is by Lone Star and came in a set of either 6 or 8 models that included a jeep and trailer and a Citroen DS convertible, all near to 00 scale. Mention of key rings reminded me that Universal Hobbies do various tractors and agricultural machines as key rings. most are the wrong scale but their Fordson Major is spot on and placed alongside the Oxford version it is difficult to tell them apart. They also do or did a Massey Ferguson tractor and another tractor that looks very like a 00 version of the Dinky Massey Harris tractor. Also some of the agricultural trailers although of a smaller scale do not look out of place with 00 models. Tomica made several models of American cars and commercials using a scale of 1/77 in the late 70's. They included Lincoln and Cadillac cars, a Chevrolet van and pick-up and a Cadillac ambulance.