Search found 122 matches
- Sun Nov 08, 2020 2:53 pm
- Forum: Wagons
- Topic: Wagon Identity
- Replies: 12
- Views: 759
Re: Wagon Identity
The bobbins are effectively two concave discs back to back and are typical of Ashford works. I believe the idea is that the ropes securing the tarpaulin were fixed to these so that the ropes securing any actual load were kept on separate fixings. I had to get a load of these fixings made for some of...
- Thu Oct 01, 2020 5:07 pm
- Forum: New Products
- Topic: Who would want a form tool for re-profiling wheels?
- Replies: 70
- Views: 6265
Re: Who would want a form tool for re-profiling wheels?
And one for me please Terry.
Tony Comber
Tony Comber
- Sat Sep 26, 2020 8:03 am
- Forum: Where to Find?
- Topic: 14.4mm dia wheels
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3561
Re: 14.4mm dia wheels
Branchlines/Steam Era wheels have been my first choice wheels for stock and loco/DMU/EMU conversions for some years. If available they will continue to be. I've done 10 or more DMU conversions for friends in the last 12 months and with the arrival of the the new Bachmann DMU and hopefully Bulleid co...
- Thu Sep 17, 2020 7:56 am
- Forum: Virtual Scaleforum
- Topic: VIRTUAL SCALEFORUM & SCALEFOUR NORTH
- Replies: 135
- Views: 12558
Re: VIRTUAL SCALEFORUM & SCALEFOUR NORTH
Some of us will have a delayed start to virtual Scaleforum, my GP surgery has booked me in for my flu jab in the morning. Gives me an excuse for sitting in front of the computer as I 'recover'. 
Tony Comber

Tony Comber
- Sat Sep 12, 2020 9:33 pm
- Forum: Wagons
- Topic: What 5-plank wagon is this and what livery should it be?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1925
Re: What 5-plank wagon is this and what livery should it be?
The first of the prototype photos has what I can only describe as bi-concave discs on the bottom plank and the bottom of the door. Indicative of a product of Ashford works. They were where the ropes holding the sheet could be fixed.
Tony Comber
Tony Comber
- Wed Jun 03, 2020 5:20 pm
- Forum: Steam Locomotives
- Topic: Alan Gibson crankpin nuts
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2042
Re: Alan Gibson crankpin nuts
Posh versions of my home made ones 

- Wed Jun 03, 2020 12:14 pm
- Forum: Steam Locomotives
- Topic: Alan Gibson crankpin nuts
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2042
Re: Alan Gibson crankpin nuts
I have a set of home made nut runners for small hexagon nuts. The 'working part' consists of a socket cap screw. Most of them have been neatened and fitted to aluminium handles but a few are just the screw chucked in to the plastic drawer containing the nuts. Years ago I had a chart (probably from M...
- Tue Jun 02, 2020 6:37 pm
- Forum: Coaches and NPCS
- Topic: BR Mk1 Full brake (BG) livery query
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1077
Re: BR Mk1 Full brake (BG) livery query
Although Eastleigh built some BGs none were allocated to BR(S) until late 1965. These were dual heated and came from the LMR. They were some of the last repaints into green and therefore the repaint was from maroon to green. Details are to be found in Parkin, BR Mk1 coaches. These vehicles are there...
- Sun May 24, 2020 7:44 am
- Forum: Paul Willis
- Topic: Airfix 48xx with High Level Kits chassis
- Replies: 159
- Views: 15652
Re: Beer and Buckjumpers
Beware WD 40 as a rust preventer, after about three months it starts to break down and become hygroscopic, in other words instead of repelling water it starts to absorb it. Duck Oil from Swarfega may be a better alternative.
- Wed May 13, 2020 5:35 pm
- Forum: Painting and Weathering
- Topic: Brass preparation for painting
- Replies: 29
- Views: 6907
Re: Brass preparation for painting
Cif used to be called Jif. Name was changed so that it could be used across a number of countries. A bit like Marathon bars becoming Snickers.
- Sat May 09, 2020 6:03 pm
- Forum: jim s-w
- Topic: Re: 1980's cars and other road vehicles
- Replies: 98
- Views: 41503
Re: 1980's cars and other road vehicles
That's captured the look of an ergo cabbed truck beautifully. The cabs were supplied by Sankey, a rather more basic version used on Albions; the central window in the back of the cab and sound proofing being amongst the options. AEC's were often said to have thinner steel used than their Leyland bre...
- Mon Apr 27, 2020 8:06 am
- Forum: On My Workbench
- Topic: Ralph's workbench
- Replies: 52
- Views: 7248
Re: Ralph's workbench
Pete,
Don't forget the old trick of using 7mm scale handrail knobs as the ball end for UJs. Saves drilling holes through the end for the wire.
Tony Comber
Don't forget the old trick of using 7mm scale handrail knobs as the ball end for UJs. Saves drilling holes through the end for the wire.
Tony Comber
- Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:29 pm
- Forum: Exhibitions
- Topic: Scaleforum 2020
- Replies: 115
- Views: 18521
Re: Scaleforum 2020
An aspect which has not been mentioned yet is those of us who have been asked to bring a club layout. Effectively work has ceased on any collaborative working. We have already missed one weekend when we were hoping to set up the layout in a hall. The local show in August we would have used as a dry ...
- Sun Apr 05, 2020 8:14 am
- Forum: New Products
- Topic: AK Weathering Wash for Panzer Grey...
- Replies: 54
- Views: 6148
Re: AK Weathering Wash for Panzer Grey...
For those in the UK Halfords now do their own etching primer at about half the price of the U-Pol one. I've only used it on full size wagons (ventilator bonnets on 12T vent vans) so can't comment on how it works on smaller items.
- Fri Apr 03, 2020 3:41 pm
- Forum: New Products
- Topic: AK Weathering Wash for Panzer Grey...
- Replies: 54
- Views: 6148
Re: AK Weathering Wash for Panzer Grey...
The green on the axlebox and buffer body will be algal growth. The atmosphere is now so much cleaner that this is now seen much more often than years ago. When we start work on a new wagon the first job is always to give it a good pressure wash to remove all the moss and algae. On one occasion we al...
- Fri Apr 03, 2020 12:21 pm
- Forum: New Products
- Topic: AK Weathering Wash for Panzer Grey...
- Replies: 54
- Views: 6148
Re: AK Weathering Wash for Panzer Grey...
After some years now of working with full size wagons can I suggest that if metal parts are becoming darker it usually means that rust is spreading beneath the paint layer. A tap with a hammer usually results in the paint on the head of a bolt falling off. Round rivet heads seem to last longer befor...
- Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:16 am
- Forum: Where to Find?
- Topic: Marking gauge?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 3430
Re: Marking gauge?
Pete, I made a miniature marking gauge along the lines of the traditional woodworkers gauge, but in steel many years ago. An old gramaphone needle provides the 'scratch maker'. I think Rod Neep first described something similar possibly in a very early MRJ. If you haven't found anything else before ...
- Sat Mar 07, 2020 6:37 pm
- Forum: Operating in Practice
- Topic: Horse boxes and race meetings
- Replies: 28
- Views: 9335
Re: Horse boxes and race meetings
Slightly OT but not that far away. Having read through this thread two thoughts occurred to me. When did the mounted regiments of the British Army cease to move their horses by rail? And in a similar vein, when was the last foxhunt conveyed by rail, I suspect before WW2 but I really have no idea but...
- Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:02 am
- Forum: Guest Book
- Topic: A possible new P4 wheel source
- Replies: 13
- Views: 4222
Re: A possible new P4 wheel source
I have both Q1 and light pacifics in need of wheels.
- Mon May 06, 2019 7:34 am
- Forum: Wagons
- Topic: RCH Wagon Drawings
- Replies: 11
- Views: 2897
Re: RCH Wagon Drawings
Thanks for the replies with regard to Helvetia leather. The reference to being heavily greased would tie in with it's use as a gasket with the axle revolving in contact with it. I wonder how long they lasted in use. Perhaps they were a regular 'service item' or maybe they were expected to last the l...
- Sun May 05, 2019 4:08 pm
- Forum: Wagons
- Topic: RCH Wagon Drawings
- Replies: 11
- Views: 2897
Re: RCH Wagon Drawings
Brilliant resource, answered a few questions that had been nagging, such as axlebox dust shields. Only ever found the remains of them when working on 12":1' restorations. Now all I need to know is what Helvetia leather is; does this refer to the country of origin do you think?
Tony Comber
Tony Comber
- Fri Aug 10, 2018 12:50 pm
- Forum: Exhibitions
- Topic: Forest of Dean MRC - Lydney Show
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1185
Forest of Dean MRC - Lydney Show
After a major rebuild and refresh the Glevum Group will be giving Brinkley it's first outing fully assembled in it's 38' length at the Lydney Model Railway Show. Since it appeared in the pages of Model Rail two baseboards have been scrapped and the loco shed area redeveloped on new and longer boards...
- Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:06 pm
- Forum: Layouts and Operations
- Topic: Brimsdown-The last grand project.
- Replies: 454
- Views: 96215
Re: Brimsdown-The last grand project.
Steady on Philip, A trip down memory lane, the Sundeala works (recycled newsprint) and Weyroc. I lived not far from the Weyroc factory, usually referred to as the 'Airscrew' on account of their production of propellers, especially during wartime. The company was actually called Airscrew-Weyroc Ltd. ...
- Thu Jul 26, 2018 8:14 pm
- Forum: Painting and Weathering
- Topic: Starting to paint stuff
- Replies: 18
- Views: 6314
Re: Starting to paint stuff
Allan, Find yourself an old tin and try spraying that. Other options include something from the trays second hand dealers have at shows, often under their stall or a no longer wanted model. I used the tin that Boots used to sell meths in for over twenty years but any tin or old model will do. Stop w...
- Thu Mar 15, 2018 9:12 am
- Forum: Layouts and Operations
- Topic: Construction of a Test Track
- Replies: 611
- Views: 140133
Re: Track Construction for a Test Track
A couple of friends and myself have recently bought toggle latches of this type sold on ebay. As you can see they are adjustable which means that when fitted the pressure exerted between adjoining baseboards can be adjusted. I have a layout with 'standard' toggle latches, but that requires the appli...