Robert Davies

Confirmed by Dapol? ALRIGHT!! Smoke gens, in diesel models. Hmmm. I'm not over enthused. ESU fit them to their HO Class 66 and Class 77s (among others). Search youtube for 'ESU Class 66' - it looks wrong to me, smoke does not 'scale' very well. Anyway, I'm off to save my money for the Dapol 59, got to collect 'em all!

DJ Models, or DJM (Dave Jones formerly of Dapol) announced it in OO, however the owners of the 1:1 locos and their livery rights, proved uncooperative, causing Dave to have to take the decision to cancel the model. There are still rumours of Dapol themselves doing a OO 59 swirling about, but if I were you, I would not hold my breath.

Being as I'm a complete GM nut a 121 please!

The only possible improvement that I could suggest on 087 would be something like photo etched door skins for the open door - not that there are any commercially available! Many of the pics I had to blink twice to forcefully remind myself they weren't 1:1 scale

Remarkable job you've done there Gerry - it looks and 'feels' like the place. Grey skies are about right too! What you've done with the continuation under the bridge is very reminiscent of what used to be at Dolgellau, about forty miles further up the line towards the coast. I don't think I've ever seen Metcalfe kits used to represent an actual prototype so well. I showed the the former CME of the Llangollen Railway the first pics on the thread, without telling him what scale it was, or even where it was supposed to be a model of - He said 'He's got Llan just right' - then I told him it was 'N'…. His face was a picture! -Rob

Gerry! So far, so very good indeed! I had to keep reminding myself that this was N gauge! The platforms at LLan are very long indeed, with that sweeping curve to take them away from the river. For those that don't know, the footbridge on the down side is very disconcerting for travellers that use it in that is cantilevered out over the river - fine in Summer, but after the recent Winter, if you look down through the gaps in the footboards all you can see is a boiling seething torrent! You've very much captured the feel of the place - being on a shelf between the river and the hill… I could go on and on, but Gerry, you are very much on the right tracks (sorry!) I was concerned when you said that Llangollen was your next project, being as it is near and dear to me in 1:1 scale - I worried needlessly, even at this early stage, 'I could be there'. I am very much looking forward to progress updates! -Rob

From a modeller's perspective - not that modellers need much excuse anyhow - 220 out of all the releases covers the widest possible time period, with it's unplated steps and being one of the last into 'Intercity' livery. It also runs (ran?) without a silencer for a fair while making a very pleasant thunder....

I just assumed beer was the reason...

That's rather nice Fran <he said, trying to remove all traces of envy from his voice>. I've never been terribly convinced by Athearn's SD40s - I've got an MRL unit that doesn't get much running. As for high hoods, I tend to prefer them in their later guises with NS, ditchlights an' all - the most convincing model that I've yet seen was Kato based with Cannon nose - Jon Grant's for 'Sweet Home Alabama' if I remember correctly. Cheers again for the pics Fran -Rob

High hood SD40 y'say? Pics, or it didn't happen!

Regarding content Dave, you're doing such a good job (sincerely) it almost seems heretical to to make a suggestion! Somewhat oddly, I have the most trouble sorting out the more recent stuff from Paddy, like, say the 2d coaches. Just know that you have at least one supporter of your work on this side of the water! Regards, -Rob

A nice unbiased opinion there....

The back end of March/early April's going to be expensive

I appear to have snagged the preserved 141