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#1
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Model Rail 16xx and J70 tr...
Last post by Steven B - Today at 09:22:41 AM
The Tomix and Bachmann models are nice, but it's also possible to build up a Sodor fleet using standard models (just as Awdry did).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Thomas_%26_Friends_characters
https://ttte.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Thomas_%26_Friends_characters

Several models have been produced that fit in to the Thomas world without any modification (other than perhaps a face, but Awdry's models didn't have them).

Dapol have released a class 35 Hymek that matches Bear.
Ditto, Stepney
Kernow have an exclusive class 28 which matches BoCo

Sadly Dapol haven't done 5741 (Duck) or 1436 (Oliver), nor have Rapido listed D199 in their forthcoming batch of class 46s. No black class 08 from Farish yet either.
#2
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Model Rail 16xx and J70 tr...
Last post by Steven B - Today at 08:47:11 AM
From W. Awdry's "The Island of Sodor":
QuoteA Great Eastern Railway 0-6-0 tank engine; one of several built at Stratford by Mr Holden* for use on roadside tramways, and
harbour branch lines. They were built at intervals until 1921. At
the Grouping in 1923 the L&NER classified them as J70's, and
gave them four figure numbers instead of the three figures they
had had under the GER; while in 1948 BR gave them five figures
instead of their LNER four.

It will be noticed that on arrival at Ffarquhar in 1951 (TOBY/35),
Toby's number plate had been removed. According to BR
records, however, No. 68221 was withdrawn from service that
year. Assuming that Toby was the engine concerned, the number
tells us that he is one of a batch of three built at Stratford during 1914.
Toby has proved a very useful acquisition. He is employed on
the quarry line at Ffarquhar, and takes workmen's trains down to
the harbour at Knapford. His water tank capacity is limited
(8FE/40-45), but with a stop at Elsbridge each way, the 14 mile
journey is accomplished easily enough.
#3
General Discussion / Re: Happy thread
Last post by OffshoreAlan - Today at 05:54:40 AM
Quote from: Papyrus on December 10, 2025, 10:17:22 AM... Respect to ... Specsavers who diagnosed the problem in the first place....

On a serious note (sorry Happy Thread), it's very wise to get regular eye tests, it's surprising what they can identify. Vision Express identified a failing at my test a couple of years ago and suspected a TIA and got me an urgent referral to hospital which confirmed it and immediately put me on a precautionary drug regime to prevent further problems.


TIA = Transient Ischaemic Attack, often called a "mini-stroke," which is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, causing stroke-like symptoms that resolve quickly but signal high stroke risk.
#4
General Discussion / Re: Happy thread
Last post by Bealman - Yesterday at 11:15:53 PM
A bloke asks a Mackem, "Do you know any card games?"

Mackem replies, "Aye, ice hockey. Carddest game I knarr"  :laugh:
#5
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Model Rail 16xx and J70 tr...
Last post by leachsprite4 - Yesterday at 10:43:37 PM
If you want Toby (Percy, Gordon, Thomas, James, duck or diesel) use the bachaman range as basis. But BoCo (class 28), flying Scotsman, Stepney (terrier) and Wilbert (austerity saddle tank), Pip and Emma (HST) all available.

That said to quote Sodor reading between the lines by Christopher Awdry Toby is a J70. I believe the same is stated in the island of Sodor, it's people, history and railways by Rev W and George Awdry.
#6
General Discussion / Re: what are you listening to ...
Last post by Bealman - Yesterday at 10:02:00 PM
A jolly little ditty with some nice guitar work. :thumbsup:
#7
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Model Rail 16xx and J70 tr...
Last post by EtchedPixels - Yesterday at 07:38:56 PM
Quote from: Steven B on Yesterday at 05:16:22 PMToby is an 0-6-0, so J70.

The original Toby (rev1) is a scratch built Y6 0-4-0 on a Romford motor bogie. Rev2 (12 years later) is a Keyser J70 kit, and a decade after that the reverend built a third Toby which is a Keyser body on a modified Hornby Nellie chassis.

So Toby is both depending upon what year you asked (and the story locomotives are derived from the models - including the wonderful fact the pannier is called 'Duck' because the model had slightly off round wheels so waddled).


All three of the models still survive.
#8
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Model Rail 16xx and J70 tr...
Last post by Steven B - Yesterday at 05:16:22 PM
Toby is an 0-6-0, so J70.
#9
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Karlisle
Last post by Carmont - Yesterday at 01:02:41 PM
https://bmre.org.uk/layout/karlisle/
#10
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Model Rail 16xx and J70 tr...
Last post by martyn - Yesterday at 11:59:38 AM
I've not read the books for many years, but before anyone gets worked up about him, is Toby an 0-4-0 or 0-6-0?

A reminder of my post #10, the GER cl G15/LNER Y6 0-4-0 was the normal class for passenger work on the W+U tramway, the J70s normally working freight, though the LNER book hints that they were occasionally use on passenger. The bodies of the two classes were not the same.

Martyn
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