Thanks for the replies

The Dapol 14xxs aren't bad little models, especially for their age. With some sympathetic weathering and a few extra details fitted like lamps and lamp irons, they look pretty good. The one thing that lets the BR Green ones down is the awful shade of BR Green that Dapol use on all their models. I repainted and relined this example into a better version of BR lined green.



If you use DCC, I can recommend fitting a stayalive to them. Hardwiring a Zimo MX615 and 1 cap stayalive make a tremendous difference to the smooth running. Both my 14xxs can happily crawl around the layout all day. 

Sadly the likely manufacturers don't confide such things to us

On a happier note, youngest Bealette is off to Sydney Opera House on Thursday to hear the orchestra play the Lord of the Rings soundtrack.

All cool with me!

Any ideas if we are going to get a state of the art model of the GWR 14xx.
I had a couple of Dapol ones donkey's years ago sorry to say very poor runners.
We could do with an updated new tooled one.

For those like me who had to look up SLOA, it's........
"Steam Locomotive Operator's Association"

Thanks, Tim. I believe it might also be on Radio 3 this Saturday.

Edit:- Confirmed

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002yy1v

It will be broadcast on BBC4 telly on Friday 24th July but only 2 hours against the radio's 3 hours

Quote from: eddief83 on July 13, 2026, 02:38:56 PMI have the full SLOA pullman set and want an intercity charter set similar to Mallard pulled in 1988 for the anniversary run.

What is your SLOA rake made up from? From the period photos I've seen the formation changed a little. My interpretation is made up of Mk1 Pullmans plus a RMB and some regular blue/grey or Intercity FO.

I've got the Pilkington set on my to-do list. All over green with light blue and red markings at the ends - possibly the worst livery every painted on a train.

Thank you for the reminder Mick, I believe the concert is now to be shown on BBC4 (not sure of date but might be next week) and will be on iPlayer/BBC Sounds. I will update ASAP.

Tim

Quote from: eddief83 on July 13, 2026, 02:38:56 PMAs someone who models the 1980's its much easier as support coaches didn't have much if any modifications then 

You raise an interesting point. When did the practice of a dedicated, customised support coach actually start, rather than simply attaching a reasonably standard BSK or BCK behind the locomotive?

In the early preservation era and railtour days, my impression is that the support vehicle was often little more than a convenient brake coach for the crew and equipment. The heavily modified support coaches we see today seem to have evolved gradually as main line operations became more professionalised, locomotives spent longer periods away from base, and support crews started carrying significantly more tools, spares and onboard facilities.

In theory I'm modelling the autumn of 1988, so a fairly standard BR Mk1 would probably be the correct answer. However, occasional bouts of time travel permit the appearance of a visiting locomotive, which is how I've ended up down the support coach rabbit hole!