Quote from: Michael Shillabeer on June 17, 2014, 08:25:48 AM

Quote from: NtasticShop on June 16, 2014, 09:34:56 PM
Hi Michael
Not sure yet, probably a mixture of 3D printed, etched and resin parts. Which region will you be interested in?

Hello Richard

I'd go for a GWR version.

3D printed shell with brass overlay?

Best regards
Michael

Not sure yet more likely resin or 3D print with etch details. The key for me is a rolling crane that is light enough to be towed around a layout, in a train with support vehicles.

For a LM support an old suburban coach is ideal either a Midland design (based on the Ratio kits would make measuring up easy) or an LNWR design as these are the largest constituents of the region. Later in BR days a P2 suburban (a shrunk version of the Dapol model) would suit, as would a simple relivery of the Farish 50ft BG for a tool van. A good match truck would be the most use with other vehicles obtainable via relatively easy tweaks to RTR for later staff and tool vehicles. That is of course unless you went the LMS suburban route, which thus far is an entirely untapped vein in N. I'd be most interested in a LMR crane if of a diagram which lasted well into the TOPS era.

Quote from: Zunnan on June 17, 2014, 03:01:23 PM
as would a simple relivery of the Farish 50ft BG for a tool van.

Reliverying may not be necessary. They already produce a van in engineering black. You would just need to remove the electrification branding and replace it with something more suitable.

Quote from: Zunnan on June 17, 2014, 03:01:23 PM
For a LM support an old suburban coach is ideal either a Midland design (based on the Ratio kits would make measuring up easy) or an LNWR design as these are the largest constituents of the region. Later in BR days a P2 suburban (a shrunk version of the Dapol model) would suit, as would a simple relivery of the Farish 50ft BG for a tool van. A good match truck would be the most use with other vehicles obtainable via relatively easy tweaks to RTR for later staff and tool vehicles. That is of course unless you went the LMS suburban route, which thus far is an entirely untapped vein in N. I'd be most interested in a LMR crane if of a diagram which lasted well into the TOPS era.

Thank you need to dig deeper, we are doing the 45 ton Ransom and Rapier Steam Crane. The GWR one that was transfered to LMR. I am looyking for vehicles to do kits of, so not relivery or hack downs complete proper kit.

At least one of the 1940 batch built for the Southern and GWR ended up at Saltley (and on to Bescot?), a few photos exist of the Saltley breakdown train and show old Post Office stowage vans of pre-BR lineage being used, but this is 1970s to withdrawl and included converted Mk1 coaches. Earlier on in their careers on the LMR they will have used old obsolete coaches which were heavily modified (to the point that identifying their original diagram is difficult) for their new use as riding and tool vans. A few can be seen in THIS THREAD. I'd say the best option if producing LMS support coaches that can't be obtained by modifying RTR would be to look at the wood panelled period 1 stuff, an etched brass overlay on a common 3D printed shell and chassis would be the most flexible and allow a couple of very different coaches to be produced. In their departmental use they'd cover from the '50s up to the conversion of Mk1 stock in the late 70s when the steam cranes were being converted to diesel or withdrawn.

Right Can Anyone help with these as I could do either:

ADM 395754 BTU Staff Coach - formerly LMS Period 1 BCK M6650M to Diagram 1755 on Lot 208 built at Wolverton in 1926 - converted in 1961.
KDM 395377   S&T Tool Van – formerly LMS Period I TO M7785M to diagram 1353 on Lot 1 built at Derby 1924 - converted in 1959.

ADM 395754 as far as I am aware still exists at the Llangolen railway, though it is probably tucked away somewhere. It does appear externally pretty much as it was when still in departmental service, although now sports a faux camping coach paint job. Probably the best bet to model as even if it is difficult to get near to measure up, there are photos out there of it which you can play spot the difference with against the original coach diagram.

KDM 395377 is a different beast though, I can't find any specific photos of it at all, the one thing I do know is that the original diagram was actually a Midland design. As a storage van it'll have had a big gaping hole opened out in its side somewhere to aid the loading/unloading of equipment, other than that there will doubtlessly have been blanked out windows. A departmental conversion of a diagram 1353 coach does still exist, though not as a tool van, I think its at the Buckingham Railway Centre.

Due to continuing delays with the first wagon project see today's update. I have decided to delay and possible reduce the size of this project until March 2015. Thank you for your feedback on this, but if anyone can help with the Southern Railway options please get in touch as I am really struggling with this one.

Quote from: NtasticShop on August 14, 2014, 08:22:51 PM
Due to continuing delays with the first wagon project see today's update. I have decided to delay and possible reduce the size of this project until March 2015. Thank you for your feedback on this, but if anyone can help with the Southern Railway options please get in touch as I am really struggling with this one.

Hi Richard.
I still have the Andy Calvert LMS breakdown set from Moorcock Junction. It is currently undergoing extensive repair due to exhibition damage, but knowing how maticulous Andy was with rersearch (or so I am told) there may be a lead for you. Certainly the match truck under the jib is scratch built, whereas the other vehicles appear to be more or less standard Farish...Clerestory coach and a 12 ton van. However the tool van is quite interesting and appears to be made from two kits(?)
When it is finished I will try and post some pictures but due to family ill health it may be a while.

Cheers
Bob