To the list, I am currently repainting a GraFar pannier tank engine to resemble "Duck" from the Thomas the Tank Engine stories, to go along with the Tomix Thomas and James in N scale. I need decals to letter for the Great Western Railway (yellow or gold lettering with a red shadow outline) and of course the number 8 (yellow number on a black square with a yellow border). Any of you in the UK know of a source of decals or dry transfers for the GWR? Thanks for all of your help. The Island of Sodor thanks you!
Russ, Take a look at Fox Transfers I am pretty certain that they have the "Great Western" lettering that you require but the number plate may be a little more difficult to obtain. I used Fox Transfers in my British modelling days and they were excellent quality. Good luck, John
Hi Russ, I'm also modeling 'Sodor' - we have Tomix' Thomas and his coaches, James and a few trucks, now eagerly awaiting the arrival of Henry and his coaches. I am also looking for what I think is called a freight brake van. I would really appreciate hearing about your work creating Duck if you would be willing to speak more about it, even via email. Doug Murphy dmurphy@depaul.edu
Hi there, a brake van is basically the UK term for a caboose, I believe the term comes historically from most UK freight trains only having hand brakes & so the guard (conductor?) on the brake van had a major role in train handling, i.e. manipulating the brakes! Confusingly "brake" is also used as a term for a passenger coach with luggage compartment or baggage car with riding facilities for the guard, and passenger trains have had continuous brakes for a loooooong time, but I guess it dates back to when they also had folk applying handbrakes to stop the train! Anyhow, the models, Minitrix did an N scale BR standard brake van which was quite nice, I think that was the style used in Thomas, it basically has a longer chassis than body? Does that sound right? I think Lima also did one, though I can't recall how good it was (I model OO in the UK so don't pay too much attention to N stuff) I have a feeling Peco also produce a kit/rtr one of these but I can't confirm that 'coz their pointless website will only give you info on the magazines they publish! Hope that helps a little, best wishes for the layout!
