DonB

...... bunch of Model chimney builders ?

Isn't one definition of a Forum .... a place where anyone can express an opinion. Johnsons "Klear" Was reformulated some years ago, with subsequent criticism in RMweb and other places, the new version being considered not so useful for modelling purposes. Immediately supplies started appearing on Ebay for "original" "Klear" at much enhanced (read...Stupid ) prices.

You must see Stubby is being most helpful and giving solace to us lesser mortals who hardly know one end of a scalpel from the other (and have the scars to prove it!) In the case of wonky chimneys, there are always little groups, behind closed doors, who utter "tut-tut" having never tackled the said operation. Stubby is to be praised for opening himself to criticism, I have looked back at some of his work and failed to find a Wonky Chimney!

I notice that Kevin does not subscribe to the "not detailed because it can't be seen from normal viewing positions." school of modelling. I noticed the detail shown of the rear wall of the station building. The path/alleway passing behind the station building looks a little overgrown with weeds, is the upkeep the responsibility of the Town Council or the Railway Company? Either way, it reflects the typical low passenger numbers on minor branch lines. (Not that Kevin's work could be classed as minor! )

As I have no reference material to consult on HR matters, may I ask if the lack of a Turn-under resulted in a narrower inside width compared with those with other's coaches with a Turn-under? Would a narrow coach need the external foot steps as shown in Northroader's photo above?

18months out of warranty the heater matrix above the glovebox on my wife's Ford Escort 5-door leaked. Lots of warning lights and instruction to stop and get it serviced. Towed in by AA, local Ford agent took about 4 hours to identify problem. "no problem sir, parts here tomorrow, that will be £900 please" Since i had worked briefly for couple of suppliers to Ford I made contact with their Customer Service, referring to my experience within the car industry and my professional engineering qualifications. Ford paid rather more than two-thirds of the bill. I took the precaution of insisting that the failed unit was retained and passed to me. I still have it., I had a Vauxhall Viva !800 which was "interesting" to drive. A 1800 cc engine was shoe-horned into the bodyshell designed for a 1300 engine, and adding a beefier gearbox forced the engine to be mounted further forward. In consequence, the weight distribution was altered and the car was "Tail-happy". I rang Vauxhall' competitions department, explained the problem, and asked if I could fit an anti-tramp bar to the rear suspension, the component being listed as available for the 1300cc and a standard fitting to the 2300cc version of the car. " Sorry, no! It will make the problem worse". Didn't keep it much longer!

As I indicated above, I fancied a go at this Car racing game.... So I started to produce a "special" based on 750 Club formula. which is where Colin Chapmen started And that's where the similarity ends!! I did however break several Austin Sevens (all pre-war) and made a few pounds by reselling "Race -ready" modified 750cc, side-valve engines and gear boxes to other enthusiasts. Not difficult as I worked in a factory producing car components for the then major car manufacturers, and a lot of the equipment and machinery was unused at night! Four years later my own car build was abandoned and sold for the spares it contained. I had been allowed to try a friends Lotus Six, got a BRDC licence, and two practice laps at Silverstone convinced me that I hadn't a clue !! Stirling Moss had nothing to fear from me. End of all hopes of Fame & Glory ! I do wonder how much those Austin Sevens would be worth today d

Got involved with a group of would-be car racing friends, each intent on constructing his own car for use at club meetings, usually at Silverstone. One such vehicle, welded tubular chassis, working bits from a Ford Eight, (Engine heavily "breathed-on") allegedly street legal, registered and taxed (before MOT regulations!) was entered in a couple of races one Saturday. It was driven from Wolverhampton to the track, passed scrutineering, and did one practice lap and came to a halt with a worn-out big-end bearing. A spare magically appeared, " always carry one" , the engine lifted out, stripped and the replacement fitted (hand scraped to size!) and rebuilt in time to drive it home without further contact with Silverstone's tarmac. Crazy times!

I'd like to know who by, and how the photo was taken and how much the newspaper paid for it , and will the fee be taxable ? Just in the public interest of course

OOOPS! Hangs head in shame ... I knew about the Cortina in the canal of BCB layout and of some of its earlier travels, but old age and fading memory are my excuse. I also now recall reading about the proposal for vehicle transfers between layouts on YourModelRailway forum but I didn't know of the extent of the resultant exchanges of "Running Powers" My apologies to our Shepherd for the high-jack of his thread, although I found it interesting to be so promptly reminded.

The Landy has now appeared in two separately owned layouts. Is there a record for or of the most travelled vehicle in the model world ? Or should we present M.Bonwick Esq. with the virtual trophy now?

WHOOPS! Must pay attention ! 100 lines in progress...... Do not post without checking Do not post without checking..........ETC

Peanut butter and Marmite - what a strange combination, We'll be seeing Panniers running alongside Pecketts next! Sorry almost on topic!

With GS in Edinboro wearing his T- shirt (logo-- "there's a 90% chance I'm hungry" ) I must remember to ask if Bacon butties are available north of the border, or perhaps he will have to indulge in a Haggis Cob? Does such a thing exist?

"up there" ? Everyone knows that "up there" starts at York , Although our views have changed recently with Grandson at Edinboro Uni. To him "up north" seems to start at Ross. Mind he has bought himself a pair of Tartan Trews. He likely to become further confused since his current GF comes from Cornwall!

Standards are slipping, or at least shed is slipping off its perch. The engine shed door gang have yet another project on which to hone their procrastination skills.

People have been known to work wonders with Papier Mache. ( I should explain that I do not speak from personal experience !)

Scraping the barrel there Kevin! A few observations if I may be so bold from the depths of this comfy armchair.. Tattoo Parlour ... possible for the local seafaring denizens, but rather likely to be someone's front room in a back street, in the 30s. or a Betting Shop ... Illegal ! or a Charity Shop ... Unheard of in the 30s although desperately needed in some parts of the UK back then , even if a proportion of the population were too proud to accept "Charity" or an Off License ... most pubs had an off-license, serious / pretentious imbibers went to wine merchants in the nearest large town / city or a Pub ...others have made valid points here. For what it's worth, I suggest a locally owned grocery store with Butcher's Shop built in. (RH side? for access --see below)) Where I live in S. Derbyshire we had a Butcher's shop with a small slaughterhouse attached at the rear. Live Cattle, Pigs and Sheep plus fowl and Game were delivered by truck as required to maintain the boast on the shop frontage of "Fresh Meat". Existed until about 1950.. Other activity saw Hide going to a tannery for leather, bones to a "Glue Maker" and sheep skins for Winter clothing etc. I believe that after some local County Fairs, it was not unusual for a prize winning beast to be paraded through some villages /towns bearing its Rosettes, on its way to the butcher's. (Don't know of that happening here.)

SORRY Kevin, but those beer barrels behind "The Station" appear to be out of your time frame. They look like modern aluminium one in the photos.

Coal in large blocks must have been almost a standard way of supplying . A foundry I worked at insisted on such blocks for stacking in their yard prior to feeding to a Pulveriser. Labour for stacking was cheap and they didn't need so much yard space compared with tipped small coal lumps.

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One cannot be too careful in one's choice of family! Although, despite in my youth living on licenced premises and with other family-run pubs within easy walking distance, I do drink very little ,usually only with a meal , and I don't remember when I last went to a pub just for a pint. ( saw too many people fall down the steps on Week-end nights!) Being a pillar of virtue I never smoked either. I used to envy people who smoked... think of the money they could save if they gave up smoking. I never had that option! Sorry ...Off Topic! i do envy Kevin's skill with the camera.

I thought that a pub as ancient as the Unicorn seems to be would not have a cellar but have the smaller sizes barrels on a shelf / stand behind the counter and glasses/ tankards filled directly from the barrel. I didn't know Kevin had worked for Whitbread.... I was "teaching granny to suck eggs". My knowledge comes from having two aunts as well as my father all licensees in post-war England.

Kevin asked (half way down, Previous page) Quote:- "Now, I have an issue and that is do I do a free standing pictorial on a post or a wall mounted one over the jug & Bottle door.... Hmmmmm" The tendency in the '30s seems to have been that any pub with an open forecourt would have a pictorial or name sign on a post . and all pubs were to have the name of the licensee over a door. In the case of "The Unicorn" a picture might be a bit difficult, there being no prototype, so plain or decorative script might be the most likely option. The licensee's name, (always white letters on a black background) ,could justifiably be attached to the transom above the Jug & Bottle door since the door window has its purpose boldly shown on the upper panel. If the Unicorn is to offer accommodation then an additional sign on the wall "The Unicorn Inn" (?) might be displayed to catch passing traffic. Here the options would seem to be a panel attached to the wall, with the name in bold uppercase script or similar signage painted directly onto the wall . Such signs would usually be illuminated by overhead lights. A post sign, I think, is less likely to be illuminated

Just hated being unpunctual.