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Alex TM

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  • Location
    Edinburgh
  • Interests
    Currently focussed on Pecketts and biscuits ...

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  1. Hi Mullie, Still thoroughly enjoying thsi thread. As for the removal of printed logos, a late friend of mine used to use really cheap toothpaste and a cotton bud to remove modern logos off the glazing of model preserved buses. Apparently the cheap stuff is mildly abrasive. The risk would be visible and noticable damage to the glazing. The same friend also used the paste to remove paint a glue spills from model aircraft canopies. Finally, I would not worry about your model aircraft building skills. Have a look at some of the models that appear on the Airfix Tribute Forum, and you'll see some quite gracious and generous support for those of us who cannot yet figure out how to do WWII Luftwaffe camouflage. Hope that some of the above is of use. Regards, Alex.
  2. Hi again everybody, I hope you all are doing well through this miserable weather. Most of the bits'n'pieces needed to make a start on this have now arrived. My perfect sense of timing meant that I tried to source building kits and points just as my local model shops were awaiting back orders coming into stock. As well as work, and covid, since my last post I have managed to do some research that may change some of the detail. First, I found a map that shows it was the SECR that had the direct line into Reading so that may mean more of their stock, rather than LSWR as thought, appearing. Secondly, after playing about with some code 75 bullhead track, I have decided to revert to code 100. I simply found the finer rail too fidly and fragile to work with, and discovered that the rail likes to pop out of the chair if you look at it for too long. The one advantage to this is the ability to use small radius point, with the few inches saved made available for siding length. The biggest challenge is that what I had in mind seems to have already been done on this forum, and I would like to do something noticably different. A link earlier showed a mock-up of some buildings and stock that reflected my own thoughts; then, last night, I came across this thread again. The link takes you to one of the final layouts: Perhaps, these had been influencing me all along. As ever, many thanks for reading, reacting, and commenting. Regards, Alex.
  3. This is completely new to me, so many thanks for the suggestion. Some of the later stuff in the 'scrapbooks' are familiar to me but some of the older material is really quite something else. I wonder how much of it wouldn't pass today's scrutiny.
  4. Hi, I had thought of that at first but since my interest is in the pre-groouping era I thought I may find a more focussed level of knowledge and response here. Thanks, Alex.
  5. Hi, So much of what you say is so familiar, even though I suspect I am a little younger than yourself. I grew up in a large town in the 70s, and things had not moved on that much from what you have described. Somewhat jealous, that you could get proper coffee where you grew up; we only had jars of a dark brown powder that, when added to boiling water, made a similalrly coloured fluid that was either flavourless or brackish! Regards, Alex.
  6. Hi again everyone, Many thanks for all these useful pieces of information, whether words or images, and the links, too. The flour traffic branded GW van image is especially useful as the layout will be set in the Reading area. The information regarding sacks and drums, etc, is great as it 'allows' for the inclusion of a wider range of open wagons on the layout along with a visible variety of loads. Again, thanks. Regards, Alex.
  7. Hi everyone, While collecting various wagons for my firthcoming micro-layout, I realised that I had no information regarding how three essential ingredients for biscuits would have been transported in pre-grouping times. So is anyone able to assist with the following? How were flour, oats, and food oils transported by rail in pre-grouping times? For example, if flour was transported in sacks, would they be transported in open or covered stock? Alternatively, did specialised wagons exist and what did they look like? Would then oils have been in barrels, and what sort of wagons would they have gone in? Pointers towards relevant books are always welcome. Thanks, and regards, Alex.
  8. Hi again, A little bit of an update. It turns out that chassis kits PC560 and PC570 are to be found illustrated among the former Ratio wagon kits rather than alongside the other ex-Parkside chassis. Acoording to one local modelshop they hadn't appeared on a recent price list but do so now. Friend's order for three kits arrived in the model shop just before closing time yesterday. Again, thanks for the guidance. Regards, Alex.
  9. Reminds me of a scene in one of the Indiana Jones films when, while Indy dressed as a ticket examiner and having thrown an SS officer out of the window, everyone was extremely keen to show that they had valid travel tickets ...
  10. Hi again, Not much of an update, but progress nonetheless. Track and some Metcalfe buildings have now been bought. The latter are as much to gauge how the layout could look as to potentially use on it. One of the buildings comes only in a stone finish so I will probably need to reclad that in brick to be more in keeping with the others. Otherwise, I hope you are all managing to keep warm during this current cold-snap. Regards, Alex.
  11. Hi everyone, First, I would like to say thanks for the positive reactions and supportive comment. All are much appreciated. While looking for something else on the forum I came across this post by @PaulRhB; I hope he doesn't mind me linking to it. The post shows something of the style of buildings that I am hoping to use on the layout. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/forums/topic/181072-manning-wardle-l-class-0-6-0/?do=findComment&comment=5275419 The Scenecraft models remain available from some stores, however the combined cost of them is rather offputing. In the OP there is an image showing two Hornby W4s; I have a third, a model of 'Bear'. My wife has suggested a new name for it ... 'Garibaldi'. Again, thanks for taking the time to read this. Regards, Alex.
  12. Happy New Year to you all! It's another year, and another project. THis time, though, it's driven as much by practicality as interest. Background: Due to coming changes in circumstances, namely a change of job, location, and home in the next six months, all previous ideas and part-built projects have been scrapped. These were all in ‘N’ gauge. I am in the process of disposing of the stock for said projects. However, wanting to build something that would be easier to take with me, I opted for a micro-layout instead of nothing. Having come across a used Hornby H&P boxed set at a good price, my decision was made for me. M. Pyre Biscuits the story of a Victorian food factory’s journey through the early twentieth century, The simple premise behind the layout is that in the late nineteenth century Mr. Martyn Pyre established a baked confections factory in the Reading area. This was despite the proximity of that well known producer of such goods, Messrs Huntley & Palmer’s Ltd. Despite contracts for the government during the Great War, the generally poor trading conditions at home saw it taken over by its larger neighbour. As well as additional production capacity, H&P also gained access to some useful recipes that had previously been a family secret of the Pyre’s. The Layout: The basic details are as follows: Scale: 00 Size: 1100x260 (IKEA LACK shelf) Period: 1918-1922 Region: Reading, Berks, GW/LSW Type: Micro-layout/Inglenook Style: Industrial Control: Analogue Track: PECO code 75 The photo, below, should give an idea of what’s been obtained so far. MPyre03_31Dec23 The next stage is to play about with a couple of point templates, and finalise the design by the end of the month, with track and wiring to be completed by the end of February. After that it is scenic treatment. I expect repurposed Metcalfe and Scalescenes kits will form the basis of the factory, loading bays, etc. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and any suggestions, hints, or ideas will be appreciated. Regards, Alex.
  13. Hi again, Many thanks for those very helpful responses. I will pass on the new kit reference, and eBay link, to my friend. May you both have a Good New Year when it comes.. Regards, Alex.
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