Alex TM

Hi everyone, I am currently changing the livery on a Bachmann Jinty, using ModelMaster transfers for the logos and numbering; the final identity will be 47588 with the 'Lion over the Wheel' style logo. The choice of identity is for two simple reasons - the number is ready made, and my other loco (47673) was also shedded at the same place at the same time. So far I have only been able to find one picture of her, at Llandudno, showing the bunker and left hand side; does anyone have a picture of the other side? Here's the link to the only pic I could find (it's fifth row down, last on the right): https://hiveminer.com/Tags/3f%2Csteambr Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks and regards, Alex.

Hi again, A friend of mine (also a middle aged man) is a lego-obsessive. He tends to picks up boxes of the stuff from charity shops; that way he saves a fortune .... Hope it's of interest. Regards, Alex.

Hi Pete, Tonight is the first time I have seen this (saw it on your signature link from another thread). I know nothing of Spain's railways, but this looks a fantastic piece of modelling; the whole look of it shouts of a warm, balmy, evening somewhere a lot hotter and sunnier than here. In terms of modelling technique two things have stood out for me, first the willingness to experiment, and the ingenious use of 'lego' for a substructure (an idea I may have to 'borrow'). Again, a great layout. Regards, Alex.

Hi, Looking forward to watching this develop. Just one question: how have you built the traverser? Thanks and regards, Alex.

Hi, Having just read the article in BRM, I thought I should have a read of the thread here. This is a fantastic layout, and I think the stories, etc, really add a certain something to it. Looking forward to what comes next. Regards, Alex.

Try not to make a meal out of that one!

Two dishes that even my French friends draw the line at eating!

Bagpipes - like listening to an out of tune cat being strangled!

Hi everyone, Accounts and finance are usually something that leave me cold, however the matter of making sure staff are properly paid, and on time, is something that does matter to me. Our payroll, I am told, took a couple of hours to set up, and works in a real-time set-up using HMRC's own software. Our payroll is done by someone who is numerate but with no financial or accountancy training; she declared how straightforward it was/is. (We are a small charity with a small number of employees but, according to the information from HMRC, it can work the same way for bigger companies). To return to the OP, even if this 'accountant' isn't registered with a professional body, I wonder if some aspect of contract law would be applicable. Hope this is of interest. Regards, Alex.

Hi Alan, Thanks for that information. I remember the 16-tonners in engineers use; I seem to remember that they painted the edges of the bodyside holes white to make it clearer for workers. Regards, Alex.

Hi Tony, Thanks for that swift, and helpful, reply. I had quick look at the site, and followed some leads from it. These led to some photos of roofed lime wagons that are bigger than the ones I already have images of; they are much closer to the size of the Oxford model. Again, thanks for that. Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, A quick question regarding the following Oxford Rail wagon model: OR76MW7024 Steetley and Co Llynclys - 7 plank What would it have carried? I have a passing interest in the Tanat Valley, and so have some images of Steetley wagons from the area, but none of them appear to be 7-planks as per this model. That leads me to wonder what it would have carried as the lime traffic seems to have been carried in wagons of 4 or 5 plank in height (some with a roof). Would it have been coal for boilers in a crushing plant? Thanks for any help with this. Regards, Alex.

Hi again, Thanks F-Unit and Dave. That'll help trying to source copies. F-Unit - that distraction lasted quite some time here too, though I am now married to someone who likes steam locos and traveling behind them (I believe that's called a result)! Regards, Alex.

Hi folks, Having seen Pastimes (of Glasgow) mentioned a few times in a number of threads, I thought it worth starting a separate one. This is one of the few model shops left in the Glasgow area. Although it specialises in used and vintage items it does have a fair range of more up-to-date releases, although if you are looking Southern or Great Western you may have to resort to second hand. I was in there at lunchtime today, and had a good browse before buying a loco. Prices are usually RRP but there are some bargains to be had. When they went to exhibitions they also had a 'graveyard' box that was always good for bits for conversions; I believe that if you speak nicely to the owners they'll even dig it out for you. No connection other than as a satisfied customer of Gordon and Anne's for more years than they probably would care to remember! Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, Can anyone help with this? I'm looking for an index to the above magazine(s) to enable me to find three specific layout ideas that they published. Just in case anyone knows which editions rather than the generic index, the three articles are: Holyhead Breakwater Railway; Prestatyn & Dyserth Branch; and The Willow Valley. The latter was a freelance layout with an extension; it's this extension that I am trying to find. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks and regards, Alex.

Hi folks, I have to agree with previous comments about this being a good model shop; not just selling kits but lots of useful stuff in the ways of tools, materials, and after-market items. Most of the staff seem to be modellers, too, so advice is there if needed. No connection other than as satisfied customer. Regards, Alex.

Hi, You're right; it's the same chassis as used under a number of bodies including the railroad class 08. Others, I think, include the J83, 2721 class Pannier, and Thomas. Regards, Alex.

Didn't someone once model the "Loo" (sic) branch on a toilet seat. Probably about as safe as it gets to modelling in the little room.

Hi Simon, Only looked at this for the first time today. Impressed by the way the layout looks bigger than it truly is. I must admit that I know very little about French railways, other than one book, and some watching of locos some time ago near Calais. Looking forward to see further progress. The boxes painted in the colours of la Republique Francaise is a nice touch. Bon chance, Alex.

Hi Kosta, Only just saw this thread. Your work really captures the atmosphere of the various published photos; a really great piece of work. I don't know if this is of interest but 'Modellers' Backtrack' once published a set of drawings for all of the buildings on the branch; I can't remember when this was but it would have been back in the 1980s. Again, a great piece of work. Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, As the topic title says, I am looking to fit a decoder to a Bachmann 57xx tank from the Western Wandered set. Can anyone suggest a Gaugemaster one that will fit without modification to the loco body, chassis, or any part of the decoder? I found plenty of references to other brands of decoder that will fit, however I would prefer to use Gaugemaster as any other locos that are chipped will be using these, and my local model shop is a stockist. Thanks for taking the time to read. Thanks, too, in advance for any suggestions.Regards, Alex.

Hi folks, I don't subscribe to FaceBook or anything similar. I'm not that bothered about the " ... being tracked ... " bit, even though I am part of a group that has just published a paper on surveilance in our society. The reason I avoid it is that many of my colleagues are on it, and I don't want to be in the awkward position of having to ignore requests to be their 'friends'. If you met some of my colleagues you would understand why! Regards (from my hiding place behind the sofa), Alex.

Hi folks, Bill Petrie - great man, and great modeller. Sadly missed. Regards, Alex.

Hi Simon, What era/timeframe are you thinking of working in? I ask, as I am aware of a vast quantity of wargamming material in 1/100, especially if you are working from late WWI through WWII; the challenge then may be what not to use. Regards, Alex.

Hi again, Thanks for the suggestion of the Middleton Press book; in the next month I'll be passing a few places where I maybe able to pick it up. The 'Hayling BIlly' site is part of the reason behind this. I had been looking for some resonable hi-res images of Terriers to look at modelling potential, and a couple of the links were to the site. As for the Chris Leigh model, I'll look for some images first rather than take up the man's time with a PM. Again, thanks for all this encouraging help. Regards, Alex.