autocoupler942

suggest a check is made on 2MM november diary as I can only see this listed at Warley on sunday - no mention of saturday!

Last century, when I ran Shop 1, at Y/E stocktaking time I had to count the whitemetal track chairpins. Just as Nigel does later, I counted out a small amount and I then popped into my local chemist with the whole bag. After explaining my madness (and what the castings were for) the weighing was kindly done and the maths applied (not forgetting to add back on the counted-out packet) - Who remembers the little brown packets quite often with a description note in Phil Kerr's hand? By the way. my old departed car was renowned for being a mobile foot bath as it let in so much water through the baulkhead and into the passenger foot-well. A Ford Puma - obviously! Probably a Friday afternoon model when the caulking stock supply had run out. If you look up the problem on-line there are 25 pages of comments and 25 ways to fix it. I cured it by taking it to the dump!

Don't quite know where to post this - Will anyone be driving past Stevenage on their way to the AGM? My faded sight forced me to discontinue driving and I now suffer chronic leg arthritis so I can't even use the train. I do have a Blue Badge which would help parking at Keen House. Andrew 01438 728573

with reference to lubrication to eradicate the switch blade squeak you could try a very light application of graphite powder. I bought some years ago in a small puffer bottle and showed it amongst the tools in the photo on the cover of the first edition of the Beginners Guide. A minute quantity applied with a small brush should restrict where it goes - I don't think you'd want the powder on the running surface! I've just looked up the photo and Easy Slide is the name. Can't remember where I bought it! Maplins? Eileens?

The above photos remind me that Aldi's are advertising A4 cutting mats for £2.99 a pair (in a choice of colours). Available instore this week from thursday 15 sept. My local store seems to sell out of any advertised items very quickly so best to get there early. I'm not sure what the current exhibition/model shop price is but these seem to be a bargain @ £1.50 each! Almost disposable when they get in a bit of state!. Aldi ref: 072723090099701 ps They also do an A3 size @ £2.99

So just which tender axleboxes are still available? There is rather a muddle with the shop listing as far as descriptions codings drawings and diagrams! The whole area of tender axleboxes needs a complete review and update in my opinion - across all regions. No wonder current 2mm'ers just modify N stock or go for non-tender locos. How did the old whitemetal moulds just disappear? Someone must be sitting on their whereabouts!

For roofs I have a huge stock of venetian blind slats both plastic and ali. I use the special snapper trimming tool available to cut the curved profile to length as this provides a neat edge. I found that cutting by knife or scissors makes the trimmed edge curl or wrinkle! Anyone needing some stock just send me a SAE. Andrew 01438 728573

Reminds me of Mike Bryant's spacers.There must still be plenty about in gloat/stock boxes! Thoughtful padding (plastic to the MBM units or pcb soldered inside the frames)? I am sure this is a path Mark Fielder must previously have trod?

I am worried that I'm not getting any recent entries on screen. Most recent have been 1 on the 3rd (Ian Smith) and 1 on the 4th july.(squirrel). Am I missing out or has communication wilted? I would not be surprised if it is my computer at fault - it's never been right since TalkTalk went up the wall back in May. Any IT doctor near Stevenage with time to spare would be much appreciated - could also rummage through my gloat box if interested?

Is it just optical dilusion or is the coupling rod out of horizontal in the photo posted by strangely green?

stand pipe and drinking troughs? Could have been squeezed on the etching between the rails?

Hi Jim I know interlaced sleepers is your prototype specification but I am curious (on the prototype) about the sleeper support for the left divergence (between the first and 2nd crossing). Obviously you have had all the full size info!. I once read that crossing timber arrangement is an art form especially when things get complex. Were the sleepers all 10" wide? Like I said, I'm just curious!

I'm confused as to whether you are confused as to which 10000 is being referred to!. The LNER 10000 ran with a very high pressure boiler and known as the Hush-hush as it was built under a degree of secrecy by Gresley. Later designated class W1 with 4-6-4 wheel arrangement. I'm uncertain how long it ran before a rebuild. On the LMS ( and later all around BR) there were a pair of diesels nos.10000 and 10001 which often worked in tandem. There is (was) a kit for these. As far as mystery gas turbines go there was also the GT3 early in BR days - a loco I never did get to see. In fact I didn't even know of it until several years later as it appeared after my early spotting days and before Beeching.

I was trying to tune in to BBC 4 (without success) but just happened to catch a program on BBC Alba (at 9pm tonight). Although it was heavily subtitled it was mainly (if not all) on Highland Railways but I could recognize Kyle.

Hi Nigel Now I know why you were into a T9 a short while ago! Couldn't fathom it out at the time - thought it must have been an order for a customer - but no !?