Culmhead

SWAG Bring and Buy 2022 Dear all, What you have all been waiting for or at least I hope so! Please find the form and the terms and conditions of sale and purchase for this years SWAG Bring and Buy Stall attached. It is the same as previous years, with one exception which I hope is good news. Although, cash is preferred, we are now able to accept Credit/Debit cards. As always, there is a cost in accepting payment via Credit/Debits cards and in order for the Charity (British Heart Foundation) to receive the full % amount collected we would kindly ask for a small donation of 1.8% of the total amount to cover the cost of using this payment method, this can in also be cash, but please no buttons. See you on the 24th, regards, Aidan SWAG2022Form.docx

Haven't logged on to Rmweb for a few weeks (or was that months), but very saddened to hear of Grahame's untimely death. I last spoke to him at SWAG 2019, he was great company, full of ideas and new challenges. My sincere condolences to his family, he will be sorely missed. RIP. Aidan.

Had exactly the same problem with the club special Terrier that I only ordered last week, my card has funds and has not expired. Tried to contact customer services several times this morning, but the line went dead on each occasion. Will try again tomorrow, hopefully, with better luck, overall it is quite concerning. Hope all get what they have ordered. Cheers, Aidan

I was very saddened by Stuarts sudden and untimely death this weekend. He was one of the first people (along with Mike) I met as a result of being RM web member and both encouraged me to attend the SWAG event in Taunton, from which I have never looked back. He was always great company and many a laugh was had. Not only this but he was a very skillful modeller, not too good at mechanisms (by his own admission), but then he was a perfectionist! I remember admiring a brass signal box kit he had made for Newton on Teign - it was superb. I'm very grateful to Mike for letting me know personally and we were able to have a good natter and reminisce this afternoon. My condolences and sympathies go to Gill and their two sons, as well to Mike who was a life long and very close friend. It was a privilege to know him and may he rest in peace. Aidan.

Once again, a marvellous day and for me it still is the best event of the year. It's always great to see and catch up with old friends and make new. All the exhibits were absolutely superb as were the demonstrations and just wish I had more time. As well as a big thank you to all organisers and attendees, I must especially thank @devonseasider(Graham) and @Godfrey Glyn for all the help they gave on the Bring & Buy Stall, I could not have managed without them and of course @peter220950who supplied me with copious amounts of tea. Looking forward to next year already. Cheers, Aidan

To remove clip fit bodies, etc, where ever possible I use a selection of good quality pallet knives, these are very thin, spread the load and have rounded (not sharp edges). To keep (wedge) the housing open, paper/cardboard/plasticard are used depending on the circumstance.

Bring out your goods ! Bring out your goods ! Having had a bit of 'turn' a couple of weeks ago, I volunteered to run the SWAG 2019 Bring & Buy stall (Duh). Additional Bring and Buy forms will be available on the day as well as short test track ('00','TT' and 'N'). Any questions please PM me. Cheers, Aidan

I buy from the internet, local shops and traders with at exhibitions. We are very lucky in Burnham-on-Sea, we have Victoria Court Models (excellent for Ratio, Peco, Wills, Dapol, Busch, Plasticard, etc), GW Hurley (has great range of Humbrol (not Rail Colours) and Revell paints etc) and GS Models ( Precision Paints, 'T' gauge, imperial nuts, bolts, drill bits and profile) - these are all within a half a mile of each other and within a couple of miles of me. There are items that neither of these stock, in which case I use the internet or buy from traders at exhibitions, especially for spares and the now hard to find items, such as detailing parts. As regards e-bay, in several hundred purchases I have only been disappointed in a handful of cases - perhaps I've been lucky. I also buy from Kernow, Hattons, Rails, Model Rail Direct (20 miles away) and various others especially when, when I spot a bargain! All in all, I buy from all.

Thank you Jason, This is really helpful, it is definitely the same casting as it has the same defects! Thank you, Aidan

I bought this loco a few years ago that at first glance looked like a K's kit. It has a K's motor fitted on a chassis marked with 'TS' that looks like it has been home assembled. The body is diecast (Mazak?) and not a white metal assembled kit. I haven't been able to find anything on the net, can anyone help? Many thanks, Aidan

No that doesn't, but it does mean that they are not bound by professional standards or have the relevant indemnity insurance.

Just to add to the above, anyone can call themselves an accountant, but not a chartered accountant (of any of the professional bodies). This has been a major gripe amongst chartered accountants for many years. The professional bodies who are allowed to practice publicly are:- ACCA - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants: - ICAEW - Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. Other related bodies cover Scotland and Ireland: - CIMA - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (with a public practice certificate only). All the above have their respective regulatory bodies, in the same way as other professions. In general someone offering/ calling themselves 'accountancy services' will unlikely be a qualified chartered accountant. Hope this helps.

Managed to get there today - this is the first exhibition I've been able to attend for quite a few months. As usual, a superb event, very well balanced between layouts and traders. Spent far more than intended, as always is the case (isn't It), but well worth it! Had a good chat with Arthur and a brief hello with Graham ( on the LSWR stand). Cheers, Aidan

This was the fourth occasion that I have had the pleasure of attending and can honestly say that it remains a highlight of the year. This year I decided to attend the evening meal and stop locally. The Old Stags Head B&B owned by fellow RMweber (Graham456) was absolutely superb, as was the evening meal at the Lethbridge Arms (good food and great company) and not forgetting Taunton MRG usual hospitality. As for the day itself, it was the usual relaxed and friendly event and great to chat with friends old and new. Many thanks to all, for a very enjoyable day. Finally just a few photos. Netherhope Halt. Module 1 - Staplegrove. Module 2 - Marple Bridges. Module 3 - Chard. Canute Road Quay Sherton Abbas Helstonish Cheers, Aidan

Hi, I noticed in the Times this morning that the interim FD David Mulligan has now joined Hornby on permanent basis. It is reported that he is a Cambridge maths graduate and trained as an accountant with Ernst and Young, notwithstanding that, the article goes on to say he grow up as a model railway enthusiast and is a avid Scalextric fan. Perhaps, there may be some light at the end of the tunnel, after all, I wish him all the best. Cheers, Aidan

Firstly, with apologies to all and pedantic mode firmly on. :-) The 'Laffer Curve' as I recall (though happy to be advised otherwise) had nothing to do with supply/demand/price side of economics, but was a relationship between tax rates and total tax receipts. Of course, having said that, the principles can be applied in reverse.ie. price rises can result in lower income as result of lower sales. Way back in 1974, an economist called Arthur Laffer, during lunch with Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney, drew a bell shaped graph on a napkin that showed there was an correlation between tax receipts and the rate of tax. Obliviously, the top of the 'bell' raised the highest tax revenues, showing that high tax rates could be counterproductive (for various reasons) - I understand, that this philosophy was adopted in the early 80's in the UK and it resulted with higher tax receipts. Pedantic mode off!! There are many factors in the price/demand/supply side, but in this case I think that we will have to accept there will be further price rises across all manufacturers, including the few who manufacture in the UK as the price of raw materials rise. Cheers, Aidan

Good morning, Don't think I blamed Google, but I have worked out where the blame lies and the buck stops with me. I simply mixed up the distance and time - sorry. As regards, uphill/downhill, what can I say, that 'from' should have read 'to' and it was a simple typo or it does depend on the direction of travel going/coming :-). Cheers, Aidan

Graham, You are quite right The Merry Monk is only 6.8 miles from Bishops Lydeard and 2.8 miles to Staplegrove Village Hall, so happy to include - where I got 14 miles from is anyone's guess so apologies to all. Cheers, Aidan

Good evening, all, Many thanks, for all your suggestions and support. Taking into account all that has been said (I hope I've understood comments correctly) , re quality, separate rooms, accommodation and distance to Bishops Lydeard, Staplegrove and Taunton centre, I have come up with a very 'short' shortlist ( in no order of preference) - 1, Lethbridge Arms (Bishops Lydeard), recently under new management and has single rooms from £55.00 inc. breakfast. The recent reviews look good as well. It is 0.2 miles from Bishops Lydeard Sta and 3.8 miles from Staplegrove Village Hall. 2. The Bird in Hand (Bishops Lydeard), it is many years since we have eaten here, but it is a 'proper' pub' and is about half a mile (uphill) from Bishops Lydeard Sta and about 4 miles from Staplegrove Village Hall. 3. The Premier Inn North, obviously, has accommodation (though prices are very variable). 5.3 miles to Bishops Lydeard, but only 1.5 miles to Staplegrove Village Hall. 4. The Anchor Inn (Hillfarrance), has a good reputation for food, has private rooms and accommodation - it is 5.4 miles from Bishops Lydeard and 3.8 miles to Staplegrove Village Hall. I have ruled out anywhere that is over 6 miles to/from either location - sorry Geoff and Gwiwer, that does rule out The Merry Monk at Monkton Heathfield which is 14 miles (according to Google) from Bishops Lydeard - though it's reputation does go before it! Happy to include if people agree. Cheers, Aidan.

Hi all, With just over 6 months to go, perhaps it is now time to meet up. As regards, my 'unenviable' task for finding the venue for the Saturday evening meal, I do have a few places in mind, but would like to know how far from Taunton centre/Bishops Lydeard (only talking of up to about 5-6 miles) people would be prepared to travel, so I can concentrate my search :-). Cheers, Aidan. P.S. I will have a 'fully' finished module available - without the very, very, vivid sky, honestly!

Hi, I don't think that a 18% fall in Sterling over the last 12 months against the USD, nor the 14% fall since the referendum result are small changes. These falls, coupled with the increase in Chinese labour rates amount to a significant increase in factory gate prices. So if Hornby are increasing their prices by 12-15% across the board, I think they are being more than fair. Cheers, Aidan

I know this listing has finished, but given it has not sold and listed by our great 'friend' from the Lake District I'm sure we will see it again and again and again, etc. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-RAILWAYS-CLOCKWORK-MODEL-No-T-774-0-4-0T-CONTINENTAL-LOCO-POSTMAN-PAT-/400962800230?hash=item5d5b3eca66:g:lgoAAOSwq7JUJJyP These are relatively rare, but extremely rare at this price. Cheers, Aidan

A thoroughly great day out. Very relaxed atmosphere, excellent company, super layouts and trade support. Even CK's sandwiches were pretty good as well! Many thanks to all involved, Aidan

Hi, Despite the practical and cost issues, I would have thought that Dapol could not have purchased moulds that had been destroyed years earlier. Whether they purchased, the intellectual property rights (or could have, even) for these, I really don't know. Just a thought! Cheers, Aidan

I was hoping to buy a Hornby 71 this month and may still do so if finances permit. I have wanted a Adams tank for more years than can remember at least since I walked from Lyme Regis to the Cannington viaduct (disused) in 1974 . Tempted, by the various kits over the years, but could never afford them or have the time to build them! Took the plunge today and ordered a late crest version from Hornby - it really does look the business - glad I waited. Cheers, Aidan