2750Papyrus

I would very much like to see Grantham again at the Doncaster show but my attendance will depend upon my personal "risk/benefit analysis" at the time - much more likely if covid "passports" and wearing of masks were requirements.

The way the middle figure has turned to look at him, I suspect a bad case of flatulence.

I much enjoyed watching the Team Grantham layout on the web exhibition yesterday. The use of identical trains to present a "mirror image" and instant change of height was innovative and would keep a child guessing, and the gallopers and "Ring the Bell" sideshow were fun. I sometimes think we take this hobby too seriously and view operating features as toy-like, and I am encouraged by the introduction of motorised road vehicles and the potential horse and cart on Grantham itself. How about a shunting horse? If it hasn't been done before, maybe a motorised wagon permanently attached to the horse?

The train, signals, track and telegraph poles are so convincing. The only improvement might be some form of background?

the study of sweet cherries?

We moved from Trix track, through Wrenn, to a PECO product using fibre sleeper units on which a FB rail sat and was spiked every 4 or 5 sleepers. I can't remember what this was called, but the sleeper4 spacing was better than code 100 or 75 Streamline. Our Brit and class 5 were re-wheeled by Trix to the finer standard, whilst the EM1 had a rubber or plastic deep tyre/flange pressed onto the finer wheel profile - I think the Western 0-6-2 tank came with this profile. The EM1 is not happy with code 75 and I think the Ruston-Hornsby shunter would need something like code 125!

Is Sparky currently employed?

In view of all the old Christmas jokes appearing, it may be appropriate to remind you all to be careful about drink driving now we are getting close to Christmas and the police are out there in their numbers checking on people. Last night I was out for a few drinks. One thing led to another and I had a few too many beers and then went onto whiskies. Not a good idea. Knowing I was over the limit, I decided to leave my car where it was and took a bus home. Sure enough, I passed a police patrol where they were pulling over drivers and performing breathalyser tests. Because I was in a bus they just waved it past. I arrived home safely and without incident. A real surprise as I've never driven a bus before and I am not even sure where I got it from.

I should still have ours somewhere, so I need to check. Sadly, I don't think it will take to code 75 BH any more kindly than the Ruston-Hornsby shunter!

The German-styled 2-4-2 tank was also sold in this country with a modified version of the Peco/HD/Trix coupling fitted at each end, with reverser controlled uncoupling. It actually worked quite well and shunting could be good fun. However, a break in the supply due to dirty track or excessive speed resulted in the train becoming uncoupled - the same circumstances would cause a non-fitted loco to stop. I'm rather disappointed that features such as this have never been more widely available.

The flu vaccine ran out locally about this time last year, so my wife never did get hers. This year we booked back in September at the local pharmacy as soon as they had any. Our surgery has cancelled their appointments due to the shortage and is advising patients to try and book through a pharmacy. Had my booster jab a week ago at a very efficient site locally, with a total of ten vaccinators in action.

I am assembling an old McGowan models' kit of a GN brake van, and am tempted to fit a Train-Tech rear light. However, this could call attention to the absence of working red and white lights on the sides. Has anybody fitted such lights to their brake vans?

Just as long as they don't slip in a further delay to the V2!

You youngsters! My sister had a set. It was quite good fun making various buildings but didn't actually do anything when you had finished. I think my Mum preferred it though, she got fed up with extracting Meccano nuts and bolts from the Hoover.

Assuming there was no "calldown" for the Bovis money, has it been ringfenced or swallowed up by other council expenditure?

I'm surprised you're drinking Budweiser, especially where you can be seen!

I raised this issue with Bachmann, who advise that the V2 is fitted with a 5 pole motor. They are not aware of issues when using such motors with most proprietary analogue systems but their recommendation is that all Bachmann products are used with a controller giving a smoothed output to provide a single, consistent message irrespective of product/components. They do not envisage problems with the new V2 but suggest contacting the controller manufacturer for total peace of mind.

I have just read the review in Model Rail, which states that the Bachmann manual for this loco recommends the use of a smoothed supply when using analogue control, and speculates on the possible fitting of a coreless motor (not mentioned in the BRM or RM reviews). My layout is an oval with hidden storage sidings, so has gradients at each end. I therefore use Gaugemaster feedback controllers to maintain reasonably constant speeds. I have had a V2 on order for many months and have not previously been aware of this potential problem. Please can anyone advise?

I like the detail around the water column.

Have only just found this thread. Very interesting and the shots at Ruddington look great.

Is that a bicycle designed by a committee?

Yes, like you I found it in the junior library when I was about 9, and it was a major contributor to my love of railways and my choice of pen-name. It took me many years to source a copy through the specialist book-sellers but it has been recently reprinted as a paperback. In 2017, a biography of the author was published, "Henry Charles Webster Man of Steam", by Dorrienne Roughley. If you are interested in the life of a railwayman in the steam age this is "a good read" and the source of some of the stories in the earlier work.

I have a soft spot for the Kingsbridge branch as some of our favourite walks in Devon are along the trackbed around Loddiswell and Gara Bridge. I asked the question about the GW railcars as a single BR unit was used in the last days of the branch whilst in the 1900’s a steam railmotor worked round trip from Saltash. Maybe history could be manipulated so that in 1947 this service was operated by one of the GW diesel units? I agree that a prairie such as 4561 hauling a B set would be very typical, but to my mind the most aesthetically pleasing locomotive to have worked through Brent was in the 44 number series. 4474 Victor Wild!

Is there a specific reason why the railcars did not work on the South Devon branches? Or just lack of consideration for modellers!

What you choose not to do dictates to other people what they can and cannot do.