chris p bacon

I've no idea about 1956 but there is an HMRS article for July 1958 which gives details for the 16.06 Hitchin to Sandy. It was a short working utilising a 4 car set which had been worked back to Hitchin as empty stock, for the week it shows sets L78,L74 & L71 being used.

We're 500 yards over the border and the same rules haven't applied here.

I stand corrected. No idea why I thought that...must be my age...🙄

IIRC it isn't a Paul Craig kit, but the name escapes me at present of who it actually was (Steve Barnfield??)

It worked fine in the centre.

Andrew does have a note on the axle page Please note that this item might not be restocked, as Markits may be switching production wholly to the slotted type (our code 00SLOTAXLE). I purchased 10 of the slotted ones a couple of weeks ago, very handy for the grub screw on a high level box.

This is typical of eBay bidding and how people don't know the value of what they are purchasing. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275780772284 Today 6 Used Markits axles sold for £17.75 inc postage. Or you can buy 6 (or more) new ones from Andrew at Wizard for £15.42 inc Postage https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/wheels/00axle/ Or the new slotted ones for £15.78 inc postage https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/wheels/00slotaxle/ I know who I'd rather purchase from.

Must have been a mid morning stock move as 1A03 was the 07.25 Leeds-KX

I worked at Royston from 79-83 (on/off) and the decision to stop at Royston was a commercial one. There are a lot of small villages between Royston and Cambridge and Royston picked up the traffic without going to the expense of electrifying to Cambridge. Royston had more 1st class season ticket holders that nearly all other stations combined, as well as one of the largest car parks to cater for commuters who switched from Cambridge/Liv St to Royston/KX. It was finally wired when the GE electrification was extended from Bishops Stortford to Cambridge. The patronage beyond Royston wasn't that great with only a 2 car DMU (Matt Cam) on an hourly service. Whereas each hour to KX there were 2 slow services formed of a 4 car 312 (Ashwell, Baldock, Letchworth, Hitchin, Stevenage, Knebworth, Welwyn Nth, WGC, Hatfield, Potters Bar, Finsbury Park & KX) and one fast service with 2 x 4 car 312's (Letchworth, Hitchin, Stevenage, FP & KX). The DMU always connected with the fast, although most patronage was from the all stations. No units were kept in the platform overnight, all incoming electric services went back to Letchworth carriage sidings and the DMU to Coldham lane Cambridge for re-fuelling. (Royston wasn't a crew signing on/off point). The DMU's that were used at Hitchin for the Huntingdon to Hertford North services also returned to Cambridge for re-fuelling (coupled together)

Only if they want drama and politics.

There's no laughing emoji when you need it...🤣...Aaahh there it is..

Now on Western Thunder 🙄

Game of Cricket?

Soft or hard?

I agree, but I've had some that want to pay with a card as they don't trust BACS (probably think I'll do a runner with their £20...) I'm not averse to setting up a website with a simple payment option, but I find it a bit annoying when some with no idea of time or cost, tell you they must be able to order that way as if it is a right. I'm quite happy to share stuff, but my time is very limited.

As someone who has helped you in the past by purchasing on your behalf then forwarding as personal mail, I’m noting a ‘deja vu’ about this subject. The last time it was a Dave Bradwell product. I did suggest then that the easiest thing to do was ask a relative or engage with someone who would be happy to receive and then forward on to you. I do this already for society members outside the UK.

Only if the buyer doesn’t agree with whatever taxes their own country applies to incoming goods.

A trader would be breaking the law if they tried to reclaim 20% vat on an item that does not have vat applied. if the item is zero rated in the UK but an importing country applies vat that’s an issue for the importing country, not the UK.

Eileens insolvency was nothing to do with Brexit and was due to overextending themselves with loans without the income to support them. We're back to the trader deciding what is best for them. You've always paid VAT, it's just that it isn't added at this end for an export. The fact you pay customs fees is a matter for the Dutch revenue service and what they apply. I regularly order tools and tooling from Europe and the rest of the world, and have none of these difficulties.

I produce my own etches and have been willing too share them for cost price + a small % to cover the hassle of packing and posting them. I have looked at setting up a website and may do so in the future, but the costs of doing so with a payment option to order adds a significant cost which would have to be covered by the sale of goods. I already have enquiries from potential customers who question the cost as they have no idea of the costs of etching, I would no doubt have more with an increased cost and I'm not sure I want the hassle of updating another website (I already look after 1 and help with another) Having a quarter of my sales to overseas and Europe, that has presented no problems whatsoever.

I'll try and find them later. My books are boxed at present while we undergo some building works, so it may take an evening to find them. I've also got some magazine articles, PM me your email address and I can send them later this evening.

I'm modelling Sandy circa 1900, and the easiest way is to study any photographs both for motive power and wagons. There are several books on the Oxford to Cambridge, do you have any of them?

Don't touch it. It's the wrong material altogether and would be dreadful. It is one of many 'designs' that have never been test printed prior to offering for sale. They are printed in a nylon material which does not take glue and is incredibly rough, it is chosen for cheapness with no alternative given by the designer (the cost would be ridiculous)

I remember a comedy drama from the 1980's called 'The Ritz' in it a bouncer was asking another called 'Kai' how he was such a big hit with the ladies. Kai told him that he had to impress them. so when chatting to the next lady he said "I've had 3 sh*ts today" Sadly I worked with someone who thought that sounded like a good technique....🙄

Fnarr fnarr...