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Huw Griffiths

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Status Updates posted by Huw Griffiths

  1. Enjoying watching "Wheeler Dealers" on Quest - the episode about a Jeep Grand Wagoneer (which will be repeated at 1100 on Quest +1 - and will probably be shown at midnight in a few weeks).

     

    Particularly interesting to see some guy showing how to simulate woodgrain using paint.

     

    Might also be of interest to some people modelling LNER coaches.

    1. Hroth

      Hroth

      But that's the post-coup version of Wheeler Dealers...

       

      There were a couple of books on narrowboat painting that discussed painting fake wood ("simulate woodgrain"), but that was back when narrowboats were affordable!

  2. A polling card with my name on it just dropped through the door.

     

    It was accompanied by a load of kindling - sorry "electoral literature" - from a number of candidates.

     

    All I can say is that this little lot couldn't have arrived on a more appropriate morning ... .

    1. Show previous comments  3 more
    2. Huw Griffiths

      Huw Griffiths

      Yes - although we sometimes get offered some superb candidates, we're also asked to vote for a number of people who seem to be eminently unsuited to the positions they're standing for.

       

      I struggled to keep a straight face when I saw what one candidate had to say for themselves - something along the lines of: "I formerly held this position ... You can't buy experience." Unfortunately, they failed to mention if they'd done anything worthwhile during their time in the position they're standing for - and their previous time as a councillor.

       

      Really? I don't know anything about this person except that, based on what they say in their own electoral literature, they don't appear to currently hold this position - leading to an obvious assumption that they were likely to have been voted out - hardly encouraging!

       

      Is it really too surprising that I compared some election candidates to "April fool" jokes?

       

      Ultimately, I'd like to vote for people who are capable of independent thought - people who take more notice of their constituents than of an official party line. Surely, I'm not expecting too much?

    3. Mallard60022

      Mallard60022

      Round my way (Notts) people stand as Independents as the Tories are still hated by many. Locally I don't care what they, are other than UKIP or whatever that crap is, if they are a damn good worker for their people.

    4. Huw Griffiths

      Huw Griffiths

      This strikes me as fair comment - especially for local stuff.

       

      Probably just as well I'm not a member of any political party - although my views are well within the established mainstream, I prefer to think for myself.

       

      I've certainly never been one for blindly following a party line.

  3. RIP Murray Walker OBE.

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. Harlequin

      Harlequin

      He was and always will be The voice of F1. He was a true enthusiast for the sport and that's why we loved him.

       

    3. truffy

      truffy

      There's nothing wrong with the car except that it's on fire.

    4. Huw Griffiths

      Huw Griffiths

      "... unless I am very much mistaken ... and I am very much mistaken".

       

      Well, I certainly wish I was, with yesterday's news.

       

      It's obvious that lots of people liked him. (I know I certainly did.)

       

      It's also obvious that, in the 90s, lots of people tuned in to the F1 coverage - not just to see a procession of prototype cars screaming round a track at ridiculous speeds - not just to see some extremely talented drivers going wheel to wheel, like modern day gladiators - but to hear his running commentary.

       

      Never mind that overtaking seemed to have become all-but-impossible in F1 - somehow, he made it all feel exciting.

       

      Ever wondered why he always pronounced drivers' names correctly? That's right - he made a point of asking them - and getting to know them as people. It's obvious that a lot of them liked him - and still do.

       

      Perhaps it's no wonder, then, that lots of viewers also liked him.

  4. Just been chopping up some scraps of dowel and wooden skewer - then drilling some holes and threading a wire offcut through them.

     

    This lot needs to work - or my cakebox entry will be finished before it starts!

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. Huw Griffiths

      Huw Griffiths

      Just been out the back and retrieved some scraps of wood (IKEA cast offs from a few years ago) - one of these is 215 * 195 * 18 mm. With a bit of trimming, this should make an excellent base, which should also take the dowels (aka traction poles) without loads of hassle.

       

      Looks like I'll be able to build my CBC entry - and I've already reached the "recycling quota"!

       

      A build thread is likely to appear in due course.

       

    3. SHMD

      SHMD

      That's uncanny!

       

      The short Tram line on my cakebox entry is using thin brass wire stripped off an experimental superconducting magnet that was decommissioned at a university is was working at at the time.

       

      The scrap metal bin, where I work, is such a rich cornucopia of wonderful stuff!

      (The scrap gold and copper is usually never put in there though.)

       

    4. Huw Griffiths

      Huw Griffiths

      Strange that!

       

      My diorama will be in On30 - and generic.

       

      However, judging by your "name" on this site, I'm not too surprised about your scene being set in the "SE Lancashire / NE Cheshire" area. I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on - and what the final build looks like.

       

      I hope it all goes well.

       

       

      As for recycling, I've been into this since long before it became fashionable - I even recycle my jokes.

       

      That's right - I even recycle ... oh, never mind!

       

       

      Anyway, all the best with your build.

  5. Chopping up scraps of Palfoam and other sundry materials - mockups to check the feasibility of new build projects. Probably "TMI" already - I can't see this stuff interesting anyone round here.

    1. Londontram

      Londontram

      No keep going please I love it. There needs to be more hands on making things on this forum

    2. cromptonnut

      cromptonnut

      We see plenty of "the finished product" which is inspirational, but not enough of the "how it's done" which is how we learn.

  6. What to do if your rucksack falls apart just before "Warley"? That's right - get an even bigger one - and steel toecapped boots to go with it. Should keep the other punters happy in the Bachmann scrum ...

    1. Show previous comments  4 more
    2. GRUNFOS

      GRUNFOS

      remember to wear your Thomas sweater aswell.

    3. Tom J

      Tom J

      Bicycle pump and wellies.

    4. Huw Griffiths

      Huw Griffiths

      Not forgetting the anorak, binoculars, notebook, "Platform 5" books and fish paste sandwiches.

       

      After all, nobody wants to "go without" on the journey to the NEC ... .

  7. Why does it take so much longer to build models when you're also taking photos?

    1. Show previous comments  3 more
    2. Horsetan

      Horsetan

      If you didn't, the only photos would be the kit contents, followed by "Here's one I made earlier".

    3. Huw Griffiths
    4. Tim V

      Tim V

      Multitasking?

  8. Working on computer drawings for some "proof of concept" test builds - can't see them leading to anything too interesting, though!

  9. I enjoyed yesterday's NEWGOG show, at the Lysaght - excellent layouts - loads of useful advice - and enjoyed meeting a number of people. I'm already looking forward to next year's event.

  10. Sorting out a shopping list - track - points - motors - wire - ancient controller that buzzes when you plug it in (gets the mods every time, that one).

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. Andy Y

      Andy Y

      Mention of 'ancient', 'buzz' and 'controller' in the same sentence will see you picked up by the men in yellow wellies and hauled before the jury of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. ;)

    3. Horsetan

      Horsetan

      Who says it's a controller? It might be something else that, er, "buzzes"....

    4. Huw Griffiths

      Huw Griffiths

      I'll agree - it does sound scary - but, as I officially "Have No Degree", I'm not too worried about keeping on the right side of the IEE.

       

      Saying that, over the years, I've acquired a reputation for being very fussy about electrical safety and wiring in general.

       

      As for things "buzzing", I don't think point motors have ever been known for being quiet.

  11. Back from Warley - enjoyed chance to meet some people I've known for years. Daily coach home being about 10PM meant I could also do some railfanning. "Duchess of Hamilton" was amazing.

  12. All set for the Festival of Model Tramways - 24 hour day tomorrow - see some great model trams - spend some time in Manchester - what's not to like? Except that this is British Summer Time - so the walk down for the coach might be interesting.

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. Jon Fitness

      Jon Fitness

      should be a free vintage bus service from Man Vic too..

    3. Jon Fitness

      Jon Fitness

      Try this pub near Man Vic station for a very traditional pint of Joseph Holts too.

      http://www.heritagepubs.org.uk/pubs/historic-pub-interior-entry.asp?pubid=82

    4. Huw Griffiths
  13. Got home from Warley 0230 this morming - still exhausted now. Enjoyed the show - also enjoyed meeting other RMweb members - already looking forward to next year.

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