Ian Smeeton

1st PDF won't open for me but the others will. Perhaps a note to the planners might elicit a response and check. Regards Ian

I did suggest to a Primary School teacher that all youngsters should be taught Darts, Dominoes and Cribbage as an aid to learning mental arithmetic and times tables. She didn't take me seriously. Pity Regards Ian

Definitely Saxby Regards Ian

Sounds as if it should work. Previous layouts have used PVA and granite ballast, and very (too) solid when complete. The current one has been at the track laid, partially wired but unballasted for the last 5 years. Note to self- Pull your finger out! Regards Ian

As soon as you have ballasted, the whole assembly will be rock solid! Regards Ian

Why don't you ask ChatGP or its equivalent, and find out? Regards Ian

I think that I put this one up before, With the caption 'Put Twa ton back in the wagon, Shuggie, she's overloaded' Regards Ian

Likewise, I am in Lincolnshire, and checking the councils own website, only 2 solar companies were recommended, one in Southampton and the other in Mnachester. Both small companies and not prepared to travel to Lincolnshire. I wish Solar Together, or a similar operation had been available to us. Regards Ian

I agree, the industry seems to be full of 'Fly by Nights' The company I dealt with has gone into administration without registering our installation for the MCS Certificate, which means that I get no payment for exported electricity. MCS, themselves have been unable to help, the subcontractors who did the work won't speak to me. All good fun. Regards Ian

Grantham, the streamliner years has tutorials on curving pints (Peco) If you are using British Finescale, there are examples in that thread. Regards Ian

Hornby already do the 'Family Fun project' layout in a box. (as built by our own @Phil Parker) But with a price tag of approximately £200.00, it's is a non starter for a new entrant to the hobby. I like the idea of the difficulty grading for kits 1/10 etc, but the hardest part is moving from a single wagon project to a running layout. We are often given the advice, that the first target should be to get 'something' running as soon as possible (for that 'instant gratification') When you have to think about a baseboard first, followed by track, controller, before even getting something to move, it is a large investment in time, if not money. Often beyond the wherewithal of the average 10 year old. Sadly, many of the parents have not had the basic wood/metal/electric knowledge to help the youngster to make the first steps. I think that the main manufacturers have to step up to the plate and offer sponsorship in some form or another to recognised groups, whether that be |Scouts, Guides, youth clubs etc. Backup, through the likes of RMWeb, as suggested above, even if the forum only curated some online content and brought it together in an easily accessible form could be doable with the minimum of effort. The collective mind needs to give this some thought. With my preservationist hat on, we have been lucky to attract some youngsters to the 12" to the foot hobby, but taking the blinkers off the (elderly) trustees to alter our methods and times to accommodate them is taking some effort. Regards Ian

J3031 shows just how close the Crossing Keepers cottage was to the line The cottages at Wyfordby and the next manned crossing, Wymondham, were both demolished soon after the 'Resident' keepers jobs were abolished. I think that the resident post was abolished in 1997, but as the last resident keeper retired last year, I can't ask him. Regards Ian

When going through the operation of my crossing with trainees, I always ask them about animals on the line, and whether they should be reported to the next box, which controls the section, or the next box AND Control, and why, depending on the animals. The dog question always throws up a discussion. Regards Ian

No, But check around at your next stop for the remains of the owner who may have been in hot pursuit of the dog. Regards Ian

What causes the shading? Trees or buildings. If trees then it will only get worse as time goes on Regards Ian