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

How about curved points on the exits to the fiddle yards, with straight points on the entry.Increases the length somewhat That way the curved points are only used in the trailing direction.. Regards Ian

No, The Flickr captions states that it is 1628 and 1638. Regards Ian

I hope that the stove was working! Regards Ian

@hayfield and @Martin Wynne already have a thread running on 3d printing 'Plug Tack'., although for the larger scales rather than 2mm finescale. Templot, I believe, now has the ability to output .STL files, which might save you a lot of work. As a 2 mm Luddite, all my points and crossings are soldered on copperclad construction, so I know nothing of using this magical 3d trickery. Have a hunt, and best wishes with your ,conversion. Regards Ian Smeeton

Does this follow the same route each year or are there engineering diversions? Regards Ian

lose yourself in Britain from Above, there are numerous shots of MPDs showing the number of wagons round and about. Hours of fun working out if they are or were carrying loco coal or not. eg: https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/EPW042014 Regards, Ian

I thought that the whole point of the RAF was that you were safer as an 'other ranks' staying at home while the officers and some NCOs went out to fight. As opposed to the Army where the officers led from the front with others behind in case anyone tried to run away, and the Navy, where officers, enlisted men and NCOs were all in the same boat, so to speak. Regards Ian

I am off duty, but might just make it to Wymondham Crossing for a Photo. I will be on then Downside in a YELLOW Hi Viz Regards Ian

First PAT test in my pub, and the PAT tester cut the plug off the kettle, then wondered why he hadn't been offered a cup of tea. Regards Ian

Are you sure it wasn't the Branch Line?? Regards Ian