Jump to content
 

Please use M,M&M only for topics that do not fit within other forum areas. All topics posted here await admin team approval to ensure they don't belong elsewhere.

The Night Mail


Recommended Posts

Thanks, Richard.  Of course sod's law applied and I didn't read your post until I got home.  And I left my Blindheim notes in the office so I shall have to recreate them.

 

At the moment I'm concentrating on the buildings for Blindheim.  Three of the buildings will have a secondary function as they will be hiding point motors.  I've finished a garage, the other two are the station building and the goods shed, both of which are part relief.   The station building is a third relief and is the front of an Addie kit, chosen because it's the only kit that I could find which wasn't "wrong".  The buildings in Franken are either wooden or plastered - brick buildings are very rare.  The kit isn't perfect and I've procured a different roof.  I'll put up curtains to hide the lack of furniture and the presence of a Peco point motor.

 

I purchased a Bünnig kit to cut up for the goods shed. But it is a beautiful laser cut kit and too good to cut up.  It will end up on the "big" train set and I am scratch building a wooden building out of plasticard.  This one is quarter relief, and I'm using the Müller kit that I built as the goods shed on the "big" layout as an exemplar and actually nicking a spare couple of warehouse doors from it.  Again the only goods will be a point motor.

 

I'm feeling whacked so more another time.    Bill

 

PS1:- Franken (Franconia) is the northern part of Bayern (Bavaria)

PS2:- Why did the computer insist on replacing laser with coward?

  • Like 5
  • Friendly/supportive 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

In France diesel is cheaper than petrol and the French went into diesel cars in a big way. With our nearest supermarket  10 miles away and most shops up to 40 the economy of the diesel makes a big difference.  With little traffic in open country the pollution is minimal. 

 

Jamie

 

  • Like 4
  • Agree 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold
10 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

Sorry about the FoD, Richard. Not as if mine will be very good so you should be OK!

 

I just chased a photo of a 45 'up the forest', found it in an Ashworth book - same loco, damn. Likely the same book you have.

Once you start going through the books on FOD, you find that it is nearly always a pannier tank of some description during the days of steam.  As the photo of 4564 shows it was a very rare occasion.  Likewise a 14xx or even a 58xx might have crept in, certainly they did appear in the neighbouring Wye Valley.  The only other locos that seemed to get in were freights which came into the top corner of the Forest, via the Gloucester to Ross line, to serve the wire works at Lydbrook.  Photo evidence of a 2251 and a BR standard 2 (78xxx) in other Neil Parkhouse volumes prove this.

 

From a modelling perspective, it has got to be worthwhile, as you have short (generally) but varied  trains, steep gradients, sharp curves and plenty of scenery that lends itself to scenic blocks.  all the criteria you need for a model railway.

 

The plus side is if you want to go down the diesel route, the lines did last long enough to see diesels in regular service, so the Teddy Bear you have your eyes upon will fit right in (and go round your curves!!).

 

That has a lot of advantages over the lines in west Wales, as the motive power becomes a lot more varied.  If I were to work on a line somewhere between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth, I'm immediately into tender engines as well as tanks.  Yes the 2251 class were evident, but a more regular loco working was the 43xx (and later variants) moguls as well as the Manor class.  I'm not sure of any BR standards on the line, but a bit of digging will probably reveal photographic evidence.  Now a Manor with even as little as three coaches is starting to take up a lot of space and needs large radius curves to look comfortable, so the only option is to go for a branch off that line which would most likely be served by panniers and  45xx/4575xx.  But looking at the loco allocations makes that unlikely. 45xx did exist in that neck of the woods, and there were a glut at Whitland, but their use seems to be concentrated on the Cardigan branch.  In fact they ruled supreme there, so even a pannier venturing down the line would be a rarity.

 

Even as I'm writing this, I can see I'm talking myself out of heading west from of the Welsh coalfields, as the space, loco and stock requirements appear to be getting out of hand!

 

More than not, these seemingly random discussions often reveal  avenues that require further exploring and can expose shortcoming in  plans and ideas that might not have come to light until it was too late!

 

Never knock your modelling:  You are getting stuff down and having fun.  I gave up worrying about it some time back, although just before lockdown, I visited Hunt Towers, and made the mistake of closely looking at Dave's track and point work in S7.  I then came home and looked at my hand laid points from Peco components, which work, but in comparison look awful, and felt like ripping them out and starting again.  Fortunately a little sanity prevailed, and I've vowed that the next ones I build  will be made from C&L parts.

 

But we do need to get going otherwise, if we are not happy with anything less than perfection, we would just sit there and for ever procrastinate. (Which I am a past master of.)

 

 

Edited by Happy Hippo
  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

I finally yielded to common sense the other day. Not a regular occurrence here, as you may infer. In 2013 I invested a bit in making my DCC system radio-capable. This involved a radio transceiver and a radio-equipped throttle. Prior to that I had infra-red and a number of plug-in terminals. The low ceiling and intermediate backscenes  inhibited infra-red, so I spent more time than I would like plugged in. Not so much fun on a walkaround-style layout. So radio should sort that, I thought.

 

Wrong, or at least not very right. The position I chose for the transceiver seemed sensible, as it was visible from most of my standing places, but transmission has been patchy at best. So I finally decided to swap it's location with the IR unit - and it is transformed. I can now stand with the throttle below the baseboard and watch the transceiver LEDs respond as I advance the throttle. This, with the fiddle-yard alterations I reported earlier has made operation more and more fun. 

  • Like 5
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold
14 minutes ago, Northroader said:

Teddy Bears, that’s the railfan name, the drivers referred to them as “iron lungs” (visual appearance) or “tampaxes” (you used them once and threw them away)

Well you learn something new every day.

 

We always used to refer to them as nine fivers

 

I use Teddy Bear, so as not to offend in case Polybear turns up.

 

Using the latter of the two new descriptors would be like telling him to get stuffed!

  • Funny 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold
3 minutes ago, Oldddudders said:

I finally yielded to common sense the other day. Not a regular occurrence here, as you may infer. In 2013 I invested a bit in making my DCC system radio-capable............

........... I can now stand with the throttle below the baseboard and watch the transceiver LEDs respond as I advance the throttle. This, with the fiddle-yard alterations I reported earlier has made operation more and more fun. 

That sounds a really good system.

 

Do you think it would lend itself to being used in an exhibition hall?

 

I ask because in the past I have seen quite a few exhibitors with DCC control on their mobile phones, have difficulties with control.  I suspect the same with an ir system due to the varying light levels.  which is why at shows, we use a Powercab (starter set version) plugged in by the fiddle yard, and a slave unit plugged in at the other end.

 

I ought to consider upgrading with a 5A booster, but everything works well so far, and I'm loathe to upset the system.  but it is somewhat underutilised as we just use the system as a throttle.  all the point work, and  soon the signals, being controlled via a conventional analogue control panel.

 

I'd certainly be interested in knowing how easy it would be to convert to a radio system as it would/should enable me to do away with the connecting leads.  (Although with both layouts at less than 20 feet long, it's not too much of a problem).

 

 

 

 

  • Like 1
  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium
1 hour ago, Happy Hippo said:

Well you learn something new every day.

 

We always used to refer to them as nine fivers

 

I use Teddy Bear, so as not to offend in case Polybear turns up.

 

Using the latter of the two new descriptors would be like telling him to get stuffed!

With the second one you could always say that you are talking about buffers which translates as tampon. Thus you see "Ne pas tamponner" on the side of certain French rolling stock, which I think means "Not to be hump shunted". Nuff said.

 

Jamie

 

 

  • Funny 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold
2 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

That sounds a really good system.

 

Do you think it would lend itself to being used in an exhibition hall?

 

I ask because in the past I have seen quite a few exhibitors with DCC control on their mobile phones, have difficulties with control.  I suspect the same with an ir system due to the varying light levels.  which is why at shows, we use a Powercab (starter set version) plugged in by the fiddle yard, and a slave unit plugged in at the other end.

 

I ought to consider upgrading with a 5A booster, but everything works well so far, and I'm loathe to upset the system.  but it is somewhat underutilised as we just use the system as a throttle.  all the point work, and  soon the signals, being controlled via a conventional analogue control panel.

 

I'd certainly be interested in knowing how easy it would be to convert to a radio system as it would/should enable me to do away with the connecting leads.  (Although with both layouts at less than 20 feet long, it's not too much of a problem).

 

 

 

 

I use Digitrax. As a US system, radio is much used at exhibitions there and has, I think three channels to facilitate separation among adjacent layouts. It does have full CE compliance.  I imagine the Powercab has similar bolt-ons. Talking to a specialist dealer about the scope for an upgrade might be worthwhile. 

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium
4 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

Well you learn something new every day.

 

We always used to refer to them as nine fivers

 

I use Teddy Bear, so as not to offend in case Polybear turns up.

 

Using the latter of the two new descriptors would be like telling him to get stuffed!

 

That's what  I like - a considerate Hippo :) As for getting stuffed, once was more than enough.  Being rogered with a hand up yer wotsit is no fun, I can tell you.  I needed stitches afterwards.....:scared:

  • Funny 7
  • Friendly/supportive 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

I've got q complaint. Not only doesxa Hippo photobomb my holiday photos, I can't even escape a mention whilst reading.  I'm currently reading a rather irreverrant history book and the subject of George Washington's false teeth came up. According to the author, they were not made of wood but from teeth from elk an Hippos. They'll mention panneers next.

 

Jamie

Edited by jamie92208
  • Like 2
  • Funny 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold
41 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

I've got q complaint. Not only doesxa Hippo photobomb my holiday photos, I can't even escape a mention whilst reading.  I'm currently reading a rather irreverrant history book and the subject of George Washington's false teeth came up. According to the author, they were not made of wood but from teeth from elk an Hippos. They'll mention panneers next.

 

Jamie

 

 

Can't do much about the hippos but if you want to complain about Panniers, or model railways in general.....................

 

ERs The place to do it is that way>>>>>>>>>

Edited by Happy Hippo
  • Funny 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

This afternoon I accidentally found a picture of a rather tatty but lined green late crest 4507, at Cardiff Canton in 1962. The same loco also appears in steam allegedly at Radyr.  

 

 A quick check showed that 4507 was allocated to Yeovil at the time, so I assume she had been sent to Caerphilly for examination/overhaul. This would explain the pictures at Canton and Radyr.  If she'd gone to Barry works then Radyr shed should not have figured in the routing.

 

4507 ended her days at Swindon in 1963, so I suspect that the verdict on her condition having got to Caerphilly works could not have been good.

 

Just when I was getting my hopes up....................

 

Although in a similar vein, my excuse at keeping 1401 so numbered is that after the filming of 'The Titfield Thunderbolt', she went to Barry works for overhaul.  But it's a lame excuse as my modelling period is almost a decade later!  

 

All I can say is 'It must have been a long wait.'

 

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium
1 hour ago, Happy Hippo said:

This afternoon I accidentally found a picture of a rather tatty but lined green late crest 4507, at Cardiff Canton in 1962. The same loco also appears in steam allegedly at Radyr.  

 

 A quick check showed that 4507 was allocated to Yeovil at the time, so I assume she had been sent to Caerphilly for examination/overhaul. This would explain the pictures at Canton and Radyr.  If she'd gone to Barry works then Radyr shed should not have figured in the routing.

 

4507 ended her days at Swindon in 1963, so I suspect that the verdict on her condition having got to Caerphilly works could not have been good.

 

Just when I was getting my hopes up....................

 

Although in a similar vein, my excuse at keeping 1401 so numbered is that after the filming of 'The Titfield Thunderbolt', she went to Barry works for overhaul.  But it's a lame excuse as my modelling period is almost a decade later!  

 

All I can say is 'It must have been a long wait.'

 

Rule 1 applies, why have I got 2215, a Baldwin running in 1923. A) Rule 1, b) The shedmaster kept it as a pet during the war and C) there us a photo of it at Lancaster, d) It's a lovely scratchbuilt model.

 

Jamie

  • Like 1
  • Agree 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold
4 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

 false teeth came up

Did I ever tell you about the train that left Victoria Platform 9 with a nearside door open? It was daytime, as I recall. Platform 9 is an offside platform. A chap had boarded this train - bound, I think, for Epsom Downs - and while awaiting departure, felt unwell. He leaned out of the nearside window to throw up, and did so to good effect. Sadly his output included his false teeth. Realising the cost of a new set, he opened the door and jumped down next to the train, to retrieve them. At which point the train left, all doors on the offside, i.e. alongside platform 9, being properly closed....... 

  • Like 2
  • Funny 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

We had an amusing incident involving false gnashers one night. While driving round an industrial estate we saw a car silhouetted against sone light. The driver had his head right back and there was an object in the passenger dashboard. Of coursecwe investigated as we thought the driver was ill. When we got there the object turned out to be a set of false gnashers that a lady had removed and the driver was in ecstasy. The lady of course couldn't be seen until she sat up.

 

Jamie

  • Like 1
  • Funny 7
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold
35 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

We had an amusing incident involving false gnashers one night. While driving round an industrial estate we saw a car silhouetted against sone light. The driver had his head right back and there was an object in the passenger dashboard. Of coursecwe investigated as we thought the driver was ill. When we got there the object turned out to be a set of false gnashers that a lady had removed and the driver was in ecstasy. The lady of course couldn't be seen until she sat up.

 

Jamie

It wasn't Wayne Rooney by any chance?

  • Funny 5
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium
12 hours ago, Northroader said:

Teddy Bears, that’s the railfan name, the drivers referred to them as “iron lungs” (visual appearance) or “tampaxes” (you used them once and threw them away)

 

An Iron Lung on Tyneside was a WD 2-8-0 - because of the clanking noise!  I can't tell you what they called Claytons, other than useless.

 

I can't afford the Teddy bear and a 45 (I am reliably informed), not sure which will win out.  I am working towards loco stock for 2 periods,  early emblem era (I like the yellow in it for some reason) and into the  green diesel era.  All bar one of my BR (W) locos have early emblem.  The odd one in late will soon join them. Wrongly, see rule 1.

 

1444 is still in out of the box condition, I'm quite sure they never or very seldom got past Lydney, a 14 wouldn't pull much up the 1 in 30.  Mine doesn't either, I have a real 1 in 30.  The 3 Paneers do much better. I will renumber it for a loco that worked at Lydney, but the lined green early emblem livery will be a fantasy, every shot I have shows them in black at that time.  See if I care - rule 1 again.

 

 

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium
43 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

It wasn't Wayne Rooney by any chance?

They were both grey haired and twice the age I was then.  She did have a full set........of false.......gnashers.

For some reason the gentleman wasn't very happy at being interupted.

 

Jamie

  • Informative/Useful 1
  • Funny 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...