Wright writes.....

[Tom F]

Wonderful footage Tom. However, I have to ask, did somebody forget to talk home some locomotives following the 1938 weekend?    I spy some apple green in the background, could you tell me a bit more about them please? 

 

 

Ah somebody noticed. They are two locos of mine (professional repaints) that Tony is kindly going to try and sell on my behalf.

 

I only took a couple of photos yesterday. I'm seem to have done something wrong by the look on 'Sir's' face.

 

When A1s meet....

[Tony Wright]

Ah somebody noticed. They are two locos of mine (professional repaints) that Tony is kindly going to try and sell on my behalf.

 

I only took a couple of photos yesterday. I'm seem to have done something wrong by the look on 'Sir's' face.

DSC04508.jpg

 

When A1s meet....

DSC04510.jpg

You didn't do anything wrong, Tom,

 

It's just my natural grumpy (and old) face!

 

Thanks again for your efforts yesterday.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

Has anyone got their name on the old bridge components?, presuming they come out in one piece that is!

 

Mike.

It does Mike,

 

Are you interested? 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

Nice pictures Tony and Tom, it is amazing what a phone can do these days.

 

P.S. Personally I like the 2P, I really must finish my half built one for Wharfeside.

 

All the best guys,

 

Dave Franks.

Thanks Dave,

 

The 2P is an old Palitoy or Airfix (or whatever?) tender-drive thing, with the original mechanism chucked away and replaced by a Comet set of loco/tender frames/Comet 'box/Mashima motor/Markits wheels all round. I then just renumbered it and weathered it.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[LNER4479]

I imagine it will be highly appropriate to Grantham, but I am neither a serious student nor the final arbiter in matters of "correct" coaching stock in the Grantham sets. I defer to my learned colleagues.....

For clarification:

 

We run two formations with triplets in them:

The 1938 Flying Scotsman set, for which Roy Mears has had bespoke sides made for a triplet of the correct style

The 'Junior Scotsman', for which Roy (again) provides a standard Kirk triplet set (ie as per the one you're making Tony)

 

So no apparent call for one. However, one of the things lost in the post-Warley 2016 van theft was my old PC triplet set which was largely valueless but I did have a soft spot for. So, if your current creation doesn't make it 'down under' then it could find a home on Grantham...

[Jesse Sim]

For clarification:

 

We run two formations with triplets in them:

The 1938 Flying Scotsman set, for which Roy Mears has had bespoke sides made for a triplet of the correct style

The 'Junior Scotsman', for which Roy (again) provides a standard Kirk triplet set (ie as per the one you're making Tony)

 

So no apparent call for one. However, one of the things lost in the post-Warley 2016 van theft was my old PC triplet set which was largely valueless but I did have a soft spot for. So, if your current creation doesn't make it 'down under' then it could find a home on Grantham...

 

I’ll fight you for it, but considering you’re a midland modeller at heart, I win!!! WHOOOO

[Bucoops]

Being told you're having triplets is not normally a nice surprise  however it seems it's always expensive.

Edited November 3, 2018 by Bucoops

[Barry O]

Careful Jesse, I am too but my Kirk Triplet set is in blood and custard...

 

Baz

[Tony Wright]

I've just returned from a most satisfying day at the Spalding Show.

 

Satisfying? Because, by the look of the numbers teeming through the doors, this show is bucking the trend with regard to those numbers dropping off. The queue to get in at times was enormous!

 

Very satisfying as well inasmuch as I was able to repair every model locomotive which was presented to me as a dud (apart from one; a nasty split-chassis diesel thingy - no hope). These included an O Gauge loco which needed more pick-ups, nothing more simple than tightening a grub-screw, making fresh pick-ups for an ancient Tri-ang Dean Single (which someone thought was Rapido's latest Stirling Single!) and re-assembling some valve gear on a K3. So far, more than £27.00 will be donated to Cancer Research. I hope to reach £50.00 by the close of the show tomorrow. 

 

I also gave away four rather tatty (though good-running) old Lima carriages to young enthusiasts (7 to 10 years old) after they showed an interest in what I was doing, answered my questions politely and were extremely well-mannered. I hope they make good use of them. 

 

Though I didn't have much time to see the layouts, the overall standard was very high. Running, in the main, was good, with just a few glitches apparent. Though I've seen it before, I'm always impressed with Shipley's Leicester South, but on the couple of occasions I watched today, there were too many examples (in my opinion) of less-than-perfect running. I don't wish to appear overly-critical here, but I've been accused of giving 'no justice' to other layouts from the club, particularly with regard to working (or non-working) semaphores, and I wish to set the record straight, if I may? I was delighted to observe that several of the signals on LS did work, but, as I watched, the weren't being used, and trains rolled by in blissful disregard of the boards being 'on'. One junction signal gaily signalled both roads as clear, simultaneously!

 

I know many of the Shipley Club members (I've known them for years), and I hope I may class them as good friends, but clearly the 'A' team was not present with regard to operation (at least on the occasions I looked). An A3 shot off in reverse faster than anything I've ever made and an A5 seemed to take forever to enter the yard. I understand the problems facing the layout's operators, but I had hoped to see 'perfect' running. On the other side of the coin, the scenic work is so redolent of the 1950s and some of the locos and stock are among the finest examples of modelling craftsmanship I've ever seen, particularly those made by 'Headstock'. How nice as well to see correct train formations modelled. It is, indeed, overall, an outstanding creation. I recommend you get to Spalding tomorrow to see it (and all the other lovely layouts). And, I hope my comments are taken in the same spirit in which they're offered. 

 

As alluded to, the running on most layouts was good, but on some, a greater understanding of the controls by the operators (I'm not speaking of LS here) might not go amiss. Recent scenic work (PVA glue) had resulted in contamination of running rails on one layout, causing the odd stutter. On another, a few trains divided when they weren't meant to.

 

Trade was pretty typical these days, with a preponderance of box-shifters, but that's the trend now at most (non-specialist) shows. 

 

Anyway, if you're looking for a good (a very good) show tomorrow to visit, then visit Spalding. The organisers are to be congratulated. 

[Lecorbusier]

I've just returned from a most satisfying day at the Spalding Show.

 

Satisfying? Because, by the look of the numbers teeming through the doors, this show is bucking the trend with regard to those numbers dropping off. The queue to get in at times was enormous!

 

Maybe the TV show is having an impact?

[Bill_J]

 

 

I also gave away four rather tatty (though good-running) old Lima carriages to young enthusiasts (7 to 10 years old) after they showed an interest in what I was doing, answered my questions politely and were extremely well-mannered. I hope they make good use of them. 

 

 

 

What a great way to spread the message that Model Railways are FUN. Thanks Tony!

[Tony Wright]

What a great way to spread the message that Model Railways are FUN. Thanks Tony!

Thanks Bill,

 

The carriages were ones which my elder son had started to 'detail' nearly 30 years ago, when he was still a youngster. He'd repainted a couple (not very well), but they still ran OK and were in their boxes. 

 

Their value? Very little, second-hand but 'valuable' (I hope) to the youngsters I gave them to, if nothing else but to have a go at 'improving' them themselves - or just playing with them. 

 

Have I started a germ of an idea here? All you out there, dig out your tatty/unwanted (usually OO) stuff; stuff you no longer have a use for, and bring it along to the shows I'm at and I'll give it away to worthy youngsters. I say 'worthy', and by that I mean those who are well-mannered, show a real interest, do not bawl out in the manner of spoiled brats and always say 'please'. Or, just take what you don't need to a show and hand it over to the organisers, telling them to give it away to worthy youngsters.

 

Regards,

 

Tony.  

[richard i]

Certainly your kindness to my three horrors has inspired them, and they enjoy running things on their layout which you gave them. They now ask for wagon kits for their birthdays too. So has worked in this instance.

Many thanks

Richard

[Tony Wright]

Well, the Spalding Show is done and dusted for another year, and what a great success it (deservedly) was. 

 

How nice to meet so many good friends and correspondents - many on here. My thanks to all those with whom I spoke. 

 

Today wasn't quite as good with regard to my fixing locos, but I ended up near £40.00 for CRUK overall. What delighted me most was that two or three locos I'd fixed were owned by Spalding members, and they'd taken them home last evening and given them a run on their layouts. All reported great success!

 

Finally, to be fair, the running on LS (and the working of the signals) was much-improved today. Thank you and well done chaps. 

[Tony Wright]

Returning to the theme of the Spalding Show, though I didn't have a great deal of time to look at the layouts, my favourite was Portchullin.

 

 

 

 

P4, DCC and non-steam! What more can I say?

 

Nick Skelton's Rumbling Bridge (my second choice) was also DCC, non-steam, but in this case OO. Unfortunately, I can't find my pictures of this right now.

 

My third choice was the ever-popular 82G, from the Warley Club. Definitely steam, O Gauge and DCC. I expected impeccable-running, especially in O Gauge, but the odd loco stuttered. Something which never occurred (as I watched) on the other two layouts of my choice. Still, it's a fantastic creation. 

 

 

Edited November 4, 2018 by Tony Wright

[Headstock]

I've just returned from a most satisfying day at the Spalding Show.

 

Satisfying? Because, by the look of the numbers teeming through the doors, this show is bucking the trend with regard to those numbers dropping off. The queue to get in at times was enormous!

 

Very satisfying as well inasmuch as I was able to repair every model locomotive which was presented to me as a dud (apart from one; a nasty split-chassis diesel thingy - no hope). These included an O Gauge loco which needed more pick-ups, nothing more simple than tightening a grub-screw, making fresh pick-ups for an ancient Tri-ang Dean Single (which someone thought was Rapido's latest Stirling Single!) and re-assembling some valve gear on a K3. So far, more than £27.00 will be donated to Cancer Research. I hope to reach £50.00 by the close of the show tomorrow. 

 

I also gave away four rather tatty (though good-running) old Lima carriages to young enthusiasts (7 to 10 years old) after they showed an interest in what I was doing, answered my questions politely and were extremely well-mannered. I hope they make good use of them. 

 

Though I didn't have much time to see the layouts, the overall standard was very high. Running, in the main, was good, with just a few glitches apparent. Though I've seen it before, I'm always impressed with Shipley's Leicester South, but on the couple of occasions I watched today, there were too many examples (in my opinion) of less-than-perfect running. I don't wish to appear overly-critical here, but I've been accused of giving 'no justice' to other layouts from the club, particularly with regard to working (or non-working) semaphores, and I wish to set the record straight, if I may? I was delighted to observe that several of the signals on LS did work, but, as I watched, the weren't being used, and trains rolled by in blissful disregard of the boards being 'on'. One junction signal gaily signalled both roads as clear, simultaneously!

 

I know many of the Shipley Club members (I've known them for years), and I hope I may class them as good friends, but clearly the 'A' team was not present with regard to operation (at least on the occasions I looked). An A3 shot off in reverse faster than anything I've ever made and an A5 seemed to take forever to enter the yard. I understand the problems facing the layout's operators, but I had hoped to see 'perfect' running. On the other side of the coin, the scenic work is so redolent of the 1950s and some of the locos and stock are among the finest examples of modelling craftsmanship I've ever seen, particularly those made by 'Headstock'. How nice as well to see correct train formations modelled. It is, indeed, overall, an outstanding creation. I recommend you get to Spalding tomorrow to see it (and all the other lovely layouts). And, I hope my comments are taken in the same spirit in which they're offered. 

 

As alluded to, the running on most layouts was good, but on some, a greater understanding of the controls by the operators (I'm not speaking of LS here) might not go amiss. Recent scenic work (PVA glue) had resulted in contamination of running rails on one layout, causing the odd stutter. On another, a few trains divided when they weren't meant to.

 

Trade was pretty typical these days, with a preponderance of box-shifters, but that's the trend now at most (non-specialist) shows. 

 

Anyway, if you're looking for a good (a very good) show tomorrow to visit, then visit Spalding. The organisers are to be congratulated. 

 

A quick reply before bed,

 

Unfortunately we were let down by a number of our usual operators at the last minute. Fortunately, three replacements became available, one who had operated the one time previously, while for the other two it was their first time behind the layout. Inevitably there were a few cock ups while it all gelled, but I must say we would have been absolutely stuffed without them. They learned incredible quickly on the job, and I thought displayed a genuine aptitude despite non of them being junior members. LSGC can be a pretty terrifying layout for the uninitiated, I think that they did a rather splendid job and apparently enjoyed themselves immensely (I keep being told that is what model railways is about). They certainly saved our bacon.

 

It was most disappointing that our signal bod declined to attend the exhibition, as a result half the team were under the impression that the signals were not working after the set up. Initially there was intermittent signal usage, as some operators operated and others were blissfully unaware that the fancy little switches dotted about the place could be used. At least we got them all connected and working (thanks to Frank and Andrew H who stepped in as newly appointed signal handler) despite not receiving any instructions on how to do so.

 

Anyway, the above added up to a relatively small percentage of the whole, normal operation tends to generate little comment or non at all. Inevitable, LSGC is a Dinosaur waddling it's way to extinction, the future belongs to shiny far Eastern plastic, I shall not welcome it.

[Clem]

Well we had a 'fab' time at Spalding in spite of being shouted at and generally abused by one of the parking attendants who informed us that we were stupid in a most charming way (not!). Good to see and chat to Tony (photo courtesy of my good lady Chris). And great to see the guys on Leicester South which was excellent. It certainly evoked memories of time spent watching 9Fs, V2s, B16s, K3s etc on the GC as a child. Very nice to put a face to Andrew (Headstock) who was busy operating and to have a very rewarding chat with Frank (Chuffer Davies). Frank, if you read this, I've dug out my old Mike Sharman Flexichas book :-) .

There were a number of other exhibits which took my eye. I liked the sheer scratch built quality of Trowland, built in 'S' scale 3/16th inch to the foot. It's a lovely size being something like half way between 4mm and 7mm and everything is built pretty well from scratch. I agree Portchullin was very good as was the sheer locomotive elegance of 82G layout . Many of the other layouts were pretty impressive in their own way but I think it was the diversity of the layouts which we enjoyed most. All in all a very good and enjoyable show and if I was going to find a small down side (apart from a certain parking attendant), it was the lack of fine scale traders so I had to spend my spare cash on more tools ('not more tools, surely') from Squires.

 

[Tony Wright]

A quick reply before bed,

 

Unfortunately we were let down by a number of our usual operators at the last minute. Fortunately, three replacements became available, one who had operated the one time previously, while for the other two it was their first time behind the layout. Inevitably there were a few cock ups while it all gelled, but I must say we would have been absolutely stuffed without them. They learned incredible quickly on the job, and I thought displayed a genuine aptitude despite non of them being junior members. LSGC can be a pretty terrifying layout for the uninitiated, I think that they did a rather splendid job and apparently enjoyed themselves immensely (I keep being told that is what model railways is about). They certainly saved our bacon.

 

It was most disappointing that our signal bod declined to attend the exhibition, as a result half the team were under the impression that the signals were not working after the set up. Initially there was intermittent signal usage, as some operators operated and others were blissfully unaware that the fancy little switches dotted about the place could be used. At least we got them all connected and working (thanks to Frank and Andrew H who stepped in as newly appointed signal handler) despite not receiving any instructions on how to do so.

 

Anyway, the above added up to a relatively small percentage of the whole, normal operation tends to generate little comment or non at all. Inevitable, LSGC is a Dinosaur waddling it's way to extinction, the future belongs to shiny far Eastern plastic, I shall not welcome it.

Thanks for that Andrew,

 

I'm glad you all got back safely.

 

As I said in a later post, the layout's operation improved on the Sunday.

 

I'm not sure of your description about LSGC being a 'dinosaur'. If it is, remember those reptiles inhabited the earth for far, far, far longer than any of us humans ever have, or ever will! 

 

If the future belongs to shiny, far-off Eastern plastic, then I'm with you in not welcoming it. I think what delights me most about your layout (and a few others at Spalding to be fair, but yours the most) is that it is not (despite its being 'only' OO) just a kinetic catalogue for the likes of the major RTR manufacturers. Something seen far too much these days, at shows, in the press and on the web. How refreshing to see something running on it, made by the layout builders and not just items straight out of a box or something built on commission. But, haven't we been here before? 

 

What brought home to me the 'individuality' of something being built, in the case of those items I had on display on my stand which I was making/made, was how the likes of the A2/2, C2, D3, K2 and Gresley triplet set generated the most interest. Why? Because none of them is available RTR! Yet! 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Edited November 5, 2018 by Tony Wright

[Lecorbusier]

 (despite its being 'only' OO) 

Tony ..... enough.

 

Every single model railway I have ever seen involves compromise.  One simply chooses the compromise. OO is just fine .... which I know you also believe .... so lets move on -unless it is gauge that is under discussion.

 

I spent an enjoyable quarter of an hour watching Leicester South on a youtube upload last night .... what a great layout!

[CF MRC]

On an exhibition layout it’s all down to the operators, once a new layout has overcome teething troubles. On CF we have some operators that can make the layout sing and others who just make it work. No amount of training will change the way their minds work, but we all have a good time, take pleasure in seeing the layout run and the public is usually entertained.

 

Tim

[sandra]

Thanks Bill,

 

The carriages were ones which my elder son had started to 'detail' nearly 30 years ago, when he was still a youngster. He'd repainted a couple (not very well), but they still ran OK and were in their boxes. 

 

Their value? Very little, second-hand but 'valuable' (I hope) to the youngsters I gave them to, if nothing else but to have a go at 'improving' them themselves - or just playing with them. 

 

Have I started a germ of an idea here? All you out there, dig out your tatty/unwanted (usually OO) stuff; stuff you no longer have a use for, and bring it along to the shows I'm at and I'll give it away to worthy youngsters. I say 'worthy', and by that I mean those who are well-mannered, show a real interest, do not bawl out in the manner of spoiled brats and always say 'please'. Or, just take what you don't need to a show and hand it over to the organisers, telling them to give it away to worthy youngsters.

 

Regards,

 

Tony.

 

Tony,

 

I think this is a great idea particularly at the moment as model railways have a higher profile as a result of the Channel Five program.

 

However I think there could be a problem with some traders feeling that you would be undermining their business. At shows I’m often amazed at the large amount of secondhand Mainline, Airfix, Lima and even Triang stock for which quite high prices are asked and if you are going to give such stock away then I can see objections being raised. Any stock given away would also have to be able to run on modern Hornby or Peco track.

 

However if a way could be found to do this which is acceptable to everyone concerned then I’m all in favour and I would be very happy to contribute old stock which I no longer need.

 

Sandra

[Tony Wright]

Tony ..... enough.

 

 OO is just fine

 

 

Which is why I put 'only' in inverted commas. My point being that it would have been dead easy to swamp LSGC with RTR locos and stock, however well it might be detailed/altered/weathered, because the layout is 'only' OO. It would be just as easy to swamp LB with similar stuff, but it'll never happen in my lifetime. 

 

With more-accurate gauges, such as EM and P4, plonking down an unaltered RTR loco and expecting it to run doesn't seem to work! 

 

I'm amused by my being (effectively) told 'enough is enough'. Enough of what? Do you really want this thread to be anodyne, politically-correct, fence-sitting, sensitive, dull, boring and something you'd let very timid children read? 

 

Please keep on posting in your robust way, Tim.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Edited November 5, 2018 by Tony Wright

[DougN]

Tony, I am taking a leaf out of your book and I have decided to resurrect a model started by a now deceased friend. Just to take the usual wind from your sails, it is to be either compensated or sprung and in P4. The jinty is quite out of my usual area. The chassis was already erected but the drive was on the front axle which I really don't like, hence the possible change of current suspension arrangement. The body is quite good but there is a few things which are out of square, plumb, or level! Hence quite a bit of remedial work! I wonder if this will be finished this month, as per my challange to finish at least one thing a month!

[Tony Wright]

Tony,

 

I think this is a great idea particularly at the moment as model railways have a higher profile as a result of the Channel Five program.

 

However I think there could be a problem with some traders feeling that you would be undermining their business. At shows I’m often amazed at the large amount of secondhand Mainline, Airfix, Lima and even Triang stock for which quite high prices are asked and if you are going to give such stock away then I can see objections being raised. Any stock given away would also have to be able to run on modern Hornby or Peco track.

 

However if a way could be found to do this which is acceptable to everyone concerned then I’m all in favour and I would be very happy to contribute old stock which I no longer need.

 

Sandra

Wise words with regard to traders, Sandra,

 

I was thinking more the sort of stuff which would be difficult to sell (though who knows?). The items I gave away were a bit shabby, and probably not worth more than a quid or two each, though the carriages did run. 

 

I don't think I'm contemplating a 'market-trader'-sized stand, just a few donated items. Or, they could be donated to raise funds for charity (as you have so generously-done, though it's never been tatty!). 

 

What I don't want, please, are sack-fulls of tatty stuff arriving (I'm speaking generally here), just items which might be brought along to shows. We'll see.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Lecorbusier]

Which is why I put 'only' in inverted commas. My point being that it would have been dead easy to swamp LSGC with RTR locos and stock, however well it might be detailed/altered/weathered, because the layout is 'only' OO. It would be just as easy to swamp LB with similar stuff, but it'll never happen in my lifetime. 

 

With more-accurate gauges, such as EM and P4, plonking down an unaltered RTR loco and expecting it to run doesn't seem to work! 

 

I'm amused by my being (effectively) told 'enough is enough'. Enough of what? Do you really want this thread to be anodyne, politically-correct, fence-sitting, sensitive, dull, boring and something you'd let very timid children read? 

 

Please keep on posting in your robust way, Tim.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Apologies ...misread the inverted comma's .. that's all.

 

T

Edited November 5, 2018 by Lecorbusier