Popular Post DougN Posted August 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2020 On 13/07/2020 at 16:48, MikeTrice said: These might help. Apologies to everyone else. Back on page 1905 of the thread. Mike had kindly pu the above photos online to my request. Once I had these and a number of photos from Yaedons I managed to produce this:- you could say this has been a challange. Soldering 6 0.2 mm copper strands to the manifold has been fraught to say the least. But now I can finally move onto other parts of the V2's. The footplate still need the lubricators installed on the foot plate.. this is the next thing on the list to be done. 14 16 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clem Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 13 hours ago, Tony Wright said: A selection of some of this year's LB images........................ By far the most important addition to Little Bytham's completion was the correct girder bridge. With computer artwork by Jamie Guest and construction by Dave Wager, this is a magnificent model. Framing the 'QoS' it's built in the same way as the prototype. Similar to a last day of the M&GNR picture by P H Wells. The next major completion was the point rodding................... Stretching from the girder bridge in the distance to behind the camera, it took me a long time. Yet, it's tiny compared to what's needed on Retford! Is point rodding an essential feature on a steam-age model railway? Of course. I replaced the rubbish previous plastic rodding on the MR/M&GNR bit as well. And a new loco this year. I built this D16/3 (with decorative valances) from a Mallard/Little Engines combo, painted it and Geoff Haynes weathered it. Another new loco, but this time resident in Australia. Built for Jesse Sim and painted by Geoff Haynes, Jesse rather likes it. It took over a month to travel to the other side of the world! The amount of work you get done every year really puts me to shame. But this isn't the reason I'm replying to this post. I've thought it before, but I'm not sure I've said it as clearly as this. LB is the least OO like OO layout I've ever seen. Norman Solomon really is a magician and these photos demonstrate that as well as any I've seen before. He certainly succeeds in fooling the eye into broadening the gauge, giving your loco and stock creations the trackwork environment they deserve. Little Bytham really is a wonderful layout and deserves being shown off at every opportunity. (And that's not even mentioning the girder bridge!). 3 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted August 16, 2020 Author Share Posted August 16, 2020 9 hours ago, t-b-g said: It is very kind of you to mention me in connection with the signals Tony but to be fair I only finished them off. Much of the construction work, including the trickiest part, the milling of the slots in the concrete signal posts, had been done before I got my sticky mitts on them, by Mick Nicholson of this parish. I should have mentioned Mick, Tony (and he has been mentioned before). Milling the slots in the 'concrete' posts might have been the trickiest bit, but no more tricky that making the rest of the signals - and (impossibly-tricky to my indolent mind) actually making them work - perfectly! So, with acknowledgement of your self-effacement, thanks again; many thanks........................... Regards, Tony. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tony Wright Posted August 16, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2020 1 hour ago, Clem said: The amount of work you get done every year really puts me to shame. But this isn't the reason I'm replying to this post. I've thought it before, but I'm not sure I've said it as clearly as this. LB is the least OO like OO layout I've ever seen. Norman Solomon really is a magician and these photos demonstrate that as well as any I've seen before. He certainly succeeds in fooling the eye into broadening the gauge, giving your loco and stock creations the trackwork environment they deserve. Little Bytham really is a wonderful layout and deserves being shown off at every opportunity. (And that's not even mentioning the girder bridge!). As always, Clem, you're very kind. I know self-effacement is an enduring and pleasing character trait (from which I probably don't 'suffer'), but why should what's done on LB every year put you to shame? You do everything yourself on your model railway; I don't. For two reasons, really. One, I'm not good enough in many of the disciplines to reach the 'standard' I insist upon, and, two, I only do what I like doing, preferring to barter against jobs I find too much of a fiddle. I've said it before, but by far the greatest accolades in railway modelling should be heaped upon the guys/girls who do things for themselves, mastering (or is that too gender-specific? Mistressing doesn't sound right, though) all the necessary disciplines for creating a model railway. Not just buying off-the-shelf stuff (though that has its place), and certainly not paying others to do their modelling for them (though that does keep professional model-makers in work). With regard to the latter, without being too critical (I hope), if they're then called 'most-accomplished' modellers then I find that rather odd, especially, as on one occasion, I was compared with one. I don't think I've ever thought of myself as 'most-accomplished' and, if I were described as such, I'd immediately compare/contrast myself with modellers who are. Which brings me on to Little Bytham's latest brochure, handed out to all visitors. With Bytham's 'completion', Ian Wilson has designed a new one, featuring pictures showing the finished layout. The previous brochure (which you should have) had pictures with much unfinished work in them. Here it is...................... It's an A5 fold-out, as shown here. The second page, among other things, credits those who've helped in the building of LB. Here's a close-up of that. Added to that list should be the names of Tony Gee, Roy Vinter, Ellen Sparkes and Ray Chessum, all of whom have provided much for the layout (I wish I didn't have such a crumbling memory!). There are more who should be added as well; omission has not been because of malice aforethought but because of fading faculties! Many thanks to all. When Ian Wilson first suggested this brochure, I wasn't sure whether it might appear 'pompous', but everyone who's received it has been really pleased (those who've got the old one will get this one when they next visit). If nothing else, it shows what a team can produce. But, that team is exclusive. Anything in and on the layout has met 'the standard'. This is definitely not a 'let's include everyone' project. It's been great to work with such a team. And, though it's been said many times, LB is certainly not the product of the chequebook. Obviously, materials have been paid for but almost all of it has been achieved by barter, whether that be my participating in the making of DVDs, providing photographs for portfolios, helping others in their modelling or building locos/carriages. In many cases, I've done nothing in return, but there are things I will do in future. One mate (more than one) has said 'It's nice to know I've made something for Little Bytham'. A privilege indeed for me! So, Clem, Never underestimate what you're doing for yourself and by yourself. Nor should anyone who reads this and makes things for themselves do the same. Regards, Tony. 18 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Clem Posted August 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2020 Ha! Kind words Tony, but the shame comes in with the time it seems to take me compared to others to complete a project. At the moment, I have 2 or 3 projects on the go, but the work involved clearing my sister's house has largely taken over my life at present. I've finally made a start on the chassis for my old K3, although doing it in does present a couple of extra challenges. Until I can get a bit of a run on that, it's gone in the project rack but at least it's now started, and up and running. One thing I can dip into more easily is a D246 that I'm starting to put together from Ian Kirk kits. Progress shown below - one side has been fabricated, the other getting there.... Once the second side is done, there'll be cleaning and patching and drilling holes for the grab handles.One note of caution for anyone attempting to do this: The Isinglass drawing is incorrect in showing 3 panels on the final section of the van on the other side from the ducket. It should be two as I've done on the bit that's not yet connected. 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dibateg Posted August 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2020 Cats - we loved ours and we loved having them around. Unfortunately both were run over in the lane ( we live in the middle of nowhere ). Much as I'd like another, I couldn't face seeing my wife so distressed again at the loss of a cat. Good memories though, Nutmeg would barge open the door of the study. I would get up to close it and she would promptly hop on to my nicely warmed chair. My glamorous office assistant:- 3 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
drmditch Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 I also am very fond of cats, especially ginger ones. I had to find a new home for my last cat when I last went overseas in 2011. He was, despite being long-furred, a very good railway cat. When he was young he did sometimes jump up and patrol the line. He would also wait at the tunnel entrances for a train to emerge, although he quickly learned that pawing things resulted in disapproval and ejection. He would then sit on my 'visitor's bench' and watch the trains running past. He could always identify something new and pay it (non-tactile) attention. He seemed to like big green engines best. Nothing is nicer, on a winters afternoon, than an interesting project on the workbench; a good programme on Radio3 or 4 (this was all before the corruptive effect of 'brexit'); and a purring cat on the floor at my feet or on his favourite viewing seat. I felt a complete traitor when I had to leave him at a new home. Like Tony, am fascinated by a feline's ability to be a sleeping friend on one's lap at one time, and a few minutes later, to be a dangerous predator patrolling his territory in the moonlight. I'm still planning how to get another cat and minimise the risks of the main road and other felines. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Bucoops Posted August 16, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 16, 2020 I found a photo of Smith/Spliff. Thinking about I think his name with us was Smiff so we really should have known better! Here he is under my layout board at the time. There's even some lego railway bits in view so on-topic! For a while we had a stray that we called Jones at the same time. Smith and Jones the double act were "current" at the time, but also Jones the cat didn't panic about anything. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted August 16, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 16, 2020 I'm also a cat person. Growing up we had "Purr" as apparently I couldn't say pussy, aged 2. She lived to the good age of 17 and survived 2 house moves. After I'd married and the kids came along we finally decided to get a pet one summer. There were dog and cat people in the house but the cats won by a vote of 3 to 2. We got a kitten who looked just like the Felix cat so Felix she became. 13 years later we acquired Minnie, born under our daughters bed and needing a home. Felix sadly died 6 months later but 2 years on our daughter again presented us with a black 6 month old called Nessa ( she was a fan of Gavin and Stacey) as she had to move to a no pets allowed flat. I promptly took Nessa to the vets to be checked out and was asked if I wanted her speying. Yes I said and she was examined. I've got news for you said the vet, she is a he. As I only knew one other character from the series I named him Gavin and Gavin he remained. Unfortunately we had to leave them in the UK as the logistics of the move made bringing them impossible. I still miss them and could certainly use their hunting abilities. Jamie 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuffer Davies Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 On 13/08/2020 at 18:14, Tony Wright said: I consider myself a cat person despite not having had a cat for many years now. From the recent contributions I am starting to think that there may be a correlation between railway modellers and cat people. Is this a false conclusion? How many of your contributors would consider themselves to be a dog person I wonder? Regards, Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PMP Posted August 16, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 16, 2020 Smudge looking unimpressed as there’s no Kar Track markings on the first freight car! We’d seen him around for a couple of weeks, one very wet torrentially stormy night he was sheltering under one of our cars. I opened the conservatory door and he came in, climbed onto a chair and slept for almost a day. He’s been with us ever since. 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted August 16, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 16, 2020 I like intelligent mammal predators as pets. Basically cats and dogs. I now get wheeze by some animals but I find Bichons are fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted August 16, 2020 Author Share Posted August 16, 2020 4 hours ago, drmditch said: I also am very fond of cats, especially ginger ones. I had to find a new home for my last cat when I last went overseas in 2011. He was, despite being long-furred, a very good railway cat. When he was young he did sometimes jump up and patrol the line. He would also wait at the tunnel entrances for a train to emerge, although he quickly learned that pawing things resulted in disapproval and ejection. He would then sit on my 'visitor's bench' and watch the trains running past. He could always identify something new and pay it (non-tactile) attention. He seemed to like big green engines best. Nothing is nicer, on a winters afternoon, than an interesting project on the workbench; a good programme on Radio3 or 4 (this was all before the corruptive effect of 'brexit'); and a purring cat on the floor at my feet or on his favourite viewing seat. I felt a complete traitor when I had to leave him at a new home. Like Tony, am fascinated by a feline's ability to be a sleeping friend on one's lap at one time, and a few minutes later, to be a dangerous predator patrolling his territory in the moonlight. I'm still planning how to get another cat and minimise the risks of the main road and other felines. One lovely little tabby we had (another rescue cat) in Wolverhampton (who was run over in the quietest of cul-de-sacs) used to sleep in a basket in my workshop. Unlike some aloof felines, she was definitely a people cat and, with Mo out teaching and the boys at school, many a day would be spent with my making models and her fast asleep in a corner. I'd be reminded from time to time that food was expected, but it was a most peaceful existence for both of us. However, I say 'peaceful'. I tell no lie but that this little puss could tell, many minutes before that things were going to go wrong. She'd chirrup a mew to be let out, with no fright at all Then, no more than five minutes later, the air would turn blue! I'd cock-up some soldering or drop something on the floor and then my vocabulary would be just the sort used in VIZ. She'd then look in from the windowsill with that smug expression which only cats have. Regards, Tony. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard i Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 We have a dog, ( not my choice, I was out voted), she does have a name but depending on the day, is known by me as, Hades, Satan, etc. It does mean I have an actual black dog. richard 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam88 Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 I don't understand why two minutes after someone started a thread called 'On Cats' this thread has suddenly been taken over as well. I'm not objecting though, they don't annoy me or bark. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted August 16, 2020 Author Share Posted August 16, 2020 (edited) Away from cats, and back to what looks right (or wrong) on models with regard to dents and dings. A4s seem to display quite a lot of creases, especially when clean. What's the best way of replicating thin sheet metal? By, err, making a model out of the stuff. This is built from a Pro-Scale kit. It was started by Mick Peabody, but he 'gave up hope' when trying to build the thin, etched-brass bodywork; and handed it over to me. I had to dismantle a fair bit of what he'd done, which has produced a rather nice crease in the front of the firebox. Anyway, I finished it off by rebuilding the body and completing the chassis. He hadn't started the tender, so I modified it to represent a 1935-style, streamlined corridor type (complete with flange at the base of the tank). From this angle, my dismantling has produced a bit of a cockle in the valance underneath the cab, but it might not be that unrealistic. A glutton for punishment, Mick also started another Pro-Scale A4, but this time left all the bodywork to me. Despite its not having to be taken apart, there's still the odd little crease in the cladding (prototypical?). This one has a tender modified to represent a 1928-style corridor tender (the Pro-Scale one is neither one nor the other - a corridor tender with no beading, but with a straight back). Strictly speaking, neither of these A4s is exactly right for LB (1958) because both have speedos and electric warning flashes. However, they were both built for Stoke Summit, and the time period on that went up to 1962 in steam-mode. Both these A4s were used on 'Lizzie' in 1961, but, by then, MALLARD had a 1928-style corridor tender (60022 probably swapped her tenders more than any other A4s). Both these models are now over a quarter of a century old, but they still are the best A4s I possess, especially with Ian Rathbone's painting. They're far crisper than the cast-metal ones (though both had to be packed with lead) and the chassis by far outshine the Hornby ones, especially with regard to the valve gear. In a way, they've weathered 'naturally', and the odd bit of missing paint or a scuff is merely testimony to their having run many, many miles. Interestingly, with their being painted at least a year apart, the BR greens are not the same. I reckon the Pro-Scale kit makes just as good an A4 as the Finney one. Edited August 16, 2020 by Tony Wright typo error 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted August 16, 2020 Author Share Posted August 16, 2020 20 minutes ago, richard i said: We have a dog, ( not my choice, I was out voted), she does have a name but depending on the day, is known by me as, Hades, Satan, etc. It does mean I have an actual black dog. richard But isn't she lovely? Despite her beauty, perhaps Medusa might also be apposite? Regards, Tony. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted August 16, 2020 Author Share Posted August 16, 2020 15 minutes ago, Adam88 said: I don't understand why two minutes after someone started a thread called 'On Cats' this thread has suddenly been taken over as well. I'm not objecting though, they don't annoy me or bark. I didn't know a 'cat' thread had started, though I think it's fair to say than many railway modellers I know have cats; and love them. Is there a link, I wonder? One railway modelling mate of mine, who always had dogs (and didn't really go for cats) had a cat inherit him after one of his family members developed an allergy to cat fur. Now, he adores the cat! I still think it's safe to say that this is still a railway modelling thread, however. Where does it go next? Regards, Tony. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted August 16, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 16, 2020 As I have been feeling grot. I have spent today watching tv, transfers, and glazing. Most of time with a dog sitting next to me. I had an extreme reaction to proton pump inhibitors. Currently on huge antibiotic tablets. These are the last two TSOs for my eastern region cross country set. The 47 should be the first recipient of Lima laserglaze. This was an Ebay rescue. 4 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted August 16, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 16, 2020 My telephone won't let me upload anymore. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post Bucoops Posted August 16, 2020 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2020 I've actually managed a little bit of modelling. I've been trying out my new RSU on the roof vent of my Drewry 04 kit. I've already put spacing pieces on the underside of the vent, then rolled it. Some more solder cream added to the spacing pieces - Used a magnet to hold the roof in place on the bar - Place the vent carefully into the right place and apply the RSU - Worked very nicely indeed. I can see me using it a lot for laminate or layered joints. 18 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erichill16 Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 Dear All, Been reading posts but nothing to contribute recently but thought you may like to see a picture on Sydney, a dog we doggy sit quite regularly. He’s catching up on ‘Wright Writes’ Best Wishes, Robert 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 Speaking of Cats and Model Railways. I don't know how many here can remember Felix the Cat, but one of the things Felix could do was shoot up vertically when surprised. Now he was a cartoon but one of our cats managed to get into the model railway room and was standing on the tracks when I saw her. I had one of those Relco high voltage track cleaners tied into the track and I was able to sneak in and fire it up with the cat still on the tracks. They really can go about 2/3 feet vertically. 1 9 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 1 hour ago, Theakerr said: Speaking of Cats and Model Railways. I don't know how many here can remember Felix the Cat, but one of the things Felix could do was shoot up vertically when surprised. Now he was a cartoon but one of our cats managed to get into the model railway room and was standing on the tracks when I saw her. I had one of those Relco high voltage track cleaners tied into the track and I was able to sneak in and fire it up with the cat still on the tracks. They really can go about 2/3 feet vertically. If that's true, I hope that no-one from the RSPCA is reading this - unnecessary cruelty to animals, and you confess it to have been premeditated. Just sayin'! John Isherwood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted August 16, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 16, 2020 10 hours ago, dibateg said: Cats - we loved ours and we loved having them around. Unfortunately both were run over in the lane ( we live in the middle of nowhere ). Much as I'd like another, I couldn't face seeing my wife so distressed again at the loss of a cat. Some years ago I had the unenviable task of recovering a neighbour's cat from the road one evening, after someone had run it over (for which there was no excuse, it being a shortish cul-de-sac - though to some it resembles Santa Pod....). Then followed the next morning by going over to tell the lady owner (and her kids) opposite, and then acting as Undertaker. Not one of my better days. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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