Castle Aching

[Compound2632]

Eeek!

 

You wouldn't want to cross the O-gauger....

 

No indeed: "The man who split two parties."

[Edwardian]

No indeed: "The man who split two parties."

 

Pushful Joe, no less.

[Annie]

I’ve got a pair of ‘close work’ varifocals too, but I barely ever wear them, because they run out of focal range at about arm’s length, and it feels like being inside a translucent goldfish bowl. The ‘general purpose’ ones are good for everything from reading to infinity, but no good closer than reading-distance, so I simply take them off and squint a lot, which the optician claims is A Very Bad Thing.

I've had a pair of varifocals in very posh Calvin Klein retro titanium frames for some years now and once I got used to operating the varifocal aspects of the lenses I'm now a big fan of them.  For close work I just place a basic set of cheap reading glasses in front of the varifocals which works extremely well even if it looks a little odd.  Taking my glasses off entirely places me into a blurred kind of fog so I only remove them if I'm going to sleep, but sometimes that happens a little too quickly and I don't manage to do this, - which then leads to me looking for my glasses when I wake up because I don't realise I'm still wearing them.

 

As to the designer titanium frames they were purchased many years ago when I had a 'good job' and money.  Wearing them now when I'm poor seems to impart the effect on folk I meet than I'm merely eccentric in my choice of clothing and living circumstances rather than being of slender means which can be a good thing sometimes.

Edited May 30, 2018 by Annie

[Nearholmer]

Bunyan, rather than Milton, on the ground that he struggled all his life with ‘black dog’, but managed to keep it at bay by focusing on the prize.

 

And, here is the real Edwardian 0 gauger, who was a specs wearer, although they don’t show up very well here. He always looks very youthful, and often rather socially awkward, in photos. He’s about 35 here.

[Devo63]

All this discussion about the eyesight of the members of this parish have led me to the opinion that CA (or the immediate environs) require the services of a Doctor of Optometry. I have it on good authority that Dr Ignatius Cuthbert Spotts is currently seeking a rural placement and would consider any approaches to this end favourably.

[Compound2632]

And, here is the real Edwardian 0 gauger, 

 

Nearholmer's precision in writing 0 rather than O is noted.

[runs as required]

Oh dear this virtual Fake Noos bulletin has been overtaken by events.

 

I’m very pleased to report on a rewarding 88 mile round trip in the battered Mondeo yesterday afternoon over a sequence of my favourite West Durham upland roads from the Derwent valley up beside the old wayleave of the Stanhope & Tyne over into deep dark Weardale then over again into lush Teesdale through Barnard Castle to spend a couple of stimulating hours with a passionate Edwardian in full flow.

 

The various parts of CA were much in evidence: the great sweep of handbuilt glued trackwork and the soldered points were traversed by the agile Pecket running light at a fair lick around the cottage dining room under the control of a Duette.
It reminded me of the hairaising early days of the re-opened Festiniog when the jumping and bucking 0-4-0 Prince just managed to stay on the rails as Garraway let it rip from Minfordd round past Boston Lodge and out onto the Cob. We’d all have to turn out on plate laying duty next morning re-packing and pacifying the worst of the track.

Edwardian is adamant that a proper 1903 railway should be above such constant nurturing

 

Out in the animal house the delicate Castle Aching village streets and castle mound had withstood  the winter’s dour damp cold weather well perched in position atop  innumerable polythene storage boxes of railway modelling stuff.
James has a very clear vision of how he wants the components of the project to come together in the outhouse. Personally speaking, I question whether CA might not benefit from being less permanently built-in but  more “loose fit” and moveable.  

 

Around CA the “spin offs” were noticeable. Tabitha’s project is also in the dining room; she has every right to be proud of her robust colliery structures. Delicate assembly of Linny’s carriage kits was in progress on the dining table – as ever demonstrating James’s rapid learning curves whenever he tackles new railway modelling skills.   

 

Not surprisingly I learned how James’s visitation by the Black Dog was as much to do with resolution of his long running house sale dispute coinciding with car problems than with misery about his modelling.

Nevertheless I realised that instead of CA being a relaxation, James had been feeling oppressed by the task of keeping all the CA balls in the air.
I offered to relieve him of an indexing task of the CA thread and urged him not to feel ashamed of accepting offers of assistance from parishioners fluent in particular specialisms.

 

Curiously Edwardian  seems not to recognise his achievement in attracting so many parishioners to his virtual world of CA and its history. In particular he will not accept his gift for facilitating interaction between us parishioners in contributing suggestions to  shaping “our”  Sodor Castle Aching world – or acknowledge the computer time this must take.

He promised me he would start on modelling Lord Erstwhile’s Drill Hall  - with figures (Yay) alongside the line as a respite from his drudgery in the tracklaying Chaingang. 

 

dh

 

belated edit of pics

The dining room infested by CA

l to r the Pecket belts through S&M points and track; wagon propelled through rickety point crossing derails, Tabitha's colliery, Linny's kit assembly,

a comfort break for RaR reveals how the carriage drawings fell in the bath (curlews can be heard through the sash window)

 

The animal house with James providing 'scale'; St. T deigns to visit the elderly

(note the 'bagged' stone internal wall finish and felt underlay to conc tiles over rafters), a glimpse of the village buildings where it all started

Edited May 30, 2018 by runs as required

[Donw]

I had no troubles with my eyesight ( despite a couple of injuries to my eyes over the years) until with increasing age I found that I was holding things further away to focus. When it reached the point that small writing was too small to read at a distance I could focus on it, when I got some reading glasses. Having discovered the poundland ones are quite good I can afford to sit on them and otherwise mistreat them. I also realised that needing +2 to read buying a pair of +3.5 I could see to do fine modelling much more convenient than a special magnifier just remember to swap back to your normal ones or take them off before going downstairs unless you enjoy the extra frission of whether you misjudge your footing.

I also seem to have adopted my Dad's practice of having the glasses far enough down the nose to be able to see over the top. This is handy as you can be watching TV while reading or modelling  by looking through or over the glasses accordingly. It probably adds imeasurably to the 'Old Fart' image too.

 

Don

[Edwardian]

Bunyan, rather than Milton, on the ground that he struggled all his life with ‘black dog’, but managed to keep it at bay by focusing on the prize.

 

 

 

Ah, yes, a school boy error.

 

Proof, were further proof required, that before posting anything concerning Puritan Divines, one must first ensure one knows one's bunyans.

[DonB]

Ah, yes, a school boy error.

 

Proof, were further proof required, that before posting anything concerning Puritan Divines, one must first ensure one knows one's bunyans.

 

How did we get into Chiropody?,   

[Edwardian]

Oh dear this virtual Fake Noos bulletin has been overtaken by events.

 

I’m very pleased to report on a rewarding 88 mile round trip in the battered Mondeo yesterday afternoon over a sequence of my favourite West Durham upland roads from the Derwent valley up beside the old wayleave of the Stanhope & Tyne over into deep dark Weardale then over again into lush Teesdale through Barnard Castle to spend a couple of stimulating hours with a passionate Edwardian in full flow.

 

The various parts of CA were much in evidence: the great sweep of handbuilt glued trackwork and the soldered points were traversed by the agile Pecket running light at a fair lick around the cottage dining room under the control of a Duette.

It reminded me of the hairaising early days of the re-opened Festiniog when the jumping and bucking 0-4-0 Prince just managed to stay on the rails as Garraway let it rip from Minfordd round past Boston Lodge and out onto the Cob. We’d all have to turn out on plate laying duty next morning re-packing and pacifying the worst of the track.

 

Edwardian is adamant that a proper 1903 railway should be above such constant nurturing

 

Out in the animal house the delicate Castle Aching village streets and castle mound had withstood  the winter’s dour damp cold weather well perched in position atop  innumerable polythene storage boxes of railway modelling stuff.

James has a very clear vision of how he wants the components of the project to come together in the outhouse. Personally speaking, I question whether CA might not benefit from being less permanently built-in but  more “loose fit” and moveable.  

 

Around CA the “spin offs” were noticeable. Tabitha’s project is also in the dining room; she has every right to be proud of her robust colliery structures. Delicate assembly of Linny’s carriage kits was in progress on the dining table – as ever demonstrating James’s rapid learning curves whenever he tackles new railway modelling skills.   

 

Not surprisingly I learned how James’s visitation by the Black Dog was as much to do with resolution of his long running house sale dispute coinciding with car problems than with misery about his modelling.

Nevertheless I realised that instead of CA being a relaxation, James had been feeling oppressed by the task of keeping all the CA balls in the air.

I offered to relieve him of an indexing task of the CA thread and urged him not to feel ashamed of accepting offers of assistance from parishioners fluent in particular specialisms.

 

Curiously Edwardian  seems not to recognise his achievement in attracting so many parishioners to his virtual world of CA and its history. In particular he will not accept his gift for facilitating interaction between us parishioners in contributing suggestions to  shaping “our”  Sodor Castle Aching world – or acknowledge the computer time this must take.

He promised me he would start on modelling Lord Erstwhile’s Drill Hall  - with figures (Yay) alongside the line as a respite from his drudgery in the tracklaying Chaingang. 

 

dh

 

belated edit of pics

CA montage.jpg

The dining room infested by CA

l to r the Pecket belts through S&M points and track; wagon propelled through rickety point crossing derails, Tabitha's colliery, Linny's kit assembly,

a comfort break for RaR reveals how the carriage drawings fell in the bath (curlews can be heard through the sash window)

 

outhose.jpg

The animal house with James providing 'scale'; St. T deigns to visit the elderly

(note the 'bagged' stone internal wall finish and felt underlay to conc tiles over rafters), a glimpse of the village buildings where it all started

 

Glad to see that the Parish Remembrancer & Honourable Archivist of the West Norfolk Railway Company is alive and well. 

 

It was, as ever, a pleasure, though I was firmly admonished for over-use of first person pronouns.  It is very much "our" layout, which "we" are building!  Well, it's always been a communal effort, marked by the very generous contribution of time, advice, ideas and matériel, though David's is a thought that will be made flesh now that some of the turnout building has been contracted out! . 

 

The existence of the topic independently of the layout was discussed.  It seems that the latter is an adjunct and its completion, or non-completion, is rather incidental to the life of the topic.  Whilst that might be so, I am committed to finishing the CA scene - the 4 existing boards - as a fully operational scenic layout, which I regard as a consummation devoutly to be wished.  Indeed, I re-dedicate myself to the task in the sight of David, Don and this congregation.

 

Having said that, a moment's reflection will reassure the parish that this rambling discourse need never cease.  The world of CA can develop in numerous ways; more stock, more history, more characters, more spin-offs, and, of course, there is plenty of scope for the physical extension of the layout. I think we are good for a few years yet, however, developing the 4 boards we have already seen.

 

So, DonW has very kindly freed me to model other stuff and David has administered a motivational kick on the backside.  Indeed, David made a suggestion, which he somehow seems to have extracted as a promise, to model a particular building.      

 

Ah, yes, the Drill Hall.

 

One of the most extreme, possibly absurd, (but entirely prototypical) Victorian confections, this will be a challenge.  You would have to pick this one for my return to architectural modelling, wouldn't you?

[Edwardian]

How did we get into Chiropody?, 

 

Feet first

[St Enodoc]

Bunyan, rather than Milton, on the ground that he struggled all his life with ‘black dog’, but managed to keep it at bay by focusing on the prize.

Yes, he had a way with words did old 70003 (as did 70005 of course, not to mention several other 700xx - although possibly not 70001).

[RedGemAlchemist]

Oh dear this virtual Fake Noos bulletin has been overtaken by events.

 

I’m very pleased to report on a rewarding 88 mile round trip in the battered Mondeo yesterday afternoon over a sequence of my favourite West Durham upland roads from the Derwent valley up beside the old wayleave of the Stanhope & Tyne over into deep dark Weardale then over again into lush Teesdale through Barnard Castle to spend a couple of stimulating hours with a passionate Edwardian in full flow.

 

The various parts of CA were much in evidence: the great sweep of handbuilt glued trackwork and the soldered points were traversed by the agile Pecket running light at a fair lick around the cottage dining room under the control of a Duette.

It reminded me of the hairaising early days of the re-opened Festiniog when the jumping and bucking 0-4-0 Prince just managed to stay on the rails as Garraway let it rip from Minfordd round past Boston Lodge and out onto the Cob. We’d all have to turn out on plate laying duty next morning re-packing and pacifying the worst of the track.

 

Edwardian is adamant that a proper 1903 railway should be above such constant nurturing

 

Out in the animal house the delicate Castle Aching village streets and castle mound had withstood  the winter’s dour damp cold weather well perched in position atop  innumerable polythene storage boxes of railway modelling stuff.

James has a very clear vision of how he wants the components of the project to come together in the outhouse. Personally speaking, I question whether CA might not benefit from being less permanently built-in but  more “loose fit” and moveable.  

 

Around CA the “spin offs” were noticeable. Tabitha’s project is also in the dining room; she has every right to be proud of her robust colliery structures. Delicate assembly of Linny’s carriage kits was in progress on the dining table – as ever demonstrating James’s rapid learning curves whenever he tackles new railway modelling skills.   

 

Not surprisingly I learned how James’s visitation by the Black Dog was as much to do with resolution of his long running house sale dispute coinciding with car problems than with misery about his modelling.

Nevertheless I realised that instead of CA being a relaxation, James had been feeling oppressed by the task of keeping all the CA balls in the air.

I offered to relieve him of an indexing task of the CA thread and urged him not to feel ashamed of accepting offers of assistance from parishioners fluent in particular specialisms.

 

Curiously Edwardian  seems not to recognise his achievement in attracting so many parishioners to his virtual world of CA and its history. In particular he will not accept his gift for facilitating interaction between us parishioners in contributing suggestions to  shaping “our”  Sodor Castle Aching world – or acknowledge the computer time this must take.

He promised me he would start on modelling Lord Erstwhile’s Drill Hall  - with figures (Yay) alongside the line as a respite from his drudgery in the tracklaying Chaingang. 

 

dh

 

belated edit of pics

CA montage.jpg

The dining room infested by CA

l to r the Pecket belts through S&M points and track; wagon propelled through rickety point crossing derails, Tabitha's colliery, Linny's kit assembly,

a comfort break for RaR reveals how the carriage drawings fell in the bath (curlews can be heard through the sash window)

 

outhose.jpg

The animal house with James providing 'scale'; St. T deigns to visit the elderly

(note the 'bagged' stone internal wall finish and felt underlay to conc tiles over rafters), a glimpse of the village buildings where it all started

Hmm. Interesting to finally put a face to the username.

[Edwardian]

Hmm. Interesting to finally put a face to the username.

 

Actually, I simply disguise myself as a fat middle aged man in order to throw the Shadowy Missenden off the trail.

[Hroth]

Ah, yes, a school boy error.

 

Proof, were further proof required, that before posting anything concerning Puritan Divines, one must first ensure one knows one's bunyans.

Where IS the Grone button?

 

 

How did we get into Chiropody?, 

 

Very good use of the Pre-Grouping term, they seem to want to be called Podiatrists nowadays.  I suppose it was the real Royal College of Chirugeons kicking up a stink!

 

 

 

Yes, he had a way with words did old 70003 (as did 70005 of course, not to mention several other 700xx - although possibly not 70001).

 

All a bit big for CA....

 

Though there would be an interesting circularity if 70005 instead of 70026 had been involved in a 1955 accident.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_rail_crash

 

 

Actually, I simply disguise myself as a fat middle aged man in order to throw the Shadowy Missenden off the trail.

 

But your disguise (not that realistic, I must say) has been completely blown by RaRs incautious photography!

Edited May 30, 2018 by Hroth

[runs as required]

But your disguise (not that realistic, I must say) has been completely blown by RaRs incautious photography!

Compared to the earlier pic of the WNR Chairman enjoying his cold collation (see ##### - oops where's the indexer when you want him?) you will note he has submitted to the bi-annual Edwardian short back and sides.

In his current Shawn shorn distiguished state, I thought he and Matthew Parris 'might possibly be related' [ © Private Eye]

2

This photoshop collage gives an impression, I hope, of how James sees these two boards (of village and trains) relating.

'My' request for 'our' Drill Hall to be modelled with uniformed figures, I believe goes here away from the village core over a level crossing facing Ahern's the Chemist . St Tabithas will be out of frame to the left.

 

dh

Edited May 30, 2018 by runs as required

[Hroth]

That reminds me, its about time I made an appointment with the lawnmower.....

[Hair_Dave]

Well, about two months (and over 400 pages) later i have finally finished reading CA.

 

What can I say, except that this is a very inspiring topic. As someone new to railway modelling I can draw a number of parallels between what I am doing and what is going on here. The numerous stumbling blocks I have encountered seem often mirrored here on CA. In fact, it is often these which make it more relevant for someone in my shoes. I read Wordsall Forever's Rosedale thread, linked a few days, but many pages ago;his layout is beautiful, his progress was metronomic, however he never seemed to put a foot wrong and as such it didn't capture me the way CA has.

 

Good luck with the subtle change of direction you have started over the last few days. I will be reading, and joining with the frivolities on occasion. Worse yet, you may have inspired me to try my hand at making my own track when the time comes.

[Edwardian]

Well, about two months (and over 400 pages) later i have finally finished reading CA.

 

 

 

You deserve a medal!

 

But formally welcome, and please hang around and let us know what you think (about pretty much anything, really).

[Donw]

Interesting photos of the various parts of CA ad its creator. Whilst we may be chucking in ideas from all directions I have always felt your hand has been on the tiller. Steering a course through so many possible digressions cannot be that easy.

I mentioned in my offer doing the electrical connections I had in mind creating a small control panel connected via a plug and socket on a lead to the trackwork so you could fix it where you want. I can see it sitting alongside that controller. Now my choice is usually to have the switches/lever etc. in a row so it is rather akin to a signal box the signal diagram of course indicates which turnout/signal etc. is controlled by which lever. However a lot of people prefer to have a mimic diagram. Now it should not be what I think but what would suit you and possibly your potential operating staff. She may have views of her own of course. No need for a decision now but mull it over and let me know.

Of course having posted the question the parishioners may well provide photos of their choices to help you choose.

 

Don

[Caley Jim]

How did we get into Chiropody?, 

How do we get into anything on here!

 

On the wearing of spectacles, I have had to wear them since childhood thanks to an astigmatism so when it came that, as my father used to say, my arms were too short to read the paper, I moved on to varifocals for general wear and a pair of reading prescription for work.  The latter were soon supplemented by loupes.  I now use the reading ones (updated) for modelling with the addition of Lightcraft 1.5x magnifiers for modelling.  Lettering usually requires switching to the 2.5x ones.

 

Delighted to hear that the black fog of despair has been blown away and further progress on this mighty endeavour is now proceeding apace again.

 

Jim

[Caley Jim]

 

Of course having posted the question the parishioners may well provide photos of their choices to help you choose.

My choice, but it's probably OTT for here and will scare the CEO of the WNR out of his wits!    

 

 

 

Jim

[Edwardian]

Interesting photos of the various parts of CA ad its creator. Whilst we may be chucking in ideas from all directions I have always felt your hand has been on the tiller. Steering a course through so many possible digressions cannot be that easy.

I mentioned in my offer doing the electrical connections I had in mind creating a small control panel connected via a plug and socket on a lead to the trackwork so you could fix it where you want. I can see it sitting alongside that controller. Now my choice is usually to have the switches/lever etc. in a row so it is rather akin to a signal box the signal diagram of course indicates which turnout/signal etc. is controlled by which lever. However a lot of people prefer to have a mimic diagram. Now it should not be what I think but what would suit you and possibly your potential operating staff. She may have views of her own of course. No need for a decision now but mull it over and let me know.

Of course having posted the question the parishioners may well provide photos of their choices to help you choose.

 

Don

 

The intention is to add a curved fascia to the baseboard, which will smooth out the angle seen in the picture.  It will, incidentally, create just enough depth to include the water tower!

 

I am assuming that the controller will be located in front of that fascia, so a little further forward and lower down from its current position.  I had envisaged that the point switches would be mounted in a strip to the right of the controller.

 

Of course, I could be wrong!

 

 

My choice, but it's probably OTT for here and will scare the CEO of the WNR out of his wits!    

 

 

 

Absolutely lovely way to do it, but ....

Edited May 30, 2018 by Edwardian

[Compound2632]

Jim's probably got 2 mm scale working mechanical locking too...