Wright writes.....

[polybear]

1 hour ago, john new said:

.........as have ink-jet printer people, these days you buy a pack of ink with a free printer (although that isn't how it is marketed) and they make the money on after sales of more ink.

 

Not sure if it's still the case but it used to be cheaper to throw a Lexmark Printer in the bin every time it ran out of ink - a new printer with cartridges was cheaper than the genuine ink replacements.  Mad.

I suspect that non-genuine inks have solved that issue now.

[Bucoops]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 

Not sure if it's still the case but it used to be cheaper to throw a Lexmark Printer in the bin every time it ran out of ink - a new printer with cartridges was cheaper than the genuine ink replacements.  Mad.

I suspect that non-genuine inks have solved that issue now.

 

Except HP  keep "accidentally" breaking printers with firmware that rejects aftermarket inks. 

 

 

A current example - the Canon TS-305 which I buy regularly for work - £35 delivered with the small inks (not "XL" as the bigger ones are called. New genuine small inks - £28 from an online retailer. Argos sell them for £37.

[lezz01]

I switched to a Cannon PIXMA which has ink tanks instead of cartridges much more eco friendly and a hell of a lot cheaper even the print head is dirt cheap.

Regards Lez.

[Bon Accord]

3 hours ago, Jol Wilkinson said:

other than it gives the buyer a warm feeling.

 

I thought that was the entire point of playing with trains?

[polybear]

On 09/06/2023 at 19:48, Bernard Lamb said:

Both are being sold at a figure derived from what the market will stand and what the customer expects to pay.

 

Personally I don't have any pre-conceived expectations of price for new releases (or indeed pre-existing ones) any more; when (say) a new Loco is released I look at the price and think "HOW MUCH??"

I'm fortunate in that if I want something then I can buy it without any worry about how I'll be able to afford next week's Cornflakes as a result.  In the past couple of years it has become the case that pricing has meant I very rarely buy anything new any more - it has to be VERY special (and I really want it) for the credit card to appear; the only one recently has been Hornby's W1 10000 Hush-Hush (in Grey, which is a personal favourite loco) - I also have the unbuilt SEF Kit in the obscenely large kit mountain** (I think it was last seen around the 5000ft mark.....).

I do, however, have an Accurascale Deltic and Class 37 on order - I think their products are "a bit special" (based on the opinions of others - I don't have any of their products as yet) and I think their pricing is reasonable (I'd start to think twice if they got more expensive though).

So any new RTR Loco additions (which happens rarely) are either (very) heavily discounted examples from the likes of Hattons or Rails (others are available....) or the very occasional Ebay purchase (a Cravens arrived a couple of weeks ago - I'd seen "Sir's" example on LB and thought I'd rather like one too).

The new Bachmann V2?  Very nice, but I'd rather spend similar (or often less) money on a nice kit built example instead.  I do note the RTR prices of that loco are dropping now though.

 

**I really must start to get to grips with building some of them....

Edited June 11, 2023 by polybear

[Tony Wright]

As I've said on many occasions, one of the principal delights of Little Bytham for me is having visitors to see and operate the railway (it's usually about one individual or group a week, plus the monthly running sessions with the established 'gang of four'). It's even more special when a visitor is one of my oldest friends. Especially when he brings along his eldest grandson............

 

 

Dave Wisnia and I first met in September 1967, when we started our teacher training at Edge Hill College, in Ormskirk. We became immediate friends, sharing a common interest in railways/model railways; a friendship which has lasted for over 55 years and counting!

 

His grandson, Jack, is 15 years old and as keen as anyone I know when it comes to real railways and, especially, model railways; how refreshing when many of his contemporaries (most?) know nothing of our brilliant hobby. He's just started modifying/detailing/weathering his RTR models, and this Bachmann Deltic he's operating here (don't believe a word of what's displayed on the control box) will be receiving his attentions soon.

 

 

Rarely have I seen the trainset driven so diligently. Jack operated all the trains as his granddad observed and took pictures (some of which, I hope, will appear on here). Both are members of the Leeds Club.

 

Dave brought some of his own models along............

 

 

This is a detailed/weathered Hornby A3, which rather 'disgraced' itself. Nothing really wrong, but put on a 12-car express (of which half the stock is metal kit-built), it did what most RTR equivalents do - just polished the rails! Staging this shot, I forgot to pull the appropriate boards off. 

 

By the way, any four-wheeled vans you'll see at the head of trains are 'barrier' ones, with my couplings at one end and tension-locks on the other. Another thing is, visiting locos are not required to display correct lamps!

 

The shot above makes an interesting comparison with this below...........

 

 

60049 was one of the first of the new-generation of Hornby A3s, and I took one and detailed/weathered it. On a lighter train, such as this Up empty stock working, there were no haulage problems, but I soon sold this loco on. What's also shown here is the poor proportions of Hornby's A3 valve gear, with the way-too-long expansion links. 

 

 

The real GALTEE MORE was a regular performer through Little Bytham.

 

Other locos which Dave brought along included...........

 

 

This detailed/weathered Hornby A2/3. The wrong green is really well-disguised here. 

 

 

A renumbered/weathered Hornby B1 (the chimney is to be replaced, but where has the smokebox dart gone?). 

 

He's building a model of Copley Hill Shed, so any re-numberings are appropriate for that. 

 

 

He tells me that I built the Comet frames for him to go underneath this detailed/weathered Bachmann B1, but I have no recollection of it. It certainly ran well. 

 

 

Copley Hill's sole J39 was represented. 

 

 

And an altered Hornby A4 had no problems on the eight-car 'Tees-Tyne Pullman'. 

 

Thanks chaps for a truly fantastic day!

Edited June 11, 2023 by Tony Wright
to add something

[Dick Turpin]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 

...the obscenely large kit mountain...

Had to smile, I've got one of those too. Haven't most of us? I have started to look through mine, and begun dividing them into those with a good chance of getting built, and those which I fear never will, with a view to selling them on, but oh, isn't it so hard to actually part with anything!

[t-b-g]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

As I've said on many occasions, one of the principal delights of Little Bytham for me is having visitors to see an operate the railway (it's usually about one individual or group a week, plus the monthly running sessions with the established 'gang of four'). It's even more special when a visitor is one of my oldest friends. Especially when he brings along his eldest grandson............

 

 

Dave Wisnia and I first met in September 1967, when we started our teacher training at Edge Hill College, in Ormskirk. We became immediate friends, sharing a common interest in railways/model railways; a friendship which has lasted for over 55 years and counting!

 

His grandson, Jack, is 15 years old and as keen as anyone I know when it comes to real railways and, especially, model railways; how refreshing when many of his contemporaries (most?) know nothing of our brilliant hobby. He's just started modifying/detailing/weathering his RTR models, and this Bachmann Deltic he's operating here (don't believe a word of what's displayed on the control box) will be receiving his attentions soon.

 

 

Rarely have I seen the trainset driven so diligently. Jack operated all the trains as his granddad observed and took pictures (some of which, I hope, will appear on here). Both are members of the Leeds Club.

 

Dave brought some of his own models along............

 

 

This is a detailed/weathered Hornby A3, which rather 'disgraced' itself. Nothing really wrong, but put on a 12-car express (of which half the stock is metal kit-built), it did what most RTR equivalents do - just polished the rails! Staging this shot, I forgot to pull the appropriate boards off. 

 

By the way, any four-wheeled vans you'll see at the head of trains are 'barrier' ones, with my couplings at one end and tension-locks on the other. Another thing is, visiting locos are not required to display correct lamps!

 

The shot above makes an interesting comparison with this below...........

 

 

60049 was one of the first of the new-generation of Hornby A3s, and I took one and detailed/weathered it. On a lighter train, such as this Up empty stock working, there were no haulage problems, but I soon sold this loco on. What's also shown here is the poor proportions of Hornby's A3 valve gear, with the way-too-long expansion links. 

 

 

The real GALTEE MORE was a regular performer through Little Bytham.

 

Other locos which Dave brought along included...........

 

 

This detailed/weathered Hornby A2/3. The wrong green is really well-disguised here. 

 

 

A renumbered/weathered Hornby B1 (the chimney is to be replaced, but where has the smokebox dart gone?). 

 

He's building a model of Copley Hill Shed, so any re-numberings are appropriate for that. 

 

 

He tells me that I built the Comet frames for him to go underneath this detailed/weathered Bachmann B1, but I have no recollection of it. It certainly ran well. 

 

 

Copley Hill's sole J39 was represented. 

 

 

And an altered Hornby A4 had no problems on the eight-car 'Tees-Tyne Pullman'. 

 

Thanks chaps for a truly fantastic day!

 

You are quite right Tony.

 

The social side of the hobby is, for me at least, one of the best things about it. I enjoy working alone but the days with friends and visitors are the real reason I build and work on model railways.

 

I had my regular running session on Buckingham with a couple of friends on Friday, spent a big chunk of Saturday playing trains on Retford at Sandra's and today I am planning on spending the day with John Houlden, sitting doing some modelling work together.

 

One of my friends said, as we were leaving Sandra's place yesterday, running Buckingham one day and Retford the next was like being in modelling heaven!

[polybear]

58 minutes ago, Dick Turpin said:

Had to smile, I've got one of those too. Haven't most of us? I have started to look through mine, and begun dividing them into those with a good chance of getting built, and those which I fear never will, with a view to selling them on, but oh, isn't it so hard to actually part with anything!

 

The CAA are demanding I put a red light on top of mine.......

[MJI]

13 hours ago, john new said:

On the subject of costs versus end prices one of the many management training exercises I did when getting my post-grad qualification back in the 1980s was surrounding options for a simple ball-point pen. Would you go for a high volume output at a cheap rate (it was then 5p hence the name I remember of the Scripto Bobby) or commission someone like Salvador Dali to add a design to it and sell them at say £1 each?  Supermarkets have run loss leaders for years as have ink-jet printer people, these days you buy a pack of ink with a free printer (although that isn't how it is marketed) and they make the money on after sales of more ink.

Ball point pens cheap used to be bic.

 

Now bic is mid market, but is the most reliable cheapish pen.

 

Cheap compete against bic, expensive parker.

 

You have to choose your market very carefully.

[MJI]

14 hours ago, Jol Wilkinson said:

Not a valid comparison. With the exception of DCC variations (and recently wheel/gauge alternatives)  RTR manufacturers produce one level of model.

 

Car production is quite different with alternative specifications provided by different components (engines, gearboxes, headlamps, entertainment systems, trim, wheels, etc). Granted some of the various benefits are simply produced by turning on/off he software options whilst using the same CPU's, sensors, etc..

 

And are you saying that a simple rubber bung in a pre -pressed panel is more expensive than a rear wiper motor and wiper blade? The wiring loom may still be the same although saving several metres of cable, connectors, etc.  over several thousands of cars might be a worthwhile economy.

 

Either  way, I see little point in adding generally invisible detail to a model, other than it gives the buyer a warm feeling.

Not that simple really as i found one company said doing manual windows cost more due to limited market, but due to the market they were insisted on.

 

Restricting in electronics is how my last two cars got cruise, well the most recent was just switches.

 

The collapse of company cars though is getting rid of a lot of nonsense.

 

The 1300 1600 rubbish is another.

 

When the differences were 4 holes, 4 pistons, 12 rings, 1 speedo drive pinion, a badge, carb needle, diff crown wheel and pinion.

 

Was it worth doing?

 

Higher gearing meant better economy.

 

Forgot the 4 gudgeon pins and head gasket.

 

[john new]

1 hour ago, MJI said:

Ball point pens cheap used to be bic.

 

Now bic is mid market, but is the most reliable cheapish pen.

 

Cheap compete against bic, expensive parker.

 

You have to choose your market very carefully.

Yes, and learning/appreciating that was the total point of that particular training exercise.

[Bernard Lamb]

2 hours ago, Dick Turpin said:

Had to smile, I've got one of those too. Haven't most of us? I have started to look through mine, and begun dividing them into those with a good chance of getting built, and those which I fear never will, with a view to selling them on, but oh, isn't it so hard to actually part with anything!

My mountain was reduced over the winter to a series of smaller hills. LMS vans were completed as were some bogie bolsters. I was quite pleased with my progress. Then somebody on here mentioned horse boxes.😃

A new hill has appeared, RTR for attention and kits.

Bernard

[Tony Wright]

From time to time I try to get different photographic viewpoints on Little Bytham, otherwise it can be 'same old, same old'........

 

The 'far side' can produce some interesting aspects, though access is a bit cramped (at the south end), and what to do with the background?

 

Anyway............

 

This is a tight crop, which obviates any background problems.

 

 

From a slightly different angle, I've just taken out the background fiddle yard. 

 

 

As I've also done here. The fiddle yard edging is painted green, and I just pasted in a neutral 'sky'. 

 

 

I think I prefer this angle, however. 

 

Apologies for 'my' appearing in these shots!

 

 

And looking from the top of the cutting. 

 

Speaking with my old teacher training chum yesterday, we mused over whether anyone what produce the A1/1 RTR. I thought not, but who knows? 

 

 

There was so much background clutter behind this view, that I opted for the 'letterbox' approach. 

 

 

But by moving the camera's position, I was able to remove what was behind this, making a more pleasing picture (I think). 

 

 

And, looking north from the top of the cutting, I think this aspect 'works', without the need for Photoshopping.

 

Any hope of getting a shot from the real position today is futile. Mother Nature has won! 

 

Finally............

 

 

Not the 'far side', but I've not taken a shot from this position for a long time; with all the elements in position now, worth it? 

 

Anyone else taken 'different views' of late? 

 

 

[billbedford]

2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

From time to time I try to get different photographic viewpoints on Little Bytham, otherwise it can be 'same old, same old'........

 

 

You need a selfie-stick...

[31A]

3 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Anyone else taken 'different views' of late? 

 

I was quite pleased with this view I took by chance of the loco yard at Finsbury Square, from the 'inside' looking out.  The sun was shining brightly through the window; you can see the shadow of the girder bridge that forms the 'scenic break' to the fiddle yard.  I just put my phone down on the far side of the layout to take the picture.  It looks fairly OK until you realise the BRS lorry is abut to fall off the end of the red brick bridge!  The running lines are to the right and curve round behind the diesel locos and go under the bus on the bridge and in front of the Vanfits in the background, to reach the terminus.  Before anything is said, I realise 62015 needs a screw coupling on the front.

 

[jimwal]

23 minutes ago, billbedford said:

You need a selfie-stick...

Given how big Tony says his cameras are, he may need a selfie crane...

[Tony Wright]

8 hours ago, billbedford said:

 

You need a selfie-stick...

What's one of those, Bill?

Edited June 12, 2023 by Tony Wright
poor grammar

[Tony Wright]

7 hours ago, 31A said:

 

I was quite pleased with this view I took by chance of the loco yard at Finsbury Square, from the 'inside' looking out.  The sun was shining brightly through the window; you can see the shadow of the girder bridge that forms the 'scenic break' to the fiddle yard.  I just put my phone down on the far side of the layout to take the picture.  It looks fairly OK until you realise the BRS lorry is abut to fall off the end of the red brick bridge!  The running lines are to the right and curve round behind the diesel locos and go under the bus on the bridge and in front of the Vanfits in the background, to reach the terminus.  Before anything is said, I realise 62015 needs a screw coupling on the front.

 

Thanks for showing us, Steve,

 

It's remarkably effective.

 

I particularly like the shed offices - scratch-built?

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

8 hours ago, jimwal said:

Given how big Tony says his cameras are, he may need a selfie crane...

I've never been able to get on with little cameras.........

 

 

I bought this Nikon Df nearly nine years ago, second hand. I think it's big enough.

 

At first, I fitted a 'normal' lens to it..........

 

 

 

But it only achieved limited depth of field. 

 

But then, I fitted a Nikon Micro lens to it..................

 

 

And the depth of field became almost infinite (F45 can be achieved).

 

If nothing else, these views show how little had been completed on LB in 2014, with most of the structures still just mock-ups. 

 

 

Compared with a couple of years ago now!

 

I can't get as low down as a weenie camera can, but the image quality more than mitigates for that; it's low enough, anyway.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[grahame]

51 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

What's one of those, Bill?

 

Selfie stick - It's like a truncheon for beating yourself with. Or is that a rhythm stick?

 

 

[BMacdermott]

Hello Tony and everyone

 

In a post or two above, Tony commented:

Speaking with my old teacher training chum yesterday, we mused over whether anyone what produce the A1/1 RTR. I thought not, but who knows? 

 

I don't claim that The 00 Wishlist Poll is in anyway a crystal ball of what will or will not be made, but it's interesting to note the bottom eight positions out of 42 LNER locos listed (with number of votes shown to the left):

61 - B2 4-6-0

58 - GNR A1 4-6-2

58 - LNER A1/1 4-6-2

58 - LNER A4 4-6-2

56 - GCR 04/8 2-8-0

52 - LNER A1 4-6-2

52 - LNER A2/1 4-6-2 (60507-60510)

43 - LNER A3 4-6-2

 

Brian (on behalf of The 00 Poll Team)

 

[dibateg]

Getting a good angle can be tricky - this view would be from the footbridge ( if I had made it up yet ). Once the scenery is complete - the window in the back ground could be shopped out and it might convincing to a degree.. This was taken with my iPhone 3 feet in to the layout..

The only work that isn't mine is the back scene ( Alisdair Macdonald), and the signal box and goods shed ( Peter Leyland ), point blades ( the late David Smith ) . There is still so much to do....

 

I agree with Tony Gee's comments, I get the most enjoyment when friends come to run the layout, I rarely bother on my own. I don't think I've run a train on it for 3 months - although I have been ballasting, which rather stops activity...

 

Edited June 12, 2023 by dibateg
Added comment

[31A]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

Thanks for showing us, Steve,

 

It's remarkably effective.

 

I particularly like the shed offices - scratch-built?

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

Thank you Tony, glad you like it!  Yes, the office building is scratch built from plasticard.  It's mainly freelance (although inspired by various buildings) although the proportions are partly based on the Prototype Models Heckington station card kit.  It wasn't quite finished when I took this picture:

 

 

[grahame]

Here's a little update on what I've been up to lately. Modelling has mostly taken a back seat while I've been organising the build of a layout shed in the garden - a rather posh and expensive one. The foundations and build are now complete although the electricians are yet to come to install the power and lighting. Then to arrange to have a proper pathway down the side to the back gate and a patio laid. Finally the garden can be tidied up.

 

 

Inside it's very plain so not a lot to see (plus its difficult to photograph space). The inside floor area is a fraction under 11ft 6" (3.5m) by a bit over 8ft (2.5m) which is probably not to bad for N/2mm scale - double that to 23ft by 16ft for an OO/4mm equivalent layout space. But it's 'obsons as I couldn't have had it any larger anyway.

 

Now I can get down to some final layout planning and baseboard building. I'm quite looking forward to cracking on with the layout and getting all my N/2mm buildings out and placing them in position. But probably lots to do before then. And even before any trains can be run.

 

In the meantime I'll be at the DEMU ShowCase exhibition at Sutton Coldfield this weekend (17th and 18th) demonstrating N'2mm wagon kit building.