Wright writes.....

[LNER4479]

Morning Tony,

 

Great to see you and Mo - and countless others(!) - at the York show at the weekend.

 

Thought you might like to see the attached, Sir William's finest in her natural environment - the northern fells.

 

 

 

More about to be posted on the HotN thread.

 

Edited April 11, 2023 by LNER4479

[FarrMan]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

I don't know about 'fame', Al.

 

However, a lady friend of a friend once wanted to buy him something model railway related because of all the help he'd given her with her business. She wanted it to be a surprise, but couldn't think of a way of getting something (a loco kit) which would be suitable without his knowing. He must have mentioned me to her (with regard to DVDs, videos, articles, books and so on with regard to Little Bytham). So, she wrote to me, but didn't have my address, simply putting on the envelope 'Tony Wright', the model railway bloke, somewhere near Grantham'. Can you believe I received it, complete with blank cheque?  I bought a suitable kit, she was delighted and so was he! 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

I used to live on the Isle of Skye (population at the time 7000, area app 1% of area of UK). I once received a letter addressed simply to 'Roberts, Isle of Skye'. When I opened it, it was for someone else who lived 30 odd miles away on Skye! What made it more interesting was that it was from the GPO! My only regret was that it was not stamped with the slogan 'please use full postal address'.

 

Lloyd

Edited April 11, 2023 by FarrMan
correct spelling and punctuation

[Bucoops]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

I don't know about 'fame', Al.

 

However, a lady friend of a friend once wanted to buy him something model railway related because of all the help he'd given her with her business. She wanted it to be a surprise, but couldn't think of a way of getting something (a loco kit) which would be suitable without his knowing. He must have mentioned me to her (with regard to DVDs, videos, articles, books and so on with regard to Little Bytham). So, she wrote to me, but didn't have my address, simply putting on the envelope 'Tony Wright', the model railway bloke, somewhere near Grantham'. Can you believe I received it, complete with blank cheque?  I bought a suitable kit, she was delighted and so was he! 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

Reminds me of when someone wrote a letter and put "Queen, England" on the envelope. Not sure if Her Majesty was directly involved, but eventually it made it's way to Freddie Mercury and co!

[Compound2632]

On 08/04/2023 at 13:15, Keith Turbutt said:

If you are really bothered about the narrower frames 

 

Surely that comes with the territory?

[Chas Levin]

20 hours ago, Barry Ten said:

 

Far from it, I think Iain's write-ups are some of the clearest on RMweb!

Absolutely, so do I. Apologies if it wasn't clear, but I was replying one of Iain's earlier posts where he had apologised for his own written English, which he ascribed to 1970s UK schools. I was at school in the UK then too, so I sympathised but was trying to say he had nothing to worry about!

Edited April 11, 2023 by Chas Levin

[Barry Ten]

1 minute ago, Chas Levin said:

Absolutely, so do I. Apologies if it wasn't clear, but I was replying to Iain's original post where he had apologised for his own written English, which he ascribed to 1970s UK schools. I was at school then un the UK too so I sympathised but was trying to say he had nothing to worry about!

 

And apologies if it also wasn't clear, but I was agreeing with your point!

[Tony Wright]

Living now in rural Lincolnshire, I'm frequently asked if I miss dwelling in the West Midlands (which Mo and I did for over 30 years).

 

I do miss my teacher friends, my cricketing friends and a few friends I hardly speak to now after nearly 20 years 'out-east' (I still regularly keep in touch with my model railway club mates).

 

However, this morning I was graphically reminded why we love living 'out in the sticks'.....................

 

 

 

We never had a wild deer in our Wolverhampton garden; especially one with only three legs. 

 

She's a regular visitor (nibbling some of Mo's plants), along with some of her herd. Being 'tripodic' doesn't seem to hinder her at all.

 

 

 

One of her companions as well. 

 

What a privilege! 

 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

The York Show would appear to have been a great success; it was especially for us, because Mo and I managed to sell quite a bit over £1,000's worth of models from bereavements or donations. I'll be sending a cheque off to the charity for something over £200.00 this week.

 

May I please thank everyone with whom I spoke, those who bought models, those whose locos I fixed and those who donated directly to CRUK? 

 

The star of the show for me was Pete Kirmond's...........

 

 

 

Incredible 2mm FS rendition of York Station! It would appear that the 'Silver Jubilee's' A4 has failed! 

 

Since Bob Dawson and his grandson, Scott Waterfield, built several of Little Bytham's buildings, I always photograph anything new they've made...............

 

 

 

 

This is Scott's latest creation.

 

 

And, this is Bob's.

 

Finally, may I please thank John Shaw and his able team for organising such a splendid event at The Knavesmire? It was great to be back!

 

What was also wonderful was the fact that many traders at York were selling stuff I wanted to buy; not just RTR in other words. 

[Tony Wright]

One might have thought that I'd had enough of railway modelling after three full days of it over Easter...........

 

But,

 

I've done some more on the O4/8........

 

Graham Nicholas, Graeme King and Andy Sparkes very kindly donated Bachmann B1 bodies to form the boiler (many thanks chaps)...... There were also offers of more, so many thanks for those as well. 

 

 

I decided to use the one given to me by Graeme King (who's also supplied replacement chimneys and domes), which I think came from John Houlden. Since this was the least-pristine, I thought I'd practise on this one first.  Cutters, a razor saw and files took me to this stage.............

 

 

Having removed separate items, more razor saw work has taken place.............

 

 

A whirling circular saw in a mini drill, craft knife and files got me this far...........

 

 

Since the Bachmann B1 body is completely 'hollow' inside (to accommodate a wretched split-chassis), the lower part of the boiler was missing. I merely cut a section of boiler from the old K's O4 cast one, glued it in and made good the joint.

 

I was too vigorous in cutting down the front of the saddle (incompetent oaf!), so I've added a sliver of thin plastic at the front.

 

Note the right-angle bracket soldered to the spectacle plate to support the underside of the firebox. It's easily bent to adjust to the correct height. 

 

I'll make the firebox 'cheeks' and the smokebox saddle next, but it's not far off now. 

 

Amazingly, I'll continue with this one (having not cocked-up too much), saving the other two B1 bodies for those who'd like to have a crack at something like this..............

 

My thanks to all who showed an interest in at York. 

 

 

Edited April 12, 2023 by Tony Wright
to add something

[St Enodoc]

7 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

 

And, this is Bob's.

Are you sure? I can't see any computer-chad brickwork...

[FarrMan]

13 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Living now in rural Lincolnshire, I'm frequently asked if I miss dwelling in the West Midlands (which Mo and I did for over 30 years).

 

I do miss my teacher friends, my cricketing friends and a few friends I hardly speak to now after nearly 20 years 'out-east' (I still regularly keep in touch with my model railway club mates).

 

However, this morning I was graphically reminded why we love living 'out in the sticks'.....................

 

 

 

We never had a wild deer in our Wolverhampton garden; especially one with only three legs. 

 

She's a regular visitor (nibbling some of Mo's plants), along with some of her herd. Being 'tripodic' doesn't seem to hinder her at all.

 

 

 

One of her companions as well. 

 

What a privilege! 

 

 

 

Tony

 

Be thankful that they only nibble. When we lived in Applecross (on the mainland, opposite Skye), we had their red brothers regularly visiting. One year we had one cabbage left in the garden. They had got the other 52! Rabbits were also a problem, and seals could be seen from the house. The cats (they had wild cat blood in them) were fairly good with 'discouraging' the rabbits, not so good with the sheep, and no use at all with the stags! The stags would also dig up potatoes to eat.

 

Lloyd

[Tony Wright]

2 hours ago, FarrMan said:

Tony

 

Be thankful that they only nibble. When we lived in Applecross (on the mainland, opposite Skye), we had their red brothers regularly visiting. One year we had one cabbage left in the garden. They had got the other 52! Rabbits were also a problem, and seals could be seen from the house. The cats (they had wild cat blood in them) were fairly good with 'discouraging' the rabbits, not so good with the sheep, and no use at all with the stags! The stags would also dig up potatoes to eat.

 

Lloyd

Good morning Lloyd,

 

Our cat (Jilly) is hopeless at 'discouraging' anything in the garden (rabbits included).

 

 

 

 

These are her usual postures. She sees her role as a 'meeter & greeter', regarding our many visitors as more servants to pet her, stroke her, fuss her, provide a comfy lap and issue treats. Even those who profess not to be too fond of cats, love her; she's so friendly. 

 

Actually, I'm very glad she's useless at 'cat-like' things such as hunting. She goes through all the postures - crouching, crawling and pouncing, but never catches anything (apart from two voles one day, which she released inside, only for them to scoot into hiding, meaning that visiting mates had to move loads of furniture). She likes the 'great outdoors', but only if the sun is shining; the merest hint of rain or gusty weather and she's back indoors. As for frost and snow - such extreme conditions are my fault! I'll open the door, and she looks at me with contempt, in a way only cats can. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony.  

 

 

 

 

Edited April 12, 2023 by Tony Wright
to add something

[Tony Wright]

More work on the O4/8............ Fitting it in between being a feline's slave............

 

I think it's going to look like an O4/8, especially with Graeme King's lovely resin boiler mountings. 

 

Working in various plastics is definitely 'not my thing', and there's still a fair bit of shaping to be done. 

 

At the moment, it looks pretty scabby, and after I've finished the bodywork, a coat of primer will reveal how much more cleaning up will be necessary.

 

Time now for some layout-testing.............

 

 

[sjp23480]

Tony,

 

I see a Little Engines O4/8 (and an O4/7) have appeared on ebay this week (both starting with bids of £89.99.

 

04/8:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354704950758?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=1G1r6ZW_SoC&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=saSnTyIOQLy&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

O4/7

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354705182947?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=1G1r6ZW_SoC&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=saSnTyIOQLy&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

That should push the prices up - I wonder if I can get commission?

Steve

[FarrMan]

Just been watching Geoff Marshall's latest Youtube video -End of the line, Walthamstow. Included are a few shots of the model railway in the Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum, and one of the volunteers there saying that more volunteers are needed to help build the model. It is based on the Liverpool St to Chingford line in the 1950's. I hope Tony will not mind me extending the plea for volunteers on here. As I am 570 miles away, and my modelling skills are minimal and directed to better companies than LNER (wait for the attack!), I will sit this one out.

 

Lloyd

[FarrMan]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

Good morning Lloyd,

 

Our cat (Jilly) is hopeless at 'discouraging' anything in the garden (rabbits included).

 

 

 

 

These are her usual postures. She sees her role as a 'meeter & greeter', regarding our many visitors as more servants to pet her, stroke her, fuss her, provide a comfy lap and issue treats. Even those who profess not to be too fond of cats, love her; she's so friendly. 

 

Actually, I'm very glad she's useless at 'cat-like' things such as hunting. She goes through all the postures - crouching, crawling and pouncing, but never catches anything (apart from two voles one day, which she released inside, only for them to scoot into hiding, meaning that visiting mates had to move loads of furniture). She likes the 'great outdoors', but only if the sun is shining; the merest hint of rain or gusty weather and she's back indoors. As for frost and snow - such extreme conditions are my fault! I'll open the door, and she looks at me with contempt, in a way only cats can. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony.  

 

 

 

 

What a lovely looking cat. Our two, named Lion and Tiger, were good hunters. While they were still kittens, they caught and ate 4 fully grown rabbits in 24 hours - they had to be lifted onto the bed afterwards! First time they brought a dead rabbit into the utility room (they could not get into the rest of the house without being let in), my wife put it out, and then watched them bringing it back in through the cat flap. They both dragged it to the cat flap, put its head into the cat flap, then one went behind it and took a leap through the cat flap so that it could pull the rabbit while the other pushed! Lion lived until he was 23 years old.

 

Lloyd

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, sjp23480 said:

Tony,

 

I see a Little Engines O4/8 (and an O4/7) have appeared on ebay this week (both starting with bids of £89.99.

 

04/8:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354704950758?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=1G1r6ZW_SoC&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=saSnTyIOQLy&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

O4/7

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354705182947?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=1G1r6ZW_SoC&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=saSnTyIOQLy&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

That should push the prices up - I wonder if I can get commission?

Steve

Thanks Steve,

 

Since I'm ignorant of eBay, what does the condition 'used' mean, please? Built and run? Or, just the contents examined? 

 

Selling stuff on behalf of others has showed me that 'started' kits have far less in terms of value than 'virgin' ones. Even fully-built ones, unless they're made well, don't realise the same as untouched/complete kits. Part-built ones are really difficult to shift for a good price, because not only might the start be dubious, but are all the rest of the parts present? 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[MJI]

13 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Thanks Steve,

 

Since I'm ignorant of eBay, what does the condition 'used' mean, please? Built and run? Or, just the contents examined? 

 

Selling stuff on behalf of others has showed me that 'started' kits have far less in terms of value than 'virgin' ones. Even fully-built ones, unless they're made well, don't realise the same as untouched/complete kits. Part-built ones are really difficult to shift for a good price, because not only might the start be dubious, but are all the rest of the parts present? 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

It means what they want it to mean, need to look at teh advert

[TrevorP1]

31 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Thanks Steve,

 

Since I'm ignorant of eBay, what does the condition 'used' mean, please? Built and run? Or, just the contents examined? 

 

Selling stuff on behalf of others has showed me that 'started' kits have far less in terms of value than 'virgin' ones. Even fully-built ones, unless they're made well, don't realise the same as untouched/complete kits. Part-built ones are really difficult to shift for a good price, because not only might the start be dubious, but are all the rest of the parts present? 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

The descriptions need to be taken into account as well Tony. Generally, with minor exceptions, if an item is removed from the packaging eBay considers it to be used. 

 

In both those cases the seller states that the contents are "undisturbed". However, he describes the kits as used. I would suggest that in this case he is both being honest and also covering himself in case something is missing - a part that he may not even know about...

 

I've had few problems with eBay, both as buyer and seller, but it pays to be cautious. As with life in general there are always crooks and time wasters out there among the totally honest.

[lezz01]

Yeh I love ebay. I've had some really good finds and some truly great bargains. The trick with ebay is not to get drawn down the rabbit hole. You decide how much something is worth and stick to that figure, another one will be along soon. It's also a good source of tools, switches and motors, materials as well. 

Regards Lez. 

[Steamport Southport]

26 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Thanks Steve,

 

Since I'm ignorant of eBay, what does the condition 'used' mean, please? Built and run? Or, just the contents examined? 

 

Selling stuff on behalf of others has showed me that 'started' kits have far less in terms of value than 'virgin' ones. Even fully-built ones, unless they're made well, don't realise the same as untouched/complete kits. Part-built ones are really difficult to shift for a good price, because not only might the start be dubious, but are all the rest of the parts present? 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

It will be "new in box". Sealed items do lose their value if opened.

 

They have to be sold as used even if they haven't been opened. One of eBay's rules I'm afraid. it's to stop unscrupulous sellers selling items as brand new.

 

I have used that seller before and they are fine with things like refunds. if it was built or part built they would show the "built" article like this Pannier Tank.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385536217991?hash=item59c3bfd387:g:ui8AAOSwFJNkMqfI

 

Unfortunately they know the prices so they often start close to the price they are worth. If they don't sell then they tend to go around numerous times. After a few times they often reduce the price so worth watching.

 

 

Jason

[sjp23480]

46 minutes ago, Steamport Southport said:

 

It will be "new in box". Sealed items do lose their value if opened.

 

They have to be sold as used even if they haven't been opened. One of eBay's rules I'm afraid. it's to stop unscrupulous sellers selling items as brand new.

 

I have used that seller before and they are fine with things like refunds. if it was built or part built they would show the "built" article like this Pannier Tank.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385536217991?hash=item59c3bfd387:g:ui8AAOSwFJNkMqfI

 

Unfortunately they know the prices so they often start close to the price they are worth. If they don't sell then they tend to go around numerous times. After a few times they often reduce the price so worth watching.

 

 

Jason

Tony,

 

Sometimes it pays to ask a few specific questions or for more pictures - it is usually a good litmus test of the seller's integrity and credentials.   Most sellers will oblige.

 

They offer a 14 day refund, buyer pays return postage and paying via Paypal provides additional protection, although it can take time to process a disputed payment.

 

Take a look at their other items - this seller has over 380 model railway related items for sale - so clearly a specialist, the other listings appear to have much better pictures than for these kits - but they may not want to open them, as noted above.

 

They have over 880 followers which is a good sign.

 

Finally, review their feedback is 100% on 73,000 items sold since 2000 when the account was registered.  Lots of very positive comments.

 

On the balance of probabilities, these add up to this being a good seller.

 

Steve

Edited April 12, 2023 by sjp23480

[micklner]

n

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by micklner

[APOLLO]

This was a recent bargain off ebay which I was the only (very lucky) bidder.

 

A Korean brass O gauge 2 rail RDC1 (Rail Diesel Car) built by Sunset. Twin power bogies. like new and runs like a swiss watch. Just over £200. New they are over £700 IF you can find one as they have a low production run and instantly sell out. I never thought I would own one of these, a useful addition to any USA model railroad.

 

 

Brit15

[Tony Wright]

3 hours ago, MJI said:

 

It means what they want it to mean, need to look at teh advert

I did look at the advert,

 

The implication is that the contents have been undisturbed since the kit was packed. How can that be 'used'?