BMacdermott

Thanks Andy - I'll have a look at that. Brian

Hello everyone Although the results from The Wishlist Poll 2013 cannot be directly compared with the RMweb Survey of 2023, I have attached a PDF anyway. Although many will say instantly that the 'the main steam era' has gone down, I would guard against that interpretation. I know it might sound like I am 'juggling figures', but if you add The Poll figures for 1948-1956 and 1957-1968 you get: 26% + 40% = 66%. If you take the Survey figures for Post-Nationalisation Steam with Transition Steam/Diesel, you get: 31% + 36% = 67%. All depends where a line is drawn between the latter two. It looks to me as though the market has increased all round - perhaps because we have more makers with broader ranges now? Brian Era Comparisons.pdf

Hello everyone Thinking back to my posting in response to Phil Mallard about Hornby repairs... As noted, Hornby have been very good with 'recent models' (and I have never had a problem with Bachmann repairs). But what does one do with a dead Heljan 47xx or a not very well running Hornby Schools or a cutting-out King Arthur? I have used 'private repairers' in the past but have never been very happy. Thoughts? Suggestions? Is there a demand for a Trusted Trader status for repairers? But who would run it? Brian

Hello Dave Just to correct myself - the name is Rowberry (not Rowbury). Brian

Hello Dave Have a word with Peter Rowbury (01981 240315). The controllers are now made by All Components and he repairs for them. He has repaired a number for me over the years. Always good service although none of mine have been 'urgent' as I rotate a number as time passes. Brian

Hello Gilbert I wasn't suggesting for you to do the research - rather someone already with the knowledge of how to undertake it via the relevant records offices. Would make a good school project! Brian

Hello Gilbert Something of a sideline, but it would be a nice little project for someone to find out who lived at those houses through the years and, particularly, for your time period. Or do you already know? Brian

Hello Andy (Hayter) Can you point me to the 2014 Survey please? Brian

Thanks Phil The only 'difficulty' with Hornby is that they only seem to repair comparatively recent models. The website requests that you phone them and outline your problem (giving them model number and relevant data from the box if you have it). They will then say yay or nay. Brian

Hello everyone Excellent service from Hornby Repairs... My 61xx arrived back today. Replaced PCB. No charge (apparently still under warranty). Brian

Hello Edwardian Andy's survey here covers 'eras'. Brian

Hello Keith As some of you know, I ran a fair few surveys on the erstwhile MREmag . I ran one concerning kits in 2014; the results are as below. Do you have between 1 and 9 kits? 40 Respondents 7 - Probably won't build any 18 - Probably will build some 15 - Probably will build all Do you have 10+ kits? 64 Respondents 2 - Probably won't build any 32 - Probably will build some 30 - Probably will build all Brian

Hello Phil & Rob I have two Hornby R3725 No.4160. One has been fine, but the other recently ran fine for a few yards then gradually slowed before petering out. After a minute or so, it would run again but peter out again! It is with Hornby at the moment. I'll report back if they give me any reasons. Brian

Hello Mike I think you are correcting me, not Rob.🙂 Brian

Hello everyone The circulars were mainly about 'missing items'. A couple more that might be of interest below. Look how long the 'rockets' had been missing! I guess they must be small items though. Brian 12 April 1958 Corridor Composite M15382, fitted with experimental bogies was until a short time ago working in the Thames-Clyde Express. Trace has now been lost, and vehicle is required for special examination. 20 December 1958 Wagon No.M420113 containing 25 cases of Rockets from the RNSD Llangennech to SS Velasquez, London Docks and forwarded from Llanelli on the 4.35pm Parcels Neyland to Paddington on Monday 8 September is missing.

Hello everyone May I correct myself here... I mis-wrote 'side window'. What I meant to say was the open space between any cab side window and the vertical cab grabrail. (What is the name for that space?) Brian

Hello Tony, John and all The text below is from some BR Circulars that I once had the opportunity of copying. This one was dated 1 February 1958. Brian Missing Stove Vans: SR Stove Fitted bogie and 4-wheeled Stove Vans numbers 370 to 379 inc and 400 to 419 inc are missing. They are distinguishable by an orange coloured door panel. Vans Nos.400 and 401 are fitted with side lamps for working in West of England freight services. The LMR desire that all their 4-wheeled covered motor-car trucks shall be returned home forthwith, whether branded or not. They must not be used for parcels.

Hello everyone Speaking from my 00 Poll Team experience, I sympathise with Andy grappling with all the 'well-meaning' but generally difficult suggestions. The Poll Team once had a very irate modeller say to us that he wasn't going to vote because we hadn't listed Wagon 'A', with Buffers 'B', Wheels 'C' and in Livery 'D'. Damned if you do... etc🙂 Brian

Hello everyone Before I receive the feared 3000 photos of clean cab side windows, I thought I'd check myself. It does seem - from a very quick search - that many GWR/WR locos did have clean side windows. Maybe I had noticed many S&D locos with unclean windows? Maybe a 'regional thing'? That raises another topic I have been meaning to ask... The fireman's side of many photos of GWR/WR steam locos show the slacker pipe hanging out from the cab - sometimes even from the side window. I have never seen a slacker pipe modelled. Brian (awaiting 3000 photos of model locos with slacker pipes🙂)

Hello everyone My memory might be 'playing little tricks' here but I'm fairly certain that - many years ago - I asked S&D Driver Peter Smith why cab side windows always seemed to be dirty. His answer was simple: "We never looked out of them". Brian (awaiting 3000 photos showing clean side windows🙂)

Many thanks all for the 'terminology' comments. It might be some months since I heard 'RNAV' but I will listen out for 'RNP'. I'm still fairly confident I have never heard it although if the request is passed on the frequency prior to Lambourn, Bovingdon, Ockham or Biggin, then I might not hear it. Another that has 'come and gone' (at LHR at least) is 'Microwave'. Brian

Hello Pilotman I am 99.99% certain it was RFT (not RNP) as 'my ears pricked up' at first hearing and it was repeated. The playback on my recorder gives me the same result. Funnily enough (and bearing in mind I only hear transmissions on an infrequent basis although daily) I have never heard RNP into Heathrow. RNAV yes, but RNP no. That stuff is all a bit too 'hi-tec' for someone like me who did just a few hours training over 50 years ago in a then fairly old Cessna 150 where navigation was almost entirely 'looking out of the window'.🙂 Brian

Hello everyone In support of Andy - having run many surveys etc myself - there is probably no way of suiting all modellers. The categories in this survey will give a good, broad overview. Brian

Hello everyone To quote from Pat Hammond's The Story of Rovex, Volume 1. "When it first appeared, the L1 was criticised as being an unimaginative choice for a model but Rovex were trying to produce a Southern tender loco without the expense of pistons and valve gear. The L1 was simple and cheap". Hope that helps. Brian

Hello Keith It is the North Easterly holding point (what some call 'stack') for Heathrow. I should have put an 'e' on the end (viz Lambourne). The other three are at Bovingdon (near Watford), Ockham (near Woking in Surrey) and Biggin Hill. Brian