hayfield

Unless banking rules have changed DDI's are controlled by the receiving organization * (my bank has told me this every time I phoned to change the details) Standing orders are controlled by the customer * I have the ultimate control as with my interned banking I can cancel any DDI or standing order. Plus I always reminded the bank staff who owned the account !!

I think this is a common occurrence from sellers incorrectly assuming what an item is, most of us if not selling but discussing models on this and other sites I brought a 7mm scale 14xx whitemetal loco and showed it on here, I called it a Springside model, which was totally incorrect, I was told it was a CCW loco and upon checking the chassis was either a Springside or one of a very similar type, certainly not a chassis which was available at the time the kit was available. For me as I visited the old CCW shop in the Bridal Path in Watford (very close to the Junction station) as a very wide eyed 7 year old. My parents could have never been able to buy me one of these this model) The model is of far more worth to me than the Springside kit I now have Clearly from the description I assume its a Wills or very early SEF kit, but without seeing the chassis I may be wrong

I am very sorry to hear about that, its my understanding that your bank and the company receiving the ddi must restore you bank account funds instantly, alter any adverse credit information and pay all out of pocket information. If this is not done you have recourse to take action via the ombudsman service. In my experience banks and credit card companies have acted promptly and seen to go out of the way to protect their customers. I still believe that with my energy providers regarding DDI's I am in control of my DDI payments and with Octopus since I have been with them (30 months) they have never altered my DDI. I decide what goes out !!

To a certain Keyser's were ahead of the game in many ways, even with the HP2M motor in its at least 3 variations I have seen, but these were designed and built 40 if not 50 years ago. And probably were the forerunners of the can and coreless motors we now love. I like the plastic 8ba bolts they once supplied for certain uses. Their complete metal kits at a budget price were models most of us cut our teeth on. Now thanks to the likes of HighLevel, Branchlines and Markits, decent motors and gearboxes are now available, its a very different world to the 70's & 80's Since the demise of Mashima motors from China have flooded the market, some are very good, others worse than useless, a whole new range of cheap weak motors are available

Its very difficult in this modern age to not have variable direct debits, from my mobile phone and land line/internet, to energy, rates car insurance etc all use variable DDI's As for incompantant energy companies, most if not all are quite competent all of the time, with Octopus whilst having a variable DDI. I AM THE ONE in charge of my payments, unless that is if I abuse the system. Requests/suggestions of increased DDI payments are what they say if you keep your account in order. And I must say that the three different energy providers I have used in the past have acted honorably and have been very competent. As for what's in my wallet, the amount of cash I carry around is very little Agreed from time to time things do either break down or go wrong, but said companies are duty bound to put things right and pay compensation. My daughter changed electricity providers and was owed a few hundred £'s, unfortunately she had to go to the ombudsman twice before the electricity provider had not only had to pay in full but handsomely compensate them for the trouble they caused. But generally these cases are the exception. I use Octopus and have been treated much better from them than I have been by SSE and British gas in the past, however neither of these two companies caused me any problems. Thankfully I have never had any issues for many years with funds being taken in error from my account, but years ago years ago an error from my bank was quickly resolved, and my credit card company helped me out with a case of faulty goods with a furniture company

It looks like variable pricing will be with us sooner than later (we have variable pricing now with economy 7). not having a smart meter will not make you immune to it but you will be on a composite rate, which will no doubt favor the supplier than the user !!

I think all energy companies overestimate the size of the payment just in case. I am with Octopus and I decide how much I pay via DDI, I also have the ability to set my own level of payment and if in credit withdraw my overpayments With the exception of a two/three month period when I slightly increased my payments then reduced them I have paid the same amount per month (give or take £2) for the last 4 years. My overpayments (£500 this past year) in the summer build up sufficient funds to cover my winter use. Its down to £63 this morning but will be back up to £170+ in a few days time, and very soon my usage will be below my payments. The system you are on may be either be or seem stupid, however if you fully get to understand the systems your company offers and it does not suite you, simply move providers. I use Octopus and I have a tariff that suits my needs. The main reason for my payments remaining the same was a timely investment into Solar Panels when discounts were available due to covid/no one spending money at that time (30 months ago) As from quarter 2 & 3 energy rates are nearly back down to pre energy crisis prices. Electricity prices in Autumn were 18p per kwh, projected to be down to 20p in the autumn

Stephen Agree as this is the method used by most societies in their instructions, plus for both EM & P4 1" long metal strips are sold for this purpose. However a much better tool is made by DJ Wheelrights called a wing rail alignment gauge, which can be used for other gauging jobs https://www.westernthunder.co.uk/threads/em-gauge-block-gauge-with-crossing-alingment-aid.9663/

Hal Nail That's a bit of interesting information and perhaps I may try other days/times. However I thought my best buys were usually are at times other than weekends, either very late or during working hours. The one thing in common is not the time but how the item has been listed, poor photos and or poor description, plus sellers not quite knowing what they are selling. Whilst I have brought items well presented and described, I doubt if any could be called good buys The other thing is eBay's offers usually are over the weekends

What I forgot to have is the job lot I brought (all incomplete kits) with the exception of a couple of locos, I have listed most of them at prices quiet low to reflect their condition and all have been snapped up. This has provided funds to complete the items I have kept (7mm parts are expensive!!) but given plenty of folk the ability to do a bit of building/kit bashing/repairing locos. Kit building is well and alive This Manning Wardle was waiting for the paint shop, extra parts which were missing were ordered and the loco awaiting painting Another part built kit I brought 20 months ago, missing parts were ordered and now I have time to finish off the build, making a start on the chassis before finishing the body

I have a couple of Cotswold/K's 42xx/72xx whitemetal kits to build along with a couple of etched brass sheets for said locos to build a hybrid loco. Recently I obtained a 7mm etched kit Oakville/ Wagon & Carriage Coy kit, the way things are going the 7mm kit will be built before the 4mm ones I have a big box of spares, what does it look like ?

Usually if not always I politely decline offers even if they are way over the starting bid (certainly not if below) as I feel its not fair on those watching and waiting till the end of the listing intending to bid at the last moment. My one fear of this action is to discourage the modeler who desperately needs the part. But to maximize the sale value I always try to end the listing early on a Sunday evening. But I must admit to starting prices close to the items value so rarely get requests/offers.

Quote "As I am 80 this year I have finally decided to retire. So with immediate effect Nucast at Forest Row has ceased trading. All of the stock of the reissue kits I held is being passed to Brian at Branchlines who is not closing down. The future of the Nucast range has not been decided yet and is currently on hold. The moulds and casting machines are now in storage. We are unable to provide any spares or special orders from the range, or produce more stock. Please contact Brian on 01373 822231 as he's currently experiencing email problems.2 I either missed this quote or misread it, its a very sad day where the range has been put on hold again, I totally understand Dave's position and as well as thanking him for the dedication and service to railway (and car) modelers I wish him well in his retirement But a range we thought was being brought back into circulation, now has an uncertain future again. Personally I think its sad these kits are not readily available again, lets hope a solution to the issues can be found

Two of my Springside locos are box-less and as I had a sheet of lightweight 1/8th ply and a bit of 9mm ply. I took them to the workshop and cut them to the required size Simple but joints were decided on 9 mm bottom had sides and ends pinned and glued to it The plan was to have the top and top of the front side hinged Not either been on Amazon or gone to B&Q yet for light weight piano hinges and clip Clip catch(s) needed on the front All seems OK the inside vertical joints will get some quadrant beading for greater strength. I forgot the exact length measurement and could have been 1/2 to 1" shorter for the 45xx I decided to settle on 4.5" width and depth. I will put foam padding in and go from there, but the width could go down to 3.5" . I have looked at Pannier and 14xx which need a box 9.5" long box 4.5" height is fine, width 4" or 3.5" The sizes for width and depth were based on Springside cardboard kit boxes

This loco is an eBay find and came as you see it, its a 7mm kit build I am hoping that someone can identify it for me please I know I can get some missing parts from NGTrains I do have some part used etched detail parts including the roof As for the chassis at worst I can make a simple bar frame chassis Thanks in advance

I am afraid to say I have no idea about either the RTR or collecting (RTR) side of our hobby. But kits and kit building is another story, my knowledge mainly lies in 4mm scale and now learning about 7mm. I would not know a good buy in the RTR/collecting area and thankfully no one has asked me to assist in disposing of their stock. I buy to improve my own collection or find parts to assist in building kits I have. However I am getting much better at letting things go that I don't need, in fact selling these unwanted items actually is much appreciated by like minded modeler's who actually want/need the items I don't require and reduces the cost of my modelling activities My last job lot allowed me to sell off unwanted items at starting prices far below what I would list my own items I want to dispose of, in fact made the items I wanted very cheap (for once). The bulk of which has now gone bar a few items, which hopefully will have totally gone in a month, probably with the exception of 1 item I don't need but is so rare I will not sell it off cheap These are 32mm 0 gauge track gages, the top two are very similar to the Brook Smith P4 track gauges, which in themselves are not too common, but I have never seen them in 7 mm scale. With the inception of Templot plug track the need for gauges is very limited, but to a track builder like myself I would only want to let them (the two black ones) go to someone who would treasure them as I do. I seem to value them far more than anyone else.

I enjoyed seeing the station in the flesh, an excellent model. Thank you

Departures from the UK outside this country carry the same risk whether by passenger train or by air. I agree incoming flights do differ by country of origin. As for the different methods between Le Shuttle or ferry I agree with abd968008 reply

Double standards ? We used Eurostar last year and we passed through security and French passport control very easily and quickly, just like any international airport with the exception that on Eurostar you can take bottles of liquid with you The return journey was much the same in Paris other than both French and British passport controls If anything we were treated better than we have been treated at airports.

I seem to remember as a child anyone who had employed a poor craftsman or brought a dodgy item said they had a bit of bad luck and got on with life, Now we have a mentality of sue for anything we don't like. 7 years ago we had an extension built, after 2 or 3 months we had to part company with the first builder. If we lost money it was in the low £100's not £1000's. As it was a question of the builders cash flow a clean brake was the cheapest solution Now if said builder failed to honor the contract through no fault of yours, in my opinion out of sheer good will certainly a partial refund if not a full refund should be fourth coming. The one contentious issue is the kit being incomplete !! was that true and were you asked to supply the missing parts ? If you only have paid a deposit and the builder supplied parts was what its cost wort it, secondly how much is it costing to rectify incorrect work ? I do agree with chiefpenguin, sometimes its far easier just to put it down to experience if you are not out of pocket by much. Good will does go a long way

A good visit to Alley Pally yesterday and I was able to obtain all the main items I required. A really good show, with some excellent layouts, plenty of different interests covered, and it was very busy so hopefully financially worth doing. Two disappointments very few traders selling parts and tools, lack of specialist traders. Good to see lots of demonstration stands but I went in that area at lunchtime. It was nice to get a free BRN mag but the show guide lacked the usual layout descriptions, but as usual both free parking and courtesy bus from carparks. A big thanks to BRM and I guess the model railway club for an excellent show which was well run and more importantly is well worth going to Whilst I brought a few more bits these are for the kits in question. Thanks to Squires, H&A Models and those on stand 42 (electrical components where I got some thin and flexible wire for the plunger pickups 10m for £1.50 Also you can see a 12ba spinner. Another good find was an 1833 Mishama, unused for £10, I declined the gears and gearbox despite being a name I recognized it had a plastic worm.

There are no reasonably priced hotels near St Pancras, We have booked one of those mentioned and its coat us £180 for the night. You are right to stay overnight, last year we had an 8:00 start which meant leaving the hotel just after 6:00 We have a lie in this year as our train leaves at 9:00. Do pick either Travel Lodge, Premier of other large chain. We had a less than pleasant experience in an dear smaller hotel last year very close to the station

Not if you measure rail head to rail head which was quoted earlier and to what I was replying to. The coach is to 4mm scale, narrowing the gauge will move both lines closer together. As said using track center lines would be far more accurate.

The trouble is the rolling stock is 4mm scale but 00 gauge track is 3.5mm scale. Thus in 00 gauge the rail is 1mm each side too far in. for 00 gauge you have to increase the 6' gauge by about 2.3mm. Even in EM gauge us under gauge. Still the 6' way is the minimum

I had been looking for the 3 parts which make up 112 (steam brake cylinder and support). then realized it had been built and had the piston rod broken off, as was the crank on part 105 ( brake shaft ) The first job was to drill out the old piston rod and replace it The piston rod made from brass rod and some whitemetal scrap was cut to size for the brake crank The parts fitted, the length and size may be incorrect, but under normal circumstances will not be in view Painted dirty dull black which is drying matt Another job ticked off