Jol Wilkinson

I recall reading a book on tuning engines in the early sixties which said the 50 bhp per litre was a good result for a " tuned" engine and 100 bhp for a racing engine.

It appears that open wagons were often used for carrying flat length of timber, usually overhanging one end. The LNWR also produced the D14 Deal wagon for carrying flat planks, basically a long wheelbase flat wagon with chains and hooks to restrain the load. Bolster wagons seem to be aimed more at carrying large round section timers such as tree trunks, as they often had pivoting bolsters with stanchions. The LNWR D12 and D13 had stanchions which included a hole to which the chain was attached, so that the bolster was securely attached to the timber and would rotate wit it..

If you have some confidence in a drawing it is worth working out the radius from that. Then you can probably define the actual radius by applying a bit of Victorian/Edwardian logic if the model is from those periods. Generally speaking, the designers worked in round feet, with six inch or even three inch variations. So roof radii of eight feet, eight feet six inches or nine feet were normal. The same logic probably apply to the post group period, but I am sure someone will provide some "odd" examples.

The late 60s Holden Monaro looks very much like the Opel Rekord "C" Coupe of the same era. An example of GM worldwide engineering of the time?

Whatever type of vehicle it would probably need an electrical defect if it was "switched off". Diesel sprayed (effectively vaporised) onto hot surfaces such as the exhaust manifold will combust spontaneously so the engine normally needs to be running for that to happen (and need a continued supply of fuel to keep burning). The online photos appear to show the vehicle burning at the front end, whereas fuel tanks tend to be centre mounted, towards the rear axle. Petrol fires need petrol vapour and a spark to get going. Those who maintained their own cars in the 50s. 60s and 70s will know that petrol fumes weren't uncommon under the bonnet but that didn't mean that they always caught fire. Modern petrol cars have fuel injection systems so the HP and/or LP pump needs to be running to provide a continued supply of fuel. Whatever type of car, once the fire gets going there is usually sufficient highly combustible material in the vehicle to cause a complete burn out.

Is it? The wipers are LHD mounted (opposite handed to UK spec). The car also has side marker lights and what look like the early 5mph "crash" bumpers, something not used on UK or European specification cars as far as I know.

A US of A advert judging by the grille mounted lamps, etc.

Clearly I am outnumbered by the researchers into pre-group railway history, preferring to spend my time nowadays modelling. As Denys points out, this was 100 years ago but I don't take the view that the wounds are still raw. Or at least amongst those I know who model the LNWR and/or are in the LNWR Society (of which I was a Committee member for some years).

As they had a younger management team at the time of the grouping they effectively "took over" management of the LMS, not for any other reason.

Stephen, if you look back through this thread, that there has been a great deal of effort to prove what a great railway the MR was. No fans/followers/groupies of other pre-group railways seem to feel the need to do the same. And your second paragraph proves what?

No, I follow it to see what the MR enthusiasts put forward to justify there beliefs that it was such a great railway.

In an earlier post you sad "Without the use of a lathe, I'm cautious about converting anything with 2mm axles to P4", which I read as meaning you don't have access to one. No doubt bushing the wheel centre and boring down to a smaller size is best done in a lathe but the AGW bushes are one solution if you don't one. All my locos are fitted with AGW, Sharman or. in one case, Bill Bedford printed 3D centre wheels. Some aren't perfectly concentric but springing/compensation tends to mask any excessive wobble.

AGW do 1/8" to 2.0mm reducing sleeves - 4M68. Available direct or from Wizard

A great tip. Here is another source of small centre drills. https://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/Centre-Drills-Metric-Sizes.html I have found that good quality "large shank" drills also work well. I use Busch, available from Cooksongold www.cooksongold.com

LNWR 0-4-0T 4ft Shunter, introduced in 1865. Possibly doesn't comply as it was in Kynoch Ltd/ICI ownership from 1919 to 1954 when it was presented to the British Transport Commission for preservation and is now in the hands of the NRM. London Road Models do a 4mm kit.

Symington Port? A long established port producer.

They are not the only trader that has "quit" a show for some reason. Fortunately it is very rare, although I know of a few traders who, having a poor weekend, feel that there is little point in staying but do so to retain a good relationship with the show organisers.

If EV drivers are concerned about ecological issues, then surely a McDonalds wouldn't be there preferred place to eat while charging their car.

My previous 3008 and current 2008 have that and have found it very good. I am six foot tall and have the seat about two/three clicks from the furthest back position, with the wheel pulled right out and up.

You can turn the "lane assist" function off. Increasingly it seems most owners can't control their dogs.

I don't think you should think of it as a "cupboard of shame" but a "cupboard of hope". Hope that you will get the opportunity to build them before it's too late and the advancing years overtake you. That's where I am now, so buying new kits tends to be restricted to simple items like wagons. There remain a number of enticing etched loco and carriage kits on the optimistic shelves of hope.

Alan Gibson do a set of sprung coach buffers that may suit. These also have turned brass bodies and steel heads. 4970 4 x 16” coach buffers, early long type The PC carriage wheels were very nice. The current best are, in my view, the Exactoscale ones available through the S4 Society stores.

As ever, an excellent show for the "fine-scale" modeller. Superb layouts, knowledgeable demonstrators and specialist traders. I met lots of good friends and acquaintances and had a thoroughly enjoyable day. The catering was great too.,

Mike, I am sure that the S4Society can take cards for admission, although I can't find a reference in the guide. It does state that card payments are available on the Bring and Buy stand, so they do have the capability. Jol

Thanks for the invite Terry. I hadn't been to Warley for some years, after John Redrup of London Road Models ( who I help out at some shows) stopped going when it became unviable for a small specialist trader. In 2016 I was invited to take my London Road layout as part of the Scalefour Society 40th Anniversary presentation, but haven't been since. Like Stafford it has become a bit of a long haul from the far east of Suffolk for one day, unless I can fit it in with some other activity such as visiting/staying with friends who live locally. Jol London Road during set up at Warley 2016.