jcm@gwr

I, however, feel sorry for them, that they haven't the imagination to do something constructive, for themselves, or others. Instead, they pursue an activity which either promotes a desire for an unachievable perfection, or just promotes animal cruelty. When I say constructive, I don't just mean our hobby (and all that it encompasses), which is right up there, but gardening, painting, restoring an old car or bike, volunteering (heritage railways or museums, or even caring), maybe even making bird tables and nesting boxes, etc, for sale or gifts, there are multiple areas where at the end of the day, or project, you'll be proud of what you've achieved, and have something to show for your efforts. But maybe that's not how everyone's mind works, I guess!

More to the point, how about more realistic lighting levels, or seated figures with sunglasses!

And don't get confused by 'vaping', that fluid is water based, but has oils, etc, added for flavour.

I made this suggestion on the 'Exhibition layouts and speed of the trains', but I realised that it is appropriate here as well. With respect to a lack of realism when it comes to coupling and uncoupling, the chances of an animated, or mechanised, figures able to do the job are probably in the realms of sci-fi/fantasy, I suggest that it might be possible to develop a hologram to do it, either pre-programmed, or worked by the layout operator, using one of those suits that are worn to set up CGI animation. I know it might sound far fetched, but probably closer than you realise!

Direct Rail Services?

Phil, Sorry, I haven't got a photo, or a drawing, of the jig, but I know it's in a box, with the other jig (that is used to solder them at the correct angle) and the rest of the bits, to make more. Trouble is, I'm not sure where it is! I'll get some pictures once I find it, ok. Jeff

With respect to a lack of shunter (staff member/train crew) to couple and uncouple stock, it'll probably never happen, even in 7mm, it's just too far into the realms of sci-fi/fantasy. But, maybe it's time to consider a (possibly) viable alternative, holograms! Either a pre-set program, or even one of the operators in one of those suits they use for CGI animation, I know it sounds far-fetched, but it will be easier then an animated model figure!

And there is a Messwagon, by Piko (I believe), Gaugemaster have listed it, but I could only find it by part number and I can't find the original source at the moment. Also, it won't be accurate for 00, only H0, and I seem to remember it was over £200!

On my shunting puzzle I used the S&W magnets, I know mine is 7mm, but logically if you use the 4mm magnets it should work okay. I fitted mine between the sleepers, so at right angles to the rails, this does mean you have to be more accurate in stopping in the right spot.

Just checked (with another magnet) and all 3 are the same way up. It's possible that long term use is the problem, I certainly didn't have a problem for the first few years, but I also didn't use it as often as a home layout would have been used. It only takes a moment with a de-magnetiser to sort it, but I've no idea where to get one, I'll have to ask the club member (who did it for me) where his came from, once we re-open.

It's possible that I didn't get the magnets all in the same pole alignment, I honestly don't remember reading that! When I can get to the layout, it's been stored since the point tie-bars failed (and lock-down), and I'll check.

I still use cash a lot, as well as contactless, so each evening when I get home, I empty my pockets and separate out the loose change. I keep the £1 and £2 pound coins for day to day spending, everything else goes through a coin sorting machine (present from the kids, Science Museum) The small change gets bagged, and eventually used at the supermarket, but the 50p and 20p coins get put aside for exhibitions, it means I can spend more without the authorities knowing! Sometimes I go with £200 in change to a show, which can be interesting at times, one year at RailEx, I paid for entry in coins, an hour later they had run out of show guides, came looking for me and bought £50 of change off me, result! Another time, I was wanted an Ixion Fowler, and he was more than happy to take the asking price in coins (£140, I think) because he owed money to another trader, and wanted to wind him up! Basically, I don't mind how I pay for entry, food and drink, or anything else from a stand, so long as I'm given a choice.

10800 was named Hawk.

wrong!

Originally this was to be a clearance checking vehicle, but I thought it might have space inside to fit a small vacuum cleaner, to create a maintenance train, which would include our CMX track cleaning tank wagon. That needs a decent loco to move it, so that meant twin motored. it also meant less space, and more complications, so I'm going to build a dedicated vacuum wagon. So, out with the razor saw, again, and it went from 625mm to a slightly more plausible 530mm Then, as it's obviously one of the early diesels, being trialled alongside all the other prototypes, I thought black over silver might look quite good I had to strip all 4 bogies down, I should get 2 working ones, an un-powered, rolling bogie and a pile of bits, I thought about the bits It looks quite good as a Bo-Bo-Bo!

I'm going to stretch the boundary of plausibility with my latest cut-n-shut, but first, the reasons behind it's creation. We (my local MRC) took advantage of the lockdown(s) to give our clubhouse a bit of a refurb, that meant taking down the layouts, unfortunately, that has shown us some serious faults with our large 0 gauge layout. So we are building a new one, with a similar trackplan ('cos it worked well for a club layout), and the guy drawing it, asked about clearances for the largest vehicles (we're trying to future-proof it as much as possible). It was decided that an Azuma coach, at 26m, was probably the largest we would need to allow for, 597mm in 7mm scale! I had a rummage in my 'that might come in handy, one day' box, and found a couple of non-working Atlas F-units, so I thought, maybe a Super Deltic? So I did It looked better in primer But at 625mm, it was too long, plus I realised that the bogies were in the wrong place, so I just cut a piece of ply the right length, and screwed a pair of bogies on, at the right distance to match an Azuma.

I have C1 and C1E, valid until 2028, but I'm also not expecting a call!

I keep the sprues to strengthen cut-n-shut projects!

I have a similar problem, I've been looking for a replacement van for a while now. I have a Transit Connect Bi-fuel, which means not only it is ULEZ compliant, but I don't need to pay to travel through the Congestion Zone (if I need/want to). Unfortunately, since the announcement of the extended ULEZ, the price of petrol vans has rocketed, the cheapest I found was a Citroen, MOT fail, with a knocking engine, for £5k! So, like it or not, I have to keep mine going, I replaced the engine a couple of years ago, but it needs an ECU, which are not available, anywhere. My only option is to get a Focus ECU, and complete under bonnet loom, then get it re-programmed to the van, and then a new LPG system fitted, this is on a van with a mileage of 366k!

I think India has enough red tape to deal with!

Pre-Covid, as that's what the OP asked, for me was, in no particular order, CMRA- Stevenage (previously St. Albans) Ally Pally Railex- Aylesbury Reading (7mm trade show) Kettering Guildex and some local events as well, as a club we're involved with a museum open day (Stevenage), a mini exhibition at the Howard Centre (with another local club) and our local Village day (Datchworth). Hopefully, most will continue, the CMRA are looking for another venue.

Although I agree with most of your post, I think that the residents of Cornwall might be a little upset with you comparing the whole of their county, with a medium sized coastal town in Wales!

I bought a Ford Transit Connect Bi-fuel, so I could drive into London. I enquired about reduced road tax, not available for commercial vehicles! I'm still keeping it going, because it's almost impossible to buy a s/hand replacement (at a sensible price!) I replaced the engine a couple of years ago (got it back on the road just before the first lock-down) because it was burning too much oil, it had done 317K, it's also become a matter of principle to keep it going. Still got the original g/box, rear bearings, front struts and all the body, apart from some sill welding.

Also try- Alpha Kenny Boddie

Unfortunately, I'm no longer able to help, my F-in-Law was diagnosed with dementia at the beginning of 2020 and went into a home. Any information is now, sadly, locked away.