Titan

I am glad you brought that up, because the point is that had I had no knowlege of cars, and based my decision on having a FSH, I would have still have made the right choice in which case the FSH would have been vital. In other words taking note of actual experience rather than hypothesising, there was a significant correlation between the condition of the cars and the FSH as presented, and consequent expected life.

Service history is valuable. I bought my current car about 3 years ago. I looked at two, each from a different dealer. The first appeared pretty good, FSH with all the stamps in the book, only 51,000 miles which was pretty low for the year (03) and looked like it had had an easy life - but the tyres were a little worn - looked about 2.5mm of tread. Dealer told me that they were not that worn and produced a tread depth gauge which measured about 3.5mm. Not convinced I took the gauge off him and put it on a flat surface which gave a measurement of 1.0mm... So I walked away and looked at the next one. Same spec, same year + FSH but 81,000 miles. and a fair bit more expensive. It rapidly became aparrent that this Dealer was related to Arfur Daley. Started telling me about how his boss only bought the best, one lady owner from Cannock etc. The battery was flat, the coolent header tank was empty, and when started the engine smoked. When I asked to see the history it only had one stamp in the book. I suspect it had head gasket failure and was about to die. I did not even bother with a test drive. It made the first one with a proper FSH look so good that I decided to entertain the notion that the first dealer might not have realised his tyre depth gauge was out and it was a genuine mistake and went back and bought it. I have continued in making sure that it is not just maintained at the proper intervals, but by a good garage too. It has given good service and now having passed the 100,000 mile barrier I cannot detect any noticable degredation in the major mechanical parts compared to when I bought it, and it still is in better condition than the other one I saw! And thats the difference a FSH makes!

Probably got more to do with what they actually did and the trains they actually hauled, rather than what they theoretically could. I don't think the 74 ever hauled the Golden Arrow, for example, and as they were later conversions they were not around in the beginning. If you only want to model the sort of trains that the 74's hauled that's fine, but if you want to model something more prestigious, or of an earlier period, then a 74 won't do. edit: beaten to it!

Oh. To me 'no reserve' is no reserve.

Why not? Seems a perfectly reasonable starting price to me.

Using the southern part of the M1 where they have this system I have to admit it is very effective. Sometimes the speed limit gets as low as 40mph, but it seems to regulate the traffic really well as I rarely come to a halt.

I remember seeing a woman on the train with a flask that looked like a d i l d o. It was a fleshy colour and ribbed, except for the matching head cap. Could not work out if she did not realise and the joke was on her, or she did and the joke was on me....

But you have a huge pile of condoms?

It was funnier when originally it said a 15 year old escort, complete with the line about just having been released from custody and the police still having his computer under investigation etc. etc.This joke is one that really dates itself more than any other over the years!

Yes. A whole generation grew up thinking 'England collapse' was just one word...

Sounds like 'spider plates' Basically a common connection point for up to eight cables. Black for Earth bonds, Red for traction return.

What about lines?

Presumably it is to ensure that the wheel is turned to the correct position (i.e. when the line is level) so that when the hub is filled up to the level of the filler plug the correct amount of oil has been added - any other position the plug would be too high or too low resulting in an incorrect level.

I expect it will become due when the models are ready to ship?

Well I BAGSY the best one! A blue and grey EMU with small yellow panel:

A sinister minister?

Did that this year, for a Valentines treat rented a secluded cottage in Norfolk, which just happened to have the Bure Valley Railway running just outside! She did not mind at all!

Yes, they are very strong those magnets! Fitted one in to a Wrenn 08. Now the hook of the tension lock coupling under the cab stays up permanently...

Already been done - seen loads at exhibitions...

Ah yes! Parking is no problem in a Sherman - you can park in a space that's already occupied!

Got some raised eyebrows when the hostesses offered some complimentary hot 'own brand' Tea...

Lustrous And Notably Dependent Running On Very Extreme Roads.

I would suggest different headcodes for each end, one for passenger, one for freight for example. That way you should have something close to what you want to haul. Now if someone could invent working roller blinds under DCC control - how cool would that be seeing a loco run round or back on to the train, and a few seconds later the headcode winds round to the appropriate one...

There are ways and means.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4YkzeSW6v8

Have a look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_66Yq4NkgE If that does not get your lima pancake running nicely nothing will!