figworthy

I dropped an order for some transfers in the post on Christmas Eve morning, and the order was delivered yesterday (January 2nd). In view of the time of the year, as well as the problems with the postal service, I thought that the service (by John and Royal Mail) ought be to praised. Adrian

Mackintosh's (of Quality Street fame) were also from the hallowed acres of God's Own County. Adrian

There are quite a few pictures in this topic.

On several occasions, the Aire at Castleford was solid with foam between the weir and the road bridge. I think I've seen pictures of where it had invaded the town. Adrian

Are you sure ? Adrian

At one point I had a copy of the plans for the lift, but I haven't seen them for several decades. I was fancying it as a possible model. Latterly, the coal was supplied from Kellingley, but at various points in time, it also came from the St Aidan's open cast site (before it sprung a leak), Park Hill Colliery (NE of Wakefield), and they also ran a trial of loading at British Oak (which crops up on here from time to time), but there was one lock that would only take one pan or the tug at a time. Not sure if Allerton Bywater, Ferry Fryston or Wheldale were used for Ferrybridge C, but they were used by conventional barges for A and/or B. Adrian

Would it be possible to scale them to (say) 1.9mm/foot (and breathe in when you are being scanned) ? Adrian

Never believe anything until it is officially denied ! Adrian

For the colour, not sure if these help. They are of Dent Head viaduct, taken on a dull day. And one of Arten Gill from the road up the dale Adrian

Did someone mention maps ? Full set of 1:50000, most of the Seventh series plus various others. An interesting set of 1920s motoring atlases, interesting how road designations have changed over the years. Adrian

Thanks both, I suspect that masking of some form might have to be the answer. Adrian

I'm just starting to build some of the Comet 9ft GWR bogies, and have read the instructions (!) it looks to me as though you effectively "lock" the wheels into the bogie as part of the construction process. If this is the case, is there a recommended way to paint them without getting the wheels covered in paint ? Thanks Adrian

All sorts of strange happenings in the Forest (allegedly). Adrian

School teachers. Hmm, a long time ago and a variety. I can only think of one who was bad (always 10 minutes late for classes, and not very good at getting stuff across) We had a geography teacher who was probably fresh out of training, and couldn't control a class to save her life, possibly not helped by you only being able to hear her if you were sat in the front row. The physics teacher who always insisted on homework being handed in, but never marked (or returned it). When challenged, he maintained that he was paid from 9-4 and didn't have time to mark it during school hours. The Harley riding computer studies teacher, who really didn't seem to be cut out to be a teacher, but did a good job of it all the same. Sadly, he left after a year. The head of maths, who taught the 2 year O level statistics syllabus in 6 months, and everyone got either an A or a B. He was also able to predict with a fair degree of accuracy what exam results someone would get by which of the local villages they came from. The chemistry teacher who usually wore loose fitting blouses, and had a habit of leaning forwards when make a point. Oddly one of the few subjects where there was competition for the front row. The A level maths teacher who spent two years telling me that I was wasting my time (was that a subtle means of getting me to try harder ?) - I passed, and seemed slightly miffed when several of her students passed their driving tests before she did. Adrian

Right at the start, and at regular intervals, there is a sign on the left hand side, of a yellow triangle on a blue background pointing towards the track. What is the sign indicating ? Thanks Adrian

If you've got half an hour to spare, you might find this informative. https://www.missendenrailwaymodellers.org.uk/index.php/resistance-soldering-demonstration/ Adrian

Heater ? Oh, that black thing just in front of the gear levers. Had a fan attached to it that made lots of noise, but not much else (and the valve _was_ open). Ahead of its time in many ways,. Air con came as standard, you could see daylight between the doors and the windscreen, a howling gale blowing through there. Thick glove on the right hand, thinner one on the left hand for winter motoring. Oh happy days. Adrian

Land Rovers don't leak oil, they mark their territory. (I'm an ex IIA owner). A friend who has a 90 was rather amused to hear that there was a recall on because some of them had been marking their territory. That music thingy also ought to have a galvo bumper on the bottom. Adrian

That lane is rather lovely. Adrian

Episode 3 this Friday is (it seems) the Banbury - Cheltenham route Adrian

Nevil Shute's autobiography (Slide Rule) makes for an interesting read as he had a senior role in the R100 project. Getting airships in and out of hangers was tricky as it had to be done in a virtual flat calm, otherwise if it caught the doors serious damage could occur. Adrian

Hartshill, just north of Nuneaton. Looks like it is still there. Unfortunately, looking at Streetview, there is now a tree on the left hand side of the building, which means that you can't get a good look at that end of it. The buildings on the left hand side, between the two bridges are quite interesting as well. Adrian

I used to have a colleague who was quite smart. she always used to watch one of the soaps, even though they didn't seem to be her thing (more Star Trek and LoTR). She explained it as being a way to drain her mind after a day at work. Decades back, Mum was a fan of Crossroads, we were convinced that she didn't actually enjoy it, it was just a good way of getting us to go and do our homework (for the benefit of younger readers, it really was that bad). Adrian

We used to have a duck that did something similar. A place I used to work at had 100+ ducks of various breeds. One (we never worked out what breed she was) used to come up to reception every morning. If the door was open, she'd stick her head in and quack (she never came in), if the door was shut, she'd knock. Adrian

Looks very much like it, but this one was rather more agricultural. Adrian