figworthy

Ashchurch. Interesting junction, and a level crossing. Adrian

If I get a call from a number I don't recognise, I pick up but don't say anything. Usually, after a moment the line goes dead. If it is a real person, they will speak. Every time this happens, I check the number online, and it always turns out to be a known dodgy number. Adrian

Hopefully not related to the reduction in features. I've always had periodic emails from Fusion offering me a discount on a licence, but now I seem to be getting them on a weekly basis. Adrian

As others have said, having a goods shed on a running line isn't practical. There were goods sheds which were on through lines, Lechlade on the Fairford branch being an example http://www.fairfordbranch.co.uk/Lechlade.htm But point work allowed access from either end, so there was no need to attempt to run a loco through the shed. Adrian

Dore & Totley. Adrian

And another documentary that springs to mind. Again, I don't remember it being repeated. Late 1973 / early 74 during the regular power cuts, a documentary about 4 hours long (not a good idea with the power cuts). Basically a geological history of the earth. Adrian

Reminds me of a Land Rover I saw many years ago which had a section of RSJ bolted to the back (painted in black and yellow stripes), with a tow ball bolted to the other side. Looked like it was done as a stand off to add clearance for the rear door mounted spare wheel, but it wouldn't have been good for anyone who ran into it. Adrian

Isn't there a copper one around the chimney ? Adrian

And were so traumatised that you fled the country ? Adrian

Another series that I don't remember repeated was (I think) called "The Engineers". Sometime back in the late 70s, probably BBC2. Half a dozen or so documentaries each one featuring a different aspect of engineering. Three that stick in the mind, one where the featured engineer also had a steam roller which he used to repair his drive, another one where they were developing a new type of airship and the third was the development of the electronic caliper. Adrian

This one ? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397784/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_115 Adrian

I think I went to one of those. Did he demonstrate the explosive effect of various gas/air combinations by using coloured milk bottles, and what happens when you set fire to a beer tray full of cotton wool soaked in liquid oxygen ? (don't try that at home). Adrian

Bombard it with cake. HH will try to jump on the roof to catch the cake, and the stress will collapse the shed. Adrian

I think the original story had Bob Peck turning into a tree at the end, so if you think the ending that they broadcast was confusing ... One of those programmes that no matter how many times I watch it, I still can't work out who all the goodies and baddies are. I suspect that the plot is too complicated for it to be made today. Adrian

Got to be Garforth. Adrian

That could be the one I was thinking of (long time since I last saw it). Adrian

Far be it from me to argue with such distinguished company, but I still consider myself a novice. OK, not a complete beginner, but I'd want a few more kits under my belt before I'd completely drop the novice bit, certainly one working standard gauge loco. A bit more digging before I decided which loco to go for, but I think more wagons to practice on before I start on the loco. And thanks for the comments on the various manufacturers. Adrian

Out of that lot, I remember The Paradise Club, Boon and Rockcliffe's Babies. Anyone else remember the Flaxton Boys ? IIRC each series had the boys of the previous series as the fathers of the boys of the current series. Another one that for some reasons sticks in my mind (which I only remember one run of) was in the early 80s, late evening - "Big Jim and the Figaro Club" Set on a building site, probably some years earlier. Adrian

Willerby also built some almost identical ones for British Transport Waterways, the main difference appears to be the tie down points. I haven't a clue what happened to it, but there used to be one (mid 1970s) at the Waterways Museum at Saville Town Basin in Dewsbury. Adrian

I can see that appeal of buying a body to fit to an existing chassis, but (unless I'm missing something) you have to buy a complete RTR loco, and then discard the body, which seems a bit of a waste. Adrian

John, To date, I've built 1 00-9 loco (in nickel silver), 1 wagon (in brass) and one of the Scale Four lever frames. In addition I've played around with odd bits. I'm under no illusion that I'm at the bottom end of the learning curve. The plan (such as it is) is to identify a likely kit, the three I mentioned fit the criteria (reasonably powerful 0-6-0), other suggestions are welcome (I'm already aware of the RTR offerings). Once selected, it will probably be bought, and then put into store (kits can go out of production), and in the mean time, I'll be looking for suitable wagon kits (either late GWR/early BR or suitable for an Ironstone quarry - suggestions welcome) and use those to make some progress up that learning curve. Adrian

Ranskill. Adrian

Another vote for Verney Junction. Adrian

That looks a nice job, but I suspect it is too modern for my requirements (late 50s - mid 60s), whereas most steam locos (and some diesels) would fit the period. I take your point on humble wagons, to date I've built one, which does run (!). I need to keep my eyes open for kits which would work in with my requirements, that way I can end up with something that will get run. Problem with a tank loco is not having a tender to get extra pickups. Progress is likely to be slow. Regardless of when I buy a kit, I would expect it to be well into next year before any work is done. Adrian

Thanks for the quick reply. Unless I'm going mad, I can't see a reference to the 14" on your website. For what I have in mind (moving Iron Ore tipplers or hoppers to/from exchange sidings) the 14" would probably have been a bit under powered. My readings on the subject suggest that this would have been done by the larger locos. Adrian