letterspider

Perhaps the research went off track

I don't think most folk realise just how dangerous those missions were, even with the near catastrophe of Apollo 13. The same missions would almost certainly not be allowed these days with the same technology because of the unacceptably high risk of failures. Some of the equipment (such as the lunar module launch engine) was flown completely untested and had no redundancy. The first time it was tested was when it was on the Moon! Finally the estimated cost for the Apollo program in today's money would be touching US$200 Billion. I suppose it doesn't look good value for money when you consider what you could have got by spending that on urgent humanitarian projects, although it is probably less expensive than a regional conflict requiring two aircraft carriers in attendance. okay just found this on the web - I have to concede to phil-b259 on this one wonder how they are going to get their money back on that war?

It isn't always about what is most economic or most precise - there is a certain sense of aesthetic involved too. Aeroplanes for example can be pretty much flown the entire way - fully automated without pilots or stewards but there are a couple of problems you can see straight away 1/ I for one would be very highly scared to get on a plane with no pilot - no matter that most crashes are caused by human error 2/ When something does go wrong and far beyond whatever the engineers anticipated - then only a human operator can have the experience, insight and intelligence to improvise and resolve unforseen problems and often assurances and assistance to passengers. Finally some of us (yes it may be hard to believe in this day and age) enjoy our occupations.

Is driving a train such a bad occupation that the driver has to be replaced by a robot? Or is it the cost? I would suggest replacing much of the senior management team with robots - most of those tasks can be automated and the cost savings would be far greater.

FARRINGDON

Very nice pic. Perhaps this is somthing that will be offered by Olivias Trains?

This looks brilliant and we all want one but I can't reconcile the price with what you get. This makes the Kernow 4TC and the LT S Stock look to be very good value for money as well as all the locos that have broken through the £100 mark. Perhaps this is a clever ploy on Bachmann's behalf?!!.

Good point but would we have seen these errors if crowdfunders had been asked to engage with the development from the first CAD designs, through to EP sample and tooling? Other manufacturers have gone down this route and successfully achieved and delivered good models. It seems to me that these errors would be less likely to occur considering the experience of members on this forum; and you don't even need to be a rivet counter to spot mistakes. For example the windscreen wipers on the Dapol Class 73. There are risks yes and like you I would rather hold back on pre-ordering from Dapol at the moment but this is bad for the manufacturers and in the end bad for the hobby if it pushes prices up and makes manufacturers less likely to innovate. However crowdfunders would unlikely to be exposed ot the biggest danger of all - paying for a product that you would never receive. Manufacturers it seems need a lot of help from us. They need cashflow and ideally interest free. We would be rewarded with the models we want - provided we are patient.

what price do you think would stop your eyes from watering and would make your wallet open up?

Well - 2 months and no luck. Couldn't go to Ally Pally. Think I will try the SAE - with a cheque Thanks for the idea

I have got one of those and I am happy with it. The base plate keeps level over long periods of time and easy to level when you need. Have used it to 3D print new cogs for my ice cream maker, among other things. For OO gauge I have used it to print lineside cabinets etc. I do my designs in Sketchup as it is free, export to stl and then print using Makerbot software which came with my printer The only problem is I have never got to grips with the second head and so never used it. I guess it will come in handy if the main head fails. Also 3D printing is sensitive to air temperature and humidity so it is hard to get the same consistency as you would expect in a standard inkjet printer. Unlike the Makerbot this is emulating - it does not comes with perspex shield Good luck!

Still waiting on transfers

Today received this email from Jadlam Toys and models Enjoy 10% off ALL Hornby this weekend only* Use Discount code EASTERHORN at checkout I will leave it to RMWebbers to decide if there are any bargains in the shop - I haven't yet had the time!

Take the drain from one place of murky - mucky dealings to another at BANK

This could explain why trains are arriving on the right hand side platforms at WHITE CITY

We just had two moves without any explanation at all - how are novices going to follow play? Arnos Grove to Wimbledon to Ickenham I suspect the next two moves are going to be Tower Gateway and Northfields then back to Arnos Grove, followed by a ritual burning

Well maybe it is time to put the game in the sidings and save our energies for the big day on Saturday. So with that in mind EAST HAM

Having read the recent comments on this thread - I feel that there is great hope for the future of the human race, if not for the future of the hobby.

I would like to think he has my address and that he will drop down my chimney on Christmas Eve and leave something in OO gauge

It would make sense - you could fit twice as many in the same space anyway!

With that sort of route - you must be working for the LAS? If so - any jobs going?

To avoid disappointment - I am having all of the colour sensitive photoreceptors in my retina removed

Central and CIrcle to Goldhawk Road

Thanks for the bargains mentioned on the Hattons website Perhaps it is worth mentioning that Hattons now takes Paypal as a form of payment...

You would now find that at LONDON BRIDGE station!