Dava

My main interest is in O scale North American shortlines, there is some crossover with trolley systems including those which hauled freight. Such as the Claremont & Concord in New Hampshire which absorbed parts of the Claremont Electric Railway, and replaced the electric locos with GE 44 tonner centrecab diesels. Looking for a small trolley car as a static display item on my shortline project, the Birney Safety Cars were used on many smaller town systems and some survive in preservation (not in the UK) see Johan Marsbar’s photo thread. The Corgi diecast model was made in several variants, can be found in both UK and US and could be motorised with a 2” wheelbase truck. Powered versions have been made by Bowser, MTH and Lionel (both 3 rail). It is similar in length to the Bachmann 0n30 trolley, but wider, and being motorised in narrow gauge could be an option. Anyone else interested in these little cars? Dava

I visited Gothenburg in 2016 & enjoyed photographing the trams but didn’t see the vintage ones, sadly. Dava

Is this the best model shop in Nottinghamshire…..?

Light Railway Stores provides an ‘online marketplace’ and order fulfilment service for 18 small producers who don’t need to run their own online shops. It works well. https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/ Dava

aka @Warycat on Twitter & Mastodon! Feline social media accounts managed from one bureau. Your reward:

So if Accurascale are also planning a Gauge O loco, I can’t see a better candidate than the J66/67/69! Well traveled, compact and ideal light railway loco. Dava

Yes I have the article and also built a DVLR station for my ‘Coney Hill’ layout, based on the DVLR. I like the buildings and also built a tariff shed which several stations had on the platform. Dava

The Portable Building Co. also supplied the similar station buildings on the Derwent Valley Light Railway, o f which one survives in the preserved DVLR at Murton. Alphagraphix provides a card kit of the single bay version, in 7mm and possibly 4mm scale. Dava More information here: https://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/51/Derwent.htm Dava

I meant public places such as overbridges, which the first photo seemed to be taken from, as well as approved work locations. Dava

A really interesting detail-rich photo which could inform a cameo model. You could start a thread of rail infrastructure work photos, taken from safe or approved locations of course. Dava

Three castings for frame, hood and cab. Lionel acquired the K-Line model so maybe available in 3 rail. Dava

I model US O scale 2 rail, I do see 3 rail items which are generally to scale standards except for the aberrations in the wheel and truck areas. Sadly, 2 rail is a niche here although we have a Facebook group for American O-Scale in the UK, please join if interested. Conversions are possible, I saw this loco at the GOG show in Kettering last weekend on the Ellis Clark stand, they also have a haul of US 3 rail items. I was told it had an undiagnosed fault but for £75 decided to try and fix it. It is a K Line Plymouth switcher, these were only made in 3 rail so this has been converted to 2 rail with finescale wheels. A week later I have sorted the DCC problem but not yet found the setting to get the sound to work. It runs nicely, ideal for a minimum space layout. In my to-do collection there is a Bachmann Williams GE 70 tonner which awaits rewheeling for 2RFS. nb my test track is multigauge with an off centre 3rd rail for 14 & 16.5 gauges. Dava

How do you remove the blanking plug from the Dapol Y1 to fit a DCC chip? It’s taken me 3 years to get to this one. The instructions say use the tool provided, it wasn’t in my NQP box. I can’t see a way of levering or pulling the 21 pin plug out of the socket which is horizontal in the bunker. Advice welcome. Dava

How do you load cattle into model cattle vans with the roofs glued on? I acquired 2 Gauge 0 vans, one a scratchbuilt NBR van, and a 3H MR van, and have been unable to see how to load them without major surgery to roof or floor. So they stay empty or for brewery use in moving barrels. Dava

I have donated, this is a very historic site and workshop, home of the Dalmellington Iron Company described in the epic history by David L Smith. The Doon Valley Railway keeps it alive. https://www.railscot.co.uk/companies/D/Dalmellington_Iron_Company/ Dava

The diesel shunter was a good representation of a NBL loco as used by BR in Scotland. Dava

This is what the LCUT TT120 hut kit look like. Its small, , less than 3/4” long. They are planning to make their N gauge range available in 2.5mm scale. Dava

Was the sign put up after one did? Does the TV program you refer to (1970?) still exist anywhere? Dava

I remember him talking about how his father removed the 2nd n from Betjemann when it was unfashionable and being debagged in The suburbs, maybe in another film as Oldudders said.

Has the film been edited to remove some content on Betjeman’s personal history? I suspect it has. Dava

Recommend a trip to Porthmadog & Aberystwyth to see for yourself. The VoR locos work hard on the climb to Devils Bridge. Replica L&B loco & Russell at Port. Dava

I’ve noticed that LCUT Creative have introduced a yard office hut kit for a mere £3.69, ideal for trying the scale. I’ll collect one or two next Saturday from their stand. http://www.lcut.co.uk/index.php?product=B TT0-00&title=B TT0-00 Dava

Thanks, message sent. Dava

From today’s grim news, what will the impact of the coke ovens closure be on rail operations at Scunthorpe? Presumably no inbound coal trains or internal coke traffic, but replaced by imported coke? How much is that going to cost to buy and import, and where from? Dava

Thanks Justin, Those views are very helpful, I’ve seen the first and last views but not the four in between. There are probably enough photos of parts of the stables to make a composite drawing which would work for a small scale model. I’ve added the evocative coloured view I found which shows the goods yard side, it’s not in the Colour Rail catalogue. The stone loading dock is still there, I noticed last weekend. Dava