Joseph_Pestell

Martin Finney's layout sounds amazing think I'll buy a copy.

It is. And I just have.

Fortunately, the threads about the Cameo Layout Comp highlighted the fact that Semley appears in the latest MRJ. I don't normally bother with MRJ as the contents are a bit too refined for me. But I have been aware of this layout for some time now and very glad to finally see it. A superb model of our local station (or it would be if it had not closed).

By the way, will there be any prizes for layouts that come with lengthy displays of historical justification, maps, misleading Weekly Operating Notice entries and other such rhubarb?

Rhubarb. Now there's an interesting theme. A siding into a nursery somewhere near Wakefield.....

Back on topic

 

Entry form completed and duly submitted by email.

 

Thurso - 2mm Finescale

 

Pete

Much as I look forward to seeing a 2mm finescale model of Thurso, it does not seem like a cameo layout to me.

Nice lunchtime pint yesterday at the Benett Arms, Semley.

Fourth Sunday of each month a local car club (The Primers and Winders) meet there for a drink and lunch. As the club's name implies, mostly vintage vehicles, the oldest yesterday being, I think, our neighbour's 1915 Talbot. There was also a 20s Bugatti, a beautiful Lagonda, a lightweight Morris Oxford Bullnose and about 10 other pre-war cars. Some post-war as well including an Austin Healey 3000.

Sadly, both SWMBO and I had left phones and camera at home, so no photos.

I see this competition as a good idea. If people don't like the rules, they don't need to take part. No need to criticise the creators.

But do we really need three threads about it?

Mentioned some way back in the thread, "Crystal" from a craft brewery in Wakefield. On as a guest beer at The Benett Arms in Semley. Very fine example of the citrussy US-style beer which I like a lot in warmer weather.

The latest wheeze at work are some electrically adjustable desks - press buttons and the thing goes up and down, so you can work standing up or sitting down, or adjust the thing to a comfortable height if you are tall. 

 

Build a layout on one of those, and nobody can complain that it's at the wrong height. They just have to fight over the up/down control instead.....

You could be on to something here. A hospital bed would make a decent sized layout base and could be wheeled in and out of a van.

Ah yes, a weakling among ciders, at 8.2%, and on offer in Morrisons and our local Co-op at three for a fiver.

6 for £9 at Tesco. Not my thing but we have a visitor this weekend who does not rate my cider (only 3.75%). It's selling quite well though and SWMBO insisted that we price it at £4 for a 75cl bottle!

A couple of good French station scenes in Day of the Jackal, particularly his arrival at Austerlitz with plenty of old electrics on view.

If you want vintage French railways in films, then 'Le Vacances de Monsieur Hulot' is worth a watch.

 

In fact, it's just worth a watch. You'll realise where Rowan Atkinson got his Mr bean act from....

I don't think that Rowan Atkinson would seek to deny that influence. But I still think that Mr Bean is a genius performance even though I don't much like that sort of comedy.

Back to the OP, the film is about as based on Zola's novel as most Hollywood films are true to the original works i.e. not very much. I much prefer the novel and would love to see it made properly into a film. Back in Gabin's day that would have been difficult, but with modern CGI techniques it should be possible.

It does look like a very good show indeed and so close to home. Just a pity that it is on a Saturday when I will be working

I am sure that it is indeed Peco's intention to use "unifrog" across the whole range. A huge benefit to them, and even more to retailers, to eliminate the duplication in the range caused by having both "insulfrog" and "electrofrog" . They should have done it years ago.

Good news, bad news...

 

The Hornby Colletts in maroon livery are in stock at my favourite retailer.

 

Only the brake seconds and composites are on the shelves. The all-seconds haven't arrived yet.

Brake 2nd - Composite - Brake 2nd plus a couple of vans makes for a nice "stopper".

Oh no you haven't! Perhaps it is getting too many hits after the BRM video?

Anyway, I got into the site but then it fell over when I tried to use one of the links to express my interest.

I have been very tempted by DCC but concerned by some of the problems that many people still seem to be having with it. This looks really interesting as an alternative.

Would that be logged by Royal Mail?

 

It raises an interesting question.  How do you get around it, i.e. how do you prevent an unscrupulous individual constantly rejecting recorded mail thereby being able to deny knowledge of a small claims action?  Does it matter?

I have experienced this situation in real life.

If the defendant can prove that he knew nothing of the action and could not have known, because of a failure to deliver documents to the right address, the action will be set aside.

So, if you can prove that the documents were presented at the right address, he has no defence even if he refused to accept them.

Unless the recipient rejects it.

He might indeed. But at least you have proof of that for the benefit of the Court.

Hi Geraint,

 

Thank you so much for posting those images, I only hope I can do half as good a job of it as you have.

 

I've ordered a copy of the relevant issue of MRJ, so I hope to be able to read your article when it arrives.

 

Regarding the baseboard construction, You've got me wondering now about the best way forward.

 

For Grindleford, I built the baseboards using 50mm thickness of Celotex PIR foam, with a thin 6mm ply surround for rigidity, and 19mm ply ends, like this:

 

grindleford-baseboard.jpg

 

The trackbed was then supported on a sheet of 6mm ply on top of (or dug into) the Celotex, like this:

 

grindleford-baseboard2.jpg

 

These boards are incredibly light, and seem quite rigid, but they are only 4" x 3".

 

For Cromford, I was hoping to build the whole 6" length as a single board, and my thinking was that the open frame construction would be lighter, however, both you and Michael above are suggesting that this may be too heavy.

 

The issue I have found with the Celotex method is that you have to cut holes for point motors etc through the complete depth of the foam. This isn't too big a job on the Grindleford boards, but for Cromford, to gain the relief required, the trackbed is going to be sitting on 3 thicknesses, which will both add to the weight, and make access difficult.

 

I need to think of a way of combining the lightness of PIR, with the accessible structure of the open frame.

 

Many thanks again for all your help and advice.

 

Al.

Do you need point motors at all on this sort of layout? Manual operation (tube and wire) might be better if you can find a suitable place to put a lever frame.

Certainly an interesting model with appeal to A4 collectors - but £125!!!

Rather than sit around moaning about the problems with Cooper Craft, on Monday I send this Dunn guy the pro forma "Letter before Small Claims Court claim" which can be found here: http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/letter/letter-before-small-claims-court-claim

 

Outlay to date - a 2nd class stamp. He has 28 days to respond. We will see if anything happens.

I would always suggest sending such a letter by "Signed For" delivery. Costs a bit more but proves that it got there.

Good at least we still have a slim chance in the Return Leg next Tuesday at the King Power.

 

A pity Atletico's winning goal was from a penalty given as a result of the referee guessing where the foul was committed, which shouldn't happen at this level.

 

No idea how Leicester are going to score next Tuesday though with not a single shot on target tonight but then Atletico only managed three shots on target.

Get some good fast crosses in for the Atletico defenders to score own goals.

This is not the first time that the 1:1 scale railway has copied model railway practices. But I really never thought that we would see the day when 1:1 scale brick embossed plastikard would be used for platform faces.

I certainly agree about refurbishing 323s. I have only travelled on one twice (Liverpool - Crewe and Stoke - Manchester). I am only 5'9 but found the legroom hopelessly inadequate.

Even with the incline itself off-scene beyond the road bridge, you need something to move the wagons while uncoupled from a locomotive and take them off-scene at that end. Easy enough I guess if DCC and a motorised wagon (rather like the old Kitmaster one).

Citroen GS was available as a van

g-service1.jpg

I had forgotten them despite having had a work colleague who had one in the mid-70s - one of only 6 RHD produced.

Pretty rare in France too as I don't recall ever seeing one.

Good weather is bringing out the interesting cars.

Our neighbour has been out and about in his vintage cars over the weekend but my favourite is the pristine 1969 Alfa Guilia saloon that I passed near Cranborne this morning. White with red and green racing stripes. Nearly 50 years old and running beautifully unlike the 17 registration Renault Megane waiting for the AA man.