SM42

Was that you I saw trundle past Landor St on Thursday night, or were my eyes playing tricks on me? Andy

6 of one half a dozen of the other. The crossing user refuses to say where he is so the signaller is unable to confirm. The sigaller won't confirm where they have received a call from, so the user can confirm. Easily resolved with a bit of common sense from both sides. Only takes one of them to state the location. The best person to do so is the one making the call, they know where they are. or at least think they are. The risk with the farrmer asking the signaller where he is that the famer just agrees with whatever is stated without actually listening, after all the signaller can see where he is, who's to doubt their word? For instance . "Which crossing am I at?" "Lea Green No 2" " Yes, I'm at Lea Green, Can I cross?" The answer is yes, but the farmer only heard Lea Green and is actually at Lea Green Hall, 7 miles away. No clear understanding reached, No elimination of equipment fault or human error, just a half a conversation in which neither side has listened properly. Now consider this ""Hello signaller I want to cross the line with my tractor and crop sprayer" "Which crossing are you at?" " Lea Green " " Which Lea Green crossing? " "Lea Green Hall" Now if the signaller has Lea Green No2 as the location being called from, further action can be taken to make things safe, as something has obviously gone wrong here. Either the user is confused, or the equipment is faulty in some way The onus is on the signaller to ensure the safety of the crossing user and the trains. The farmer taking charge of the conversation removes that Perhaps the farmer could visit the signalbox in the middle of harvest season when there are hundreds of such calls every day and it is critical to get these things right as well as do all the other signalling stuff. Easy and safest answer is to close the crossing and the farmer goes the long way round by the local roads and then he wouldn't have to cross 5 times to cross once. Seems he already has the gates open though. Andy

Cant say I've ever noticed that before, thanks, but I was thinking more of the loose end of the vac pipe being clattered by a couple of ton of coal rushing past. Andy

A cultural difference I had not considered. Thank You Your first line highlights the effectiveness of mask wearing is, in general, to protect not the user, but others I think the SARS experience certainly helped South East Asia. The lessons had been learnt. In Europe it all seemed so far away, SARS didn't get here, This won't. Complacency was the enemy. The warnings for the UK were there back in 2016. Nothing was done. The flu comparison is valid in some ways (method of transmission, respiratory illness, basic protection through hygeine etc) the big difference is no-one has any immunity from this one. Everyone is a potential victim and there are some as yet to be undertsood effects on certain people. I would be interested to know, what were people in HK doing this time last year before all this started. Was mask wearing widespread as a natural thing to do everyday or was there a more patchy useage? I also suspect that countries in that region have populations that have a stronger culture of listening to the governments instructions. Certainly I've seen that reported for places like Singapore and South Korea; countries that also have coped well. Here many don't seem to care what the government says Andy

There is however quite a sprinkling of rainbows around at the moment. Andy

The perils of two versions of English means some jokes just don't sprinkle across the divide. Andy

I think the idea that a face mask is the key to reducing deaths/ infections is not proven to be of major incremental benefit. Poland for instance has had only 1300 recorded deaths. Face mask wearing was introduced there quite late on I believe and the requirements have now been eased. The phsycological effect is quite large though in giving a confidence to wearers to go out in the big bad world again. Why Asian countries are so wedded to the concept I don't know. Each culture is different. Why are some mainland Europeans convinced that cold air or a draught will make you ill? Perhaps there is more to it than just disease control. Pollution may be the first concern and the leap is easy to make to infection control especially when you see doctors wearing them. To the average person in the street, I suspect, that exposure to airborne viruses is relatively low. The mask will reduce this by reducing the amount or range of that expelled by those infected. Heart surgeons don't wear a mask to protect themselves from catching heart disease from their patients. they do it to minimise infection from them to their patient. Early face mask wearers I know were convinced it would protect them from us, but it was more likely the other way around. In medical settings the risk is much higher. The viral concentrations are higher and therefore more protection is required. Perhaps if it's good enough for the medicos then it's good enough for us comes into it. Andy

This is the key, but the problem is that almost everyone has become suspicious of everyone. Some tut and move on, some take no notice, some make a fuss, some just can't help being rebels and some just can't stop and think for a minute. I think I and many I know (and I suspect the majority) fall between the first and second. A dose of self preservation may be thrown into the mix. . Society in general has become more judgemental. Anonymity via the web has made this worse. I am not to judge, and I don't think it is incumbent on transport staff to judge either in this case. Dodgy groups who obviously didn't belong to the same household were obvious to spot. getting too close, easy to spot. That legal exemption not so. The problem is as always. Emergency legislation, quickly drafted, trying to cover all eventualities. The railway Rule Book doesn't cover everything perfectly (and that took many years to develope to what it is today,) and so at some point the staff have to make judgements in the spririt of the rule as the rule doesn't 100% apply or is physically impossible. In the end, as Gwiwer said, we have to trust people to comply and we have to trust the enforcers (whoever they may be) to tread the tightrope with expertise. They may lose their balance occcasionally and, when they do, we all need to have a little perspective. So you have an exemption. Calmly explain that, if challenged. Don't go flying off shouting the odds and claiming some form of discrimination or slander (Sadly an all too popular reaction these days) likewise those challenging need to give the benefit of the doubt. It never ceases to amaze me how many put bad things down to malice rather than ignorance of the circumstances The idiots? the disgruntled? the conspiracy theorists? No hope there. Just need to be good at diffusing the situation. Escalation does no-one any favours Andy

If registration is required under US law to sell bonds and gilts in the US then the UK government would have to register. How else could they legally raise income on the international markets (i.e borrow money by selling bonds to be redeemed at a future date at a given rate of return.) Oh and the government doesn't just ask the Bank of England to print some money. The B of E (which is independent of government so that interest rates can't be manipulated by the government to influence voters just before elections any more) buys UK bonds (normally Uk financial institutions) on the open market therefore releasing equity (cash) into the system in the hope that there will be a trickle down effect. Any way back to masks My understanding is that staff, whilst not legally required to wear masks, are encouraged to do so in customer facing roles, as this will encourage the travelling public to do likewise. The obvious proviso is where this does not compromise safety I can be fairly certain that most of the travelling public will not be aware of the details of the legilsation and will only have the understanding that they must cover their face whilst travelling on public transport (as outlined at the No10 breifing) . Now if the staff don't, then they don't know they don't have to and the "if they're not, I'm not" effect comes into play It's a numbers game. The more who do the better but no-one is expecting 100% compliance now (that genie has I'm afraid, already been released) Andy

I've always wondered how many times the buffers or vacuum pipe followed the coal during this operation. Andy

The type seen on the stores van ADB753239 is what I'm after. The same type of axlebox can be found widely on BR standard vans too and are quite common on Vanwides. Andy

BR built twist A diagram 1/205 or 1/203. GW design, BR built. Plate front axleboxes and tall or low vac pipe dependeing on which you go for Andy

Thanks for those I've looked at Invertrain although I've not really found what I'm looking for, there are some useful types there that could soon be making their way into my might be useful in one day bits and pieces stash. I'll give the Dapol couplings a try. The Slater's kits have what looks like the plate front for the axlebox but I'm blowed if I can find the rest of the thing. There is a flat fronted split type back but that is the wrong shape to go planting the front on. I may well have to resort to filler and file and cobble something together. Slater's don't really help thesmelves with the website do they? The descriptions are a bit vague, really need a photo too. I was looking under wagon bits not coach bits. The axle box search continues. That Parkside plywood GW van needs a BR built twist Andy

I have recently been building a selection of Parkside and Slaters O gauge wagon kits. 1960s - early 1970s is where I'm aiming period wise. However this has come to a stand as I am looking to get some subtle variety in the fleet. Almost every kit comes with split axleboxes and I would quite like to ring the changes, same with vacuum pipes and buffers Despite my best efforts I have been unable to source the following detail parts, if indeed they exist BR plate front axleboxes (just the box, no springs . I have plenty of springs in the spares box) Low vacuum pipes. I know about the Slaters option but is there an alternative? Tall vacuum pipes. The Parkside moulding is a bit rough for my liking. Is there a better alternative out there? Screw couplings . Can find plenty for locos but they don't seem to look right for wagons Buffers. There has to be more than just the 3 long,1 short rib or Oleo type. How about some nice self contained or heavy duty types? Any pointers gratefully received. Thanks Andy

There were some standard vans that were converted to air brake. The stores van mentioned above by Black and Decker boy being an example. However there was more to it than just changing the brake system. The whole suspension was changed too, in a similar fashion to the Vanwides that were converted to run in the Speedlink / Railfreight red grey era. Not seen any in red an grey though, but they may have been some. The main indicator of livery in a B&W photo (I think, but can't be sure) would be what is says on the side. The grey and turquoise I believe had Rail Stores rather than Railfreight Andy

The new shorter platform will / can be extended to a longer platform, but at the moement still functions as the old platform did but is now avalable to be used from both north and south. Why it couldn't be installed full length at the time of resignalling is a mystery. Andy

Each bridge is assessed by the structures engineeers and based on the type and construction, a risk assessment is done on the potential damage any bridge bash will inflict and what effect that has on the safety of running trains over that bridge. There are four catgories: Red, Amber, Double Amber and Green Below is the simplified version. As I'm sure you can appreciate the rules are a little more complex than this and a lot depends on many factors before you even start to take into account the bridge classification with regards to what action to take with anything other than a red category bridge Red: - All rail traffic stopped until an inspection is carried out Amber: - A train driver can be asked to check the track alignment at the bridge and if all looks OK then trains can run at reduced speed over the bridge until it is examined Double Amber:- As amber but trains can then run at linespeed. These tend to be the more solid structures. Green: - Carry on as if nothing happened. There aren't any green bridges that I know about. Andy

Once you've done one, some tape wrapped round the drill bit to mark the depth at which you shall not pass makes it easier next time. Buy a second bit for other work. I've obviously been lucky so far with the kits I've bought, but thanks for posting your method. Should I encounter the burr I will try it Andy

In essence you are talking about building a portable layout just like any exhibition going layout but without the same audience. Essentially I would build in the garage up to and including track, wiring and testing. At the joints cut the track and fix securely to baseboard ends. use locating dowels or other system of choice to accurately locate boards when reassenmbled so everything lines up and finally cross wiring over joints using plug and sockets of choice. This can be simple choc block to fancy multi pin connectors. No need for rail joiners at the joints. the cross board connector will do the job. Another benefit is that it can be moved again in the future if need be. Andy

Work breakfast (eaten al desko) normally consists of fruit. An apple and a handful of grapes occasionally supplemented by a pear or a cereal bar. Breakast on none work days can vary from the full Ponglish (the full English with a Polish twist,) fried egg, smoked bacon or sausage, not both, with fried mushrooms on toast washed down with tea or coffee. Mrs SM42 and I have also recently become partial to ham, cheese and spring onion on crumpets. (Cooked in the oven not the toaster otherwise the cheese falls off) Other days may be a cup of coffee and some toast or fruit loaf. Breakfasting like a king is not done here very often. That pleasure is enjoyed at the in laws when breakfast takes about two hours and it seems to be a test on whether you can finish the contents of the fridge. Andy

Apparently viruses do tend to mutate downwards. This was the view of a scientist early on. To be successful the virus needs a host. Killing the host is not the virus's intention (even if we have given it a human murderous intent) Killing the host is of no use. The virus will die too. Thus the virus mutations that will survive in greater number are those that don't kill all the hosts. Back to a previous post, instead of buying gloves to operate communal keypads, use a cheap disposable biro. Remove ink tube and nib. use pen to push buttons. Replace cap to cover the contaminated end. I keep one in the car for use on card terminals at petrol stations. Can be used to open doors on trains too. The warning signs for the government have been there since 2016 when an pandemic exercise was carried out. The lessons have either not been learnt or heard or just plain disregarded and as a result they are quite literally making it up as they go along. The result is ad hoc legislation and instructions that in theory could have been thrashed out 4 years ago and kept in a cupboard to be used if required. The problem with such ad hoc policy is that it tends not to be very effective or enforcable (See Dangerous Dogs Act) but bear in mind that there is a 3 weekly review within the legislation, unike the Hungarian model On the whole the public has gone along with it. There will always be those who refuse to abide, but their voices and the apparent disregard by those in the public eye who should know better are insidious and the rot starts to creep in across the populace in general. The longer this goes on the harder it will be to impose new restrictions. People have been given a glimpse of the light at the end, to have that extinguished will be hard Really the restrictions and guidance from restricting movement to quarentines and mask wearing should have been there from the start. It is always easier to remove than to apply. The travelling public will now be facing the prospect of delay and cancellation because of a dispute about someone who refuses to wear a mask, staff or fellow passengers may even be assaulted for daring to challenge someone and the limited resources of the BTP and other police forces will be stretched further. On a brighter note, I have no doubt that in time COVID19 will become like it predecessor SARS. It will be out there, as a constant and occasional hazard, much like seasonal flu is, and life will return to normal in the not too distant future. I just hope and pray the cost of getting there is not much higher. Andy

I don't remember if it has been memtioned before but a few months ago the signal box (porttakabin style) known as Claydon L&NE Jn was moved from that place to the site of the old Waddesdon station just north of Aylesbury. The line from Aylesbury Vale Parkway to Waddesdon is now the token section and from there to Calvert is now officially a siding. The signal box has retained its old name with the addition of "(New)" between Junction and Signalbox. Andy

This is a problem I meet every day. As with all rules, if there is a grey area or the chance of different interpretation then it will be problematic. Also I'm not sure if some don't bend the rules deliberately to show a little bit of resistance to big brother or to just draw attention in some way. For example "Stay 2m from others." Now does that mean only when stationary, like in a queue, crowd or indeed on public transport, or does it also include passing in the street, supermarket or train doorway. I know some who say the 2m rule doesn't apply if you are just passing someone. Some say it's ok to stand / sit near you as long as they are not face to face with you. There are now those who think it only applies if proximity will be for more than 15 minutes and indoors, but not if you wear a mask. I prefer to think that if both persons are caplable of breathing then 2m applies regardless. It just seems more sensible that way Andy

The rules and how to follow them has been muddied somewhat lately. The enforcement was probelmatic to start, almost impossible now. Who will police mask wearing on public transport? Policing ticketing is hit and miss and the path of least resistance is taken for the greater benefit of not delaying everyone or being physically assaulted. What hope with mask wearing? The original message was simple. Now it is 50 odd pages of guidance with periodic ad hoc additions and a strange traffic light system with parameters and timelines that can change but seem to be set in stone. It may be the road map everyone wanted, but you don't need to beat the estimated arrival time. Perhaps the government were surprised that the original Stay Home message was too successful The rules / guidance are now so muddy and complex that it seems anything is now fair game. From the experience of commuting by car over the last 8 weeks and seeing many who obviously weren't making essential journeys, I don't hold out much hope that this rule will be possible to enforce effectively. Andy

Not a good comparison. 35% of the UK isn't effectively desert like Australia nor are there several active volcanoes and large forested areas (38%) like New Zealand. A better comparsion would be in populated areas rather than whole country area (Sydney c1,114, London c7,700, Auckland c3,133, Canberra c448, Birmingham c3,600) per sqaure km. Note that Sydney is around 10 times greater in area than London Back to masks Whilst the effectiveness or otherwise if open to debate, there can be no harm in doing so if you so wish. However there does need to be some common sense in use which unfortunately is not very common. How many mask wearers do you see on TV who think their nose isn't a route in or out and therefore doesn't need to be covered. The whole stategy at present does smack of limping from one thing to another whilst the common sense that the government is relying on has gone out of the window over the last two weeks since a particluar road trip came to light. Seems odd to me that "the science" seems to be different in every country, when science should at least be fairly consistent. It's science after all. Physics and chemistry are quite consatnt so I suspect is epidemiology. Andy