Bernard Lamb

I hear on the grape vine that the points are now about at retail outlets. Bernard

But if I had bought 250 from Hornby as a commission job I would not have the same view of "an even handed approach" that you might have in respect of the standard model. As a "special" customer I would expect better than average treatment. Tis how the wheels of industry turn and are greased. Bernard

I think you have left out the most important part. What do you want in the way of disposing of your mortal remains? Bernard

I find some of the official connections are rather tight. Changing from local to main line at Peterborough for example. I have purchased through tickets and when I have seen the allowance down to about 7 minutes I have taken the previous train and given myself 37 minutes. On the other hand an official 7 minutes connection time at Watford Junction is ample. I find it usually pays to assume that the train you are on will be late and the one you are going to connect with will be on time. Bernard

The only time I fired on was with the CCF. I had heard the story of them going off on impact and we were instructed never to leave a loaded Sten on the floor of a truck just in case. Bernard

For a study of railway engineering and architecture you can do no better than walk north from Euston and then turn east and continue past St Pancras to Kings Cross. Then wander back along the main road to view the public face of these three buildings and pop in for look at the trains. The different methods employed to get to the other side of the canal are truly fascinating. The railway civil folk must have cursed the inconsiderate chap who built the canal not so many years before they wanted to add a railway. My favourite is St Pancras. Build it on stilts and put the goods shed underneath. The bit on top is also rather impressive. Bernard

Ever used a Sten gun? They certainly fall into the potentially more dangerous to the operator category. Regarding white phosphorous. At the end of the war the remaining bombs that contained this stuff that were held by the local Home Guard were buried in the old brick clay workings around Leverstock Green and the Industrial area of Hemel Hempstead. I was told this story by a chap who is still around and is now 98 and was in the Home Guard. A large hole appeared in High Street Green back in the spring and the council have not filled it in yet and very little information has been forthcoming about the situation. The local rumour is that they have found the left overs. Bernard

I would suggest that you talk to a local builder and/or some body who prepares plans. They will know what the local authority prefers as well as knowing chapter and verse of the actual legislation. These two are not always the same and getting on the right side of building control can save a lot of time and money. If you are blocking off the main door and this faces the road then a full conversion to a habitable room might be better. It will certainly make it easier if you ever want to move. Also have a talk to your neighbours and get them onside. Finally find out exactly what you have to do regarding electrical work. Depending on how old your existing system is getting the circuits up to modern standards can be expensive. Bernard

I thought it was a load of tripe. Bernard

I think this was discussed way back when. It was a good few years ago. I do remember what I did with mine. A short length of the diagonal stripe decal as used on 16t minerals fits perfectly. Bernard

You might call it compensation. I would call it getting part of the money back due to the failure of one party in a contract to deliver what they offered. The main problem yesterday was a total lack of any railway staff available to help and advise passengers as to the best way to continue their journey. I used four stations on my journey home and there was no customer service staff visible at any of them. Some people I was travelling with were not used to such situations and would not have been able to get home until much later given the circumstances of yesterday. I accept that there was a major problem that escalated far beyond the point of origin. I accept that there will be knock on delays and alternative transport will not be available. I can not accept that senior management in several rail companies decided not to face the public. Yesterday the railway did not do it's best. Not going by many of the comments expressed by fellow passengers. Bernard (still very cross)

Interesting. The creators of these characters was politically about as far removed from the creator of Thomas as you can get coming from a long family line of very left wing people. I was fortunate to see the "real" Bagpuss and the Clangers and the drawings for Ivor last year when they were on show at The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. I know which I prefer. Bernard

I went for a walk around Wandsworth Common today. The group leader checked the Southern service from Hemel. All seemed fine for a change and the 09.43 was bang on time. After a walk and lunch it was back to (lack of) service as usual. The first two trains were cancelled due to lack of drivers. No problem Take the next train to Clapham Junction, change to the Overground and round to the WCML and home via H & W. No London Midland services running, so took the Overground to Watford. Got of at High Street and walked up to Market Street to get the 500 bus home. The world and his wife seemed to be congregating at junction 20 on the M25. Arrived home dead on 18.00 with SWMBO expecting me at 15.50. Not amused. I do not think I will venture south of the river again for a long while. Bernard

It was about eight years ago when I did my mods so I might be a bit hazy. It is the area between the frames that has the wrong shape. This needs hacking away and a new casting is provided in the kit. The general body shape seems to me to be quite good but some of the fittings are undernourished and better ones are in the kit. I added AWS equipment and the cylinders and battery box are very prominent. The Comet kit provided all the required parts. As you have a chassis kit and are not using the Hornby offering the rear truck problem will be much better. Bernard

An American Werewolf in London will show far more exposure than that. At least we can still read Thomas in the original without having to keep quiet about it. Take a look at the original lyrics for I've got a little list from The Mikado to see how times have changed. Or check out the recent fuss in Morris dancing circles over The Worcestershire Monkey. Bernard

Andrew There definitely was a fundamental problem with the original Hornby Duchess. Comet did a detailing and conversion kit and this included a totally new front end besides various fittings of more accurate dimensions. The original Hornby model also lacked any cab interior detail and the tender was rather basic. Lack of coal pusher for a start. The rear frames around the trailing truck were very mush a bodge to get it to go round corners and the comet kit provided the parts to improve this. I deliberately write improve not correct. Having spent many hours working on improving a model I feel reluctant to replace mine with the new RTR version. Mine is my effort and while not as good as the new Hornby model does remind me of how I obtained an improvement on my first ever locomotive namely the ancient HD Duchess.Bernard

I raise you Alice in Brexitland by Lucien Young. Bernard

Pose that alongside the new Dean Goods and you will get the experts really wound up. Stolen rather than sold for that one. Bernard

He was a C of E Clergyman so what do you expect? (Please insert smilies as appropriate) I dread to imagine the PC version where a steam locomotive couples up to a DMU. Bernard

A J15 was sold to Baird & Co in June 1938. It went to Scotland under it's own steam and remained in service until around 1960 according to The Green Book. Bernard

A similar thing happened to me yesterday. SWMBO uses an ipad and I use a desktop when we are at home and they share the modem and broadband facilities but have totally separate email, Facebook and Paypal accounts. She asked me was I still interested in some Dapol wagons. Bernard

Others have, or soon will, fill you in on the history oh CKD. However in Germany Piko produce a BR95 that has more bits to add than many a kit. Including a large number of lengths of external pipe work. It can be done but it is a bit of a cultural thing. A bit like Brexit really. Bernard.

My favourite Japanese style eating place in London these days is Tokimeite, Conduit Street. A modern take on traditional food. A taster selection accompanied by warm Sake is just heavenly. Provided you are not footing the bill. Bernard

I have a feeling it was Alan Sibley. Bernard