br2975

Correct - FIFA's decision had little to do with England's bid, the quality of our stadia, the ability of the authorities in this country to stage and police large events, without resorting to water cannon and mass administrative deportations. Similarly it had nothing to do with media coverage of FIFA officials lining their pockets. It had nothing to do with the hooliganism we bred, but had faced and all but eradicated before it even took hold in other countries. It had nothing to do with racist chanting by fans, again virtually unheard of at stadia throughout this country (I'm not too naive to say it's non-existent, after all I watch Cardiff City !) where again it was challenged and dealt with before many Eastern European countries ever allowed black (and ethnic minority) players to take to their fields. . Forget Iran, forget North Korea, forget Zimbabwe - we have to remember that alongside Uncle Sam we are the most despised nation on the planet, where in some quarters we subsidise the feeding, clothing, schooling and employment of Johnny Foreigner and his extended family,to whom we also provide some security by training their police and armed forces - yet they are still brought up to despise us, and they will grasp every opportunity to 'get one over us'. Think I'm wrong ? The U.N. praised the people of the UK because they felt we gave more, per head, toward the Pakistan flood appeal than the population of any other country. Think back to the Tsunami, and the subsequent appeals, concerts and charitable events that took place across the UK and how much we donated per head. In most of the countries effected, there was one dominant religion, and yet after these disasters we never hear of how much the major oil producing countries where the same religion is dominant donated toward the rescue and rebuilding ? There is little doubt that FIFA is as transparent and democratic (as Formula 1 ?) many a central African republic, but we are stuck with it. I feel a moderator's finger on the 'delete' button here, but I don't think there's much in this post that's untrue ? If so, I'll end up doing what we in this country do best, 'donning sackcloth and ashes' for some misdemeanour committed hundreds of years ago. Rant over. Brian R

Not quite the 'end of the tugs' - I just re-discovered these shots which were taken at Barry Dock on 22nd. October, 2009 - the last recorded occasion when a Cl.60 worked the Newport ADJ - Barry Docks trip. . 60045 was the loco that day, and I found it by chance. . The train is seen running alongside Woodham Road road and No.2 Dock, and also standing in Dunne Brother's scrapyard ........... someone had fitted a new padlock to the gates and ABP didn't have the key ! Brian R

60096 dragged by 66166 'up' the South Wales Main Line twixt Cardiff & Newport, 1040hrs Saturday 6th. November, 2010. . Brian R

Missed it first time around, and wasn’t prepared to jeoparddise my mortgage and pension to buy a copy from Amazon/E-bay ! Rescued the sole copy from IA in Cardiff a few years back, not a bad book, by the doyen of steel mill modelling. I did find it a bit hard to follow Dean’s text, as he writes in American, and I speak English. Found this in a Manhattan model railroad store just after it came out. For those with little knowledge of steel production it explains the processes i.e. merchant iron production, Basic Oxygen process, Electric Arc etc in laymen’s terms. Brian R BTW Mark . Some details about the 'scrawker' . www.squirestools.com/ PLASTIC CUTTER WITH REPLACEABLE BLADE a plastic cutter designed for cutting and scribing laminated plastics and acrylics. The special design of the blade prevents a raised burr being left after cutting or scribing. When not in use the blade can be removed and stored in a compartment in the handle. Supplied with 1 hooked blade and 1 straight blade. Spare hooked blades are available in packs of 5 blades. CODE TYPE PRICE 140-897 Plastic Cutter with Replaceable Blade.................. £5.99 140-899 Plastic Cutter Spare Blades 5 Pack...................... £1.99 OLFA PLASTIC CUTTERS OLFA PLASTIC CUTTER P-450 specially designed for cutting and scribing laminated plastics and acrylics. The special design of the blade prevents a raised burr being left after cutting or scribing. Supplied with 3 blades. CODE TYPE PRICE CKP450 Olfa Plastic Cutter P-450...................................... £6.99 CKB450 P-450 Blades 5 Pack............................................ £3.99

Marc, . Try this link, it MAY assist, you'll most likely need to scroll backward as it's a blog. . http://mussersteelmill.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html . And some US based articles that are 'steel mill modelling' based, albeit some may not be very relevant to a mini-mill in Cardiff's flatlands. . 7/1989 - Railroad Model Craftsman - Hal Kattau - 'Painting and weathering hot metal cars' 1/1992 - Railroad Model Craftsman - Dean Freytag - 'Ingot molds and buggies' 11/1994 - Railroad Model Craftsman - Dean Freytag - 'Modeling a bottle car' 8/1996 - Model Railroader - 'HO Pollock hot metal car' - Review of the Walthers bottle car kit 3/1997 - Railmodel Journal - ?? - 'Calypso Yard' PBNE model 1/1999 - Model Railroader - Darius Chagnon - 'Heavy Industry in a small space' 10/2000 - Railmodel Journal - Bernard Kempinski - 'Bethlehem Steel in HO or N scale' 12/2002 - Model Railroading - Lee Vande Visse - 'Weathering steel mill cars' 4/2009 – Model Railroader - 'Building Freytag's foundry - part 1' 5/2009 – Model Railroader- 'Building Freytag's foundry - part 2' 5/2009 – Model Railroader - 'Roll your own steel coils', and 'more weathering hot metal cars' in the same issue 2008 – Model Railroad Planning - Magarac Iron & Steel 8’x4’ layout by John Glaab, page 16 Brian

Generally yes, starting around 13mm diameter (scale 3’6â€) and getting larger, up to about 35mm diameter (scale 8’9â€) alright for things like downcomers on a furnace building roof. If you’re not in a rush, I’ll bring some components along to the next get together, and give a little “demo†– I don’t know what Gordon, the landlord, would make of it though !! Slater’s made pipe flanges, in a small bag of many different sizes, whether they are still available I don’t know. They only have relief on one side though. They are compatible with some of the Plastruct pipes and rod, but the Slater’s flanges go up to quite a large diameter. I found mine by bending over in front of some traders stands at the more ‘remote’ shows, and rummaging in those boxes they place in awkward positions, containing cast offs and poorly built kits ! Age has caught up, and I find it difficult to access such containers now !!!!!! Brian R

Mark . I have used several sizes of tube, but generally around 9mm dia (can't recall the exact dia, but will confirm later). . Last night I made a couple of 150'(degree) joints, simply by marking out 75' on the cutting board and cutting the end of two tubes accordingly and welding the cleaned up tubes together, then reinforced with smaller tube inserted into the elbow joint, but at a slightly more obtuse angle in order to reinforce the joint. . As for 'tee' joints - I use a swiss file to cut a niche into the end of a tube, thenwrap sandpaper around another tube of similar diameter. I thensand the niche until it becomes a curve and a snug fit around the other tube - when satisfied, I weld them together. . 'Manways' can be made the same way, but with a smaller diameter tube for manway, and a slightly larger diameter disc then for the access cover. For flanges, use the next size tube up from your pipeline tube (they are telescopic) and cut off slivers of the larger tube, slide them onto your pipeline and weld up at regular intervals - he presto, flanges. . It would appear easier if I had some pics to hand. Brian

As 'Jarheads' would be implored by their 'Gunnie' .........." Improvise, adapt, overcome !" . What size pipework are you considering Marc ? . I've used several concentric and diminsihing diameters to make a bend...... by cutting the outer two at 45' in the mitrebox, then the next one down in diameter I cut at a different angle, and it reinforces the joint (hard without pics). I leave the elbow joint to dry thoroughly, then sand the outside of the elbow joint to a more rounded profile. . I also leave a short length of the smaller diameter tube protruding out of each end of the joint,to reinforce the joint with the next pipe. . Brian

Me too, please Sir, me too ! But I can wait until tomorrow night. Brian R

Marc, My dad was a cabinet maker, and installed a suspended ceiling in my 'outhouse'(being an Ely boy originally we didn't have a 'utility room') and he used roofing battens to which he attached hardboard covered with hessian that was all painted with white emulsion. . It's been up now for thirty years with no sign of warping........ his secret, was to temper the hardboard before installing it, namely wet it, put it up and let it dry. . Brian

Perhaps that's why I didn't spot Alastair or Roger ! Brian R

Marc, Didn't realise you were back ? . Impressed with the article, and as Wayne said, cheers for the mention. . I'm looking to set up a Thursday night shortly, any preferences ? Brian

Leon, . You've got me thinking now, to get the two dozen or so HAA hoppers boxed away in my roof !!!!! . Could photo form part of your inspiration ? . Taken nearly 20yrs ago, at what was then Ryan's blending site on Fletcher's Wharf alongside the Roath Dock and set for Aberthaw. . Nostalgia, what a gift. . Brian

Just like the real thing ! Brian R

Leon, Tidal Sidings originally formed a relatively small part of a much larger complex that was made up of several elements including Swansea St., Marshalling Sidings, Dock Storage and Tidal Sidings amongst others. With the decline in coal and steel traffic these yards slowly closed and the site contracted to the pseudo-jungle/rainforest that we know today as 'Tidal'. I have a map showing the yard at its' height, I'll show you sometime (copyright prevents me posting a scan). Allied Steel & Wire leased a number of 'Cargowaggon' vans in the mid-90s for their traffic. As for the HEA hoppers, as well as coal traffic, you could also use them as HSA scrap wagons, just put some styrene sheet in the bottom and cover it in ballast and they can run empty as well. Brian R

Something like this, a visitor to Canton in 1990 (55015 Tulyar) . Brian R

Leon, . Good news about the job ? . You're still more than welcome at our monthly get together, it's more for a chat than a drink !! - I'm in the process of organising another one. . As Scott has posted a pair of Thornaby Cl.37/5s I thought I'd best join in. . All three are taken from the embankment that led to the former Swansea St. Sidings adjacent to Tidal, which is no longer there. My first, and rather poor effort shows 37518 + 37517 leaving Tidal with the daily Tees Yard working, circa 1990. . The second shot is of 37710 shunting some empty SPAs about the same time. . The final snap was intended to capture the SEA but looking back twenty years on, the assortment of wagons in the background are amazing. Brian R

Brian, I think this photo of the Castle Works end of the pipeline confirms the 'not in use' assumptions ! On this occasion it was too wet to get out of the car. Brian PS. When you're visiting Penarth next, give me a ring - should you fancy refreshments at 'The Old A'.

Marc, Are these what you're looking for ? By comparing the loco (08951 in this case) you'll get an idea as to how high the pipeline is, even more so in the second shot which shows the towers and guy / stay wires. I believe this pipeline is no longer used, as it comes to an abrupt halt at the level crossing behind the EMR scrapyard. I showed my pipeline example to one of the boys (alright a know-all) at the club this week, and he passed comment about the location of any joints in the pipeline......... which I'll be posting on my thread soon. . Brian

Marc, . The approach I have adopted is to construct the required number of supports (i.e brackets off the sides of buildings, or the lattice towers) and fit a saddle on the top in which the pipe can rest. . Make sure your pipe run is cut to length and install the two outermost supports, and fix them in place. Then place the pipe run loosely on top of the two supports, and put the other supports in place using the piping to locate them at the correct height. . Leave the piping loose, so it can be lifted off to allow track cleaning and other access. . I use Plastruct/Evergreen tubing which are telescopic and use the next smaller diameter to my piping as reinforcing inside the joints. I'm also in a quandry over the towers (what our transatlantic colleagues would call a 'signature model'), which need to tall enough to carry the pipe about 30' above the ground. The Airfix/Dapol footbridge structure is too coarse for my eyes, whilst the Ratio hoist appears fine enough, but too low in height. I have some Hornby electricity pylon parts, but the batter is too sharp making the base too large. I can't remember why I discounted the Walthers conveyor supports. . One could always compromise and employ the simpler style made from 'I' sections. . As for "keef's" last post, I don't recall any brake vans in use after the arrival of 66s into Tidal. However, Allied Steel owned an ex-GWR Toad which was used for re-railing and also purchased two BR standrad 20ton vans with a view to using them for tours of the works. One was gutted by fire (NOT by certain Humberside modellers who had a penchant for such models). . There is now but one BR brake van in 'irregular' use in S.Wales for propelling movements between East Usk and Birdport on the East Usk/Uskmouth branch. It was in use last week on a Llanwern - East Usk - Birdport train of export steel. The last brakevan I rode was the East Usk 'Queen Mary' behind Cl.03 D2199 at Machen Quarry ! (I have the pics at home). Brian

"Two quid, you was robbed mate !" . The NBL worksplate from D6122 I found lying face down in Woodham's West Pond site, some distance from the loco. I then found the smaller piece of the plate still attached to the loco. As it was cast in some cheap alloy, the bods nearby just shrugged their shoulders, and anyway I think the 'statute of limitations' may have run out by now ? . Brian R

Not quite "on this day in history" but historically significant at this time with the visit to the UK of Pope Benedict XVI. . On 2nd. June 1982 Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at Coopers Field, Cardiff and attended a youth rally at Ninian Park. . Unfortunately I was required to work (from 2100hrs 1st. June until 1700hrs 2nd June - cue violins) so had to rely on friends sightings of the various specials in connection with these events. . If anyone can fill in the gaps, it would be appreciated. . Excursions and Special Trains to / from Cardiff Central in connection with the visit of H.H. Pope John Paul II 2nd. June, 1982. 47186 1Z49 20.40 ex Plymouth then 09.15 ex Barry Island – Bristol T.M. 45009 1Z52 22.30 ex Plymouth 47538 1Z99 ex Chester 50007 1Z29 ex Worcester 47543 1Z26 ex Paignton 47107 1Z60 ex Paddington 47202 1Z98 ex Llandudno Junction 47559 1Z56 ex Paignton 47530 1Z20 ex Exeter 47119 1Z40 ex Penzance 47477 1Z24 ex Bristol TM 47144 1Z61 ex Westbury 47478 1Z30 ex ? 37269 1Z41 ex Barry, then ECS to Gloucester to work; 1Z16 ex Gloucester 47106 1Z21 ex Stroud 47429 1Z55 ex Fishguard - Bristol, then to work 1Z55 ex Bristol TM 47459 1Z97 01.47 ex Crewe (10 Mk.1) 47098 1Z99 ex Barry, then ECS ? to Bristol Parkway to work; 1Z99 ex Bristol Pkwy, then to work 1Z99 ? 16.13 Cardiff - Llandudno Jcn 45076 1Z47 ex Crewe 47101 1Z38 ex Plymouth 47103 1Z19 ex Barry, then ECS to Chepstow, to work 1Z19 06.50 Chepstow - Milford Haven (06.50 to Swansea ?) 40148 1Z96 ex Hollinwood nr Oldham vice failed Cl.47 47015 1Z17 ex ?, ECS to Hereford, to work; 1Z17 ex Hereford 47233 1Z90 ex Llandudno Junction 47079 1Z35 ex Chepstow 47079 19.20 Cardiff - Penzance 47029 1Z83 ex Hereford, then to work 12.15 Cardiff - Portsmouth 45070 1Z22 ex Penzance 47177 1Z49 ex Bristol TM 47491 1Z63 ex Holyhead ? 47069 1Z35 ex Barry 47008 1Z91 ex Worcester 47561 1Z59 ex Weston-super-Mare, then to work 1Z66 11.45 to Crewe (ex Barry ?) 47196 1Z56 ex Chepstow 47121 ex Barry 45048 1Z77 47088 1Z09 47228 1Z94 ex Manchester 37302 1Z23 ex Bristol TM, then to work; 12.35 Cardiff – Barry Island and 1Z25 14.15 Barry Island – Bristol T.M. then to work; 17.22 Bristol-Cardiff 37090 08.20 Swansea (- Cardiff ?), then to work; 1Z40 15.10 Barry Island – Bristol T.M. 47361 1Z88 ex Portsmouth 47087 1Z66 ex Crewe 47428 1Z69 ex Rock Ferry 47279 1Z74, then 1Z63 to Holyhead 47105 1Z52 47105 1Z61 20.05 Cardiff Central - Paddington 47244 1Z46, then 1Z30 18.45 to Birmingham 37258 1Z97, ? then to work; 10.15 Bristol T.M. – Ninian Park 37258 1Z23 15.25 Gloucester - Milford Haven (16.59 ex Cardiff) 47142 16.15 Cardiff - Portsmouth 47487 1Z28 16.25 Cardiff - Paignton 47530 19.12 Cardiff - Basingstoke 37257 1Z17 14.55 Cardiff - Barry Island, then to work, 1Z22 16.30 Barry Island - Gloucester (or S.T.Jct. ?) or Bristol (17.07 ex Cardiff) 31139+31216 1Z83 1800 Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Harbour 47105 1Z61 20.05 Cardiff Central - Paddington 37256 13.45 Cardiff – Bristol T.M. 47229 19.30 Bristol T.M. – Fishguard Harbour 37295 20.05 Barry Island – Cheltenham Spa. I spent most of the day working in the company of the father of another subscriber to this forum, (Black Rat), attempting to prevent priests and nuns storming the papal dias, almost surreal when I look back.. . Brian R

I also have the following plates, all from the NBL locos shown...... . (1) D600 'Active' (2) D6354 (3) D600 'Ark Royal' (4) D600 'Ark Royal' . They may interest someone (hopefully). . Brian R

I don't know if this helps, this plate originates from the same era as the Cl.22s. . However, as the relevant loco was not a diesel-hydraulic I'm not sure about the lower lettering. . No prizes for identifying the loco from which I obtained the plate, or where it met its' eventual fate. . Brian R

"....... Thanks to Paul Bartlett, for his superb website on wagon types, and thanks to Brian R and Wayne C for their help and info - Brain really is a mine of useful info!........." . "....... Steelworks layouts seem to be gaining interest - 2 of the other local Cardiffians are also planning steelworks based layouts, (Wayne 37901, and Brian r) and I'm sure these will be great models. I've seen photos of Brian's progress, and it's looking really good!........." . . Do I owe you money Marc ? . I´m impressed by your ASW conversions of the ex-BR ´Plate´wagons. . I´ll leave you to do the ´Rod Mill´side of the modelling and I´ll stick to bars, sections, angles and flats but at the moment replacement windows, a dodgy pool pump and repairs to a leaky roof following the last "Gotta Frie" are taking precedence over my ´Cardiff Bar & Section Mill´ ........ but I´ll be back next Wednesday to take a break from the 35´C heat and crack on with ´the competition´ . Good Luck and keep it coming, see you at the end of the month. . Brian R