Alex TM

Hi @woodenhead, That's a new story to me; would you care to elaborate? Thanks. Alex.

Hi tigerburnie, I had a quick look at the site you referred to; it's a different whisky. The blurb mentions that 100 Pipers was rebranded in the 70s. The period I am thinking of is around 25-30 years ago. Thanks, though, for posting the link to that site as it makes 'interesting' reading.

Although not yet sixty years of age I remember horse drawn vehicles in use with deliveries for coal merchants, rag-men, and a few breweries. This was at a time when petrol wasn't being rationed; mind you, neither was the fresh fertiliser that was often left in the middle of the road ...

I actually wholeheartedly agree with you. Some twenty-five years or so ago Bells produced a rather pleasant blended job that is long gone. There are, however, some blends for supermarkets that are best reserved for cleaning uses as I suggested earlier. The worst example I remember was named something along the lines of '1000 Pipers'; it was a slightly syrupy liquid with a colour that was rather dark orange looking. Neither it, nor the supermarket chain that sold it, are around any more.

Hi, Like some others, I really like the look of the landships. As for the bofors, they look like 40mm ones, so possibly the reissued Airfix kit? https://uk.airfix.com/products/bofors-40mm-gun-tractor-a02314v If you have a look at their site, and that of anyone who stocks Plastic Soldier Company you'll find some useful bits'n'pieces. Hope that's of use. Regards, Alex.

I can recommend a few that are good for unblocking drains ....

Thanks for this. It's new to me.

I believe that @Stationmaster has hit the proverbial nail on the head. I am aware of a couple of instances of UK companies 'asking' individuals to remove a model or display from public show as it was done without permission to use a trademarked name or copyright logo. On one occasion it was because the company believed that the model was of insufficient quality and detracted from their public image. A late friend, hearing of one such incident, wrote to the company for permission to use thier logo; their response was to ask to see a sample of his modelling. He duly obliged and was shocked to receive an order from them for a number of items! Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, I currently have a couple of Farish class 24s on the way to me in the post. What I am curious about it what ones in BR TOPS numbered blue livery have been manufactred and when. At the moment I know only of the following: TOPS Cat. No. Year of release 24077 unknown 24035 372-975 24081 372-978 24064 372-975A 2022 I am sure there was one that was also available in a set along with a couple of bogie parcels vehicles. Was that 24077, or another number? If that's the one form the set was it also available separately? As ever, thanks in advance for any help or information. Regards, Alex.

Hi BeRTIe, IIRC Fox do them. Their site lets you have a close look at the actual transfer sheets so you can check before you buy. Usual disclaimer. Regards, Alex.

Hi folks, I watched this layout for a while on friday morning and it was not only good to look at but worked flawlessly. Rather enjoyed the somewhat forlorn look of the Met-Camm unit shuttling in an out. I hope that the new owner does keep this one out on the circuit. Regards, Alex.

It's a post like that that evidences the need for a return of the "GROAN" button!

In the early (nineteen) eighties friends of the family bought a part-finished house next to a particulalry busy freight line. After finishing the build, and moving in, they tried to get their domestic rates reduced through 'loss of amenity' due to the noise of the passing freight services. They further argued that they had been unaware of the railway's presence during their survey, purchase, and completion of the property! The council politely told them to "get lost" as the line had been in routine use for around 130 years. Thirty years later they were still moaning about the trains ....

Depends on the driver ... and that's not a joke.

When a member of a particular model railway club, that shall remain nameless, I found that track cleaning became a form of therapy from the dumb questions people asked ....

And I, as a Scot, too!

It is genius, sheer genius!

Hi Jeff, Thanks for the question. I don't yet have the points. The questions was to help evaluate the practicality, or wisdom, of this approach. I much prefer the simplicity of insulfrog wiring but would prefer the asthetics of code 75 rail; as has been pointed out the lighter rail section is only available in the electrofrog form. Had I the space at present I would have opted for the larger, and significantly more expensive, code 75 bullhead points in unifrog form. Again, thanks for all the questions and comments. Regards, Alex.

Hi Keith, The advantage of metal is that I have observed the plastic frog of insulfrog points wear down resulting in a rougher transition of the train through the point. I assume that the meatl frog would me much harder wearing, and long outlive the layout. Again, thanks for your input. Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, Sorry if this question sounds a bit odd ... is it feasible to convert Peco code 75 pointwork from live-frog to insulfrog? This is in reference to the flat-bottom railed small radius points. The reasoning behind the question is straightforward: 1. the finer appearance of the code 75 track; 2. the advantage of a solid metal frog; and 3. the desire for the simplicity of insulfrog wiring. Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions. Fell free to tell me this nis a waste of time and to stop being lazy with wiring ... Regards, Alex.

Really like this. Could have been interesting had you been asked to paint FDR red ...

Hi folks, This week I had the opportunity to make several trips on the Thameslink network, with all journeys going without a hitch. One questions did arise: where do the units switch from overhead lines to third rail pick-up? As a follow-up, I also wondered how the changeover was done as there seemed to be no loss of power nor was there any unduly long wait at any station to drop the pantograph or check the electrical supply? Any information will be gratefully received. Thanks and regards, Alex.

Hi folks, Now this could be truly interesting. Just the other week I picked up a copy of Wild Swan's book on the Isle of Sheepey branch. Seem to remember that someone modelled Leysdown Road in the RM back in the '80s; if I remember rightly the article also had scale drawings of the station building too. Looking forward to seeing where this goes. Regards, Alex.

Hi Amanda, £140 ... ouch! Is this a minimum order directly from Slater's? If so, is it worth looking at some retail outlets that specialise in material and tools? I have no idea what postage to the Netherlands will cost but there may not be a minimum order. One suggestion would be Eileen's Emporium; they sell their own plastic sheet material (see link below): https://www.eileensemporium.com/materials-for-modellers/category/eileens-black-and-white-styrene-sheet It's worth having a look at the other materials categories on the site. I have no connection with them other than as a satisfied customer. Hope it's of help. Regards, Alex.

Hi, Scenes and colours reminiscent of summer evenings of a few of decades ago. Regards, Alex.