Alex TM

Tried that, but they don't stock them since that lad on the TV got everyone into buying the Hornby Railway R186 Signal Box from Townsend's!

Hi Tim, Thanks for that. I had looked online and couldn't find anything similar hence the question here. Perhaps being 'freelance' allows it to be a bit more useful. When I first owned one, back in 1979, I remember cutting & pasting the nameboard transfers to make up something fictional. Again, thanks. Regards, Alex.

Horse sausages! Are they from that great Discworld purveyor of fine food, C.M.O.T. Dibbler, or is it Klatchian?

Hi everyone, Over the years I have owned, repainted, and detailed a number of the Hornby signal boxes currently available as R8005, although always the brick-based version. I also seem to remember having an 'N-gauge' version (Hornby-Minitrix?). Can anyone, though, tell me what is the prototype that the model is based upon? Thanks for any help. Regards, Alex.

Hi Andrew, If it's the buildings that are the challenge another option would be some of the new kits from 'Wills'. I saw them in the flesh last week and they look great, and straightforward to assemble. A further option would be the US made 'PikeStuff' buildings; many of the modern buildings would fit into a UK scene. Both of these kit options would be much more expensive that scratchbuilding. If you want inspiration for scratchbuilding steelworks buildings have a look at some of the work of Arthur and Mason on this forum. Good luck. Regards, Alex.

Hi again, A couple of links to give an idea of what I am thinking. This first one links to a blog page where Ian Futers' plan is shown: https://esngblog.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/shelf-layout-design/ The second, is to another thread on here, and gives something of the flavour of what I would love to achieve: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/49458-nottingham-east-midlands-model-railway-exhibition-2012/?p=642734 As ever, thanks for taking the time to read this. Regards, Alex.

Loud groaning to be heard across the nation! Steve Strange (1959-2015) - always lived up to his name - may he Rest In Peace.

Hi again, Thanks for those responses. I have always liked the look of them, and regularly see the older releases available second hand; they would also fit in with the direction my new layout is taking (although it is supposed to be freight only). That said, three of four of 50' suburbans would be my limit in terms of length (nine or ten would be a dream). Again, thanks. Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, Sorry to resurrect a thread from three years ago, but I have two quick questions about this particular model: - does it have traction tyres; and - the OP mentions slow running through a slip - how does it run through 'regular' insulfrog points? Thanks in advance for any answers. Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, Barely twenty-four hours from the first post, and changes have taken place. My pair of Class 03s had previously only been tested on the 'straight and narrow', but when being properly run in I was not impressed by their running quality on curves and points. They were okay, but no better, and didn't like to crawl. This meant it was time for a rethink. With a pile of other locos and stock to go, I looked to see what was available. Home I came with four new locos - a pair of Hornby J50s, a DJ J94, and a Bachmann 08, all with early logos. The outcome is that the layout is now going to have more of an ex-GNR theme to the locomotives and stock. The plan is otherwise unchanged. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, (Light editing on 16th November 2017 to correct errors, and reflect changes referred to in post 2) After much deliberation, head-scratching, and false starts I have now begun a new 00 layout. "History" Wiswell is a small goods yard at the end of an ex-GER branch somewhere in Norfolk. The era is the late 1950s through early 1960s; although steam haulage may occasionally be seen the line has experienced the modernisation plan, and is mostly diesel operated. Typically of ex-GER lines, it was lightly built meaning that its RA of 4 limits the motive power that can be used. The branch s near the end of its life. Name A hybrid of 'Wisbech' and 'Upwell' using an idea that I have shamelessly stolen from Mullie of this parish. Dimensions The hope is to build the whole on an already built board that's slightly under 6'x1'. As it's effectively a shunting layout, this may prove sufficient, however there is timber remaining to enable the addition of a short fiddle yard. Plan Based on the Ian Futers' "Fisherrow"/"Victoria Park" track layout with operation leaning towards the former. Aesthetic I have always tried to cram as many buildings and as much track per square inch of board as possible; this time round I want to aim for something that's a mix of 'Upbeach St. Mary's', 'Juniper Hill', and 'Mutton', as seen on this site. Buildings will be based on a number of those found around the 'Wisbech & Upwell Tramway". Raison d'etre My railway interests are wide and varied, however many of them do not, for practical reasons, translate well enough into model form for my skills and resources. For many years also I have had a soft spot for the W&U Tramway, as well as a love of minor railways. The reasonable availability of suitable stock, and my recent purchase of two Bachmann class 03s (D2011 & D2016) in plain green settled the matter. The era of the turn of the 50s into the 60s also allows me to run a wide variety of stock. Future Work commitments over the next six weeks or so will mean that there is unlikely to be much initial progress, but some space between Christmas and New Year should allow something to appear. Thanks for taking the time to read. Regards, Alex.

Hi again, Thanks for that. I would never have noticed that detail, or its implications. Regards, Alex.

Hi again folks, Found another one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/36034969@N08/9989389136 The one on the left, of which I have seen a number of images, is clearly blue, but is the one on the right 'black'? I've tried searching for other images of her but with no luck yet. Anyone else able to point me to an image (so I can an idea of markings)? The reason behind this is that I now have three Hornby Sentinels, two of which could be regarded as 'spare'; one is a chain drive while the other has outside cranks. Looking to relivery them, preferably into Scottish based locos. Again, many thanks for all your encouraging help. Regards, Alex.

Hi, Thanks for the extra info, especially the drawing and data. I'd swear that the more I look at this the smaller the loco gets! Regards, Alex.

Hi David, Thanks for the information on the name. I don't have a kit, just a set of elevations; they didn't seem to be to a scale I recognised (looked a bit bigger than 0). Once I've got access to the copier, and armed with the information from Ray in post 2, I'll be able to see just how big or small these locos are compared to something like an austerity. Again, thanks for the help. Regards, Alex.

Thanks for that Daddyman. Any thoughts as to the purpose of the small lighting array above the cab? Regards, Alex.

Hi Gordon, and Arthur, Thanks for that additional information. I am not sure I am at the kit building stage yet, it was curiousity having been given the drawing. Hadn't heard the name 'Sweden' applied to a loco before. There was an HC tank similar to this, but with a level' tank top that ran near to where I grew up (Bedlay Colliery if you're curious). Regards, Alex.

Hi Mark, Whifflet - d'oh! I've only been near that site on one or two occasions; the first time, there was a small yellow diesel right and the side of the street (at the end of what looked a bit like a run-round). It never occured to me that may have been a Sentinel. Many thanks for the link - it also led to lots of shots of 'Robin' and 'Denis', teo locos I saw many years aog. Regards, Alex.

Hi Ray, Thanks for the dimensions and the explanation. Next time I'm in the office and get some peace I'll play about with the copier; it'll be interesting to see how big she looks when reduced to 4mm scale. Googled the MSC - quite a lot out there. Again, many thanks. Regards, Alex.

Hi again, Today seems to be a day of questions, both at work and here. Anyway, I have been given print of some elevations of what is an HC inside cylinder 0-6-0T described on a note as a "Canal Class". What I do not have is a scale for the drawing. Can anyone help with some basic dimensions (e.g. wheel diameter or wheelbase, length over frames, etc) as that'll help me work out what settings to use on he copier to get it to a scale I can work with? If it's of help, it's the version with the 'short' side tanks. Anyone help with why it's called a 'Canal Class'? As ever, thanks in advance for any help. Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, I have just been given, as an early birthday present, a Hornby Sentinel of the kind found at Dalmellington in Ayrshire. What I am now curious about is whether there were more of the type in use in Scotland. I know there was at least one other alongside the one I have as there's a picture showing both on-shed. That said, I can only guess at the livery (black? markings?). So, can anyone tell me if they know of any other Diesel Hydraulic Sentinels in Scotland, and especially where I may find pictures of them? Thanks in advance for any help offered. Thanks and regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, If Chantelle, famous for being .... erm .... famous is right, then there may be an easier and safer way to the sun! Just watch Bill Bailey on the stupidity of famous folk - worth watching all the way through but, in light of the comments on trips to the sun, watch from about the 2min mark. Enjoy! Regards, Alex.

Hi again, New government anthem: "Anarchy in the UK" With apologies to MR. ROTTEN. Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, There's a 00 layout of this in the current RM. regards, Alex.

Have you been to Cumbernauld? Admittedly it's not on the Bristol Channel, but it's a grey and desolate place that'll depress the life out of you!