fulton

I sold to ANORAKS ANONYMOUS, about a year ago, a number of "new" surplus Frenchman River Works carfloat aprons, tug kits and Walthers carfloats, tugs, may still have them available

Do not underestimate the problems a duck under can cause, when you get older or get a back problem, or a visitor does, it can put you off just popping in to do a quick job, when I built my garage layout I followed advice to fit a lift out section, not really needed then, but twenty years later much appreciated.

Hi Good luck with the project, I to flit between British EM and American HO, I also find carfloat operations fascinating, photo of my layout due to be at Bristol this year. 

I once did a trip by boat from Hamburg to the island of Heligoland, on the ship "Wappen von Hamburg", which is now in Hamburg maritime museum, which makes me feel old, anyway I could not get my head around the schedule as we would take six hours going but only four coming back, turned out the ship finished in Cuxhaven and a "boat train" was waiting at the marine station to take us back to Hamburg. An interesting trip when we boarded at 7am the tables were already covered by empty beer bottles, it was that type of trip, when we left the Elbe River it got quiet rough many regretted the early drinking, I also naively expected us to dock at Heligoland, but no we dropped anchor, and small boats took us ashore, there was a six foot swell so the transfer had to be carefully timed.

Exhibited at the last show, was impressed by the variety of layouts and traders, many new to me having traveled from Kent,  pleased to be exhibiting this year with my Fulton Terminal layout, all being well this will be my first exhibition in over two years, as a visitor or exhibitor.

The problem is railways are long and we all have limited room, my own very simple American HO industrial layout, based on a prototype, is scale width but the length has been reduced by 40%, to fit my 16' available space, would I really want to transport and erect a 30' long layout, with all the trestles, lighting etc. at an exhibition, I think not. My current project in 4mm EM, is scale, based on part of this plan but will have no hidden staging as I simply do not have the room, its the building I enjoy. At the end of the day if you think it looks right, and you can live with all the compromises, that we all have to make, then it is right for you.

Just noticed this thread, I knew David Larkin in the late 1970s, when he was a signalman, had some interesting visits with him, at that time one of his favorite hunting grounds for wagons was his local yard, Hoo Junction in Kent, I should think a lot of his own photos were taken there, one of his regular duties was as the travelling signalman on the oil trains to the Isle of Grain refinery, apparently the last semaphore signals there are due to be replaced soon. 

1 hour ago, RobinofLoxley said:

Loved the report, looks like something I might have written myself. Wonder if anyone lost their job over it.....

 

 

Really excellent report, good photos and drawings of its construction, timely for me as I am about to start a bridge in 4mm, over Jane's Creek Strood, have seen similar reports into road bridge failures, where the original design was sound but later modifications lead to corrosion and failure. Picture from Google Street View.

I have used this metal stud for non load bearing walls in new houses for the last 40 years, more stable than timber studs, beware VERY sharp ends and exposed screw points, was always designed to be fully enclosed with plaster board (dry wall). I still have a scar on the palm of my hand, so be careful.

We are staying in Dusseldorf for now until travel to the UK settles down. Have been out and about on the trams and S bahn today, 100% mask wearing, regular annoncements in german and english, must not travel without covid pass, proof of covid recovery, or a test. Did not see any enforcement but I suspect it would be the normal ticket inspectors who descend on mass on a train or tram, so no one can slip away. My wifes sports club now needs a test result as well as the pass, where we are there are at least two free drop in test centres within a short walk.

Just been shopping in the centre of Dusseldorf, every non food shop very strict on showing covid pass and ID, my NHS pass only raised mild interest, the Xmas market was fenced off with controls on entrance, we have decided to stay in Germany now until the New Year, we got caught last Xmas with the French closing the border. No body seems to have any issues showing ID which seems such a big thing in the UK.

I remember visiting the last Longfield Show, my mates wife didn't want us to go due to risk of infection, we laughed what pandemic, little did we know!

When they first came out I resisted them as a gimmick, but have since used them from various suppliers and manufacturers, all worked really well. Only damaged by careless use, spilling solvents and one by leaving it in a very hot conservatory.

I damaged a turntable drive, the Gaugemaster controller said 12 to 18 volts ( I think) but actually was putting out 21 volts , when I checked after the damage was done. Fortunately the turntable drive was replaced FOC, by Walthers,  when I explained how I had damaged it.

King Arthur did exist, I stayed at Tintagel Youth Hostel, they had his sword and sandals up on the wall, what more proof do you need. 

On the idea of a Multi Discipline Show, I exhibited my layout at Dortmund, several years ago now, an NEC style complex with each very large hall a different discipline, I particularly liked the flying helicopter display, I seem to remember it was open for at least four days, open to late 8pm or 9pm, and I think around 130,000 visitors, not for the faint-hearted exhibitor. The large catchment area and excellent public transport, I think made it all viable.

I have been pleased with track rubbers from the EM Gauge Society, some 40 years now, how the time goes, I did try one from Maplins which looked the same but left deposits behind, much as above.

Just added a pair of Atlas, ex BLMA, 64' Trinity reefers, they are large.

A closer view.

Pair of 64' Trinity reefers at Florida Potato and Onion, Plant City, Florida, HO scale Atlas just added to my fleet, I was surprised just how big they are, even compared to my other modern reefers.

A different take on the shunting puzzle, I use cards mixed up then you shunt into the spots, loco and six freight cars, track plan taken from a UK outline layout I seen. Layout 5' long by 2' 6" wide sized to fit into my car roof box. Photos by Adrian at the Uckfield show.

I use a cheap shaker from Amazon, the type with a rubber strap to hold the paint container on the shaker, seemed to be aimed at the nail varnish and tattoo ink user, have seen branded ones that look identical for a lot more money, I put a stainless steel ball in all my paint containers (from Ammo Mig) to aid mixing.

We should be pleased with only four sets of rules, Germany has sixteen, each federal state trying to go its own way, Merkels central government trying to bring order, herding cats comes to mind, after the war it was deliberately set up this way so that a central government could not become too powerful but in this pandemic it is not a help. After last Christmas when we got caught up with the French closing the border, we had hoped this year would be better but it is looking more doubtful by the day.

13 minutes ago, AndrewC said:

A bit more info on the reasoning behind Amazon's decision. Looks like in the EU the rate Visa can charge per transaction is capped. 0.2% for debit and 0.3% for credit cards. Brexit has liberated the UK from those horrible shackles and Visa can now go from 0.3% on credit cards to 1.5%, a 500% increase in transaction fees. Not to bleat on about Brexit but now that the legislated protections we once enjoyed are gone, there is nothing to stop the gouging. Transaction charges, mobile roaming charges, increased forex charges, cash point fees, etc. 

Any UK Government can chose similar legislated protections, if that is what they are elected to do, rather than them being imposed,  I  am an EU citizen, before we get into any preconceived ideas on what my views maybe.