fulton

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.

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.

The barge UVW having passed under the Rochester bridges now enters Jane's Creek, heading under the SECR bridge to enter Pelican Creek, for Medway Steel where the gear will have to be raised again to gain access to the hatches,must have been very hard work.

Rochester sailing barge UVW of the "Alphabet" fleet just about to pass under the Rochester bridges, the two man crew has taken on a "huffler" to help lower and raise the gear, the barge relies on its momentum and the tide to carry it through, the oars are for guidance.

Not sure if this was a scam or not, opened email today, request for feedback/review of an order, did not recognize it, checked my Amazon account, all in order, checked the email again, yes it was something I had ordered in 2017!

How about the Chatham Central branch of the South Eastern Railway, serving Rochester Common, opened 1891 and Chatham Central (actually in Rochester) opened 1892 both closed 1911. The expensive bridge over the River Medway to serve this branch lives on, now carrying the main Victoria line. The remains of the Chatham Central station house also lived on as part of a wall until recently.

My simple answer is yes EM Gauge is still used for new layouts, I am about to start a new layout, my first EM for twenty years, point kits and track already delivered from the EMGS, track gauges ordered as I cannot find my original ones, another member of the Kent group is also planning a new layout. As to pros and cons all I know is that it suits me. OS plan of my next project the Aveling and Porter works Strood.

I use cork to give the ballast a shoulder, also if, like mine, the woodwork is not completely flat the cork layer gives another opportunity to correct things, never heard of it delaminating, unless you have used sealed floor tiles, I use PVA glue, when scrapping a twenty year old layout it was still well and truly stuck.

Not on topic, a friend of mine, now passed on, spent four years in the middle east during the war on transport barges, z craft, he related that when American locomotives arrived the British 8Fs were shunted to the ends of the lines and used as buffer stops, they were that highly regarded!

I can only comment on what I have seen in Germany, on several recent visits, some restaurants ask for covid pass and fill out a locator form, some ask for nothing, on a tram recently the driver challenged a non mask wearer, who replied does not have to for medical reasons, end of story, have witnessed that three times now. The German authorities can no more enforce it than we can, there is also a larger and more vocal antivax movement.

Also beware bore holes can cause all sorts of issues, in Europe there have been problems with the bore hole disturbing the water table leading to major on going structural problems. whole villages have been affected, by a single bore hole.

Heat pumps have been around for some time now, I worked on a new build house near Maidstone 12 years ago, the client specified a grey water system for toilet flushing, as well as a ground source heat pump, an extensive grid of pipes, we used blue water service pipe, buried in the garden, under floor heating and the unit about the size of a large fridge in the integral garage. Often wonder how it all really worked out, an option for new build, not sure how practical in an existing house, considering how many houses suffer from ill fitting windows, damp, no insulation and general lack of maintenance, in desperate need of upgrading, maybe the money would be better spent there.

Todays replacement for the Hyster, another 3D printed from Shapeways, a very finely designed kit could be built with fully positional hydraulic rams, boom, steering, suspension, engine cover and cab door. I have added glazing, wipers and hydraulic lines.

Hyster lumber straddle carrier at Builders First Source, Plant City, Florida, must be enthusiast owned to be in such good condition for a 1950s machine. 3D printed from Shapeways have added screen, tilt and wiper.

Seen at Plant City today, Hyster lumber straddle carrier, this is a 1950s machine must be owned by an enthusiast judging by its condition. 3D printed from shapeways, canvas tilt, screen and wiper added.

Was tempted by this download, but needs to be swim headed, ie. hull fore and aft cut away, for my interests around the Thames and Medway. The hull design looks more continental to me. Have printed off the cargo ship, in 4mm, which I hope to build soon.

Have been in Germany the last two weeks, back in UK Monday, masks required in shops etc. also have to show covid pass in hotels restaurants etc. my NHS letter accepted without comment, my wife has the EU pass, the thermal bath spa in Bad kreuznach asked for pass and photo ID, some restaurants did no checks. The regs do have some odd results we visited a large bookshop in Dusseldorf, the cafe inside is very mixed up with the books, we had to show our covid pass to sit down for a coffee with no mask, while all around were customers with masks but no checks. Must also add I think the NHS is such a good thing for us, I have already had my invite and winter flu jab while my wife in the Germany health system has to look out herself for a Doctor who has some available, none available yet. Noted hardly any precautions being taken by, particularly younger people, out in the evening in Dusseldorf old town.

Hi ColinW Intreged by Strood Dock, as you may know my house is built on the site of the sidings next to Strood Dock I have the original SER retaining wall running through my garden. Any photos as I am in Germany for the next week, probably see you at Tonbridge next year.