fulton

27 minutes ago, 30801 said:

It's that time again...

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-67543666

Just in time, I've fitted a full set of winter tyres to my van for at least two trips to Germany in the next couple of months, where they are legally required, the Ford heated windscreen, mirrors and seats will be much appreciated.

I have used WD40 CONTACT CLEANER to clean out old oil from loco gears, worked well, dried with no residue.

2 minutes ago, whart57 said:

 

Actually it's the fact the countries are flat. The braking power of a back pedal bike is quite adequate for normal cycling, and unlike the fiercer cable brakes of British bikes you don't normally lock the back wheel in a dodgy skid, which can have you off on a wet road. Where a back pedal brake is not good is on long downhill stretches, then you need a bit stronger braking.

Back pedalling brakes are still the standard in Germany, I bought a bike there recently, all the "normal" bikes had back pedal, I find going down hill I can exert more force with my feet, as you say less chance of locking the back wheel up, the only problem I find is you have to push away to start, rather than moving the pedals to the ideal starting place, also most bikes come with hub dynamos and lights as standard, not extras, the stores we visited in Dusseldorf all had indoor tracks to try the bikes out, but on balance I prefer two hand brakes.

2 hours ago, Nick Lawson said:

 

 

@fulton GW also does a wheel puller, similar to the one you illustrated, but £12 (2022 price).

I tried to use a GW puller to rectify a wheel I had pushed on too far (before acquiring a quartering jig) but it is only stable in one plane and the wheel is now just slightly out of true. I keep hoping for a 3 - legged puller like a car hub-puller.

Yes also have the GW puller, disadvantage the "legs" only fix over the tyre, all these pullers, to me, are not the easiest to use, maybe someone can come up with a better design. 

10 hours ago, MarkC said:

It is, yes. However, unlike Romfords, you can't guarantee the security of the wheels on the axles if you have to subsequently remove the wheels & refit them. That would be the time to break out the Loctite...

 

 

While talking about removing wheels, I found this tool worked well, particularly original RTR wheels, just be careful, maybe add packing so you do not just pull off the tyre, ordered on line, came in six days, they do a range of tools. expensive? but quality product.

I have just recently fitted my first Alan Gibson wheels, converting the Dapol/Rails D1 to EM gauge, followed the AG instructions and used the GW Models, jig, (order by post with cheque, phone first to check price) only needed hand pressure, fitted securely first time, no glue, and quartered.

My container of Carrs Red Label flux ran out recently, I had a bottle of Squires flux it simply, in my view, did not do the same job, solder being reluctant to flow, now have some more Carrs Red Label, now all back to normal, use it for all my soldering needs, mainly brass or white metal, except stainless steel, where I use Carrs Brown Label flux, which works really well.

I've had a lot of prints from Shapeways, I wash in soapy water, let dry, they prime with Halfords rattle can, then paint with acrylics, never had a problem, there may be better ways, but this works for me, example attached in HO.

Looking forward to attending with Railroad Crossing.

I can remember exactly the same reaction when power tools started to be used on sites, why? you can do everything with hand tools, until they realised just how much the guys with the genny, leads and power tools (this was pre cordless) could earn, doing a quicker and often better job, soon everyone had invested in the new gear, after all the object of going to work is to earn money as easy as possible.

While on the subject of obsolescence, I was reading a review of an App based burglar alarm system, with all sorts of features like video, a "plus" point, was that the manufactures said they would support the App for at least TWO years, will it possibly not work after that?

Just for interest, I model the grey SECR livery, used numbers from FOX transfers, still looking for a source of the cab side plates, also have just received the grey Bachmann "collectors club special" C class loco and tender body, available as spares, £64, I model in EM so will put a new chassis under, also have just completed converting the Rails/Dapol D1 to EM.  

1 hour ago, doilum said:

My late father's collection of once expensive handsaws are dust traps as I always default to a six quid jacksaw from Wickes. When it blunts I replace it.

Reminds me that when I started in construction the old boy carpenters would sit break times  setting and sharpening their saws, when the young lads started using the new disposable hardpoint saws, they laughed, but in a very short time they were all using the hardpoints, saw setting and sharping became history.

39 minutes ago, chris45lsw said:

 

 

I wonder if it has occurred to Rapido that the R1 0-6-0T has the same wheelbase and wheel size (and boiler) as the O1?

 

Chris KT

Hold on there with these ideas, I've recently completed a Branchlines O class and almost completed their O1, and have a Southeast Finecast R1 next on my list! but seriously I have two O1s on order, however I model in EM and these modern RTR locos do not seem easy to convert.

A fine set of photos, I used to be a very regular visitor to Hamburg, know these locations well, now regularly travel to Dusseldorf, not quite the same!

I run the latest RTR next to my less than perfect kit built examples, to my eye they do not jar, but compliment each other, adding to the overall scene, a bit of weathering and personal details such as loco crew and lamps, adds your own touch, on my small American exhibition layout I run very basic Athearn Blue Box wagons with the latest hi. fi. RTR, stand back a couple of feet and you cannot tell them apart.

5 hours ago, MidlandRed said:

The state of the flood defence wall is somewhat iffy as well!
 

I think this is actually carrying the Medway Valley Line, it’s south west of the A2 bridge and south west of the junction beyond the down end of Strood station. 
 

You are quite correct, today it is the Medway Valley Line, I tend to use North Kent Line as that was its designation at the time I am modelling the area, I walk under the viaduct each time I go shopping and live just off the edge of your view.

A quick Google, brings up lots of suppliers, seem cheap, as you say maybe there are better alternatives today, solder tag strips work well for me.

Nice detail and weathering, shame about the obviously over scale nut and bolt castings. (this viaduct carriers the North Kent line over Janes' Creek, Strood)

9 hours ago, Schooner said:

 

 

I don't suppose you have a Prickly Pear catalogue to hand do you? A quick internet search suggests they've got some kits which would be of interest, but only a phone contact which isn't ideal...

He is only a one man outfit, best to phone to see what is available, has a small stand at Scaleforum, where I am normally tempted by something!

Interesting thread, my model of an Aveling and Porter locomotive, 4mm EM, non working, on my under construction model of the Aveling and Porter, Invicta Engineering works at Strood.

Should have kept the original long Y point, this short Y point, is too sharp and will never blend in, seen Saturday near Dusseldorf Wehrhahn station.

Some years ago I bought two O gauge PECO points, my plans changed and they were stored unused, around six years later I discovered them again, both had gone brittle and were unusable, I also had a home layout OO code 75 and after twenty years the plastic was as good as new, the unballasted track has been reused on my current layout, different souces or batches of raw plastic?

3 hours ago, Geep7 said:

 

 

Sadly, it seems that freight traffic in Spain is suffering much the same fate as in the UK, I.e. being moved to road

Not just Spain, have recently travelled by rail in Germany, Switzerland and Italy, many industries still have rail connections, but sadly most seem little used if at all, but lots of lorry trailers to be seen!

23 hours ago, Pete the Elaner said:

. There is no waiting for the torque converter to gradually engage; 

 

Wasn't this thread about HS1 & HS2?

Just a question, while we are off topic, are any vehicles today fitted with a torque converter auto box?