Stentor

I’ve been watching a DVD of LMS steam locomotives and they mentioned in the commentary that only some classes of steam locomotives were given the primrose colour diagonal stripe on their cab sides denoting that they were not permitted to run under the OHLE south of Crewe. They also showed footage of an A3 and an A4 with stripes. Does anyone know what the criteria were for applying the stripes? With thanks, Simon

Latest update today from Hatton on the my pre-ordered N7 69612 round topped boiler, early BR lined black: ”Our latest information from the supplier suggests this item will arrive with us between July 2019 & September 2019 Whilst we are hopeful this information is accurate, manufacturer lead times are frequently prone to be delayed. This information is to be used as a guide only” So perhaps in time for Christmas, we shall see. //Simon

I've just found an old cutting from April 1982, not sure what magazine it was from, showing a picture of 56063 at Valehouse heading east on a Fiddler's Ferry MGR train on 7th July 1981. The picture was taken by D. Moulden and the caption says that drivers from Guide Bridge were being trained on 56s prior to closure and the rerouting via Diggle which resulted in some 56s substituting for 76s over the last few days. //Simon

Inspirational weathering but you do need to remove that driver’s side windscreen wiper on the jag, if you are “making time”.

I’ve tried to post this on Hatton’s site but trying to get past Disqus is pretty disheartening once you’re busy proving you are not a robot several times. They seem to have incorrectly carried over the descriptions for both #45502 and #45501 on their website as the descriptions do not tally when you click on the link - the high intensity headlight disappears. So if that is your choice may be worth a quick message to them to confirm exactly what you are going to get. //Simon

At last.

What is even more remarkable about that photograph is that according to R.C. Riley: “I asked Ted Carron, the local Running Foreman, if he would be kind enough to arrange for them to be turned to face into the sun.” Imagine the reaction you’d get to that request at Liverpool Street today. //Simon

According to R.C. Riley’s The Colour of Steam - The Great Eastern Line: J69 68619 was the East Side Pilot and N7/4 69614 was, from 1956, the West Side Pilot. Both were in lined black with red coupling rods. N7 69614 lasted in that role until the end of 1960. In September 1959 J69 68619 was repainted by Stratford into GER blue livery returning to traffic in October 1959, having first been on display at a Colchester Trades Fair from 25th to 28th September. 68619 carried the BR insignia on the side tanks and the GER coat of arms beneath the number on its bunker. I had always thought that 68619 was the J69 preserved as GER No. 87 but this was actually Parkeston’s 68633. This book is a little treasure trove of unusual and interesting colour photographs and well worth getting if you see it. //Simon

Thanks to the organisers, exhibitors and traders this continues to be a gem of a show, friendly, entertaining and I always learn something new. //Simon

I’d love to help, I’ve been looking for just this kind of podcast myself. // Simon

I found this website which gives a bit more background to the visit of the Scotsman to the Sewstern branch in October 1973. http://www.tracksthroughgrantham.uk/recording-the-railway/grantham-railway-galleries/flying-scotsmans-stopover-at-grantham/ There are some shots of “the well informed admirers” which might feature you Dave. //Simon

I’ve had an update from Hattons on the expected arrival time of my pre-ordered BR liveried N7: “Our latest information from the supplier suggests this item will arrive with us between April 2019 & June 2019. Whilst we are hopeful this information is accurate, manufacturer lead times are frequently prone to be delayed. This information is to be used as a guide only.” Vague but at least by June, we shall see. //Simon

Dave, Phoenix - Precision sell the former DMR kits for the B2s and sell the tenders separately for £40. https://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/products/dmr-lnerloco-4mm // Simon

TMS models are having a clear out of their secondhand stuff, I picked up an Ivatt class 4 for £30 and a Lima 40 for £15. They still have a secondhand Bachman’s BR liveried Hall for £30 https://tmsmodels.biz/product/4mm-brw-class-49xx-hall-4-6-0-tender-locomotive-r-n-5960-saint-edmund-hall-lined-black-livery-early-emblem/ There is also a Hornby 28XX for £30 and a Hornby Saint 29XX for £20, both in BR black and a Southern terrier for £40. Plus postage of course. //Simon

This one is something of a surprise, I know that there are not many 12” to the foot ones left but in model form the wouldn’t command so high a price I would think. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F163498440856 And no, it’s not the O gauge version. //Simon

I can recommend the EcoAir DD322 Desiccant Dehumidifier. Not cheap at £230 from Amazon but stunningly effective, mine has been used every day for the last 3 years and is as good as the day I bought it. You can use it with its 10l tank or more relevant for this situation it comes with a pipe to drain the water directly to the outside. //Simon

I got an email update from Hattons on my pre-order of a BR Black - Early Emblem N7 today: "Our latest information from the supplier suggests this item will arrive with us between February 2019 & March 2019 Whilst we are hopeful this information is accurate, manufacturer lead times are frequently prone to be delayed. This information is to be used as a guide only." So still plenty of time to build the Connoisseur kit I have on the shelf. //Simon

When I listen to the White Album I listen to the music the Beatles made not to the drugs they were reputedly dropping. IMHO Blackbird is one of the finest pieces of music recorded last century. //Simon

With respect have you tried it ?

What is quite an interesting exercise is to try tuning your speakers. You need Bluetac, your ears (with decent hearing) and a HiFi - larger speakers are easier to do this with. Kneel down in front of your speakers whilst some music is playing. Peel a piece of BluTac roughly the size of the end of your thumb. Now put your index finger on the side of the speaker at the top of the side roughly mid back to front. Keeping your finger pressed against the side of the speaker slowly move your finger down vertically. As your finger moves down you will hear a subtle change in the sound and it may well sound better, When you reach the point that it sounds better move your finger slowly front then back horizontally again listening for sound changes. When you think you have found the best sound put the piece of Bluetac where your finger was. This works because you are affecting the resonance of the speaker cabinet with the Bluetac and it can help improve muddy sounding speakers. Try it out if you want, of course I accept no responsibility for any damage to the finish on your speakers or your ears. //Simon

For me the High Priest of esoteric Hi-Fi was the great Peter Belt https://www.stereophile.com/content/peter-belt-1930-2017 I remember being told by one fan that I should rearrange the books on my shelves and put paper bookmarks in certain pages to improve the sound of my system. On cables there is a great deal of merit in regularly unplugging and replugging connections to remove the build up of crud which reduces their conductivity. I’m convinced that it is his action which is actually responsible for the improvements that “new cables” bring rather than the new kit itself. Most importantly your ears tell you what sounds good not the specs of your system. Ask yourself why you enjoy a certain kind of music more than another. Is it because your system can only play back one kind of music? A good system should allow you to enjoy any kind of music but many don’t. So if you enjoy listening to good music find a decent dealer where you can listen to the system and take a selection of music you know and ask them to play you stuff you don’t know. Where I go in Diggle the owner David is brilliant, he gives you plenty of time to decide and if you don’t like it when you get home he will change it for something you do like. I’m not at all local to Diggle but the long trip there is worth it because David knows his stuff.