Tim Hall

Have a bubble car!

Stourbridge Junction, 28th Aug 1987.

I grew up halfway between Wolverhampton and Stourbridge, and used to catch a bus (256 became 556, or 257) to either place to start my rail travels when I visited my parents after I'd left home, and had days out from there.

May not still be relevant in term of the ratios. At least some of the paints will now be made using different formulations, for example reds, oranges and yellows probably used lead chromate or cadmium then, which they can't be now.

On 17/01/2020 at 08:20, Bucoops said:

It's illegal to produce asbestos products

He'll do asbestos he can....

Looking on their Facebook page, they are mentioned yesterday by a local locksmith, as having their property made secure after a fire next door. It looks like the fire service made an emergency entrance to Rails, breaking glass in the front and rear doors in the process.

As someone who grew up in Wall Heath, living there from 1967-1984 and then visiting fairly regularly until I cleared my parents house there in 2014, I shall watch this with interest.

1 hour ago, The Johnster said:

THE PRECIOUS!!!!

 

IT IS HERE!!!!

 

IT HAS ARRIVED!!!!

 

PRECIOUSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Calm down Johnster, it's only a loco.

 

No it's not, it's the PRECIOUSSSSS!!!!

 

I've only unboxed it and given it an intitial examination once over, but impressions are very favourable so far.  Everything that should be attached to the locomotive is attached to the locomotive, rear steps no problem you just lift the loco vertically out of it's clear plastic holder and they come away sweetly enough.  Nice lump of weight, and the first loco I've bought with separate etched brass number plates to go over the printed ones on the cab sides, nice touch, and an etched works plate to go with them.  Won't be using these as I'm renumbering to 8448, a Bagnall, but it is a nice touch and enhances the feeling of a quality bit of kit.  Separate cab doors are another Good Idea.  I also like that the brake rigging is factory fitted rather than a separate retrofit detail; the usual pipes and hooks are supplied in a details bag of course.

 

Finish and printing are about as good as it gets, and the level of detail beneath the tanks and boiler is a step forward in what is expected of RTR volume production; well done Blue Box.  I waited a long time for this, complained vigorously when it was put back time and again, and it is only right that I should express my satisfaction now that the beastie is in my chubby little hands.  It feels like it was worth the wait, but it was a very long wait!  The new number and works plates have already been ordered along with a Modelu loco crew pack (driver, firemen, and full set of lamps).  I paid £106 at Rails of Sheffield, but this is still the most expensive single item I have ever bought for my layout, and will probably remain so until Hornby bring out a retooled 2721...  I feel the price is fair in modern times for what is an exceptionally well detailed and finished model, and have no complaints on that score, though the Squeeze's eyebrows raised a bit when I ordered it last year.

 

Running in (workbench because I don't have a continuous run test track) and running trials on the layout later.  I have already confirmed that the pickups contact correctly across the entire range of side play, so running should be fine.  I will check back to backs before trials.  She'll run as 9487 until the 8448 plates arrive.

 

As for the firebox glow, like Mr Isherwood I think it's a bit gimmicky especially for DC, and am glad to hear that it is pretty subdued at low voltage.  I'll give it a chance, though, and so long as it doesn't bother me in normal ambient light I'll leave it as it is; I do run low lighting sessions sometimes when it might be nice to have.  Probably not hard to disconnect if I find it intrusive.

I thought I heard you over the roar of the traffic whilst squelching round Howardian Nature Reserve earlier......

9 minutes ago, The Johnster said:

I wish I still had my copy of E R Mountford's book, which went AWOL during one of the many moves of my unsettled post-divorce existence, but IIRC he states that the maverick Caerphilly obeyed the instructions from Swindon in this matter.  They liked red paint at Caerphilly, though, and would paint reversing rods in it at the drop of a hat.

 

 

Nice, and glad to hear the fuss is all over on the mean streets of Penylan!  Mine was posted on Saturday from Rails, and I'm a bit miffed because they promised me Friday when I phoned them Friday morning, in which case I might have had it today, but I've to go to Pentwyn Leisure Centre for my covid vaccination, a 2 bus trip, later so wouldn't have had time to unpack it anyway!  I am hopeful for tomorrow, but the saga of this loco has proved that hopes are sometimes dashed... its on it's way and will be comin' around the mountain when she comes.  Not sure about the pink pyjamas.

 

Liking the mogul driver's pose.  I have the same chap as the bloke leaning out of the 94xx on the fireman's side of my soon to be retired Limbach 94xx. 

Good luck with the jab. In-laws (90 and 85)  had theirs 12 days ago and wife as a GP nearly a month ago. 

It's a good pose, I have several of them dotted around various locos.

1 hour ago, TheSignalEngineer said:

Yet another winner from Dan. Order placed on Friday afternoon and the loco was running on my layout by Monday lunch time. Thanks.

It's young Dan's birthday today, so altogether now in a quick chorus......

Thanks for the concern over the "incident" there a few days ago.

Interviews done, cordons removed, police disappeared, park open. The only sign of anything unusual is a few flowers leaning against the park railings down the road to commemorate a Polish man, living in Essex who travelled to Cardiff during a lockdown, got into bother about a mile away and ended up dead in our street.....Draw your own conclusions....I won't be commenting further.

So postie was able to come this morning.....

Most of the twiddly bits fitted, runs nicely from very slowly and quietly to any sensible speed I choose (Gaugemaster Q). Easily pulled 7 Bachmann Bulleids (no Western coaches on there at present) or 28 wagons. Proper running in this PM whilst I'm faffing around up there.

Very happy

21 hours ago, Tim Hall said:

Royal Mail were unable to deliver today due to "the property being inaccessable", as the police have cordoned the area off to the body of "a man in his 20s or 30s" being found a few 100 yards away.

Just had four blokes in white protective suits ferreting around around outside and in the park opposite. 

Still cordoned and delivery failed again, but Amazon got through last night, though they wouldn't let him drive in, delivering my teenage daughter's urgent chocolate supplies .

3 hours ago, The Johnster said:

Sounds like the wrong sort of exciting; BBC Wales News website has few details but pinpoint location of body as Westville Road, and that police are saying the death is 'unexplained' rather than suspicious (so no obvious gunshot or stab wounds, then).  Photo shows Westville cordoned off from both directions on Blenheim.

Correct, just had to go past the "Hobby Bobby" manning the cordon to get out for a walk. No sign of any activity, other than the chilly mortals manning the cordons.

I'm waiting for the knock on the door, "where were you at about 2330 yesterday?" "In the attic supergluing etched brass draincocks to 00 Bulleid Pacifics".

Seriously though, a bit of a shock in this normally sleepy area. More of a shock for the friends and relatives obviously.

So 94xx rescheduled for tomorrow apparently. 

Royal Mail were unable to deliver today due to "the property being inaccessable", as the police have cordoned the area off to the body of "a man in his 20s or 30s" being found a few 100 yards away.

Just had four blokes in white protective suits ferreting around around outside and in the park opposite. 

2 minutes ago, The Johnster said:

Well done Tim, you must be counting down the seconds and looking out the window!

I am....still....

1 hour ago, The Johnster said:

I now own (but do not yet possess) a Bachmann 94xx, having contacted Rails this morning and given them my money.  It’s just the delivery now; when will this torture end...

 

I will, next week, order 8448 nameplates from Railtec for it and, in the meantime, find a source of Bagnall builder’s plates (9487 comes with Stepenson’s plated correct for that loco.  Oh, and a Modelu crew!

 

Preciousssssssss. 
 

Where’s a Gollum emoji when you need one...

There'll be one about a mile from you by 1.49 today, if an email from Royal Mail to me is to be believed.....

Fizz (the tabby) and Wispa are rescue cats that we adopted as kittens nearly three years ago. We're somewhat besotted. 

They are, however, banned from "Loftshire".

3 minutes ago, malcolmt said:

A very pleasant surprise this afternoon when Canada Post delivered my GT3. The model is magnificent!  Now to set up a test track. 

Thank you very much,

Malcolm

Calgary, Alberta

Hurray! Keep us informed please!

Missing the point completely, I'd got it in my head that 0-4-0CD meant a small diesel shunter with a crane attached.......

On 28/09/2019 at 20:06, Tim Hall said:

Has anyone fitted a driver yet?

Yes Tim, since you ask, it's very easy, as you can see. Removing the coupling bar was straightforward as well.

(In case anyone thinks I've lost the plot, I googled 48DS crew fitting and coupling removal on receipt of the loco yesterday, and it came up with my own question ). The driver looks less mutant in real life!

4 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

The Tri-ang B12 had it decades ago...

Frankly, it sounded more realistic than some DCC sound locos I've heard, and a lot cheaper!

Just now, Compound2632 said:

 

Unless I've missed it, we've not yet seen a sample of Hornby 6-wheelers being put through their paces but there are videos of EPs of the Hattons 6-wheelers, which show that they run very sweetly:

 

 

Fair enough, I'm still in no great rush, but that is interesting.

On 08/01/2021 at 10:04, Oldddudders said:

Not to mention Kernow.

Lord and Butler had Barclays and P class on the shelves...

I won't be buying anything 6 wheel, from either of them until I've heard how they run, having sold on a Stove R and a rake of Dapol 6 wheel milk tankers (even rewheeling didn't go well), which just wouldn't stay on the rails whilst everything else (almost always) does. I know both of those vehicles had some history, but until I know that these don't have similar problems, I'll wait.

1 hour ago, adb968008 said:

Looks like the Victoria-Exchange platform at Manchester Victoria to me.

 

I don’t recall too many 45’s at Preston, they certainly did, but Trans penine was a predictable multiple daily haunt.. and so a dozen daily was possible.

I was wondering about that, couldn't work out what service it would have been on. Man Vic would make much more sense. I was on a North West Rover, staying with a railway friend in Warrington. Original posting corrected.

1 hour ago, The Johnster said:

You probably will, Tim; the description of your location suggests that I’m probably within a mile of you, in a more ‘street’ part of Roath...

I'll keep ear muffs and a supply of loco sound recordings handy then....

10 hours ago, The Johnster said:

They'd probably give me the wrong one knowing my luck, the GWR version with the cover plate on the front framing...

 

Depends on your definition of vague

 

Got to play it cool, promised Andy Y I wouldn't moan about not having one yet any more... 

 

You are all very bad people for teasing me in such a cruel way.

I don't know (or need to know) exactly where in "The mean streets of inner-city Cardiff" you are, but I'm fairly sure that I'll hear your outpourings of delight (or angst) upon opening the box and placing your 94xx on the track, from here a couple of miles away in the slightly leafier suburbs near the old Roath Branch line......A day to look forward to ;)