Nedrahn

Nemesis of Heart - Evig Natt

One Last Goodbye - Dark Princess.

To think I've got three of these rare and collectable things. I don't think mine are worth as much, though. They're attached to APTs.

Spot on. Somewhat OT, but with regard to Press Releases I'm reminded of an article I wrote about, shall we say, 'A Ferry Company'. I contacted the company looking for publicity photos of the ships, and was shunted on to the media company that handled such things. The woman at the other end very kindly sent me a press pack, no photos, but a lot of pointless blurb and a brief history of the company. I sent it back suitably corrected... Concerning newspapers (sic), it amazes me that people often show contempt for grubby, biased tabloid hatemongers, and yet then parrot some bit of nonsense because it was in the paper, so it must be true.

Forgive Me Father (I have Sinned) - Cradle of Filth.

Look at the bidding. It's a private listing. What a big surprise. Also look back at the completed listings. There's another one from a different dealer, but with a remarkably similar description. That's also a private listing. Coincidence?

Well said. I don't think one should hold up Rail as an unblemished example of objective reporting. Over my lifetime I've watched the magazine go from Rail Enthusiast, which did what it said on the cover, to Rail, which appeared to believe it was Modern Railways Mk2. Then came Privatisation and Rail mutated into the cheerleader for the privateers, at times reading like an ATOC press release. Some might like that. Some might like Nigel Harris' style and agree with his opinions. However, they are just that - opinions, often expressed. His opinion on HS2 doesn't make him right, any more than the opinions of the opponents are automatically right. It's ridiculous to hold up estimations as 'facts'. Short of a trip in the TARDIS, no-one truly knows if HS2 is a worthwhile project or not. I think HS2 could be of benefit, or it could be a ridiculous use of our money. We simply haven't had a proper, reasoned and national debate on the issue. It's become a vanity project for the politicians, who seem more afraid of losing face than acting in the best interests of the nation. I say it should be put on hold until we've had that inclusive debate and, possibly, a referendum. I know there's the problem of having an adult discussion in Tabloid Britain, but shouldn't we try? At the very least I would like to see some commitment to making the project British - British construction, British stock completely built here, and British materials as far as possible. And by British I don't mean David Cameron's definition - built in Japan and fitted out here, cue PR op.

No argument there. Judging by photos it seems they were more stylish as originally built. I think there are obvious parallels with the CEPs. The CEP refurbishment was quite remarkable. Swindon did an excellent job of updating an old design, and I always loved riding on a refurbished CEP (as an enthusiast, thankfully not as a commuter ). However, I have to say the CIGs still looked better, and were certainly more comfortable. They were refreshed rather than heavily refurbished, proving that an old design could still be a good design. Would a more limited refurbishment for the CEPs and AM9 have produced a better unit? I'd love to have experienced a red AM9 in its heyday, or for that matter a 123 and 124. Bring on the time machine or millionaire with a thing for replica rolling stock. Dare I whisper it, I even enjoyed bouncing around in VEPs, always choosing a VEP if one happened to be tied on to a CEP at Charing X. I'm sure some members have looked at my posts in another thread and concluded that I'm not right in the head. This might have proved it!

I only travelled on a 309 once, to my regret. I turned up at Liverpool Street one Sunday evening for the Norwich service, but instead of the usual 86+push/pull a 309 set was in the platform. This took us to Ipswich, where we detrained for a waiting 86 set. I remember thinking the 309 was like a cross between a refurbished CEP and a CIG. I recall it was very yellow inside, and seemed curiously open plan, almost spartan. The 309 certainly motored along nicely, although it was nowhere near as good a ride as the usual Mk2s. Probably on a par with a CEP. Those Coventry guys are to be admired for all they've achieved so far. It seems a shame that so few EMUs, especially overhead EMUs, will be around for future generations to experience. I feel fortunate that I'm close to the East Kent Railway, where you can ride on a CEP, EPB or COR. Will Hornby be measuring up the latter soon? I wish the Chart Leacon VOPs had gone there instead of into the voracious Belle machine, but that would have required money, more siding space at the EKR, money, the will to restore them, and money. Regarding splitting, they most certainly still do it on the old Southern. At Faversham, for example. Electrostars don't seem to part with such a bang as the old Mk1 stock, though!

I have many other calls on my time. Sorry. I'll only glance over this forum when I have the chance. That means I could easily miss posts and take a long time to reply, as here. If some members can stay glued to RMWeb at all hours then good on them. I can't. I don't tolerate bullying in any form. Skin, thick or thin, has nothing to do with it. This is a matter of principle. Horsefan originally patronised me. I replied and that would have been the end of it, but Dudders decided to twist my post for a cheap laugh at my expense. A few of you out there think that's okay, even funny. I don't. However, I don't feel I'm automatically right about everything, hence my research. Dudders made specific claims about my original post. I decided to see if his attack was valid. Unless I've missed it, Dudders hasn't bothered with an apology, which is all I want. It's easy to ridicule someone on a forum. I consider it cowardice, but if others don't then fair enough. I won't be making any further posts on this subject (I can hear the cheers already). However, if Dudders happens to be at a model show in Kent, I do suggest he looks out for me. I'm of average height, I guess, with brown hair. I usually wear a black top or shirt, black jeans and black DMs, with a black leather jacket in the colder period, or a long blue coat if it's really cold. I would happily give Dudders the opportunity to ridicule me to my face. What's a long tern benefit? Something twitchers get from the government?

Oh dear indeed, Oldddudders. It would seem that you believe further condescension is required to settle this matter. I would have offered an apology, but perhaps that's just me. You backhandedly accuse me of not being polite (getting a cheap laugh by twisting a post and ridiculing a new member being so courteous, of course). Thus I decided out of respect for the members to go back and spend what spare time I had reading this thread, ALL of it, every single post. Hence the delay in replying before you have a go at me for that. The results were interesting. I would say that I expressed an opinion, being well aware that this was the more laid back section of the forum. I didn't notice anywhere in this thread the warning that one had to ask permission before engaging in conversational free speech. I didn't offer my philosophy on this and that, just prices on eBay and elsewhere, and I devoted a single paragraph to the subject. I have a little bit of experience of the writing game. One small paragraph is not at length. You are correct that most posts here are of the 'Look at this', 'Yes, look at that' variety. However, there are plenty of posts that stray from a rigid interpretation of the topic. Many members have taken a cue from a post and headed in a different direction. If this offends then the other members have the choice of not reading that post. I suspect some of them have already come to that conclusion about this post. I apologise to them, but I reserve the right to defend myself. Let me give you some examples of the aforementioned posts. Early on in the thread one member took a cue from a remark about Southampton Model Centre. He used this as an excuse to give (briefly) his experience of the erstwhile SMC and US modelling. Not strictly on topic, but interesting enough. Less so was the same member's later post about an eBay listing. Now this was on topic I suppose, but boring because he decided the members here should be treated to a long list of the eBay seller's postal exclusions. Was that polite? Did that move the thread along? By 974 we find this same member sharing his opinion on a subject, or philosophy as you might put it. The above member did not receive any criticism from you, Oldddudders. This puzzles me because it would appear he had hijacked your ID. Finally, with regard to K's kits, I can appreciate people have had bad experiences with them. I've never claimed that they were perfect, or even great. If you want the highest standards, steer clear of K's, no argument. However, my point is that it seems very arrogant to dismiss them as irretrievable. I've built plenty of them, from the little Y8 to the Turbomotive and LMS B-G. Only one was a disaster (the GWR Rover), and that was for a specific reason (GW fans would be horrified). All of the others still exist and still run. What more can I say?

Olddudders, I'm still awaiting the courtesy of a reply. Firstly, when is it acceptable to patronise or insult another member? For that matter, is it good form to twist another member's message for a cheap laugh? Is it considered good sport to attack a new member? As a couple of other members thought your attack on me was great, I clearly need to know these things. Secondly, why are K's kits irretrievable, based on your practical experience of them? If I've misinterpreted the latter, and you were claiming that I was being patronising for saying they weren't irretrievable, I was only responding to another post.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realise you had to have been in at the start of a thread to make a contribution and expect a courteous and adult reply. I can't think of a situation where condescension is necessary or polite, but perhaps you could correct me on my evidently poor manners? If you read my post rather than attacking me, you'll note that I asked if the current level could be sustained. It was a question, not a statement. I didn't expect everyone to agree with my point of view, but I did think there would be some rational debate. For example, I appreciate the friendly post from hornbyandbf3fan, even if I don't necessarily accept everything he says. He holds a differing opinion, yet he makes a fair point without insult or puerility. Regarding K's kits, I don't think they're irretrievable because I've built a fair number of them, all of which still run, and I still build them. Again, I'm sorry if this is wrong, but I can only make a judgement based on my own experience. Yes, there are challenges with some of them, and the flash can be bad, however that's part of the fun for me. Please do tell me why I should stop building K's kits and throw them away, preferably based on your practical experience with them. Finally, this is a thread entitled eBay Madness. I consider it madness when someone pays too much for an item. There's a difference between a lot and too much. The Bachmann Blue Pullman costs a lot, but is it too much? Given that it's a very specialised model that can't be broken down into its component parts for purchase over a longer period, possibly not. I would argue that prices are generally a little too high, as you will realise, however there seems little point in continuing with that argument on this forum, given the reception I've received. On eBay I see lunatics paying way above what they would pay at an exhibition or toy fair. I also see very common items going for daft money, and the same for very badly built kits. That's madness.

No, and I don't wish to be patronised, thanks.

I've just had another look, but it still doesn't seem right to me. One bidder is nibbling instead of hitting hard, and happens to have a high percentage. That sounds the shill alarm for me, although you could of course be correct and it's just a case of two people who REALLY wanted a 1500 (and we're not talking Great Eastern).

I've never had a loco built professionally, and I never will. I get too much enjoyment out of building locos myself (kit, scratchbuilt, modified RTR, whatever), even if it isn't to professional standard. However, I do take your point, and that of the following post. If you are having something made, then the builder would quite rightly expect a fair return for his time. And yes, I agree with the comment about getting rich, or not! I suppose I can be a bit grumpy, but I look at some of the prices for 4mm locos now and despair. Where will it end? Before anyone jumps in, I know continental locos are eye-wateringly expensive in comparison, you couldn't get this quality from a kit builder at the price, Hornby Dublo locos were expensive in the 1960s, never had it so good and all the other cliches that are trotted out whenever this subject is raised. However, it still seems that this hobby is on the way to becoming a rich man's game, which makes me worry for the future. There used to be a better mix of prices, and locos that you needed to save up for remained in production for a reasonable length of time. Now there are so many (too many?) costly new releases, endless limited editions or even exclusive models and, to wander back in the direction of the topic, eBay madness just makes a nonsense of the whole thing. I wonder if we're seeing a model railway bubble, or can we really sustain the current level of production and pricing?

I do call it madness when any 4mm model loco costs £370, but hey ho. I could be wrong (he said covering his posterior), but does the bidding look right to everyone else? I detect one idiot with too much money and/or auction fever receiving a dose of shill bidding. Of course I must be wrong. Such fraudulent activity never happens on eBay. No, it isn't out of control at all. The guys at eBay assure us of this, but if you do spot shill bidding you can report the item and they'll take swift action. Oh yes, I'm convinced. Now, where is that e-mail about the Prince of Nigeria needing my bank account details? By the way, I've never had a problem with K's kits, or at least never had a problem that couldn't be solved (even if it meant throwing away the wheels and motor). However, I freely admit that I build to my own standards and no-one else's. What satisfies me would shock some other people here. Each to his or her own. That's why it's such a wonderful hobby. If you want some real fun, forget about K's. Track down a Q Kits whitemetal kit. Now they were bad (and as for the resin ones, just don't breathe in the dust as you hack and file it into shape).

Ah, but it's a little known fact that the British Railways Standard Mark 1 carriage was first built by the LMS, courtesy of a doctor who appeared in the design office one day. This is clearly one of those originals, and so older than the later Mark 1s, which explains why it was dumped in a siding to rot in BR maroon when its brethren were being painted blue and grey.

Temple of Love - The Sisters of Mercy.

Never Enough - Epica.

Mother Earth - Within Temptation.

Watching the Wheels - John Lennon

What Kind of Fool - All About Eve.

I think I'll just take your word for it!

Re: the Code 3 pug. I'm new here, so apologies if this is an old, ongoing topic, but is this guy serious? Over £50 including postage for a 'Southern' Caley pug? I suppose it took so much effort to paint it black. If someone buys it then we'll have proof that it's possible even in this great economic recovery (sic) to have more money than sense. Stephen.