1466

Thanks Fran . Great news and I await MRJ with feverish anticipation!

A couple of us have asked and are awaiting a reply .

I recall that Trevor Potts of Churston ( EM gauge layout) ( memory fade ) made a working screw link in 4 mm for the front of his King Loco . It was basically, if I’m right , a Markits product with the dummy “ screw” replaced with a small BA bolt - around size 16 . It looked wonderful but I think that it may be significant that it was on the front of his most prestigious engine . I infer that it was for show only but it finessed a beautiful engine .

Thanks for your measured and reasoned response ; it’s helpful . Regarding track work , did you have to install bus bars around your layout . I have. DC layout with many sections and wonder if just switching them all on would work ? My points are live frog . Thanks

I experienced left hand dominance in the Great Smog of 1952 . I stepped off a kerb next to a lamppost and ended up back at the same lamppost ! You literally couldn’t see more than a foot in front of you .

Iain Rice worked up a Mainline body on an etched brass chassis in one of his books . The article was so inspirational that I felt compelled to try to copy it . I was particularly taken by his use of a big can motor ( 16 mm diameter). Iain also worked his magic on the detailing of the body . My memory suggests he commented on the shape of the dome - did he really describe it as “ mammalian “? In any event he filed it down and drilled out the top for a securing nut . My attempt wasn’t entirely successful. The 16 mm cam motor was so torquey that it shifted the quartering . My final attempt was to drill into the wheel and axle which moved the problem to the connecting rods which buckled. Its in the 2do list .

My inspiration corner . Whenever I think I thought of a new railway modelling idea , I find the Rev. Peter Denny thought of it 50 years ago !

Years ago on a cold Friday night, I I entered The Windmill pub alongside the Common in Mitcham . I ordered 2 whiskys . “ Don’t sell spirits here , Sir, got a beer and wine licence only “. I was astonished as I’d never encountered this before and ordered 2 pints instead . I was with a mate . More recently, I’ve been back and was pleased that they now sell spirits .

Any chance of drop in EM and/or P4 wheel sets, please ? Just asking .

I am very pleased to be corrected .

I can only add my opinion as an interested but non professional observer . For me the 1988 Clapham Common train crash was a turning point . 35 people killed and 400 injured . It seemed to me that the Railway at that time was starved of investment and even , if indirectly , that might have contributed to the cause . However , immediately following the crash , it appeared to me that all resources were committed to rescue and then to reopening the lines . Cost didn’t appear to be a drag . It was , I thought , a tremendous response . What I took away from a dreadful tragedy was that our railways could perform much better if they weren’t starved of resources . The potential was there but it was severely constrained. Subsequently , whenever there is a problem , my perception is that there has first to be an inquiry to apportion blame so that “ compensation “ may be paid to other stakeholders . Inevitably there is a discussion or perhaps negotiation which takes precedence.Reopening the railway seems to have moved down the priorities. I emphasis this is my personal opinion which is not guided by professional railway knowledge. I stress “seems to me “; appears to me ; my perception “ I would be delighted if well informed professional knowledge shows me to be wrong .

I learnt to drive in an Austin A60 in 1971 . A steering wheel the size of a sailing ship’s wheel ! I looked through and under it and over the instrument binnacle . Leather upholstery and synchromash on 2nd 3rd and top only . But it smelt of real car . Quality!

Always good to hear of the organic growth of your layout and the rationale that drives it !

In the late 1960s a couple of blokes jointly owned an E type Jaguar coupe in Tooting . They couldn’t agree about colour so one half was pink and the other was yellow . “ Great for confusing witnesses and the Police “.

Dear Osborn Models I’ve sent an e mail to your Info site . To the Rmweb community- what an exemplar of outstanding customer relations! See an unexpected problem , solve it and free of charge to the customer! They deserve our support . Well done and please bring more kits like this to the market . 1466 .

Thank you for your quick and appreciated reply . I’ll send a message . Ken 1466 .

I bought one these clever kits when they came out . Would it be possible, please to publish a photo of the new arrangement? I’m happy to modify / bodge the middle axle myself . Thanks

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments. No decorum , I second your thoughts on the lack of a Saint .Coach bogie suggested a way forward akin to your thoughts on a newer chassis and an old body on ANTB . He has made a lovely Saint . Thanks again .

Yes please to more details . I assume the swinging beams rotate around the fulcrum of the pins . I guess therefore that the height/depth of the knife edge is critical ? How do you determine the measurement ? Thanks

I have a yen for a Hornby Star , an itch which needs to be scratched . I believe there have been versions of the loco and some are better and run better than others . I would welcome views and experiences . Thanks .

Who was it who said “ Sixteen to the ton and sixteen to the bum “? The convention was 16 passengers weigh a ton and allow 16 inches space across the hips . They may have been correct in earlier times but may need revision now .

I think this is wise counsel . I have followed a similar path gradually focusing down from everything/ everywhere to 1930 ‘s GWR in Oxfordshire. With some lapses e.g. introducing Southern Railway stock . Not beyond reason , as SR trains ran through Oxford and beyond . As it happens , I have a 97xx condensing pannier . It’s a Bachman 57xx chassis and cab , married to a K’s Bodyline cast pannier and smoke box etc . Far from perfect but te best I could do at the time . I’m content with it .

I know that mineral oil and plastic don’t mix - something I found out in my Triang days . Is diesel safe in plastic?

I hope The Mainline and City Toplights will sell really well and open up the way to the corridor Toplights . I expect the corridor Toplights to be extremely successful.

If you go back to Motor Racing in the 1960s , Richie Ginther number 2 at BRM introduced a cut off tail to racing cars in general . I think Ferrari applied it to their sports racers and the 250 GTo . The rationale was a proper tear drop streamlined tail was too long to be practicable , so you might as well chop it off .