2750Papyrus

My Mum was an Akela for many years. Also known as Mrs Dyb-Dob (from the Grand Howl - "Do Your Best - we'll Do Our Best).

Just gone for a pee..

On the subject of glazing layout coaches, do you glaze the corridor windows of compartment stock or leave them blank?

Well, yes, but... our contract is with the retailer. I prefer to buy from a retailer who I know will check and test an item (or at least, a locomotive) before despatch and package it well enough to survive delivery.

FS visited the Keighley and Worth Valley some years ago and was open to the public to view (so I've cabbed it!). Our guide had completed the York University master's degree and had investigated the build history of the loco for his dissertation. I can't remember all the detail, but she has 2750's driving wheels whilst part of the cab sheets was deemed original.

Though I love "watching the trains go by", I also enjoy watching well-conceived shunting movements and also terminating/starting passenger train movements. However, unless trains are left to complete circuits a number of times, that requires multiple (skilled) operators or a high degree of automation. The use of shunting horses was widespread and I did provoke a brief conversation on a forum a few months ago but it was felt that the simulation of leg movement would be necessary for realism but difficult to achieve. That would certainly be beyond me but I did pick up an old Kitmaster motorised van and a nicely painted Shire horse, with the intention of mounting the horse from a wire projecting from the front of the van. Adjusting the height to clear pointwork will be critical to appearance, I think.

Over the years, I have bought a number of kit-built locomotives. Only two of these have been new build direct from "professional" builders and both were returned for corrective work on their tenders, which rocked when placed on a sheet of glass to check their squareness. Fairly basic? I may be a little cynical, but the fact that a "professional" charges for services does not necessarily imply that they possess a high degree of competence and/or knowledge, whether we are talking house maintenance or model railways.

In view of the interest in my wife's sleeping attire, she shortened the "long" leg. To me they don't look to be the same length, but are apparently acceptable. .

I'm afraid Fareham would be a 3 or 4 hour drive each way, which is too much nowadays. I'll have to watch the CD again instead. Good luck with Grantham at the show.

Last Friday afternoon Mrs 2750 and I were sat on the sofas, facing each other. She was busy sewing - shortening a pair of pyjama trousers. After a few minutes, she said "Thank heavens that's finished". I pointed out to her that one leg was considerably shorter than the other. She gave me a puzzled look, then raised the garment in the air before stating in an aggrieved tone "I've shortened the same leg twice!". It had been a long time since I'd been literally doubled up with laughter...

I think this thread has gone for a 17B.

Thanks for identifying that wagon. I had gone through photos on the web and checked Tatlow but didn't think to look at Essery. Apparently, in addition to new build, many examples of D1983 were modified to D2040.

Graham, I have picked up an unbuilt Ks wagon kit with no identification but it is obviously a shock absorbing open wagon. Please do your catalogue/price list identify the protopye?

I recently needed to buy some tiny screws and found what I needed on E-Bay. I don't know how often the seller completes a transaction, but the delivery envelope carried the following QEII stamps, all unfranked:- qty 3 - nine penny stamps qty 1 - six and a halfpenny stamp qty 2 - nine and a halfpenny stamps qty 1 - fifteen and a halfpenny stamp I think the halfpenny coin was withdrawn in 1984 but have no idea when the stamps were withdrawn. Do we have a stamp collector in our ranks who can comment?

Interesting announcement on BBC local website. Bus services 72 & 73 from Bedford to Biggleswade are being withdrawn from the end of October, whilst the 905 from Bedford to Cambridge will no longer stop at Camborne. Possibly not a sign of high demand for public transport in the area in advance of the new government's review of East-West rail.

If it is set in East Anglia, I hope there will be a narrow gauge feeder with a double Fairlie and slate wagons.

I do like this idea and think it would be very popular at exhibitions!

I believe that the next briefing of the Sovereign by the Prime Minister will be the first for both parties. Hopefully not this week, HM must be exhausted.

I wouldn't be paying the fine!

There is nothing new about the "fitted for but not necessarily with" concept. It drives down initial cost, gains Treasury approval which may not otherwise have been forthcoming, and permits subsequent fitment in the event of subsequent funding and perceived threat.

Please, what shows will Grantham be attending over the next six months?

It's the same story in the Bedfordshire villages. Ours used to house about 3500 people but in the last 4 years, over 700 new houses have been approved. They are not "first time buyer" (affordable) type homes but mostly detached and sold to commuters. The ECML runs by the edge of the village; when we first moved here, the local service from Hitchin to Peterborough was a 2 coach DMU - it's now regularly a 12 coach formation.

What a beauty!

The only time I flew from Ringway was on a BAC 1-11 for a Club 18 - 30 holiday to Tossa da Mar. I'm just a little outside that age group now.....