brianusa

I had a Mustang !! with the 2.2 litre 4cyl, 4sp, engine at a time when V8s were de rigeur. It certainly was no challenge so its remarkable how time changed over a few years. In those days it was laughed off the road and indeed, it wasn't a best seller for Ford being based on the Pinto. Now there's four bangers in big boys Mustangs but I have the V8 in my Lincoln! Brian.

Many good words have been said about this website, mostly true and the reason that I find all the social contact I need on line on a frequent basis. I try and spend as little time as I can in front of a screen of any description. The common interest in British railways is obviously the connection for visiting and interaction with posters and I can usually find more info on what goes on back home as most are from the UK. Also we are not a strict society, along with trains, there can be found all sorts of interesting posts and comments, some funny, some interesting but all worth reading and every now and again, some saucy pictures of well endowed ladies. What more could one ask? Brian.

There was a time when I used to look forward to going upstairs and getting hot! Brian.

OK Rob, we have seen the future; now back to Panniers and Prairies so we may relax! Brian

Colin, its the reasoning why most internet sources go through the same thing; Microsoft and its many unkind incarnations come to mind or to make it more appropriate, why Bullieds are called Spam Cans Brian.

From the pictures it looks as though you are having a good summer; ideal for the introduction of the new service. Brian.

Being an old (!) Hornby fan from way back as well as Lionel in more recent years, I have to agree with your comment "The thing that most finescalers don't get, and probably never will, is that a subtly different aesthetic applies in coarse scale ...... some of us actually prefer the slight hint of the toy to absolute dimensional accuracy ....... we deliberately choose inaccuracy over accuracy, if you like". Both these makers of toy trains used similar concessions to cut costs and make O size fit more space. Sharp curves, smaller drivers and shorter locos were the order of the day as well as similar changes to rolling stock, while all the while pretending it was 1/43, or close. Of course, the kids to whom all this was intended didn't give a hoot and had fun just the way it all was. Presumably Dad started to change all that when he realised that something didn't look right and before long Hornby realised that too. About the same time Lionel caught on and by the end of the decade both companies had near as dammit realistic toy trains. It would appear that Dad won and recently all toy trains have been scale oriented approaching the fidelity of their scale two rail brethren, which have been quite well received especially in the absence of Hornby O gauge. However, I have trouble mixing the two; I would love some small modern example, which must be able to go around the 2' curves and possible even small Lionel curved track. My main problem is that the new stuff shows up my Hornby, some/most of which is not in mint condition but perhaps I shouldn't be so particular! Brian.

Thanks for the responses. We have no problem dialing to the UK; relatives in NI and the Southampton area apparently have the same trouble to dial to the US. From what I can gather, the recording just says this is a blocked number. One of the biggest problems these days, is that you are at the mercy of pushing numbers and hope to get a voice. When eventually you do, you get the standard explanations followed by 'Is there anything else? Have a nice day! I appreciate your concern. Brian.

For some reason calls from the UK are being 'blocked' according to those who can't get through from the UK. No matter who their provider is they say the same thing, that the voice recording is apparently an American accented female. Comcast is our provider in the US but they can find no fault. Never happened before, any ideas? Brian

Do Dublo layouts have names; I thought that was a scale enthusiasts thing! I call my Hornby O gauge layout the Layout! Brian.

We have bought two new builds but this one was 'used' and empty so we were able to visualise our furniture in it.. It was just what we wanted and the price was right so we bought it. In each case, we sold the old home 'as is'; no new curtains, no fresh paint; they were just nice houses, well maintained and looked attractive with 'curb appeal.' They sold within a few weeks and apparently the buyers were content although the last one filled in the swimming pool. Found out that on Google! Brian.

Over here its called 'staging'. Its the latest real estate con to make believe they need you to spend a lot of money on 'staging' by someone usually associated with the agent. If the house is attractive enough and with an average market, it will usually sell itself as those brave enough to sell it themselves, find out. Don't know what the UK market is like but right now it is hot in this area and there are not enough houses on the market to keep up with the demand. Its rather like buying a car these days and finding out that they will try and sell you all sorts of useless extras adding a couple of K to the price. Brian.

As most may know, there is no MOT as such in the US. There is an Emissions Test every couple of years costing $15 which over time has cost quite a lot of money; new cars require to be tested after five years but after all those years, my cars have never failed so I am out a considerable sum for nothing! Obviously there are 'old bangers' out there that may need attention but one rarely see's cars issuing a plume of oil smoke that was commonplace years ago. After twenty five years, the car is finally exempt if it is indeed still running; my car has four years to go! Brian

As you mention, a grand day out and sounds like great fun. I just can't get to love the 68s though, one must either love 'em or hate 'em although I don't really hate 'em; just not my idea of good industrial design. Brian.

We bought one for the same reasons and as we had a Samsung, we bought a Samsung soundbar for any compatibility reasons. It came with a bass speaker which boomed nicely in music. However, depending on the programme, it is best disconnected as it tends to muffle speech. I find certain shows to be more susceptible to distortion especially low voiced dramas; the news, movies and other talk shows are OK. Also some accents suffer and having been brought up on various English accents, even I find some Northern dialect hard to comprehend. I often wonder what American viewers must make of it. I must have been here too long as I don't have the same problem with American shows!! Brian.

What Trump wants and what Trump gets are millions of $$$$ apart! After he's built his wall, opened all the coal pits, upset half the world and likely not get to meet HMTQ, he'll be lucky if the US economy survives. But then, everyone know its only Trump being Trump! Brian.

Why the sudden craze for more carriers? As has been pointed out many times a well placed missile would be the end of it! Britain seems less enthusiastic but the French along with Russia and China seem to ignore the possibility. Brian.

Seagulls have a habit of congregating especially if food is around and most times a lot can be seen on the roof ridgeline, all in a row. Brian.

Don't like to see an empty cab but it would be nice if the driver and fireman adopted some other poses. This is especially noticeable in the small variety available in O scale, unless there are those I know nothing about. Also the GW is not well catered for as most are geared for LH driving, the firemen have to constantly shovel coal while the driver spends a lot of time on the regulator(?) My driver with his right arm held high uses it to hang on! Brian.

It rather depends if you are in a collector or runner mode, most collectors like the boxes, especially with older items, over the years I have kept boxes for that time when I would sell the trains and make lots of money. That was a bit of a fable especially now that modern makes have come on the scene and there are boxes and boxes taking up valuable room. Its come to the point now that I am almost convinced to bin the lot; I keep stock on shelves anyway. For anything really valuable, I will keep the boxes but for lesser items, the boxes will go as they probably aren't worth a lot anyway especially where I am located. Brian.

Sounds like an interesting project. Especially so for me was the description of what was doing at a time after I left the area. I did most of my trainspotting between North Road and Marsh Mills and when steam disappeared so did I, so I have little knowledge of what went on after that. From visits back home the whole railway scene is just a shadow of its former self so thanks for the info. Perhaps there will be more to learn with your project. Brian.

Just acquired a rather nice No,4 station. The railings have suffered a bit over the years, a few scratches and turned to a faint greyish colour; they were white when new, weren't they? So do I repaint them in the current colour or perhaps more like the original? I'm inclined to the latter as its not that noticeable! It now matches the Wayside Station on the Down line. Brian.

I've just got a Hornby No.4 Station, I don't suppose that counts but its called Margate and not Seaton Junct. I don't suppose that counts either but its the only railway item that I have to offer! Brian.

Notice how the kids are more scale sized to the loco! Brian.

IMHO, Hornby had better cater to the market that is already loyal to them; aging males who have grown up and play with trains as it might stay their demise a little longer. Larger companies with more famous names than Hornby have disappeared for ever. Lego has taken over the kiddie market and barring a world upset, is going to go further but they better hope for a high childbirth era as like Hornby, their current kids will grow up and find other hobbies and interests just like their predecessors. There will be the 'hangers on' just as in the model train hobby today but as we know, nothing like its heyday, so will it be with Lego. Brian.