Stanley Melrose

And Magnomatics found that keeping rare earth magnets of a size relevant to wind turbines tested the adhesive powers of available sticky stuff! Stan

The first version of the Magnomatics gearbox that I saw can be described as follows: Imagine a pair of spur gears in mesh. As one gear turns the teeth progressively engage with the teeth on the second gear and transmit the torque. Now, instead of teeth on the gears, imagine pieces of rare earth magnets but rather than having the "teeth" in mesh, they are separated by a minute air gap. As each magnetic pole moves under power, it attracts the adjacent pole on the second gear which follows it until the air gap allows separation by which time the next pole is engaging with the next pole on the second gear and transmitting the torque. This sequence continues just as in the toothed gears with which we are familiar. In an application in a wind turbine, one of the major problems with toothed gear drives is that a sudden gust of wind can spin the blades so quickly that before they can be feathered, the gears break under stress putting the turbine out of action until a repair can be effected. With a magnetic gearbox, as described above, a sudden gust would see the gears slip without damage. Once the blades were feathered and rotation speed reduced the gears would function as desired once more. HTH, Stan

As I was involved in the incorporation of <http://www.magnomatics.com/> while I worked at Sheffield University, I had suggested/hoped that they might develop a version of their motor/gearbox for model railway use. Unsurprisingly, the founders, with my support, were seeking large amounts of investment from major industries and model railways were a long way off their radar. Over 40 years ago, I recall seeing the first model railway application of coreless electric motors - one by Bernard Laycock in a GWR 0-4-2T and another by Guy Williams in a King at Pendon. These motors were developed by Faulhaber and Escap and came with prices consistent with their German and Swiss origins. Now that the patents have presumably expired, they can be bought very cheaply from China and are commonplace in drones, etc. I can't help wondering if the Magnomatics situation will be similar and that when their patents expire we will see wide-spread applications of the technology, including model railways. EVs are obvious, as are wind turbines, microwave ovens, washing machines and tumble dryers but I fully expect model railway applications in due course. Remember you heard it on RMWeb first! Stan

You might find this website interesting <http://www.magnomatics.com/>. Stan

Some years ago (36!) we toured California in an RV. It was originally registered in Florida as shown by its registration plates. I was asked if I'd driven all the way from Florida at one RV park by an American. I said I hadn't but then he asked where I was from. I replied , "Guess!" He said "South Africa" and then said I was from England. "Gee," he said, "that must have been one hell of a drive . . ." They're not all like that but if memory doesn't let me down, I was told that only around 5% of Americans have passports so the vast majority don't travel outside the US and have little idea of the rest of the world. I was also told (by yet another American) that 25% of Americans are illiterate and a further 25% are alliterate, i.e. they can read but they never do. I suspect this statistic may well be way out of date, given most people's addiction to using mobile devices to communicate these days and need at least a basic ability to spell and read. Mind you, this latter point may well apply to other countries, including the UK! Stan

Anyone got £40,000+ to spend? <https://www.ford.co.uk/cars/mustang-mach-e?emailid=email:nov:2019:c:pre:ba:nc:cx727:::::(eu5)_cx727reveal(email 5)uk-fob1906143::nwp:vm:none:trigger> Stan - who once test drove a 7.0 litre Shelby Cobra Mustang . . .

With the forthcoming availability of the Hornby model of the "doorless" cab version of this loco (the WD livery version), I thought of making one look like the Liverpool Overhead Railway's Ruston 48DS so my question is - does anyone have any information about the livery of this loco, please? TIA, Stan

It seems that BMW and Ford are using the same/similar type of printer to produce components and tools so the speed of operation, the standard of finish and the cost per part must be comparable to injection moulding for them to take up this method of manufacturing - see <https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/94784-automakers-turn-to-production-ready-printable-parts> Stan

What a pity the type of video camera now commonly fitted to cars to aid reversing wasn't available in steam days. At least one could have been mounted on the front of a loco (suitably protected from rain and snow, etc.) with a screen inside the cab to enable the driver to see ahead without peering through a possible mucky window or hiding behind a little glass screen. The camera could even have included night viewing facilities and even be effective in fog.

Does anyone know of a source of accurate oval sprung buffers suitable for the (now) Hornby 12 wheel Restaurant Car? TIA for any suggestions. Stan

What an interesting suggestion! I guess you could always back your theory and order half a dozen yourself and sell them on eBay . . . If not, why should Keith risk 100? Stan

Thanks for the clarification and confirmation, Tim. You may not be aware of the identity of the person behind the nom de plume but we both knew and respected Joe all those years ago. What a tragedy that the models Joe made did not make it to preservation and display. His use of teak veneers on his coaches as well as his use of paper pressed in tools of his own design to manufacture the sides was just another example of his skills - along with making his own wheels. His layout based on Stevenage was worthy of display in a museum but it wasn't. What skills he possessed - somewhat like yours but he was a toolmaker and not a dentist! Stan

As I understand it, Joe's Hush-hush, along with other models that he made, went to his nephews and nieces - or their children - as he had no children of his own. It was rumoured that these fabulous models were played with as push along toys by tiny tots . . . Tragically, Pendon had (alledgedly) upset Joe so he stipulated that none of his models should end up there. A lovely man and a great loss. Stan

Is it just me - or does the roof really not sit right down on the bodywork? Stan

Perhaps you might wish to inform yourself? See <https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/14407> Stan

Does anyone know if NWSL has or intends to have a UK distributor? TIA, Stan

Anyone want to make a quick buck or even a few Euros? I just received this email - note the sender's name . . . My Dear Beloved, I greet you in the name of God almighty the givers of all good things in life that added no sorrow and i hope you and your family are very fine today? Please kindly pardon me for any inconvenience this letter may cost you because I know it may come to you as a surprise as we have no previous correspondence. I sent this mail praying for it to reach you in good health, since I myself are in a very critical health condition in which I sleep every night without knowing if I may be alive to see the next day. I am Mrs Fantasia P Lynn the wife of late Engineer Ralph Alphonso Lynn from United State Of America but based here in Burkina Faso West Africa since eighteen years ago dealing with gold exportation and Sales. We have been married for years before his sudden death although we were childless. I have been diagnosed with Lung and bronchial cancer and I have been battling with the sickness when my late lovely husband of a blessed memory was alive. May his soul rest in peace, Amen. My late Husband left the sum of €5.900.000.00 Five Million Nine Hundred Thousand Euros in a fix/suspense account in one of the prime bank here in Burkina Faso. Recently, my Doctor told me that I have few days to live due to the cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is my blood pressure sickness. Having known my health condition I decided to seek for your kind assistance to transfer this fund into your account and you will use it to establish an orphanage home in my name. I will give you more details about the project as soon as I receive your reply in my private email (p.fantasia60@yahoo.com) to handle this project because I do not want to state all here until I see your reply, desire and commitment to handle this project. My Regards to your family. Mrs Fantasia P Lynn.

My wife buys Christmas cards when they go on sale just after each New Year's Day . . . I get mine from Oxfam just before the latest posting date. Stan

Lady had longish hair . . .

We were on holiday in Egypt and went to see the sun rise over the Valley of the Kings from a hot air balloon. Another couple decided they didn't fancy the hot air balloon trip with us so told us they were going bird watching. When we returned from our fantastic trip we found that they hadn't left the hotel because the other guy's wife couldn't find her sun glasses. It turned out she had put them on as they went to leave the hotel but as it was not yet dawn she couldn't see anything so tipped them onto the top of her head and then put her sun hat on . . . Stan

When my kids were very young, they were enthralled by stories about Rupert Bear. I worked in London at the time and there was a shop in Oxford Street that sold posters by a company called Athena. I went in one lunchtime looking to buy a poster with a large image of Rupert bear for their bedroom. I was told such poster were downstairs so off I went down the stairs. I looked around me and was surprised/delighted to see the walls were covered in life-sized posters all showing attractive young ladies with little or no clothing adorning their shapely bodies. With complete aplomb, I walked up to the nearest sales assistant and asked if she had any posters showing Rupert Bare . . . Stan

But there is/was a Liverpool Driving School rejoicing in the name "El Passo". Stan

That made me laugh more than the original . . . Stan

I was thinking about range panic and can't help wondering if the (short-term?) answer might lie in buying something like this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-sg2400-basic-2100w-frame-generator-110-230v/3597v#_=p I'm sure there will be one or two comments . . . . Stan

As I remember it from my time as a timber skin on Liverpool docks, the motto was, "If you can't do it, spew it!" I always took that to mean, "Give up before you make a fool of yourself . . . ." Stan