Spitfire2865

On 18/09/2023 at 11:41, Compound2632 said:

 

Well that is certainly something I never expected to see RTR.

While part of me is sad to see RTR taking yet another good kit, I also appreciate the modelling companies focusing on more accurate freight stock.

4 hours ago, Ian J. said:

 I need a neutral person or persons who is/are thoroughly knowledgeable of the endocrine and psychological situation for trans people that I can bounce my history off and get perspective so that I can reassure my sister and others that what I feel 100% about is actually valid and they don't need to be concerned. 

Yeahh thats the hard part.  We lost almost all trans medical research during the 1930s due to a certain faction who liked to burn things, and ever since the medical world pretty much ignores trans people for research.  The only reason we have any medication at all is because it was used for cis people first and through practice we have figured out what works.  

Its natural for those close to you to be concerned about any major change in your life but they must trust the results of your introspection.  If youre somehow wrong, youll know it fairly quickly after starting hormones.    

At least you in the UK get a choice on T blockers.  Over in the states, we only really have spironolactone. 

11 hours ago, Ian J. said:

OK, so I'm going to 'come out' now with the news that I have recently discovered that I am trans.

 

It follows a life with some indicators but nothing striking, and then at the very beginning of this year an almost epiphanal moment of realisation. Since then it's been discovering what it all is and learning that this is the start of a journey. I'm now at the point of starting private medical services for hormone treatment*, which will hopefully be sometime in the next month or two, but there's some preamble to work through with the provider first.

 

I'm 'out' to my sister, most close friends, and my workplace manager, with the workplace to be told soon.

 

My plan for my transition is to do it 'under the male clothes' - that is, to keep my current name, pronouns and clothing from the point of view of the rest of the world, until such time as it's clearly the case to me and those around me that that is no longer sustainable. Then I will 'switch out'. Up till then, things like skin, hair, etc, will be slowly changing. It's those changes that are why I'm saying something now rather than later.

 

Any questions feel free to ask, this is not a secret, but I'll be out for much of today so won't be around to reply for a while.

 

*going private because the NHS gender services are currently not fit for purpose. It also has the advantage that I avoid the NHS's non-WPATH compliant process and get to manage it myself. My GP is onboard though won't prescribe, so some of the medications are a bit more expensive, but I can live with that.

 

 

 

 

Firstly, congrats on the realization. 

Reading your post brought me back to my own epiphany moment. Its such a weird feeling, realizing you never really questioned why you were you. Just was because you were. 

Im glad you found who you wanted to be. 

As someone who "boy-moded" for a while, just make sure you have an outlet to be your true self. It gets old, keeping the mask on for the sake of others. 

One thing I did as an inbetween was started going by simply "T" at work. Although that only worked because my old and new names shared it. 

Nothing against going with a completely new name of course, but being able to maintain initials is a surprisingly nice perk. 

Tiny logging caboose, just needs final detailing.

Of course it has a fully detailed interior.

Whatever it may be called, my stock name from the manufacturer sucked.

Now Ive got a new designation, some sweet aftermarket components, and a full tune-up.  Running a lot better these days.  

Phoenix now has a new Soundtraxx 1100, as well as a crew and her name, painted on a bit of scrap salvaged from the wreck. 

Still want to do a bit more detailing on her. 

Wood body is weathered with stains and paint, metal and roof are all weathering powders..

On 31/07/2023 at 15:12, Compound2632 said:

 

I'm a bit mystified by the very austere-looking van after the GW iron mink.

Sorry for the late reply.  The vertical bracing reminds me of a Furness design.  

On 27/07/2023 at 21:02, The Johnster said:

 

I'd prefer you didn't go around in a Waffen SS uniform, but I wouldn't stop you from doing that if that's what you want.  I'd stop you from behaving like a Waffen SS officer to the best of my ability and according to whatever weapons I could lay my hands on, but that woud be so even if you weren't dressed like one.

(Mod removed my first sentence, completely removing context.)

(Fascist bad obviously...Im not condoning violence, but I can be easily distracted and miss what may or may not happen)

...Its a very patriotic pastime for both sides of the Atlantic....usually.😒

Never forget who they first came for...

On 28/07/2023 at 05:04, Reorte said:

What, with the climate we've got in this country?!

Yeah I dont do well in the sun.  Would a parasol be acceptable?

On 28/07/2023 at 05:22, Kickstart said:

Just make it known that 1% (or 0.1%) of air bags are actually claymore mines!

0.1% are filled with glitter, not airbag.  

3 hours ago, Covkid said:

Apart from the boobs, it seems significantly easier to transform the appearance of a female body to that of a male, because as you say, the testosterone dresses the body with hair and enhances the masculine features. Therefore a hairy person will automatically be regarded as a male.  I assume that the testosterone will significantly alter and cease the woman's cycle, but obviously leave the redundant reproductive equipment in place. 

 

Well it makes sense since we all start the same.  Vaguely female until testosterone has a say in it.

As the axlebox itself is not really a "wear" item like brakes, tyres, or bearings, I dont see why it would ever need replacing beyond upgrades or wreck repairs. 

I wouldnt be surprised if the moment they changed to 10A, they scrapped the masters for the 8A.  Tooling takes space to store.  Might as well dedicate it to the upgraded example.

Then slowly use up the existing axleboxes until there were none left in stock.  

1 hour ago, Reorte said:

 

Forget which century we are in? Wish I could, the 21st century isn't shaping up particularly brilliantly so far.  More wars, climate, COVID, you name it.

Yes things are bleak, but we can all at least play trains while we wait to die.

3 minutes ago, spikey said:

 

Stand by for a visit from the Thought Police.  I believe the term now is "first name".

By "thought police", presumably you mean the way the modern world thinks as opposed to those so out of touch as to forget which century we are in.

Wait theres a queer thread AND its meaningless arguments from people who have too much time on their hands?!

Count this queer in!

Regarding clothing, especially gendered clothing, none of it matters.  Why should I give any care to what someone else is wearing so long as its not spreading intolerance or harm?  People give too much care to appearances, especially of others.  If it doesnt conform to ones worldview, it must be bad and unacceptable.  Except perhaps ones worldview is antiquated or plain incorrect?  Id love to see more people go around in clothing that expresses themselves rather than fit the societal expectation.  

Ill respect people regardless.

And I for one would very much appreciate being respected whether Im in a suit or a dress.  Im still a great modeller. 

Boiler piping is not my forte but I think its looking good. 

Well...

Ive been a busy enby. 

So Ive aquired two brass KTM 13T shays.

One in original condition and the other remotored by a previous owner. 

Well I didnt like their remotor attempt, so Im doing my own. 

Then I decided I didnt like the footplate, so I removed that too. With a new wood frame, deck, and superstructure, its looking very different.

My story for this engine is a boiler explosion destroyed the original superstructure. Not wanting to be down an engine, the logging shop used what was at hand to repair her.  Boiler from a broken donkey and a spare water tank.

The other shay is also getting a makeover and remotoring but thatll be much more original. Simply a new wood burner stack, a wood bunker, and some minor details.

Surprise!

Im still alive.

Newest obsession is On3. 

Couple brass climaxes, painted, detailed, weathered. 

And a turntable

On 18/03/2021 at 16:22, MikeOxon said:

I often wonder who in the GWR hierarchy woke up one morning thinking "how much better things would be if GWR were painted on the right instead of the left" 

Perhaps it was in some desire to stick all important information at the brake operating end of the wagon?

7 hours ago, Mikkel said:

I have often thought that these two sidings - on the GWR and SECR side respectively - could make an interesting micro-layout for the horsebox enthusiast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That single wagon siding looks like something out of a Peco layout book.  

Oh dear. Over a year again. 

Im still alive. For now at least...

American Gauge 3 has continued at a snails pace. 

28' gondola

28.5' boxcar

And locomotive

I really need to finish one build before starting or continuing another. 

13 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

I've seen quite a few D299s with the tare weight only given to two digits, always 5.0 - either for mineral traffic the odd quarter wasn't worth worrying over or the wagons were consistently tipping the scales at 5.0.0.

 

Youd be surprised how consistent some things can be. If you think about it, a standardized design built with similar materials with similar techniques will develop a bell curve distribution for their weights. It couldve been that they routinely fell within a margin of error to round to the nearest ton rather than a quarter. We could assume they round to the nearest quarter as to give themselves a more exact average over a railway quantity of bulk material. 

Thus a wagon could weigh anywhere from 11186lbs-11214lbs. Id say a pretty fair range in a manufactured good using fairly similar wood of similar quality and similar drying conditions. 

Or as you said, its just not worth writing that extra number as someone probably ran the numbers to see if the savings in paint offset the potential loss in a quarter weight over the course of the 7 year lifespan of the livery!

5 hours ago, richbrummitt said:

 

A brown cover? 1st editions were in 2 vols., combined in a 2nd edition. The 3rd edition was hugely expanded since one of the authors became publisher so they were not told how many pages they could do (or so I was told - I think by one of the other authors). This had a grey cover. It was reprinted several years ago as what I believe is termed a perfect binding i.e. softcover rather than the previous hardbacks.

It is the combined hardbacked version. Its a deep brown cover under the jacket. Published 1986. 

Unfortunately when I purchased it, it wasnt very clear which version it was. The trouble of buying online from across an ocean I suppose. 

15 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

For standard gauge wagons, A. G. Atkins, W. Beard and R. Tourret, G W R Goods Wagons (Tourret Publishing, Abingdon, 1998) is a start, though as we've seen, incomplete in some areas e.g. the pre-Iron Mink wood Minks. That's the third and I believe most complete edition, which was reprinted in 2013 but nevertheless commands a hefty price second hand. I'm fortunate in that a fellow club member has a copy. The first edition was in 1975, I believe, in two smaller volumes. Usually referred to as "The Bible" on account not only of its size but also its perceived infallibility.

 

The number list I made is based on it: Atkins et al wagon numbers up to c1905.pdf

I have a copy of that book, of what I believe to be the later combined printing, and there is hardly anything Pre 1930s which is what I had bought the book for originally when I was still building 4mm.  

So clearly Im missing something.  

Ok clearly Im not in the know. Where is one to find details of GWR wagons in the Pre 20th century period?  The book Ive got has barely a mention of anything prewar.  Certainly nothing as useful as diagram numbers or drawings.