Martino

Thanks Mike. Trying to get things done here before it gets too hot! Currently about 83F (28.3C) with low humidity, but after May it will get too hot and steamy to do much outside work, so will be confined to the air conditioned workshop. First World problems eh?

Mother’s Day in the USA, so ran a train hauled by my 95 year old mother’s namesake. The Peckett ‘Betty’.

Coaling stage on the South Bucks Light Railway. A 3’ gauge line in the Chilterns.

The Thorley Miniatures engine shed and coaling stage pretty much finished and installed in the engine shed area. Next to try their signal box kit. More photos at https://www.facebook.com/TheSouthBuckinghamshireLightRailway/

Thanks Mike, good ideas. Actually I searched for coal on Amazon. It appears that here in the US, people give coal as gifts to people who’ve been ‘naughty’. Who knew? Anyway for $7 I got a small bag of real coal. Just enough for the coaling stage (once thumped with a big ‘ammer of course!). Put on the stage and soaked in diluted concrete bonding glue and Bob’s your proverbial as you’ll see in the photos I’m about to post. Thanks again.

During the ‘Great Isolation’ we’ve been moving forward with the engine shed and coaling stage at Farnham Common. The coaling stage is just waiting for a spray of varnish before being put in place. It could also do with some coal, but where do you get coal in Northwest Florida? The engine shed is also nearly finished. The doors were being put on today. The size of the hinges and associated screws were a bit of a challenge to my contact lenses and I managed to make a mess of a few, but I’m sure they’re salvageable. All looking good to me however.

One of my favourites because it reminds me of my yoof! Must have been 1967 or ‘68. Me cycling round Slough Trading Estate on my Moulton Stowaway with my father’s old Voigtlander Brilliant in the saddle bag, with the separate light meter of course. The crew (who I knew, and were not averse to giving cab rides) were off having lunch and the Hudswell Clark was just minding it’s own business. I can remember the old Telfer gantry over the road from the coal dump to the power house and the smell of various factories including Mars, just up the road. You could tell if they were producing Mars Bars, Milky Way or Spangles that day. The cars were cool too - a 1965 Herald and a ‘64 Austin. No doubt someone can fill me in on the coal hoppers......

My wife has Factor Five, but being susceptible to blood clots as a result, is on blood thinners, which means cuts tend to bleed rather a lot. I had a stent put in my heart and therefore am also on blood thinners, consequently my modeling errors result in a great deal of ORh+ all over the place. Best avoided!

Good to know. Last conversation with my UK doctor friend was that he wanted some for himself (to fly with) but it hadn’t been cleared by UK health folks. If my mother’s doctor can prescribe it for her, that would save me sending bottles of pills from over here! Thanks again.

At one time those doing the Advanced Driving Test were encouraged to do a running commentary, pointing out potential hazards, traffic signals etc. I did, and found it useful. I’ve tried it since but my wife tells me to shut up and stop being a grumpy old B. Perhaps that’s because my commentary fixates on those other motorists not using their turn signals, jumping red lights and doing 60 in a 30 limit!

Here in the US we cannot get any codine cough syrup over the counter - you have to get the doctor to prescribe it, unlike in the UK. Because of course you may use it to do damage to yourself. You can however buy guns of any description without background checks or registration (here in Florida). In the UK you can’t buy Melatonin. My understanding, from a doctor friend, is that it can’t even be prescribed! Here you can buy it in supermarkets. Funny old world eh?

Small Business Saturday was started by American Express. So many smaller business refused to accept Amex cards as their admin charge was higher than Visa/Master Card etc. By promoting small businesses Amex turned this round quite successfully in the US. Retailers also found that Amex holders actually spent more than others card holders (or Card Members as Amex terms them), so it was a win/win all round. I have never worked out why Black Friday took off in the UK, as the UK has the after Christmas sales, which are not so popular in the US. I’ve also not worked out why some US businesses feel obliged to offer Black Friday deals. I’ve been in the travel business all my life and for US travel companies to offer deals at their biggest booking period (right after Thanksgiving) would be like UK travel business offering deals after Christmas when everyone wants to book their summer holidays. Stupid. I blame the Marketing idiots. Oh wait, I am one........

Agreed, but I don’t use a mouse with the iPad. That shouldn’t be needed. The iPad is a different sort of device than a PC/Mac as we all know, not a replacement. I think this is the only site where I’ve noticed this issue.

Hi, I access the site almost exclusively on an iPad Pro. I’ve noticed that almost invariably one has to ‘double touch’ a topic or link to access. It’s almost as if the site is expecting a PC or at least a mouse connected Mac to the be the access device. It’s a bit of a first world problem, but normally forums and site s running on iOS Safari react with just one touch, so this is a bit of a pain!

...and an hour later. It appears!

Not seeing it on PocketMags yet. Should it be there?

Fall work starts on the line this weekend, preparing the area for the new engine shed and coal stage. These are buildings under construction, and in a primed but not painted state. They’re from Thorley Miniatures (https://www.thorleyminiatures.com). They are very detailed and have many extra pieces for added detailing. More at https://www.facebook.com/TheSouthBuckinghamshireLightRailway

Evening falls on the South Bucks Light Railway. It’s beginning to get cool enough to start working on the railway again. This weekend.....concrete the base for the new engine shed at Farnham Common!

Fame at last!

Well Mike.... when the railway was track powered the lamps were illuminated. I used LGB yellow bulbs and just ran wires to the track. This being DCC as long as the power was on, the lights worked. They were running at about 20-24 volts. The same applied to any buildings that were illuminated. Now that I’m battery powered there is no permanent power. For some buildings, I’m using (with greater or lesser success!) using converted garden solar lamps. I have a number of projects under way, so more info later. It’s all simple at the moment as LEDs and the calculations behind them are stretching my ability! However, also we have a young Collie who likes chewing things, so many (most) of the details on the line need to be capable of being taken out and stored. The same issue applies to our weather - tropical storms, the odd hurricane - so I need to be able to bring everything inside from time to time. Virtually everything you see in the photo can be unplugged or taken up. Those lamps have the ability to have wires run up inside and hold LEDs or small bulbs. So, everything is possible,

Finished Hedgerley Hill Halt and ground frame today.

Two low loaders behind the ‘General’ today.

Last goods train of the day.

A train of scrap metal for the smelter on the trading estate and logs for Birtley Sawmills.

South Buckinghamshire Light Railway.