Hibelroad

Prior to the introduction of first and second class post there was a complex charging structure which included leaving envelopes open so that the contents could be checked to ensure they complied with the postage applied. Post sorting and delivery was prioritised according to the the rate paid. The introduction of first and second class simplified the system. Regarding the stamp swap out scheme I have used it twice now as I still have a large number of stamps from an inherited collection which have little collector value. The system does work well but it can take a few weeks for your new stamps to arrive. So now I have a large number of new first and second stamps, too many for me to use so I think eBay sales beckon before the next change.

I did jury service in Manchester (so a busy court) a good few years ago, it was a lot of sitting about and sometimes days off. I did sit in on one small case and was called up for a second one but that was stopped for some technical reason a few hours in and that was it. So best advice is take a good book or device if internet is available and expect a lot of waiting around.

I think I will stick to just having fun.

I imagine the sale of the stamps would have ended around the time the halfpenny was demonetised but all decimal value stamps are still valid for postage. Some people come across/ inherit small hordes of old stamps which they either use or sell at a discount on eBay for other traders to use, this happened to me.

It all depends on what suits the individual but price isn’t a barrier, I recently bought a new Dapol Terrier DCC fitted (excellent model which runs smoothly) for £210, that compares well with 4mm prices.

The funny thing is that whenever I am at an exhibition looking at a layout of any scale I never notice the couplings. If you consciously look for them then you become aware of them but otherwise I don't think they are the problem some people would have you believe. Clearly 3 link are going to be the most realistic and are best for models which are shown as display items but on a layout I think it is far more sensible to take a pragmatic approach and use an alternative which allows for automatic coupling and avoids buffer lock. I find Kadees to be well engineered but there are cheaper alternatives such as S&W, its just a matter of what suits you best.

This reminds me of a story about a foreign journalist trial during Idi Amins time in Uganda. The journalist was sentenced to death and 10 years imprisonment. On the walk back to his cell the journalist asked the guard which sentence would be carried out first. The guard didn't know but said he would go off and find out.

I think you have cracked it! It’s does look like these are logs of journeys where the loco was seen and they could be the basis of the “research” which was used for the D2860 Wikipedia entry. Some people swear by the internet and claim that it contains all the worlds knowledge but I have found very little useful information (this Forum excepted of course) and think the internet is only useful for TV and shopping.

It surprised me too but they sell it at some mainline railway stations apparently.

Railway modelling is one hobby where you can do a lot with recycled materials, repurposing in modern day speech. If possible have a look at publications showing the work of Peter Denny and others working in the post war years. At that time little or nothing was available commercially so you had to look at every scrap of card or wood and think how you could find a use for it. Minimum cost modelling is a very satisfying, it gets the brain cells working and it is good to see something useful emerge from waste materials. The way things are going I think we are all going to have to model on a budget before long. So good luck and remember to ignore critics who may say you are not doing things the right way.

Possibly the covers of MRJ 108 and 110. I don’t have these so maybe someone will be able to check.

I've just found this article, to me the prices are not astonishing its the quality of the craftsmanship which is astonishing. Beeson was an exceptional model maker, bare in mind that at the time he was building these the market thought that clockwork tin plate was cutting edge. If I had the money I would would happily bid on models like these but of course the journalists just think it's a funny story about people buying toy trains.

I’m with Octopus and my understanding (based on their website info) is that they will reduce the direct debit demand by £66 for each month where they receive the rebate. That seems to make a lot more sense. So I can set the DD figure based on their recommended monthly amount but they will actually ask the bank for a reduced amount and top it up with the government contribution.

Those Ratio sides are notoriously difficult to paint and line out, I gave up on them but you have made it look easy. They certainly look impressive.

For a few years now I have been using budgeting software to balance income and expenditure. Recently the modelling budget has dropped to zero, other outgoings have to be met so it’s one category which is not essential. Of course I do have plenty of stuff in stock to keep me busy but for now fresh expenditure has been halted.

The was a copy of Model Railway journal some time ago which devoted 13 pages to an article about car number plates, which is the reason I gave up on the magazine at the time. If anyone could locate it it might possibly be of some help, I think it may be somewhere around issue 120

Well I don’t have a BEV but I think my next car will be one. However I am stunned by the thought of only 50% battery capacity being available. For the price they are I will be looking to use 100% battery capacity and it will be charged and discharged to suit me, not the maker. Therefore I will be giving VW a swerve, I am rather interested in the forthcoming BMW iX1 anyway which will hopefully have a less needy battery.

Penderyn is my favourite, in fact I only ever drink their whiskys these days, I really like the mellow tastes. They have also opened a distillery in Llandudno, which is handy as I am in the process of moving to North Wales. I have also been to the Aber Falls distillery at Abergwyngregyn, a bit further up the coast . I’m not as impressed with their current output ( a bit bland) but maybe it will improve with time, however their Orange marmalade gin is very tasty.

Has Christmas come early?

I have got to say whoever weathered that GUV has gone way over the top, a real mess, and they forgot to weather the tail lamp.😁

I did see a biomass train passing through Northwich a couple of weeks ago. Several wagons were in the old swoosh livery which was was very faded and shabby so I suppose it’s time to smartened the train up a bit with new vinyls.

There are a couple of you tube videos ( one 10 mins long) and several Batty Moor references in line if you Google it.

As above its 2.5 (mm) divided by 4 (mm) which is 0.625 or 62.5 percent on a calculator, scratch builders may prefer long division using pen and paper.

They wrote a song about their favourite meal, chippy tea time.

I believe the OP is referring to the side of the chair which is not shaped to accept the foot web of the rail ( sorry is the terminology is a bit off) . Looking at Martin’s drawing it is clear what is needed and it is very generous to offer the printer files for free.