Caley Jim

Don't think there's much risk of that @cctransuk. The market for CR items in 2FS is minimal to say the least and the other stuff I've done has been one-off bespoke items for specific projects for friends and other 2MM SA members. I don't see any of that as threatening the business of professional kit designers. Jim

Bruce has hit the nail on the head. I design the etches for what I want for myself and those I sell to others are a bonus. I'm not out to make any money out of them, just cover the cost of the etches. Anything other people ask me to design I charge pro-rata the cost of the sheet per sq cm. Jim

Need to put Red Bull in the tank! https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&as_q=&as_epq=red+bull+advert&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&lr=&cr=&as_qdr=all&as_sitesearch=&as_occt=any&as_filetype=&tbs=#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:c56bb4c6,vid:LH8BHxz9lPg (or get Max Verstappen on the regulator!) Jim

I totally agree with this. I've found that even with a fairly simple etch there are often minor (and sometimes not so minor!) errors that you pick up at the trail etch stage which you can then correct before you offer it to others. Jim W

The strength of a spring depends on a) the type and diameter of the wire, and b) it's effective length. Note that the effective length can be increased, without increasing the physical length, by introducing coils or one (or more) return bend(s) in it, or both. the return bends can incorporate a coil. Each coil increases the effective length by π(3.142)d where d is the diameter of the coil. Steel wire, e.g. guitar string. is much stiffer than phosphor bronze. Nickel silver is fairly soft and not really much use as a spring in my experience. Jim

And so say all of us!!🤔 Jim

Remember that the position of the signal box was not only governed by visibility for the bobby, but by proximity to the majority of the turnouts. There were limits laid down as to how long rodding runs could be. These gradually increased through time. Not at home this week so can't quote the distances. Jim

Nah, nah! Small but perfectly formed is best. Guid gear gangs in sma' bulk! 😁 Jim

'cause they ain't heard the Word of The Lord! Jim

Dem bones, Dem bones, dem dry bones. Jim (ah've picked ma windae)

Pre WWI there was a through coach attached to the up 'Corridor', CR and GWR each providing a carriage, vehicles running on alternate days. The CR carriage was lettered 'Glasgow and Bristol via Severn Tunnel' on the eaves panels. I wasn't aware that there was also one to Edinburgh. Jim

That's all it needs! 😁 Jim

Now what kind of pug would that be? An 0-4-0st, a 4-6-2T, or something in between? They came in many sizes. Jim

Agreed. Definitely not CR. The number plate's all wrong for a start as is the tender.

I've always felt that the scene of the departure of the train is one of the most atmospheric railway scenes in any film. Jim

I'd call that a diamond frame bogie, but each to his own!😀 Jim

Disappointed that it's not the 'Vital Spark'! 😒 Jim

Well done both of you!, however, I must take issue with the last paragraph on this notice. There was another Roman Wall further north, built 20 years later, but abandoned after only 8 years, the Antonine wall, between the Clyde and the Forth. It was an earth rampart, but with the usual forts etc. Quite substantial parts of it can still be seen and there are artifacts from it in the Huntarian Museum at my Alma Mater, Glasgow University, and also in a museum in, IIRC, Bearsden. Jim

Several years ago a fellow 2MMSA member asked me to do an etched kit for him for South Wales coal wagons. He provided me with several photographs and drawings, all differing in details, with none of the drawings matching any of the photos! In the end we went for a 'generic' one which he could modify as he wanted. Jim

The Crown and Mitre is where the Caledonian Railway Association hold their AGMs. There's a very nice, retro, coffee shop in Bank St (Off English St opposite M&S) John Watt & Son (no relation). Worth visiting just to see the array of teas and coffees on sale, And they do nice snack lunches. Jim

Nice work, Ian. I use a similar method for guttering, but use a rose-head (ball-shaped) dental bur on its side to scrawk the channel. Jim

I'd say the motive power is an 0-2-0!😆 Jim

Naw! This is midge . "If ye should kill yin Another ten million Are bound to turn up for the wake!'" Jim

For the avoidance of doubt :- As you can see, sometimes when you replace them they have to be operated a few timers before the work again properly. There are another three on the layout, one of which you can see in the background. Jim

Of course it does! 😁 Why wouldn't they? I've a few etches here if you want one. Jim