t8hants

Being fairly new to the modern world of railway modelling, am I correct in thinking that Hornby must believe they will sell more models to collectors by producing locos that are livery and area specific, rather than generic? I would have assumed perhaps wrongly that layout operators would want a green one, or a blue one, perhaps even black etc as they can fit on any suitable layout scenario, are there more collectors than operators now? Not realising that supplies would so limited for Dodo, and the others not being of interest because of their specific nature I have missed out this time around. I am also begging to wonder if I should have gone 0 gauge, as the prices of the two seem to be converging, but you get a bigger lump for your buck, even though I suspect the overall costs per layout are very similar.

More small 0-4-0 saddle tanks, anything with A in front is such a yawn!

There was one in Winchester that has now gone and I have lost my photo of it, which was a turn right arrow with 'King Alfred' above it. Presumably peasants had to turn left. It has ever been thus.

There was also a short lived hover service from Yaverland in Sandown Bay around to Portsmouth Harbour, which I think lasted from 69 - 70. This long forgotten service did have one moment of fame, as it was used as a filming base for the very mediocre Dean Martin spy movie 'Murder's Row'. This pile of celluloid was only notable because it had one of the only hovercraft versus hovercraft chases and sea fights, along with the obligatory guns and explosions. This was far more exciting to watch being filmed than the final screened result. they also threw a car off Culver Cliff, the remains of which are still on the beach - waited all day for that to happen. The hovercraft was also immortalized in song "What's this rumbling that I hear, whats this roaring in my ear, what's this noise that driving everybody daft? Oh its not artillery or the start of World War Three, its the Westland's SRN super noiseless Hovercraft. etc, etc

When I was an apprentice we used to use the Southampton - Cowes Hover to get back from collage in So'ton, always packed in like sardines. At the same time they used to run a sidewall craft out of Vosper -Thornycroft taking Islanders home, it might even have picked up from Fawley oil terminal on the way down. We thought they would last for ever, but like the Saunders-Roe Princess flying boats on whose apron the West Cowes terminal was based, its all consigned to history and memory. We thought the trouble was, that they were boats built to aircraft spec'

That is a very good practical example of why you should be careful when using acrylic paints on your models

That is slightly disappointing, I was looking forward to getting one when I could afford it, so if they are all but sold out already thats one thing less to thing to budget for.

There must be many a preserved line who owe their pet loco(s) very existence to the 16 tonner. It is so often the case with the common and mundane that you don't notice their passing until they have almost gone. Preserved line goods trains are wonderful to see, but they are almost a 'loss leader' as they cannot generate per wagon the same income as passenger carrier

Thanks for the replies, the GCR Windcutter is new to me so thats very interesting. I am also surprised there may be as many as 100 still around. Living on the IoW which was a 16 tonner free zone they were very much a symbol of holidays, which I spent watching them go thundering up and down the Vale of Neath, or sneaking down into the screens at Resolven to watch them being made up into trains.

I have always had a soft spot for 16 ton mineral wagons,and as I understand it it was their scrapping that allowed the remaining steam locos to slip into preservation, as 'the' yard was too busy cutting up trucks. So i was wondering just how many of the humble 16 tonner made it into preservation, I assume there aren't any still earning their keep. Could the national stock make a reasonable size train?

You know I am just grateful that there is a rtr O gauge model at a price I might just be able to afford, and because I only use rivets for fastening and have no knowledge what so ever of what should be where, remain blissfully disinterested in whatever shortcomings it may have.

Actually I am not sure if the Island would have qualified for EU funding as I seem to remember a previous government went to some lengths to prove to the EU that we were not in fact an 'island'. Iirc this was based on our apparently superb communications with the mainland, with the result it prevented us getting subsidised ferry fares and a raft of other benefits available to help island economies. Now we are out of the EU we will become part of 'ampshire with the embarrassingly wide river Solent preventing us enjoying (?) the full benefits of being part of that county On the shopping front, when we did it without cars, I seem to remember the wife didn't work, and she would walk to the shops to or three times a day, fetching only what she had strength to carry. Online shopping is often let down by the abysmal way your parcel is treated by the courier companies once it started its journey.

A potential Wightlink's point of view could be that with no rail link the foot passengers can go via Fishbourne and get there by Bus from the proposed 'Transport Hub' at Ryde Esplanade. Long term, isn't the major sandbank moving eastwards at the rate of 1.5 meters a year, so one day dredging may be inevitable, The pier is not indispensable, nor is the ferry service from it. This why I think it vital the rail link remains part of a wider franchise.

I have far more self respect then to allow myself to get involved in politics, and have long thought that anyone who puts themselves forward as a candidate has immediately displayed a reason why they are unsuitable. Much better would be all those of average intelligence on the electoral role would have their name in a 'lottery' and then be chosen randomly, serve for three years and then never serve again. Dispensing with party affiliation and dynasties in one go.

An opportunity was missed in not sheet piling the whole of Ryde pier and making it a solid mole. If an adequate rail based system is to operate then Ventnor must be reconnected, and ideally, but probably quite impossible Ryde to Newport and even West Cowes. The principle problem that due to poor road planning nearly every major route crossing the Island tangles with Newport town traffic, neither wants to meet the other.

Whilst you are correct I am a motorist who remains so because the bus service grossly overpriced and is more like a magical mystery tour. Half the world operates using small vehicles the double-decker bus is not needed for most of the time. You might have to put on a few more, but that is not a problem, and unexpected increases in customers could be dealt with by drivers advising more vehicles need on a route by radio. I am afraid that congestion charging to force people to use the monopoly that is causing the congestion will not be popular. ALL modern shopping needs to be done by car, unless you make multiple trips, you cant blame the motorist. I cannot see a single advantage in the proposed community scheme, but lots of advantages for the money men if it fails. If the steam railway makes it to RSJ it will need the land as a car park, or it is not viable.

You know very well that the biggest problem to Island transport is Vectis bus and it adherence to old style double-deck buses that are only ever half full of the only people that can afford to ride them - pensioners. Apart from a few direct services, they wander all over the Island desperately looking for centers of population to try and drum customers, with vehicles that are too large. The average modern bus is far too wide and too long. It should not be too hard to come up with a mini bus that is also disabled friendly. Operating as a monopoly the bus company has always been the biggest hindrance to Island transport. the whole purpose for the community rail scheme is so that it will fail, thereby releasing the last large parcels of building land in most of the east Wight towns. Without the railway the time expired pier at Ryde can go, saving on costly maintenance, which will be handy for somebody.

Two un-issued BR waistcoats, with the labels assigning them to a fireman at Medina Wharf. One very rusty fish-plate, and a cast iron signal lever plate unmarked, but painted white.

You don't need our permission to change direction or give up the hobby, its your life. Go in the direction that gives you pleasure, be pleased that you gained enjoyment with it in the past, do not feel guilty if you wish to move on. Its a big world out there enjoy exploring and discovering new enjoyments. That's what life is all about.

As my parents ran a small B&B in the 50's & 60's the main interest for us was 'luggage in advance', for our regular guests. This if memory serves me correctly would turn up on a Friday having been collected by BRS van from the town station, (Sandown). As boys we didn't like 'luggage in advance' as this robbed us of the chance to make pocket-money by carting luggage on old pram wheels with flat beds for those passengers who arrived at the station, but didn't want to pay for a taxi. I am fairly sure timber was still being carried by the railway into the early 60's, but I took no notice of the wagon it came on.

Here is the link to IWSR wagon page, that might help http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/wagons-and-departmental-stock.aspx

Here's Calbourne as of last week, out shopped for the new season, the cab surround is not chromed, but it is polished.

Cars are fine, but this is my baby Bedford bought as a chassis cab, I have made everything from the cab backwards. Apart from the rear mudflaps, they came off the exploding fuel bowser in the film Battle of Britain

When I do my felt roofs I space my tacks at about every 40 - 50mm, plus seam glue, that tack spacing is way to mean for my liking.

The Isle of Wight never saw a 16t mineral turn a wheel, I only used to see them when visiting Welsh relatives. Would I be right in thinking the IoW was unique in never having one, were there any other 16 ton free zones?