Metropolitan H

An interesting looking vehicle, which I look forward to seeing in operation. I haven't got a "copper lad" either, but I'm sure I have some 7mm scale copper-clad fibreglass sleeper strip which can be provided - and if I haven't I need to get some for the rail-ends at layout board joints. I will have a look at the weekend. Regards Chris H P.S. - I wonder if we can get a set of the laser cut parts adapted to fit a Darstaed 6-wheeler underframe? - And then we need a set of parts created to make a SR PLV, to fit the adapted Darstaed u/f. CH

Having purchased a copy today and started reading, I turn the page and find the following legend at the bottom of page 242 - "Items for publication should be e-mailed to mrjsmallsuppliers@googlemail.com "!! Has the earth's axis slipped? - I know this is not a general invitation to use electronic messaging, but!! Actually this is a good issue - as normal - and Jerry's "The art of compromise..." piece is quite sensible. I have for some time concluded that concentrating on the overall "look" of the proportions, face and profile of a model is more important than getting every detail correct to such a degree that modelling becomes a chore. Regards Chris H

Have you got round to sorting out the signalling diagrams for Birlstone and Paltry. Then we can think about the frame requirements and the rodding and wires to make it work properly! I know you are much further forward than I am, but we need to show all these modern (Finescale??) types what the steam age railway was really like and how it worked without mobile phone and slow motor driven turnouts? While I am still a RS Engineer at heart, I do recognise how important the "Bobby" is to the smooth and safe working of the real railway. Rant over. Regards Chris H

And that is well after it laid on its side at the bottom of Westwood Junction signal box - up towards New England - and had to have a very big repair. The amazing thing is that it did get repaired! But after that all the A4s and locos with similar front bogie frames went around with the remains of white paint and "dye penetrant" crack detector in evidence a lot of the time. Never mind, as related earlier, it earned Grandfather his last day's pay as a signalman - by cheque with a letter of thanks, as he was retired by that time. Keep up the modelling and pictures. Regards Chris H

Milton Keynes Museum are showing off Wolverton (cosmetic replica) that used to stand outside MK Central Station till it needed a a coat of rust killer and a repaint. Photograph taken on "Battle of Britain" day - 15th September 2018. Regards Chris H

K, Standard ETS spoon span is 3 inches 76.(a very little bit) mm. - this goes for the replacement for the Hornby clockwork (with added lead to enable prodigious haulage feats) and the 14xx tank. Not sure where 60mm came from - although that is the wheelbase of the replacement Hornby mech. The wheelbase of the 14xx is 2 inches (almost 51 mm). If you want to persevere with the original mech., I think I can see how a shortened WJV spoon set can be arrange that does not interfere with the gears and still has a good spoon contact points length. Talk / play tomorrow late p.m. - or other mutually convenient time - I'll bring the modified Hornby tank and the 14xx. In the meantime measure the spoon centres on the ETS made "Adams Radial" / "Terriers" (of which you have a whole pack! ) / "M7" - I suspect at least some of these have the same spoon set as the 14xx / Hornby replacement. Regards Chris H

You can always borrow a reliable 14xx and auto-coach to keep the traffic running while the red engine sulks? Regards Chris H

Do you want to have a chat regarding drastic actions like: - Cast-iron wheels from Walsall Model Industries (Ask for "Extra Coarse"!)? - Decent slabs of 1.6mm ("16 gauge" as near as dam**t) brass or steel for frames - with real spacers to stop things lozenging and the some more robust pick-ups? Hang-on it would be cheaper and easier to fit the right size ETS mech! - But that would almost negate the charm of your wayward little engine. Will call for an up-date tomorrow. Regards Chris H

Glad you like it - and yes its parentage includes boiler and fittings / tanks (shortened) / cab / cylinders / chimney from what was then - late 1970s - the "Gakken" kit for the first train in Japan, now available under the Minicraft label. The rest of the body - foot plate / outside frames / headstocks - is all plastic sheet, except chimney top and salter safety valve spring from brass and pipes / handrails from wire. The running gear is home-brewed from brass and aluminum etc, running on Romford wheels and gears with a ECM motor (Type 3 (?) - the one that is a direct replacement for a Tri-ang XO4). Actually I was error when I said it is nearly 40 years old. It was pictured in the January 1979 Model Railway Constructor - so must be a full 40 already. Regards Chris H

Somebody ask for a Blue Engine? With notable exceptions I am not a great fan of Blue engines - especially not any of the Blues used by BR since Nationalisation. BUT - the GER "Ultramarine" looks very stylish and Garter Blue A4s are glorious, in my view. Of course I am rather proud of the O16.5 model illustrated here - now nearly 40 years old. Regards Chris H

Glad you like the pictures. The young boy - my younger brother - is now 65. I intend to make a special trip to Wakefield in November to see your model of Stanley. Are you going to include any vestiges of the Lake Lock Railroad? Regards Chris H

Stanley Station circa 1960. Taken from the family records. Our Great Aunt, Emma Davies, continued to live at 103 Bottomboat Road till late 1970s - she died just short of her 90th birthday. Paternal Grandfather worked at Stanley as a signalman from 1912 till moving his family to his home town of Peterborough in 1923-5 (they didn't all go at once). Regards Chris H

William, Not really Modern Image - more Modern Production "Standard" (or Coarse) scale as produced by ACE Trains, so mainly steam age models but they do supply a rather nice model of a D800 Warship and currently are supplying a range of BR Mk1 coaches in BR Blue / Grey livery. Also look at the websites of WJVintage, The Stationmasters Rooms and Raylo for further inspiration. Regards Chris H

I bought a copy on Monday. It has its good points, but I find it interesting that it completely ignores modern "0" gauge "Standard Scale" - and there is less than a page regarding Coarse scale at any time! As one who has a foot in both camps I am very disappointed with the biased view presented. Modern "0" gauge "Standard Scale" may not be the largest of the various sub-groups of "0" gauge model railway interests, but to publish "Your guide to "0" gauge railway modelling including the larger scales" without any reference seems a bit strange and suggests an unhealthy bias / propaganda. Regards Chris H

So as not to wake-up and incur the wrath of the neighbours / children / spouse etc.? Regards Chris H

It is however, very interesting to read the articles in the G0G Gazette regarding the fitting of 2-rail fine-scale wheels to the "ACE Trains" "Britannia", 9F etc., as the bodies and mechanisms are so good. And the pictures of the pre-production prototype for the BR 8P No. 71000 have just joined the ACE website. All modern ACE Trains locos - and those of other makers - are 3R / 2R switchable - so its only the wheels that need changing. I am also aware that "Skytrex" used / recommended ETS mechanisms with 2R F/S wheels for some of their diesels and GER Tram engines. Don't forget the "Red Tree Models" (associated with ACE Trains) D800 "Warships - Metal bodied with built in sound (not needing DCC), will pull the house down and a superb looker - all for less than 500. There are suggestions that some interesting early Diesel-Electric types will follow. Finally note that all the above-mentioned locos will work on Hornby 3R track or similar with curves down to 2ft radius - can occasionally look a bit strange seeing a Pacific on a sharp curve, but having been brought up with Hornby Dublo I am used to the sight (the track geometry is very similar but larger by 1.75 times! I'm a very happy user of "0" coarse - but slightly worried the fine-scale modellers might latch on to the idea of good models at reasonable prices (even at the cost of replacement wheels). Regards Chris H

You are right that with steeply inclined cylinders there are possible unstability effects due to the component of the cylinder thrust in li line with the suspension movement - not good. There also limitations on suspension movement of the driven axle to prevent contact of the pistons with the cylinder end covers - again not preferred. Finally you also get significant effects on the valve positioning - due to suspension movements - relating in unequal equal openings and closings and hence poor distribution of tractive effort through the crank cycle. Very nasty. The poor valve events is also a problem with simple valvegears such as hackworth and Heywood types where the eccentric rod works at 90 degrees to the cylinder C/L - so vertical on an engine with horizontal cylinders - you get very poor valve events unless you have a very stiff suspension on the driving axle - not good for high speed working. regards Chris H

Still think you need a Bulldog to see off all those Terriers - that seem to be perpetually breeding, how many variations do you now have? Bon Voyage Chris H

It is either walk uphill or swim there. Regards Chris H

Cor!! - Very good, keep at it. Chris H

Psst - Nearholmer have you looked at this link - http://www.townereastbourne.org.uk/visit/towner-gallery-shop/giclee-prints/ - your chance to own a posh picture of an area you have thought about populating with railways in umpteen different gauges and styles. Regards Chris H

The G6 (SR) looks good as does the G5 (NE) with its horsebox train. I suspect your "Near hit" incident probably made you go white - especially as you are normally so careful about lowering the flap before energising the railway. I will bring my new acquisition round for a test run shortly - with the milk train for which it came ready fitted with appropriate lamps. Regards Chris H

Is that a bent paperclip - like others use? Regards Chris H P.S. - My experience is that while the inter vehicle gaps are on the long side the modern standard ACE / ETS droplink and hook coupler is very reliable and allows for propelling without problem - in addition to pulling. CH

Chaps, I have been diligently seeking further information on the system of articulation that involves multiple driving rods capabl;e of taking the drive across varying axle centres resulting from steering axles. The particular system is the "Klose articulation" which was mainly used on narrow gauge lines - with corners - in Saxony and other Central / Eastern European states during the late C19th / early C20th, http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/klose/klosetothe.htm gives a good introduction. Regards Chris H

There are some complicated rod arrangements that allow for varying axle centres from hinged frames, but they were not common. I found a fascinating paper "Narrow Gauge Steam Locomotives and their Builders in Hungary" by Sándor Malatinszky - ISSN 1333-1124 / eISSN 1849-1391 which shows the arrangement in figures 5 and 12 - but I need to read in detail. I don't seem to be able to capture and post a link here - but I will get a copy to Nearholmer separately. Regards Chris H