Metropolitan H

I know I can be a bit slow at times, but it wasn't till I looked back at this picture that I realised: - The main subject loco and train is a "Muddle & Go Nowhere" service - note the loco number / brass cabside numerals and the tender lettering M&GNR. - There is an interesting propelling move into the platform 4 bay road in progress - trying to hide behind the water-crane - with either the guard or one of the loco crew hanging a long way out to try and check the road ahead. Fascinating. Regards Chris H

Try a Steradent tablet and boiling water - then leave to stand for half hour. Alternatively, use a teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda and fill with boiling water - but beware you dont spill on painted surfaces, it can lift the paint. Regards Chris H

Thank you for that wonderful picture - I'll accept it as an early birthday card. Regards Chris H

Bearing in mind that Finsbury Square is only 200 metres north of these pictures, I'm sure Rule 1 must apply. 02.28 hrs - 10th January 2013. 11.31hrs - 13th January 2013. Regards Chris H

The good thing about the plain bearings on the axle sleeves was that we could easily convert 4 rail to/from 3 rail with running rail return at Durnsford Road Depot following a Battery Loco powered transfer from Lillie Bridge Depot. Nowadays there are axle end brushes for return current - but you still need to isolate her to drop the bottom parts of the negative shoegear and swap the return dropleads between terminals. Running with the 4SUB or 2BIL units was allowed as there was no fear of "Sarah S" getting gapped in an awkward spot. Otherwise you needed an accompanying loco - Class 20s are useful! Regards Chris H

Strange "Pannier"? - Looks more like a 48xx to me! Regards chris H

Paul, I can top that early experience. 70 years ago (plus about 2 months) my paternal Grandfather - then a signalman at Westwood Junction Box - took my Father and me over the ramped footbridge into New England loco yard to see FS at the Coaling Tower. We were invited up into the cab (with my pushchair) for a ride round two sides of the reversing triangle, with me sat on the drivers lap and gripping the regulator handle while he used me as a lever extension. I'll be 73 in just over 2 weeks. Much as I have a soft spot for FS, my favourite from the same era (1923) is LU's Bo-Bo Loco 12 "Sarah Siddons" (Metropolitan-Vickers) - which is still owned by the direct successors of its original owners. But, I have had much more professional involvement with "Sarah S". Regards Chris H

Look up "LMS Kitson 0-4-0ST". There were 5 built circa 1932 by "Kitson" for the LMS, with a further 5 built at Horwich by BR. The number series was 47000 onwards in BR days. An interesting loco type which were used on the Cromford & High Peak line amongst others. Regards Chris H

Where is the height measured from? What is the height above the top of the running rail? - I would expect the height to be 3ft (12mm) above the running rail for passenger platforms. regards Chris H

Thanks for the correction which makes sense. Chris H

The TT from Pilton yard is still in use - but narrowed to 15 inch gauge and installed at Hythe on the RHDR - unless anybody can disabuse me of that idea? Regards Chris H

I do like the K2. A very sensibly sized and useful engine. Regards Chris H

I can't tell you exactly when the upper quadrant signals at the north end of Peterborough North were installed, but the following pictures taken by my father date from before September 1939. They show the signals were all upper quadrant by then - including the concrete post signals on the northbound LNER by Walton (Midlan / LMS) station. Hope that helps. Chris H

Another interesting dairy building is on the corner of Coptic Street and Little Russell Street (WC1A 1NS) - not far from the British Museum - that has been in use as a "Pizza Express" establishment since circa 1967. A very stylish edifice, with a band of stonework proclaiming to all that it is (was) the home of the "Dairy Supply Company" - which I understand became at least part of "Express Dairy" and later providing the "Express" part of the current users name - "Pizza Express". it is worth a visit / lunch. Regards Chris H

I once got taken to Lechlade - and back home to bracknell - using the Fairford branch - but that was a long time ago when I wore short trousers! I only have fleeting memories of that trip, but they are all good. Regards Chris H (approaching 73!)

There were a number of B-L "Enterprise" and "Super Enterprise" (4-6-0) to be seen and running at the Bedford Vintage Trains meet (see HRCA website for details) at Houghton Conquest last evening. I think the live-steam runners there - Mike Swain (??) and friends - might be able to help you if you can get in touch with them. Look up "Chesham Steamers" on the HRCA website events listing - https://www.hrca.net/extra/events-public There appears to be a meeting scheduled for next week - "Jun 20, Tue. Chesham Steamers, Christ Church,Waterside,Chesham,Bucks,HP5 1PY.(Please note this is the original venue and not the more recent Methodist Church) 3-8pm ." Otherwise you might wish to contact the Bassett-Lowke Society who have a meeting advertised as follows - Saturday June 24th - Bassett-Lowke Society Running Day, Digswell - The Cowper Arms, 31 Station Road, Digswell, Welwyn, Herts, AL6 0EA – 10:30am to 3:30pm Please note The Cowper Arms is next to Welwyn North Station Hope that helps. Chris H P.S. I'm not a HRCA nor B-L Soc member - and I don't have a B-L steamer, but I have been tempted! CH

It was a very good day indeed and I was proud to have played a part in the Enterprise - although we were all electric and no steam was raised! Neither of the issues mentioned were really significant and both were overcome without fuss or the need for rude words. What really did impress me was the interest of the younger exhibition visitors and our leader's abilities to engage those young persons in real conversation regarding their experiences. Despite mutterings regarding - "No more than once a year"! - i was a good experience. However, I did succumb to celebrating "World Gin Day" on my return home and not going out to see Flying Scotsman return from its day out to Chester - but I did see it on the way north this morning: All in all a very good day. Regards Chris H

Paltry had a big day out at the MKMRS today. Here Mr Chumleigh-Warner models the approved modern attire for the keen enthusiast. The loco (a blur) is a B-L "Prince Charles" model hauling three "Blood & Custard" coaches from the same makers. Regards Chris H

Presumably the arm and the track circuit diamond would have been "enameled" steel items while the post etc were painted - hence the arm nd diamond were more resistant to the blackening effects of sulphur on the lead based paints ?? Regards Chris H

For walls, I recommend a similar colour to Nearholmer - Farrow & Ball's No.2011 "Blackened", or a near equivalent from "Brewers" (other paint shops are available). However, for the ceilings I prefer modern Brilliant White - as suggested earlier. See the corners of my work in progress playroom. The lighting is an LED fitting designed for bathroom use supplemented with a shaded Velux window (the only time the shade blind is raised is for the occasional vacuum cleaning of dead insect bodies). Unfortunately, I don't have shares in Farrow and Ball - but I do find they have some very useful colours for scenic modelling applications. Regards Chris H

When one looks closely at the 25inch OS maps of Wantage "Upper yard" - see https://maps.nls.uk/view/104196088 - and then do the proper scaling, you realise quite how small the place was and how sharp / short the turnouts were.in 1:43.5 scale (7mm = 1ft) the whole layout from the buffer stops under the platform roof to the end of the gasworks sidingwill fit within 11ft allowing for a traverser type fiddle yard - capable of taking a real full length train - behind the gasworks buildings, beyond the toes of the entry turnout. The Peco "Short" set track "O" gauge turnouts ae probably the closest to the real geometry? - Most of the models are actually using too generous a curve / turnout geometry compared with reality. Now I expect brick-bats to fly - so am donning my tin hat and ducking. Regards Chris H

My home-brewed 1:22.5 scale model of RhB shunting tractor Tm2/2 - 26, predates the LGB issue - although it didn't get finished till 2014, just 20 years after first running. It is mainly plastic sheet with a few home mastered white-metal castings and an MDC motor block (hence the compromised wheelbase). It normally runs with an attached LGB version of a "MOB" van to carry the NiMH battery pack and the RC receiver and motor controller, but I have just realised that has escaped my camera! Regards Chris H P.S. - Last Friday (16th June 2023) I coupled my model of the RhB shunting tractor to the van which contains the NiMh batteried and the radio control receiver to have a play in the sunshine and take the following picture. Hope you like it. Regards Chris H

As you have LBSCR leanings, you might want to peruse the latest (todays issue) of the WJVintage newsletter - see https://www.wjvintage.co.uk/category/latest-newsletter/ - for the next instalment of their Oceanic series of locos. As I already have 2 similar - but light green - locos and enough LNER teak coaches for two reasonable trains I am keeping my hands in my pockets at present. Regards Chris H

Yes, the painting is by Cuthbert Hamilton Ellis and was published as one of the illustrations in his book "Trains and Tractors" - published 1957, by Allen and Unwin. Hope that helps. Regards Chris H

Could be a good spot for a stylish tower brewery - or do you already have one on the layout? Regards Chris H