AyJay

I'm not bothering to waste time on it. Last year I was getting cheesed off with the constant cycle of 'liking' it endlessly and I suspect that my family were getting fed up with me bombarding them with something that they are just not interested in. I don't need anything and I'm not selling my integrity for something that I don't want or need. Not even going to bother 'Following' this topic.

When I built my railway, the first building that I made was the station and for this I turned to the Country Station, PO237, by Metcalfe. However, I soon turned to scratch making, when I wanted something different, and have not looked back. This has presented an interesting problem however, in that my station area now does not look good enough and needs an upgrade. I would like to make something of similar size and footprint, preferably a real station. Can anyone point me in the direction of good drawings or photographs, such as a book; or even a Google-Earth location with plenty of viewpoints? Once I have done a new Station building, I will then need to replace the Coaching Inn, PO228, that stands next to it. That should keep me busy for awhile. Thank you. https://www.metcalfemodels.com/product/po237-00-h0-country-station/

Having contacted one of the traders who will be at Warley, to ask about DCC decoders, their reply was "Sound or no sound?". Sound would be nice to have, but I have no experience with fitting sound. I have only ever purchased 'ready fitted' before. The locomotive is Hornby R3617 Rebuilt Merchant Navy Class 'Elder Dempster Lines'. Looking on the Hornby website, their range of TTS products is very limited. They also have what appears to be chips which you program yourself with downloadable sound files. "This is getting complicated!" I thought. Can anyone please advise me as to how to select a sound decoder, plus speaker, and how to fit them? I also note that the model does not have pickups on the tender, so I think that I will also need the 'stay alive' capability. Thank you.

On the subject of our mortality and how much time we have left, I have come to the conclusion that time is not linear and that it speeds up as we get older (I'm in my upper 60's and for the first time when getting my haircut, yes I do still have my hair, was asked "are you a senior citizen?" To which I replied "yes" and paid the reduced price.) I still think that I'm 25 though. I digress... Time is not linear. Try this. Whatever your age is now, think back to what you were doing when you were half your current age. It took ages to get there, yet it does not seem all that long ago. Now try to remember what it was like looking ahead when you were young. Perhaps you thought "Next year is an eternity away". But now, blink and it's passed too quickly. I am now in my 7th month of retirement, yet after a lifetime of work, I still don't know what my 'purpose' in the world is? Perhaps I have yet to surprise myself, so far it's just been fixing up our home, I spend more time perusing the Screwfix website than I do this forum. My Dad died when he was 77, the last 10 years he was slowing down noticeably. But then he was a smoker, medically retired at 62. I'm still fit and in good health, hoping to outlast everyone. Anyway, my ramblings must stop. Martin Lewis is on now. Bye for now.

Well this was most enlightening. I put one loco after another onto my rolling road and every one of them had this wobble. Never noticed that before. However, my new loco ran faultlessly on a short straight section of track, so it’s a pass 😀. Now I need to buy a dcc decoder for it.

What you say is very true, but that is not what I wanted to hear. Is it unusual for a locomotive to behave this way on a rolling road? I can see that I am now going to have to check all of my locomotives, to see if any of them do this. (Why is my phone now underlining everything that I type. 🤔)

A couple of days ago, I purchased a new locomotive from a trader at an exhibition. It is R3617, the Merchant Navy 'Elder Dempster Lines', by Hornby. When I got it home, I put it on my rolling road (DCC Concepts) and found that the body rocks from side to side with each revolution of the wheels. I think I also detected a slight hesitancy in the movement of the driving wheels on each rotation. My initial assessment was the wheel quartering being slightly out. When I reported this problem to Hornby, hoping to return the locomotive to them to have this problem fixed, their reply was: "When locomotives slightly rock on a rolling road this tends to be normal, if the locomotive has a tight spot on the wheel all that's required is a little application of lubricate and it should then be fine." I have now lubricated the locomotive and run it a bit more on the rolling road. I'm not detecting any hesitancy in the wheel rotation any more, but the rocking from side to side is still present. I then put the locomotive on my track, but cannot get close enough to see if it is still happening. Is Hornby correct to say that rocking on my rolling road is normal? Am I right to be concerned?

Whenever I’m at a hotel, getting rare now, I’ll always make off with a few of those individual portionglass marmalade pots. Useful for storing small number of tiny bits.

Interesting subject, thanks for raising it as no doubt many of us have copied elements of reality on our layouts. However, I do wonder how long it will be before written text itself is a minefield in the litigation crazy world we live in? Apparently, the word ‘easy’ is owned by and for the sole use of a budget airline. And if you wish to honour a Scottish ancestor by naming a shop after them, you are almost guaranteed to be hounded by lawyers for a certain eatery.

Morning all. I was about to say “You’re missing something here” when I spotted something The Johnster had put. We may be strong, agile and confident when we construct our layouts, but age will start to take its toll and creep up on all of us. ( my knees and back are complaining). So at the design stage, it is well worth asking such questions as: Can I easily dismantle it? Will it fit through the door/loft hatch? Can I lift it and move it when I’m old and losing my strength? Can I reach all the important bits without bending forward or wriggling underneath on my back? (I have to say ‘No’ to that last bit). If you have built your layout as a solid immovable fixture in your home, then you had better sign up for yoga classes, or whatever it is that keeps you supple, and plan to never move house.

The wrong colour, but I'll say it anyway. Skimbleshanks the railway cat.

In the end, I dug out a very narrow dril bit and bored the nozzle clear.

There are some interesting ideas there, and well worth a try. Washing up liquid did not work, so now its soaking in nail varnish remover.

Sorry no. Tried that already and it doesn’t work when already solidly blocked.

I have a can of spray can foliage adhesive, also known as ‘layering spray’, but the nozzle has become blocked. I currently have it soaking in hot water & washing up liquid but am not holding out much hope for it. The can says that the contents are water based, acid free, low solvent. I don’t want to throw away the can when it’s not empty; does anyone have any suggestion for something to shift the blockage? The hole is too small for a pin. Thanks

I am at this moment, currently listening to the wonderful voice of Jon Anderson in 'Symphonic Yes'. However..... After tomorrow, The Wife and I shall be camping in Cropredy, for our annual pilgrimage to see Fairport Convention and friends. This year it's Nile Rogers & Shic, Fishermen's Friends, 10cc and many others. Hankies at the ready for Richard Digence (You won't understand that one of you have never been).

I find myself thinking of the advertising ploy "Hurry - selling fast - only a few left", which becomes self fulfilling. I have albums full of First Day Covers & Presentation Packs (stamps). Whatever it was, I got it and now wonder why, 'cos I don't look at them. I could easily do the same with everything sparkly in OO, so I must take time out to ask "Why?"

Oh I do have a retirement plan Andy, been thinking about it for a while. The main features of it are: Not taking up golf. Not sitting on any committees/governing bodies. Not being behind the counter of any shop. My plan involves: Regular excursions on my bicycle. Improve my modelling skill. Read more. Continue with Parkrun. Rediscover my Wife as my companion and best friend. At the moment, the immediate goal is giving our home a makeover. I quite like decorating; also when the cat died, I promised that the carpets would be replaced and the kitchen & bathroom will be replaced. So that's me busy for a few months. Then I will be free to do as I please. The only obsessive pre-occupation right now is constantly monitoring interest rates (don't get me started) and shuffling savings about.

Two months ago, on the Monday I handed in my laptop and pass, shredded my notebook, then took my two managers out to a coffee shop. On the Tuesday morning, very early, I went out for a walk to the local park and exclaimed "Now what!!!" In one step, I went from a professional Engineer to an amateur decorator. I no longer have to get up very early, although I do. Neither do I burn an obscene quantity of fuel while losing up to 3 hours a day in commuting. I am completely flexible with how I spend my day. But... The sense of purpose that has driven me all my adult life, is now gone. I miss the interaction that I used to enjoy with my peers. I cannot get away from the constant menu of daytime TV "Today we are with X and Y as they search for a property in popular Marbeya and I'm using all of my skills....." 😒 I do secretly miss my working life. I have contacted Pendon and shall be volunteering there, just as soon as the decorating is finished. As for the money aspect, yes it probably would be cheaper to spend my end times on back-to-back cruises. Perhaps P&O and Carnival are missing a marketing opportunity.

Hi Hilux, I have used these very same models to make a street scene, the only difference is that the corner shop at at the other end of the terrace. That way, you don’t get a back gate going to nowhere. Can you rearrange your positioning? Or re-do your back walls so that the gates all look right?

All good and interesting thoughts, thank you. The oldest kit that I have, a school building, don’t know the make, is about 30 years old and has suffered some abuse yet remains solid; whereas a Scalescene house has started to curl. I think the secret is to reinforce the shape wherever possible. Wintering in the house has been vetoed, but then the intended room is next to the bathroom and the ‘person in charge’ does not believe in using the extractor fan; so I guess they are better off staying where they are. I am planning on replacing my Metcalfe station with a scratch build. I might try brushing both surfaces of the card with dilute pva before starting to cut (try a test piece first though). Reckon 30 years life might see me out.

After a recent visit to see 'Madder Valley' a thought occurred to me: How long should a card building last for, what are the likely failure modes and what can be done to keep them looking good for longer? Now of course, Madder Valley is a rare exception. I am talking about my, and your, working layouts. Kept in a normal domestic environment, handled and exposed to all the usual hazzards. Except mine is in a 'garden room', hot in summer and cold in winter. Possible changes in humidity. Needing regular use of the Dyson to keep down the dust. Prior to the fitting of blinds, exposed to the morning sun. I started off with Metcalf kits, then graduated onto scratch building; thick card from Hobbycraft, brick paper from Scale Model Scenery, PVA glue, Pritt sticks and UHU, the occasional brushing of acrylic or watercolour paint. As an experiment, I did take a surplus Metcalf building and sprayed it with matt varnish; the jury is out on that one. So, will my pride an joy fall apart or disintegrate in a few years? Should I use different materials or coat them in something, inside and out? Whenever possible, I leave the doors open during summer days. Has anyone any understanding of the issues/forces at work here? Thank you.

I have to roll my eyes in dispair because my vicar is not a model railway enthusiast, he’s into war gaming and fantasy models. So I recounted to him a conversation that I had with a vicar in dog collar some years ago at a model exhibition. There we were, standing side by side admiring this O gauge layout; when he produces this big box that he hands to the operator; it was a lovely tank engine. So I turned to him and asked, “ So what is this connection between vicars and railways?” ”Simple!” He replied. “They both get you to the right destination” Well my vicar has seen my layout, and I just have to give up and leave it at that. Sigh.

I would be perfectly happy with any Doctor from William Hartnell to Sylvester McCoy, excluding Patrick Troughton and Colin Baker (didn’t like them that much). K9 is specifically banned from my layout. Recently, I saw a Discworld inspired layout, no doubt in time, someone will come up with a Cybermen v Daleks inspired layout, should be fun. Meanwhile, I just fancied giving a plausible reason why I keep moving my Police Box to silly places on my layout. Perhaps a quiet word with the ModelU gentleman is in order….

Yet again, my question has provoked a plethora of interesting responses to browse through. The Pocketmags option grabbed my interest because 1. Now that I am an unsalaried man of leisure, I need to reduce the spending. And 2, I only want the one magazine, no garden railway, you see. I’ve never heard of the EE versions, where do I find it?