dogbox321

Looks like the room is coming on well. With lockdown etc., if anything like my wife - she will be glad to have the rest of the house to herself sometimes! Plus know where hubby is in case there is a spider, wasp etc., that needs removing. Best Wishes, C.

In looking at the photo then it does seem a little weird, and I am not say in it "is", or "is not" genuine - BUT If you look close on something simple such as MS Paint, part of the wagons vinyl does have a vertical line where the weld is (as shown) with the arrow. There are a couple of smaller lines on the edges of the logo to as you go further along the wagon - even more blurry. The other thing that springs to my mind is - with it being two vehicles at the end of a rake, these would be nearest the locomotive, possibly permitting a PR photo opportunity? The next question would be (if) it did exist is whether only one or both sides of the wagon were given this treatment. A few years ago - knowing DRS had run a few trains using large bogie hoppers I did have a quick perusal on the web to see what they used. I never found a photo of an HHA, but I did find an image of one of a newer batch of FLHH wagons wearing a DRS logo. If anyone wants to go any further - then maybe a visit to the original site may be of use, to determine if their site has any other possibly altered images on it? Disclaimer: I've been watching too much NCIS with the Mrs! Best Wishes to all, C.

Why not? It would be just like a normal day in RMWeb land - No one would be able to agree. Some may laugh, others cry! Regards, C.

Whilst I don't wish to discredit your environmental credentials, and certainly its good to limit the amount of plastic used. The "but" is that packaging does perform a vital role and its often dreaded plastic that performs this function best. As per Polybear - I think you will find much of the problem comes from recycling itself, and obviously seaside rubbish around the world (including litter from our beaches). If you youtube ships being broken up, you will see that many countries, especially the poorest, have very few environmental safeguards in place. It is also very true in my opinion that the first world is very good at seemingly solving its environmental problems by passing them to the third world, with money the lucrative sweetener! Getting back on topic - as to why plastic.... If you recall, from many years ago - if you got one of the old boxes wet (or even slightly damp - lofts, sheds etc..) then the box either ripples, tears or disintegrates when you try and open it. With the coatings - If you spot any wet, then you do have a chance to wipe it off before it penetrates the box! On model railway products it would certainly be a backward step, just like certain Hornby items internal packaging is now a glorified hospital sick bowl! If you are on about small accessory/detail items then small plastic bags are often used for presentation, to allow easy inspection of the product prior to purchase, allow rapid packing and as a method of containment. Any other form of packaging would not meet these criteria, or be as effective. Personally, I always find a use for small sealable plastic bags. Parcels often come with plastic protection - bubble wrap, expanded polystyrene "turds" and the like. Again its to protect, as often with the postal service a cardboard outer is not enough to ensure a product or its box gets to a customer undamaged. Some may use shredded paper but that is terrible leaving dust over the over the boxes, which then with movement in transit then gets into the boxes and into models, including oiled mechanisms ! If you are on about when you go shopping then obviously the option is to take a bag with you. Personally, we always have one or two in the car. Best Regards, C.

Just seen all this. TBH, I think there are lots of issues - ultimately chalk and cheese. Steam and Diesel fumes are totally different and behave differently. Plus in a room, steam reacts to the environment and in harmony with air flow. Steam is a leisurely day-dream flow that dissipates into the atmosphere, whilst a diesel is about a harsh chemical reaction and expelling crap out of an engine into the atmosphere, as quickly to make room for the next explosion in a cylinder. Then of course there are ancillaries such as turbos etc.. Its not relaxing, but very deliberate and chaos inside there. None of it is pretty, although to us railway people, very little else sounds as wonderful as a locomotive throbbing away. To do smoke effectively, just like sound - you need to understand what is going on in that loco, and "somehow" recreate it! One day someone will no doubt do it, but its going to be difficult. If steam is the answer, and personally I think that is the "red herring", then it needs to be manipulated, and really well. The other problem is going to be air currents in rooms, which would be a particularly difficult issue i exhibition halls . Until that day its never going to give a faithful recreation, but resemble Austin Powers having a relaxing fag "baby"! Best Regards, C.

Dear Andy, you don't sound too worried or disappointed about the confiscation. I think your APT-E would look good on the shelf with it. Looking forward to a photo! Regards, C.

I hope they give them a good send off. With no "confusion and delay" caused by axleboxes, they are unlikely to get returned. At least they have the photo from the website for posterity!

Me and my big mouth...... DPD do unfortunately now employ silly people to! (More polite than my other thoughts...) The sort that hold two boxes under their arm whilst trying to hold a tablet and write on it. Then drops them at the top of the drive........... Appropriate thread - You guessed it! One of my boys 66731 ends up on the tarmac. You can imagine the rest. Picks it up then realising that I have just seen it. Then comes the walk of shame, followed by a frown and sorry. Fortunately my two young boys weren't around to see it! Although actually, in hindsight it may have done the delivery person some good, to see the disappointment and upset his carelessness can cause! So Capt at 99 could walk around is garden and raise a load of money, whilst a guy in his mid 20's cannot even walk down a path and deliver a box without dropping it! Only a visual check so far - loco looked okay, but box a write off so rang Hornby. Number 10 in queue and took about 45mins to get to speak to a very nice lady who is going to arrange for a replacement box - thanks Hornby. I went to number 9 in a few seconds, so things were looking up! Unfortunately......it went down a bit from there. Not complaining, but after a while getting bored so started to wonder what was going on.........The pinnacle - Callers 2 and 3 before me either had lots of bad luck, or had lots of challenges in their modelling. Six took a while too - they must have just been a warm up crew for Numbers 2 &3. But, Number one - well that person was legendary. I went from 2, to Hello, so either they gave up (thanks!), became a casualty of the wait (oooops!) or Caller 2 was still waffling on, making the queue that long someone else answered the phone (and in which case has about another 12 minutes to conclude their call - optimism)! My turn - 2 or 3 minutes - sorted! Take note - thats the way to do it 2, 3 and 6! LOL! Best Wishes, C.

Typical heavy handed driver..... LOL! I were thinking of trying a tad of superglue, or double sided tape. Anyway like I say - the products are superb. It would appear a couple of us just seem to have trouble making they stay where we want. Best Wishes, C.

If you haven't experienced Hermes, you haven't had a bad delivery. I dread it, if I order something and then find out they are delivering. Everything is always bashed and torn. Why anyone ever uses them, I will never know! Must be down to cost, but if things get damaged its not really good value! Regards, C.

Personally - whilst I find Railtec's transfer products really good - and they are a great company to work with. Unfortunately I've had nothing but trouble with their names. In my experience they tend to fall off. Luckily they do supply 3 in the pack. Best Regards, C.

As long as he's not a Russian, is that a problem?

......I can see why Mr Trump hates fake news so much now....... Think your president will disappear* before the virus.......(if opinion polls are anything to go on!) * - as in after the results of a democratic election - going back to running his businesses. P.S. If Covid-19 is being managed so well - why is it unsafe to hold an election?

Cannibals? Nope, sorry cannot be right, my Mother in Law worked in HR........and she's never tried to eat me! (Probably like to kill me, but not eat me LOL!) I were her favorite son-in law, until my wife's sister got married! She goes to a Pilates Class though.....Am I getting close?

You should know it wouldn't take someone long! Maybe you should ask them if they are donating the profits to a charity other than themselves! The only consolation is what would they have been charging if only 500 had been made? My parents have bought both my children one each as a ........ (not sure what the correct word is to put there!) of what we have all been through. Its certainly the first time in my lifetime that I have felt that I am living through something that will really will be remembered in history. Whilst the money has been taken, not been given a delivery date yet - then again there are 3,500 to send out, and I only knew about it/ordered when 3,000 models were being produced! So we must be pretty well down the line and certainly would have missed out if they had only done 500! Best Wishes, C

TBH, its a milestone and a huge achievement to be able to get to 99, and have your mental and physical faculties, is amazing. Then to be able to do those walks around the garden, I think that is pretty remarkable. Most other elderly people, if they were at that age would most likely be sitting in a chair all day, snoozing, reading the newspaper and drinking a cup of tea and putting the world to rights. This superb gentleman wanted to do something else in order to help his country and most importantly to contribute to the covid effort, and he came up with a way that he could do it. Put simply, its an outstanding achievement. I just hope that Hornby have presented him with the first model in a display case! Best Wishes, C.

As someone who has shielded with my family (wife and two young children) for the last 5 months, with supplies bought to our house by close family - there would be no way on this planet would I even consider going to a railway event this year. Firstly there are spikes in the virus at certain locations, and the public come to shows from far and wide (nevermind traders and exhibitors from many parts of the country who would most likely stay in the same hotels), in another month or so we are coming towards Autumn when things are expected to get worse, then there is the issue of getting close to layouts to view them (plus getting near exhibitors), trade stalls would be very difficult for people to peruse in a meaningful way, to maintain social distancing of 2m - only three people/groups from same household would be able to stand at a 4 metre long layout, then there is catering, cleaning ...... and the very real risks of short notice cancellation due to restrictions depending on Covid situation. Whilst I know it is potentially a financially dire situation for many clubs, a poor turn out or late notice cancellation would possibly be much more damaging in the longer term. Regarding risk - then its wholly down to people's perception, circumstances and the tangibility of the risk/illness to them. It does not help either, when senior figures have been found out to be breaking lockdown rules and that you could drive a Boris Bus between some areas of the government guidance. I've been out and about since Monday to go to work. I think people are starting to have covid fatigue - and are starting to take risks and letting their guard down (which is why we are getting spikes) -believing the worst is over, risks are lower and probably thinking that if they get it, they know they will feel really rough for a couple of weeks, but they have a very good chance of pulling through so just enjoy yourself and see what happens (and in reality over a life time something like cancer is probably much more likely to kill you). But in contrast for those who are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable and their families - then regrettably there is no option but to be cautious, especially as the virus shows no physical symptoms in its early stages, so if you have no choice but to be around others, then you have to attempt to minimise potential risks because you cannot see them. If the person at risk does get it - then they are likely to become seriously ill and most at risk of dying. Its a bit like AIDS/HIV adverts in the 1980's - don't die of ignorance! But unfortunately people around the world have, and are. To end on a positive note - then throughout the pandemic so far - model railways have appeared to remain quite boyant, and people have been resourceful in finding new methods to continue to enjoy their hobby responsibly. That should give us all some comfort for the hobbies long term future. Some may even be getting a 66731 from the postie very soon- a wonderful tribute to a great gentleman and in support of the NHS - whose superb staff, like many other key workers have been selflessly helping others during these unprecedented times. Best wishes to you all, enjoy your model railways and I hope you all continue to remain safe, C.

Perhaps there is another F word, apart from French that is appropriate..... Good to know even the French in Canada hate us! LOL! In your best Chief Inspector Clouseau accent you could have had lots of fun. Best Wishes, C.

Personally, I think a couple of newer liveries would be very nice, plus tooling tweaks for the bitumen wagons....... Regards, C.

Seeing them coming down the track -You know when you've been Tango'ed!!!! If they had some green paint left over - they could always do an "Apple Tango" too! 66587 - must be a limited edition Pink Lemonade Tango! Best Wishes, C

Whilst the closure of a model shop is never a good thing for local modellers, and I must admit I have been in and purchased a few bits whilst on holidays. That walk up the hill from St.Davids was always a good slog! (I know you can do it from Central, but when I was old enough I used to go in the Whetherspoons for a well earned drink on the way back to St.Davids!) Unfortunately we live in very uncertain times, that have led to many people taking stock of their lives and having to make difficult decisions. All anyone can hope is that ultimately it is the correct decision for him, and that he still enjoys his railway modelling. Best Wishes, C.

Yeah, never really worked out why people think Heljan are so fantastic. There always seems to be an achillies heel to everything they do! Regards, C.

My pleasure, at the end of the day you have some lovely 2mm modelling which you should be rightly proud of! RE Rich, with the loop and even sidings at Lapford having trap points, you would have thought it very possible to lock a train in. I suppose the main question is, how the release for loop and sidings was given - a key on the token, or to get a release from a signaller (such as Bardon for the quarry sidings). I know for example on the Matlock branch its no signaller token- its a token machine at Ambergate platform, and if necessary you can lock a train in the siding next to the peak rail connection if required, with the token machine at Matlock to allow this. My initial thoughts - with no knowledge of the immediate area was that a signaller would release the frames and upon shunting being complete, could check everything was correct when the groundstaff advised them they had completed the shunts and ready to return. (Perhaps Eggisford before closure?) I take it freight at Lapford always used the platform track on arrival and departure (suggested in a couple of photos I've seen - with freight using the platform)? Whilst I would say that is pretty unusual, from a risk perspective I suppose it ensures points are correctly set for the next passenger train into the platform. Best Wishes, Chris.

Sorry - internet lost and duplicated text!

Yes, the TEA's run very smoothly - something that Rapido and Revolution go to great lengths to ensure. I know they work to NMRA specified weights and also think the axles on the TEAs go into bearings, as apposed to athe standard moulded inward dimple. Thats why I went for the JIA's, which whilst lighter, I believe are from the same factory as the HIA's, and you have to pretty much apply constant finger force to get them to rotate. The bogie moulding also seems to be a pretty rough plastic, so expect that adds to friction on the axle contact points on the bogie. I wonder if a DCC Concepts reamer may help with the free running on such stock? Just checked - my incline height is 17.5cm and just over 30 feet of straight rising track, with the curves having very a very gentle rise to reduce resistance. Its not fully wired so apart from the tests no other train has gone up it in anger yet! Of course the Lima Class 47 does also have traction tyres on the motor end. Best Wishes, Chris.