john flann

Nick, very well done and very well deserved. Congratulations. I understand the decision was not by popular vote of the attendees but judged by experienced persons on certain criteria, In other words it won on its merits-not popularity. Thus all the more reason for being proud of the justly merited award.

Entry cancelled.

Martyn, taking your perfectly reasonable conclusion another step, coaches were only lighted when passing through longish tunnels and during hours of darkness Following that do you have any tunnels and do you wish to operate in the dark?

No doubt about that Andy.

John, very neat solution that. For all those good reasons I've looked at the underside of my Prairies on many occasions, shaken my head in puzzlement and put them back. I now ask myself the question,why didn't I think of that! And whilst commenting Granby does look so very well. Its come together nicely. My regards,

....or if you prefer colour.

Hintock. Joint GWR/SR, c1937.

Just found your holiday snaps. There's no place else quite like the Rocky Mountains! Glad you had a good trip. And returning to topic I think you are very courageous in your coach bashing adventure and in your revelations. I know my limitations-I'd never even contemplate it.. My regards,

AndyR. thanks for the progress report, the method seems to work and I'm glad you found it. Trial and error is the way in these matters. But those short radius points are really the nub of the matter. Until you use larger radius you will suffer one frustration after the other. Changing to medium will make a world of difference both aesthetically and operational. I commend the notion. It's a good investment. Hope things go well at the exhibition.

Thanks Andy, I agree it's very difficult to cut away there. I've looked at mine several times and decided against it. But why use a box, just glue the coupling with the shank cut back as needs be. That has worked for me in other circumstances. Here, I think if one is going to do it no amount of asking will offer a solution. You just have to get on with what ever you consider best- and see where it goes.

AndyR: this really is OT but if AndyP allows-you have a problem. I recognize it because I have Panniers like that but I dodged it by putting them aside and purchasing new-which have better bodies and NEM pockets. However, if you reckon you can cut away whatever of the chassis is required, start with a #18 in place and hold it there with a rubber band. If it works fix it, if not try 19's and 20's.

Clever Andy, but too noisy for me. Those horns, whistles and chuffs would send me potty. And Mac's locos were a lot cleaner as well as being driven more slowly. Though he didn't object to a spot of dash when shunting.. But very nicely done and Pencarne is so very appealing visually.

AndyP, I quite agree about Dapol and have stopped buying their wagons for that very reason. Those I do run are remounted on Bachmann underframes when they fit-another example of lack of common standards-and to a non-purist like myself I can then get the best of both worlds.

AndyR, if you are using the Kadee height gauge it is set for American HO stock so misleading/useless for other vehicles/locos. That is if I understand your problem correctly. I have endeavoured to standardize my British OO stock to one standard based on Bachmann, which is what I prefer and it works with adjustments to stock....and a lot of patience. If you have a great variety of stock you have a problem to overcome but it can be done-over time. This incompatability of couplings and their varying heights was one of the principal reasons I gave up British outline modelling and the lack of a common standard among manufacturers. I've written at length about this elsewhere and on many occasions. Things have got better, but problems still persist. It's also one of the reasons why tension lock couplings are so popular for they are a lot more forgiving. I'm sorry AndyP this is OT, but I couldn't let the matter pass without comment. And AndyR, please email me if you wish to discuss the matter further.

Martyn, when I went American in 1990 I got rid of my OO stock I had brought over from the UK; I wonder now what they were and if I could find a place for any on Hintock as you are happily doing here. I do nonetheless have some locos from those early days-sentimental value only and not runners. You've caught the SR green-as I recall it-very well. A question: what do you use to remove the paint? I'm trying to strip some American stock but the paint seems most resistant to oven cleaner (terrible stuff to use and has to be done in the open air) and Pinesol-a kitchen and bathroom cleaner and disinfectant.

Thanks Andy for the mention of my card system for operating. It's easy to set up, not difficult to use and brings in a random fashion order and method to operating in a realistic manner. I shall be happy to respond if any interested members contact me on my Hintock thread. My Hintock website offers further and full information. Addresses of both are below.

Rick, reverting back to post #1407, the load to me looks rather insecure, I don't think the chocks and what chains you have are enough; fore and aft too would assist. Loads on four wheel stock get a pretty rough ride, and on a flat too there is nothing to contain it if it comes loose. I also had the notion that con-flats were restricted to carriage of containers only.

AndyR, I only spent a week in the UK and got no further than Porthmadog. Seeing Nick at the LHR hotel on the return leg, was a bonus. Nicholas and I got done what we set out to do, and though tiring, well worth doing. I hope to post a couple of pics and say a little more on my Hintock thread.

Andy, just seen this post and like what I see. I see you refer to boredom, well that's inevitable after a few hours-and I well know the feeling-but is it perhaps because there is no structure to the operation and shunting is not organized. (see my card system for random and systematic shunting and the virtue of a sequence for operation.) These do not necessarily take care of the "boredom" but go some way in alleviating it. The customers too have something to ponder if what they are seeing is explained.

Nick, you mentioned this when we met last week, HAPPY BIRTHDAY and with every good wish for more! John.

Not been on here recently Martyn-plagued with a crashed again, new computer!- but I like the start you've made with tidying up. it's encouraging to the spirit. And Toby's are such entertaining little beasts.

Gentlemen, thank you for your interest and your kind suggestions. The background to this is that I took this issue up on behalf of a member who by reason of age and an affliction could not readily pursue it on his own. Kernow have been aware of the problem from the very beginning as he received his O2 among the first batches dispatched. And I'm of opinion it could have been readily resolved by a friendly and helpful response. That has been lacking. I will not say more other than he tells me by reason of this dis-satisfaction with Kernow he will no longer be a customer. Similarly neither will I because of flaws in my own O2 and lack of faith in future products. I regard the matter as closed. He and I have arrived at a satisfactory solution-I have taken the part he was seeking from my O2. Simple as that, as Kernow could have done to assist a customer from a returned defective loco. This seems a sad story for to be fair Kernow did take steps to produce a loco unavailable elsewhere.

Thank you Graham, the problem has been resolved by a "work around." Not ideal but as the term implies and it may work. But a replacement O2 door would be welcome. It seems incomprehensible that any model should be sold without adequate back-up arrangements for spares. And no sight of them on even on the far horizon. I suggest these are reasonable grounds in asking for one's money back if an item for which a spare is sought is negligently made.

This seems a straightforward enough inquiry and I'm surprised and disappointed at the "nil" response so far. Again, can somebody kindly help. It would be appreciated.