Finsbury

That wins the internet for the most obvious statement. Have an 'informative'.

No legomanbiffo this time? Oh well, I'm very much looking forward to the show. Bern

We were hoping for a Sept start up, but a host of niggly issues has put paid to that. Definitely next year(again)! If anyone needs a particular photo for modelling reference, give me a shout. Bern

The sound of a Deltic is so evocative of my youth. I remember my first encounter, '78 or '79. 'Hit me with your rhythm stick' was a popular tune of the day. I recall my brother and I trying to sing it as our Dad walked us through Finsbury Park to the viewing platform by the ECML, north of FP station. I would have been aged five or so. My little legs dangling over the wall, Dad with a gentle hold on me. Many 47's, peaks and the like, but then a mysterious, distant drone growing.. A sense of anticipation tempered with trepidation and..... Kapow! A blast of the two tones as she tore past and I would never be the same. For years after I would badger him; 'Dad! Can we go and see the 'sad eyes' train?' I went back recently. The little viewing platform had been torn down, and all of a sudden I felt old. I should have left it in the memory. Still, a trip on Alycidon with the missus next month should see me wibbling like an idiot. I have informed her that it may 'get a bit dusty'. Regards, Bernie

.. cigarettes and alcohol..

Whilst I was investigating the print quality of this month's issue, it became apparent that page 25 took the interest of a T shaped twig insect (no, I don't know the name of it. Claude, I think) Bernie

The geezer's always been bob on to me. Some of the chairs are shagged, but hey, whatever. At £5/500 a bag, I'll take a 5-10% hit. Cracking bloke, wish him the best. Hayfield, you gonna be at Aylesbury on the Sunday? Bern

I'm thick as mince, but not as useful. But regarding this whole yellow business. OK my eyes aren't the 20/20 sharpshooters they once were, but here I can at least offer evidence! (Gameshow host voice) "And our first lady strolling in with bendy P4 timbers.... followed up by a cheeky buggeration of a 1 in 9! Oh look, viewers, here's the star of the show on the right, some Hornby!" Yellow? Bern

What a blinding thread! Keep it up Dave, expand it. Crucial reading. Bern

umm, no idea. Fun, though! Iron Duke Yep. Big stuff. Yep. Now I feel at home. Make swarf. hmm, lovely smell! edit. iron duke, not firefly! durr!

Railmotor action Groovy willow tree Extra railmotor action The art of doss. The usual suspects!?

I'll chip in a few words if I may.. Major props to Drew, Harry and Lee for towing us around, offering a great amount of info, and generally being top hosts. Thanks to Didcot Railway Centre and it's staff, and thanks to the other members of our 'crew' for making it a cracking day out. Stick my name down for the next one. And the next. Utterly recommended, the thought and planning that went into it must have been quite an effort; concise information delivered with humour, yet practised and professional. Stars, the lot of you! Cheers, Bernie

So to clarify for a wally. Rock up, gaff opens 10:30, spin around, meet at 'door' @12:30? Steam railmotor thingy is running, I hope! Groovy, baby! Bernie

If you are going to leave an iron switched off for a few days/weeks, thoroughly clean whilst hot (I go brass wool, wipe, tip cleaner, brass wool) and load the tip with cored leaded solder. Poke in the holder and switch off. Next time you switch on, solder melts, quick wipe and good to go! It's easier to clean a hot tip, and you'll look forward to your next session knowing your tip is tip top! edit, like Guy says, brass soldering and rosin flux may be another kettle of fish, I have two irons so lecky and brass jobs are kept away from each other. I do know of one modeller that has used cored leaded solder for absolutely everything, and he seems to have done everything! Bernie

It's a quandary. Can you offset the cost of the machinery? Or if you go the manual route, can you be bothered to do the graft each time, bearing in mind you will need a decent vice, files etc as tractor alludes to. My last and only light engineering works near me charges for each setting.. £5 to look at it, £5 to put it on the machine, £5 for x1 x cut, etc,, it mounts up. I use them, but I don't have much choice. But it becomes a pain when a simple turning/cut job gets to £45 plus vat. WRT to model stuff, I reckon it would be worth it, but it is a heck of a laying on of cash. hmm. Tenner for a chassis, and you'd have queues. But then you wouldn't want to be messing around prototyping! A thought; a dimensional database of mazak infected models, cnc on demand out of steel? Bernie

I wouldn't mind if it was off the cuff, I waited weeks to spout bolleaux! I think I will keep to my non-expert attempts at modelling. I can only hope Clive doesn't park his Abbott SPG up my ......... Love you guys. B

Good grief, I did it again. What a load of cobblers. It was an essay of erudition last night. Sorry. Bern must not post, post imbibement. Dear oh dear.

OK. Some excellent discourse has occurred here, a jolly good thing I haven't said anything.. Can I refer to the opening post? Why would a respected (certainly by me), and obviously talented scratchbuilder decide to light the blue touch paper, when his own superb efforts fall down at the basic level of gauge? By no means am I attempting a gauge wars type diversion (I play at P4 and 00, and may yet switch over to EM and 00 after seeing Hornsey Broadway), but the premise strikes me as glass houses. Still, horses for courses. If your talent subscribes, do the modelling. If your talent doesn't, do the modelling. Many happy suprises may lay in wait. As the old saying goes, 'If you think can or you think you cannot, you're probably right.' Well that was hardly worth sobering up for, sorry. Still a bit pissed, Bern

The missus will have to bale out of this one, so I'll be on my todd. Hopefully someone can step in and make the numbers up. Bern

Oh train, oh train, ohh come on train.

In a couple of days I'll give up the sauce, and both barrels of truth will fire! Oh my pancreas, will it ever end? Liver you all, Bernie

Deleted. I am of drink, and I daren't upset the so-called 'modellers'. Bernie