ianathompson

Weeks?! It takes a couple of hours in my case. And, you can see the table of the Bench of Bodge before it was tidied. I currently have four or five loco projects on the go and about 3 inches square for work room on the bench. Ian T

Yes. They are one of two "railway" sides in the League. Forres Mechanics are the other. Ian T

It would appear that this game was transferred to a 19.45 kick off on Friday evening. No notification etc from the League website. The league's communications seem to be run by a bunch of cretins. Following over 2 inches of rainfall in the last week it was, unsurprisingly, cancelled. There will, unfortunately, be no photos of Fakenham's rebuild by tomorrow night! Ian T

Thanks for the views of Fakenham. As Downham football team are playing there tomorrow I might visit the town centre. The football, rugby and cricket grounds are on different sites at the edge of town, nowadays. Being a philistine these are the places that I tend to visit. I shall be interested to see what they have made of the town centre rebuild. There was a disastrous fire a few years ago which destroyed the shops on the north side of the market. Ian T

I am sorry to hear that you cannot access the site. I cannot imagine that there is anything offensive in the site but I can also imagine the "jobsworths" attitudes. Ian T

You could always include a Hallenkirche even if you can't manage a University. I had the pleasure of singing in King.s Lynn's example on Sunday last. Ian T

Despite the best resolutions to crack on with the AFK, and Inverness Citadel, little has happened for a few days. The 0-6-2T is in bits on the bench but has taken a back seat because: Yes. I was tempted by, and succumbed to, a Lionheart L&B train. I did originally consider a two coach set up but then thought why get hung for a lamb when you could go down for a sheep? It actually does not look too far out of place in this setting, at Varden lido. Initial tests suggest that the train runs well, once you have got it onto the track. No easy task this. Guess how I know! The AFK uses a 24 inch minimum radius which is that recommended for the models. The train coped with this radius without problems. For any one contemplating buying I would point out that the chopper couplers are "handed". This isn't a problem to me because the AFK couplers are similarly "handed". David Jenkinson was agreat advocate for "funny trains", that is nice models totally out of time and place with your choice of subject. They ocasionally come out to play, at the right time. Like most modellers who read the articles by Frary and Hayden in Model Railroader I have always been "taken" by the Maine two footers. Years ago I bought an outside frame Forney and left it at that. Having sought it out from an obscure hiding place it also took to the tracks of the AFK. A small selection of rolling stock has been acquired to go with it, although I am waiting on delivery. When it all arrives I might take another photo. I took the Forney up the vulpafaukangulo with some trepidation because I had read about difficulties with the ovehang of the rear coupling. Once again, 24 inches is the minimum recommended radius. The loco and box car coped without any apparent difficulty. I don't doubt that, over time, a couple of additional wagons will find their way into both trains. The "funnies" are a nice way to indulge a whim without the commitment of building a layout to go with the theme. Both examples are instantly recognisable and could in no way be passed off as "generic" NG models. Hope that this is of some interest. Ian T

Despite the best resolutions to crack on with the AFK, and Inverness Citadel, little has happened for a few days. The 0-6-2T is in bits on the bench but has taken a back seat because: Yes. I was tempted by, and succumbed to, a Lionheart L&B train. I did originally consider a two coach set up but then thought why get hung for a lamb when you could go down for a sheep? It actually does not look too far out of place in this setting, at Varden lido. Initial tests suggest that the train runs well, once you have got it onto the track. No easy task this. Guess how I know! The AFK uses a 24 inch minimum radius which is that recommended for the models. The train coped with this radius without problems. For any one contemplating buying I would point out that the chopper couplers are "handed". This isn't a problem to me because the AFK couplers are similarly "handed". David Jenkinson was agreat advocate for "funny trains", that is nice models totally out of time and place with your choice of subject. They ocasionally come out to play, at the right time. Like most modellers who read the articles by Frary and Hayden in Model Railroader I have always been "taken" by the Maine two footers. Years ago I bought an outside frame Forney and left it at that. Having sought it out from an obscure hiding place it also took to the tracks of the AFK. A small selection of rolling stock has been acquired to go with it, although I am waiting on delivery. When it all arrives I might take another photo. I took the Forney up the vulpafaukangulo with some trepidation because I had read about difficulties with the ovehang of the rear coupling. Once again, 24 inches is the minimum recommended radius. The loco and box car coped without any apparent difficulty. I don't doubt that, over time, a couple of additional wagons will find their way into both trains. The "funnies" are a nice way to indulge a whim without the commitment of building a layout to go with the theme. Both examples are instantly recognisable and could in no way be passed off as "generic" NG models. Hope that this is of some interest. Ian T

Is it not working automatically from the link? I am certainly no expert but if the link will not take you there the website address is www.myafk.net Hope that this helps. Ian T

The operating sesion has now finished. The remaining photos are available here. It now takes a little while to load up so you will have to be patient. Around forty photos have been pasted. A small selection is shown here. 296. The down mixto is surprisingly checked by a danger aspect from Breĉo de Glissent’s home, despite it running on time. The difficulty of persuading all the signal arms to remain in perfect alignment is apparent, although I would not be surprised to find that there were similar problems on the prototypes. 310. The evening railcar was held at Relforka for connections, putting it 25 minutes late. The horse box train arrived at Breĉo de Glissent at roughly the anticipated departure time and was given priority over the single line because the horses are valuable commodities. The AFK wants them off it hands as soon as possible. The passengers know their place and waiting for goods trains is not an unusual event. The station is well resourced with warm waiting rooms, restaurants and bars to cover such eventualities. The train is 45 minutes late when it finally leaves. 318. The loco from the goods train heads along the Kapra Pordego to service the industrial estate in the Danulbo quarter. An “executive decision” has been made to relocate the cement silos to this area rather than pretending that they are “across the road”. The theoretical map will need another redrawing but it seems a more credible idea. As the trip departs the yard foreman is on the phone to advise the paper mill that they will need to send the fireless as they have traffic to pick up. This could potentially cause a problem if it meets the trip on the single line. The section into the industrial area, set within the road, relies upon running on sight and common sense. Speeds are deliberately kept low and if necessary the light loco can reverse in front of the loaded train before entering a siding. Ian T

The operating sesion has now finished. The remaining photos are available here. It now takes a little while to load up so you will have to be patient. Around forty photos have been pasted. A small selection is shown here. 296. The down mixto is surprisingly checked by a danger aspect from Breĉo de Glissent’s home, despite it running on time. The difficulty of persuading all the signal arms to remain in perfect alignment is apparent, although I would not be surprised to find that there were similar problems on the prototypes. 310. The evening railcar was held at Relforka for connections, putting it 25 minutes late. The horse box train arrived at Breĉo de Glissent at roughly the anticipated departure time and was given priority over the single line because the horses are valuable commodities. The AFK wants them off it hands as soon as possible. The passengers know their place and waiting for goods trains is not an unusual event. The station is well resourced with warm waiting rooms, restaurants and bars to cover such eventualities. The train is 45 minutes late when it finally leaves. 318. The loco from the goods train heads along the Kapra Pordego to service the industrial estate in the Danulbo quarter. An “executive decision” has been made to relocate the cement silos to this area rather than pretending that they are “across the road”. The theoretical map will need another redrawing but it seems a more credible idea. As the trip departs the yard foreman is on the phone to advise the paper mill that they will need to send the fireless as they have traffic to pick up. This could potentially cause a problem if it meets the trip on the single line. The section into the industrial area, set within the road, relies upon running on sight and common sense. Speeds are deliberately kept low and if necessary the light loco can reverse in front of the loaded train before entering a siding. Ian T

For various reasons the session has slowed down a little of late. Here are the latest photos. 258. The stock for the returning Kasatritikakamparoj races special leaves Aspargo behind the 0-4-4-0T mallet. This is a scratch rake of stock made up from whatever was to hand. The mallet is acting as an additional pilot because it will have to go out on the Altingablecaŭtoj races train as, except for the spare engine, there is nothing else available. 270. The down KTT goods finished its shunting at Boursson early so Control saw a chance to run it without causing too much delay. It is stopped at Glissent’s home signal to allow the railcar to enter the station without potentially causing a collision if the passenger train over runs, as is standard with the locking on simple single line block posts. 286. The mixto pulls into Lacono over the reverse curve that is the bane of the AFK. There have been a number of irritating derailments here during this session so remedial work will be needed in addition to the fault fixing already carried out. One problem is that the local controller lead is not long enough to stand at this end of the station and closely observe trains passing. This is something else on the “round tuit” list. The two long carriages present a challenge in any case. They were originally fitted with individual buffers between them but these had to be replaced by a bar arrangement, visible below the door of the nearest vehicle, due to the number of unscheduled uncouplings and derailments that they caused. The front carriage is based on a Vivarais vehicle and the second one on a Roslagsbanan prototype. The less said about the loco’s grip on reality the better! Ian T

For various reasons the session has slowed down a little of late. Here are the latest photos. 258. The stock for the returning Kasatritikakamparoj races special leaves Aspargo behind the 0-4-4-0T mallet. This is a scratch rake of stock made up from whatever was to hand. The mallet is acting as an additional pilot because it will have to go out on the Altingablecaŭtoj races train as, except for the spare engine, there is nothing else available. 270. The down KTT goods finished its shunting at Boursson early so Control saw a chance to run it without causing too much delay. It is stopped at Glissent’s home signal to allow the railcar to enter the station without potentially causing a collision if the passenger train over runs, as is standard with the locking on simple single line block posts. 286. The mixto pulls into Lacono over the reverse curve that is the bane of the AFK. There have been a number of irritating derailments here during this session so remedial work will be needed in addition to the fault fixing already carried out. One problem is that the local controller lead is not long enough to stand at this end of the station and closely observe trains passing. This is something else on the “round tuit” list. The two long carriages present a challenge in any case. They were originally fitted with individual buffers between them but these had to be replaced by a bar arrangement, visible below the door of the nearest vehicle, due to the number of unscheduled uncouplings and derailments that they caused. The front carriage is based on a Vivarais vehicle and the second one on a Roslagsbanan prototype. The less said about the loco’s grip on reality the better! Ian T

That makes sense. It is how I operate my own (relatively large) layout. Trains run onto an electrically switchable piece of track and wait for the next station to "catch up." Ian T

I am not too accurate with stating the lateness timings so guilty as charged! However, in my defence, the running times between stations are not multiples of three minutes so it is possible to incur intervals other than three minutes. The "lateness" cards for connecting trains tend to use five minute intervals for the probability charts to keep things simple. These probabilities are expressed as per-centages with the actual values determined by a 100 sided die. The connecting evening train from Narnia has three cards, reflecting who is on duty in Beruna Control. This is also determined by throwing a six sided die. Hope that this helps. Ian T

Over 50 new pictures are now avaialble on the website. You can find them here. They now take some time to load up so youi will need to be patient As I am currently short of time there is only one taster with this posting. 221. In addition to disconcerting the concerned matrons of ‘Isuri’ the shunter incurs the wrath of Janetta, the Vallisharimau, or “Vallis Tiger” in Marronĝaccan. (Vallis is the diminutive of Vallisfissura, the Roman name for Fenditavalat.) Janetta is in charge of the student accommodation in the Scolari (University Senate) owned buildings beside the gate. She does not like locomotive crews who cover her washing in smuts and the diesel is well known for liberally disbursing oily exhaust. She waves her furled umbrella in warning as though Inhodza, the driver, will take any notice of the pantomime. Why on earth the French manufacturer included such an “everyday figure” in their choice of poses I cannot say. I did chop the end off the umbrella with the intention of converting it into a rolling pin but then decided otherwise. I paid for it so I might as well have some fun with it! Ian T

Over 50 new pictures are now avaialble on the website. You can find them here. They now take some time to load up so youi will need to be patient As I am currently short of time there is only one taster with this posting. 221. In addition to disconcerting the concerned matrons of ‘Isuri’ the shunter incurs the wrath of Janetta, the Vallisharimau, or “Vallis Tiger” in Marronĝaccan. (Vallis is the diminutive of Vallisfissura, the Roman name for Fenditavalat.) Janetta is in charge of the student accommodation in the Scolari (University Senate) owned buildings beside the gate. She does not like locomotive crews who cover her washing in smuts and the diesel is well known for liberally disbursing oily exhaust. She waves her furled umbrella in warning as though Inhodza, the driver, will take any notice of the pantomime. Why on earth the French manufacturer included such an “everyday figure” in their choice of poses I cannot say. I did chop the end off the umbrella with the intention of converting it into a rolling pin but then decided otherwise. I paid for it so I might as well have some fun with it! Ian T

I meant to include a photo of my model of Portsoy but did not have a decent one handy. The design was also used at Cullen and one or two other places I believe. It makes a good design for a larger small town. this is my take on the subject. I measured it by pacing the front and counting planks so it is not 100% accurate. It is now a Scout hut. The model is built in N scale for (yet another) semi redundant project. Ian T

I am impressed by the Longmorn station building kit. I also visted Dufftown and took some photos with a view to building a copy in N gauge. I eventually settled on Portsoy as it was all wood (except for the fureplace and chimney).. It is also easily accessible to measure up. The GNoSR designed a number of stations which are useful for modelers as most of the towns that it served were fairly small. Ian T

Good to see a KPC controller in use. Mine packed in long ago! They were good for slow running but I read somewhere that they only put out 9 volts maximum. This meant that it was restricted to shunting only at Lacono. I have a drawer full of ancient Compspeeds which I must get around to investigating one day. Ian T

I agree with that but I thought that the tankers were carrying oil. If that was the case Liversedge might be their destination. It was reached by a BR chord installed between the L&Y Spen Valley line and the LNW New Line. We are straying from the East Riding now so perhaps as a "Wessie" I should pipe down! Ian T

Another forty or so photos have been uploaded in the latest update. For those who don't click on the link you are missing much of the story. There are now 194 photos of this session. The tale is available here. 161. A glance over Gas Works Street wall a little later shows that the 2-8-2T has finished shunting and is waiting to go to Aspargo but that, as per usual the diamond is occupied by a conflicting move. The late running KTT goods pulls in off the main line, onto the reception road. A large number of tail lamps seem to have accumulated beside the yard office. 166. The lower half of the line is always busy and the decision is taken to allow the Urteno freight to run on the mixto’s path. This puts a little more time into the mixto which leaves 35 minutes late. It is unlikely that it will recover from this to make the evening connections with the train to Sarip, the capital, on the return working. Alternative arrangements are already being considered. The evening train is, you will remember, heavily used by the regional assembly’s politicians and administrators visiting Sarip therefore it is important that it runs punctually. The punctual running is not of great importance in itself but it does save upon a massive expenditure of hot air from the bureaucrats in the regional and national assemblies. 175. Jakarutu, in contrast, is a serene branch terminus, deliberately added to the mix as a counterpoint to the bustle of the provincial capital. The loco unhurriedly takes water before providing the second, and last, service of the day. The van arrived some days ago and has been marooned in this outpost without moving. This again was a deliberate design objective. It was not uncommon for wagons to stand in sidings for days on end on the prototype but it is rare to find this on a model, or at least one with regular operating sessions. As is often the case, the van needs attention to finish it off. Jakarutu was completed years ago by the simple expedient of painting the town onto the backscene, not that it has any artistic merit. 182. The express leaves the wilds of Ospicio passing between the melting snow drifts. The shepherd’s bothy still awaits shutters and a door and some of the tiles have been knocked off. It looks as though the disreputable thatch upon the barn could also do with some attention. Some of the snow patches hide the microswitches and the bothy slots in alongside the barn. When removed it reveals the light switches for the room, hence the frequent handling and damage despite building it like a battleship. Back to the session now! Ian T

Another forty or so photos have been uploaded in the latest update. For those who don't click on the link you are missing much of the story. There are now 194 photos of this session. The tale is available here. 161. A glance over Gas Works Street wall a little later shows that the 2-8-2T has finished shunting and is waiting to go to Aspargo but that, as per usual the diamond is occupied by a conflicting move. The late running KTT goods pulls in off the main line, onto the reception road. A large number of tail lamps seem to have accumulated beside the yard office. 166. The lower half of the line is always busy and the decision is taken to allow the Urteno freight to run on the mixto’s path. This puts a little more time into the mixto which leaves 35 minutes late. It is unlikely that it will recover from this to make the evening connections with the train to Sarip, the capital, on the return working. Alternative arrangements are already being considered. The evening train is, you will remember, heavily used by the regional assembly’s politicians and administrators visiting Sarip therefore it is important that it runs punctually. The punctual running is not of great importance in itself but it does save upon a massive expenditure of hot air from the bureaucrats in the regional and national assemblies. 175. Jakarutu, in contrast, is a serene branch terminus, deliberately added to the mix as a counterpoint to the bustle of the provincial capital. The loco unhurriedly takes water before providing the second, and last, service of the day. The van arrived some days ago and has been marooned in this outpost without moving. This again was a deliberate design objective. It was not uncommon for wagons to stand in sidings for days on end on the prototype but it is rare to find this on a model, or at least one with regular operating sessions. As is often the case, the van needs attention to finish it off. Jakarutu was completed years ago by the simple expedient of painting the town onto the backscene, not that it has any artistic merit. 182. The express leaves the wilds of Ospicio passing between the melting snow drifts. The shepherd’s bothy still awaits shutters and a door and some of the tiles have been knocked off. It looks as though the disreputable thatch upon the barn could also do with some attention. Some of the snow patches hide the microswitches and the bothy slots in alongside the barn. When removed it reveals the light switches for the room, hence the frequent handling and damage despite building it like a battleship. Back to the sesssion now! Ian T

I can quite well believe that. In later years, when I had obtained more common sense, I left teaching to become a signalman. I was told this story about the local boxes, which I have posted elsewhere. The Lynn road Saturday service was around one train every two hours. The Downham Market signalman used to meet his colleagues from Stowbridge and Magdalen Road regularly. They drove, or walked in the case of the local signalman, to the Jolly Farmers at Stowbridge for a pint., whilst on duty. Those were the days, but before my time on the railway! The pub went thirty years ago, although the building is still there. Stow box went around 1990 but I used to sign the two others before I retired. Ian T

Re the Dewsbury tankers. Was the depot actually in Dewsbury or was it at Liversedge on the LNW "New Line"? I can certainly remember when this was open during the early eighties and occasionally saw trains as I was out cross country running. Generally speaking I really enjoy this thread as it brings back memories. I did teacher training at Hull University in 1978 so I am familiar with some of the Hull locations. I did teaching practice at Bridlington and used to visit Beverley Minster for mid week choral evensong so I knew the coast line as well. Rather disconcertingly we visited Beverley Minster a few years ago to sing the week end services and I was looking forward to a pint in the Telegraph (the railway pub), for old time's sake, only to find that it had long gone! Still, "Nellies" was still there! Ian T