eastglosmog

Quote from "Canal and River Navigations" by E W Paget- Tomlinson: "Locomotive and Tractor Haulage: Steam locomotive haulage of canal boats was considered as early as 1830-31 by the Grand Junction, but no experiments were undertaken. In August 1839 half a mile of track was laid alongside the Forth and Clyde Canal near Camelon and an 0-4-0 mineral locomotive hauled canal boats with some success. However, due to the high cost, it was not pursued. In May 1888 the Shropshire Union laid a mile of 18" gauge track along a straight section of the Middlewich branch between Cholmodeston and Minshull locks, but later abandoned it. Motor tractors offered canal haulage possibilities. There was one on the Forth and Clyde in early 1953, a three wheeled machine towing oil barges for Shell-Mex. In the same year six Tractors were put to work on the Regent's Canal by the British Transport Commission who undertook towage after about eighteen months of experiment. They could tow80 ton capacity lighters and there use spread to the Lee and lower Grand Union. They were pneumatic tyred and petrol driven with a single cylinder four stroke air cooled motor of 5 or 8hp. .. In 1963 the petrol tractors were replaced by Ransome machines with single cylinder 9hp diesels."

As birds evolved from 4 legged dinosaurs, with their front legs becoming wings, that is technically true!

Wouldn't that be a Portaloo?

Never thought of a Portacabin as a vehicle, I always thought vehicles had wheels:

For that price, I would expect it to have a pedigree as long as your arm, and come vaccinated and wormed! PS We need a "Perplexed" flag for this thread.

Next doors fat cat Toto has been on a diet for the last year. Doesn't seem to be working, as he is as fat as ever, but now gazes longingly into my kitchen at Tilly's dinner!

In the First World War, the "Herbaceous Border" sloops included an HMS Pansy. Bet that cheered up the sailors!

I thought scumble was what Granny Ogg of Discworld fame brewed? Certainly capable of home wrecking and there would be very little glaze, paint or plastic left after dipping those coaches into it!

LNER teak coaches are not my thing, but would they have used teak (or painted teak) on the roof and underframe as well?

In photo 4, the Lowmac underframe does look bent!

A rather odd sign on a local stream:

Afraid you're a bit late about the legs - that theory gets quoted in most Mainecoon books (in spite of being biologically impossible and debunked at least 140 years ago)! As the origins of the Norwegian Forest Cat are as obscure as the Mainecoon, saying Mainecoons are descendants of Norwegian Forest cats doesn't get you much further! Doubt if the Vikings as such were responsible, the Viking settlements in Newfoundland were rather short lived and before the probable date of development of the Norwegian Forest cat. Only thing for sure about both breeds is that they are descendants of a male and a female cat.

Well, makes as much sense as the theory they are a result of interbreeding between cats and racoons!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125716729481 As this one seems to be in better condition for £190 (still way more than I would pay for it), seems like Gostude's box must be worth at least £90!

Yes Andi, pesky software doesn't know that calling a cat a MaineCoon is a compliment!

Welcome to the world of MaineCoon . They are wonderful. My MaineCoon Tilly sends greetings to Sassy.

The turrets (strictly Barbette hoods) of Vanguard are smaller than those of Bismarck because of the inefficient German design (for naval purposes) of the breech block mechanisms, which required much more room sideways than those used by the British and Americans.

Well, in the bit in Peter Smiths book where he says there were no speedometers on 9F's, he does admit that he might have been speeding (over 70mph on the S&D) but as there was no speedometer he couldn't be sure!

"Alexander" and "The Great"

According to Peter Smith in "Mendips Engineman", the 9F's (at least those on the S&D) did not have speedometers. As he fired and drove them on the S&D he ought to know.

"Short" and "Brothers" - Short Brothers, though makers of planes are part of the Bombardier group

There is also their "Buy now and save" - don't buy and save yourself a lot more (including a trip to the dustbin).

The managers hen house after being ramraided?

Having completed the questionnaire I realise I have already failed my new years resolution to spend more time modelling and less time on RMWeb!

"Features: Not Painted, Painted, Light function". Can't they tell whether it is painted or not? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195570206254 which came up in the "Related sponsored items" list is offering 2 of them for £3.50 less (when postage is included)!