Regularity

[pedant] Just unique: it means “one of a kind”, so it ca’t be “quite unique” as it either is or isn’t. There are no adjectives which can qualify unique without being redundant. Unique is possibly unique in that respect. [/pedant]

There’s a whole host of Piddles...

The EMD -2 has quite a bit going on internally, in terms of modularised control boards, pressurised compartments, more so-histicted control circuits, but these are largely not very visible - on a GP38, we are talking about different fittings for the battery box covers and a sight glass on the body. They were refinements/improvements even upgrades/modifications to existing designs, rather than new models, but I think from an operational point of view they were slightly more than minor mods. There have even been a few re-builds/refurbishments to upgrade earlier models.

Toothbrush and scouring cream for the tip, scotchbrite for the rest (to be honest, although the purple stuff is the best, I usually use whatever I can find about the house, cutting off a strip before it gets used). Physically clean. Chemically clean. Tinned. Fluxed. Then apply sufficient heat. All there is to it.

Because that used to the key distinction between RTR and something better, back in the day.That and separate handrails.

So far, it has rarely been anywhere near the OP, so who cares?

Am I alone in getting crosser when I get more complimentary about people’s abilities to exceed and succeed?

No. That’s what I do for a living. I’m a “consultant”. Bügga.I should have agreed the charges before providing you with the answer you had failed to come up with. Good. View everything, absolutely everything, as the starting point for a better model. Sometimes the distance between start and finish may be nothing more than a change of number and a light dusting of weathering powders. Sometimes it might the considerable leap from creating your own drawing and translating this into working with raw materials before you get anywhere near the light dusting with weathering powders. Most times, it will be somewhere in between. View everything, absolutely everything, as the starting point. That is the mindset of a true modeller. Incidentally, within the industry of making wooden chairs, etc, bodging is a highly skilled and well respected craft, just as demanding as “fitting” on a railway locomotive engine.

My emphasis.That’s my point. The indiscriminate use of RTR straight from the box does not involve any actual modelling: it is simply buying. It is not even collecting: that usually means not opening the box! There is nothing untoward in the intelligent use of RTR: that was never suggested, and whilst I enjoyed pulling James’ leg over the matter, no where have I or anyone else said that there is any mutual exclusivity in this. I also don’t object to anyone enjoying themselves by opening some boxes and playing with the contents - I used to really enjoy doing this with my son, and his lack of interest is the only reason it doesn’t happen any more. But, that isn’t modelling in any real sense of the word as an active noun. Generally speaking, I use “profane” language all the time. You didn’t drive me to anything. I realise that some people don’t like it, and that in some places it is not appropriate and moderate my language accordingly, but I find people’s disapproval of language to be amusingly pompous. It’s just a word to describe something, any offence/coarseness is in the mind of the beholder - look at the progression of the “c-word” from an anglicisation of the anatomically correct Greek word (beginning with a ‘k’ and ending in ‘os’) through an acceptable word in the time of Chaucer, the subject of some naughty word-play by Shakespeare to the ultimate taboo word in current usage.And the second instance has the benefit of being legally defined as not being obscene and likely to corrupt public morals, and acceptable for display in public places such as record shops and indeed t-shirts. Until you actually names these people, your argument doesn’t stand up.Until you name them, they don’t exist, except in your mind. And as I said, why are you in the slightest bit concerned what others think? You are doing far more to create your own path than those who rely on others’ designs and creations. You have every reason to stand up and say, “This is how I do it. If you don’t like it, do your own thing and leave me alone.” Frankly, it is not how I want to pursue my hobby, but I will be first in the queue to admire the skills you have developed and the achievements you are making. I suggest you cease to worry about what “they” think, and carry on with your pioneering work in what will become an increasingly important part of the hobby.

They are lovely engines, and it’s a lovely, friendly railway, but they are tank engines and not the “pre grouping express locos” that “Sir Eustace” was asking about...

I am not certain about that plan, but my knowledge of current practice is a little rusty, if it was ever there to begin with. Most exchanges I have seen in North America consist of a length of track in common, with each railroad connecting on one, separate end only. A full yard with trackage rights seems uncommon: usually there might be a joint “terminal” or “switching” road. Now there’s a thought. You can have two roads operating in and out of their respective fiddle yards and serving their own customers, with a switcher belonging to the jointly owned switching road. Or possibly, the “big” railroad has created a subsidiary company for the switching and serving of the industrial customers, as a way of reducing costs - the industrial railroad has assumed the assets and liabilities of the trackage and facilities, and operates with smaller train crews, not subject to the requirements imposed on bigger roads.

Fair enough - good points, given that most people don’t use cassettes sensibly.

Who are these “some”? I haven’t met any of them. And why and the do you care what they say? This is utter . But thank you, you have provided me with ideas for a blog post!

And here we see the skills and training of a lawyer coming to the fore: That is not something I actually said, nor is it anywhere near what I was talking about.You see what happens with these slippery legal people? You’ve got to watch them closely, or they catch you out. And count your fingers after shaking hands... Mischievously...

Doesn’t make it “his” method, though: just one he is popularising.

Why not just have a series of loco-length cassettes?

That is the result of insufficient heat transfer, or a dirty surface (which is also not going to help the heat transfer).Ask me how I know... ...the only difference between what you are doing and learning now and what I once did is the simple fact that I first picked up a soldering iron nearly 40 years ago. Everything you have mentioned is jogging my memory. All I know about soldering is that everything has to be clean, and needs cleaning physically (purple Scothbrite is fine) and chemically (flux) and joining is easiest if both surfaces are tinned. Usually the application of flux and a hot iron is enough for a string joint. I have also found that 145 solder is great for overlays and for permanently attaching things which physically fit into place, but that its low surface tension (which is why it glows and is good for overlays) means it isn’t good for creating strong structural joints. To be honest, I use 60/40 tin/lead and 70 degree lowmelt purely for attaching white metal to white metal and white metal to tinned surfaces. If you remember the mantra “clean and tin” for the bit and the metals, and that a hot iron means you can dab in and out to avoid heatsoak, you will be fine.

Doing anything to personalise a bought item is at the very least the first step down the modelling path.Modelling is creating a representation of the real thing. What you do to create that beyond simply buying is still modelling, no matter how you describe your skill level. Yes, but as James has clearly taken on board, I am using hyperbole to generate good-natured debate.The “problem” with pre-group RTR is that manufacturers will cherrypick, largely based on what has been preserved (as well as being available for measuring, etc, it is also more likely to generate sales). I hope this then leads to an interest in building kits and from scratch for the rolling stock side of things - an open wagon body is just a few hours’ work. What I fear is foaming in anticipation of rtr wagons. Well, you might think that, others might disagree! I hope that the Caley 0-6-0 encourages modellers to consider how the boiler and other parts could be used to create a Dunalistair 4-4-0, how the M7 might be the basis for an 0-4-4T, etc.

As a native of Northamptonshire (see the avatar) I would say that’s a Leicestershire thing: we would use “Great(er)” and “Little” rather than “Magna” and “Parva” - they do this in parts of Leicestershire, too, just so people don’t get the idea that all parts North of the Welland are pretentious.

I think those engines are going to derail if they get much closer. Ah, that’ll be my taxi outside, excuse me while I fetch my coat...

Did you tin the bit on first use? Did you clean it prior to that? Every time I get a new bit, I wash it and gently scrub it with some kitchen cleaner (the creamy type) and very thoroughly rinse it with hot water, drying it with a lint-free cloth (aka “tea towel” when SWMBO isn’t looking). Then I fit it to the iron, plug the iron in, and hold a string of solder so that the end of the solder is resting on the tip whilst the iron warms up. As soon as the solder melts, remove it and wipe the tip with a soldering sponge, to put a very thin coating of solder over the tip. The iron is now ready for use. You can do this again and again, if you have problems with heat transfer.

There’s no pleasing some people...

Yes, but it is the setting for the trains you are modelling, not the trains themselves. Not criticising people’s choices, just making a point that the more RTR there is, the less scope there is for individuals to do their own thing without it being mistaken for something bought in a shop.

Why is that the Bill Bedford method? I am sure this is one of David Jenkinson’s suggestions?

A new photo for the benefit of Jordan: