Jim49

Not railway related but I still find it funny.....

Thanks to PhilJ W and Ph for their replies about the mystery wagon. You were spot on Phil with your comment that it was a caboose with the "conning tower" removed. I should have realised that myself, especially with the verandas on each end. And Peter, your cutting from the Daily Hive explains clearly what it's doing parked on a main street. Thanks again, Jim

Going back to my post on Saturday about the single CP goods van parked on the E&N line near Victoria West yard, here is another example we spotted last year. We had been down to the Roundhouse Museum in Yaletown and were wandering along Mainland Street when we came across this van sitting on a short length of track just east of Nelson St and next to a small park. When we saw it I wondered if it was a burger or coffee bar with the serving hatch on the pavement side but when I checked it was plain, just like the side shown. There was no signage on any face of it, e.g. to advertise the Roundhouse Museum or other attraction, so please does anyone know what its purpose is? I apologise for the sight of that poor derelict creature hanging on the the end of the wagon but my wife caught me in an unguarded moment! Jim

Reading David Long's post I thought the photos were familiar. My wife and I were also in Victoria in May 2019 and we walked over the new bridge to allow me a scratch around the undergrowth to search out traces of the railway. Here a a few shots to illustrate:- First is a photo of the new bridge with its mouth open to allow passage of a barge and its attendant tugs. Next is the view from the girder bridge shown in David's second shot, looking to where he must have been standing to take his photo. Then is the point where the single track becomes double. Just beyond the curve was an access crossing into a building site and standing there was a solitary CP van in good external condition. A gate guardian for the site? We didn't go any further along the track (the trouble with having my wife accompany me on these trips) so I am kicking myself as it seems that the engine shed was only a small distance away. Jim

If you look to the bottom of the spares sheet, part no. L5268 is a plastic overlay featuring some moulded on details such as brakes, etc. It also has 2 vertical slots adjacent to the front and rear wheels. these are intended at accept the pick up wipers and to hold them spaced away from the metal chassis. Hope this helps Jim

Sorry Matt, I know what you meant. Just as long as it doesn't chafe. Jim49

Geoffers, thanks for the photo of Bailey Gate creamery. I don't think that I have ever seen the building from this side before. The structure on the right hand side looks very much like a "Stranraer" type coal stage that has found its way to the S&D. Is it really a coaling stage, presumably holding coal for use in the boilers or is it a simple tank, holding milk for the creamery's use? Thanks again Jim

Markus, if you look back to page 1 of this post, on 14th Feb Jamie attached 3 photos which all show the area in question as it was in the mid 70s. Unfortunately what they illustrate is that the dock has been taken out of use and has been bulldozed, probably for extra parking. Regards Jim

Hi Markus, I know what you are describing and I think it is a short dock, separate from the area with the oil tanks and only able to take 2-3 4 wheel wagons. The best picture I can find is attached but is too poor to make out the end of the siding clearly. I'll keep looking, Jim

I remember Trix doing something like it many years ago but not much chance of finding one nowadays. It think it was described as a UK item but might just have been a Continental model tarted up to look British and sourced from Trix's connection to Lilliput(?) Jim

Hi Bruce, sorry to hear the news about the show being cancelled. I was looking forward to coming over with the 57 Study Group and our new layout Malling Park but not to be. Maybe next year? The decision must have been a painful one but in the current situation almost inevitable with regard to the new legislation banning crowds of 100+ indoors. I hope it's not too costly and look forward to being there on one side of the barrier or other next year. Jim

Hi Gazbo and welcome to RM Web. Try East Kent Models in Maidstone for Bachmann spares. He produced a list recently which showed wheel sets for the Class 4 4-6-0 as still available. Phone number is 07780 681405 but only seems to be manned between 11 to 3. To access the website just type in East Kent Models and search for the Bachmann list. Jim

The plan looks very much like it has been inspired by "The Laird's" former layout Bradfield Gloucester Square, now with the Tring group. The differences seem to be fewer platforms in the station area, access to/from the visible carriage sidings restricted to just one track, requiring a shunt into and out of the tunnel every time and the 5/6 carriage sidings replaced by 2 sidings and the spread out engine shed and turntable. From the series of articles The Laird submitted on here covering both construction and operation it seemed to work very well for him and hopefully its new owners can carry on the good work. For the OP, it may still be possible to view those articles on here. HTH Jim

Thanks for the reminder Greig. As your leaflet says the show is a week earlier than normal this year. I will be over tomorrow helping out on "Loch Burn" Jim

Thanks for showing this, you have given me an idea for improving the older 2Ps I have acquired over the years. Jim

34. are you still talking about random drovers here? Jim

Following on from pH's pictures of picture theme, here are some I took this May at Banff. The originals are in Banff station building but unfortunately have no captions with dates etc. Jim

I would have thought that a good hot Bath might help, especially if you think you might be Combing Down with a Cole.

Thanks JZ, that looks like the kind of thing I'm looking for. Jim

JZ, thanks for your reply but when I click onto the link you supply it takes me back to Kitwood's home page. I am looking for a simple variable control to regulate the speed of the turntable to allow me to line it up exactly with the exit track. Thanks Jim

JZ many thanks for uploading your video clip showing 453 being turned, I have a part finished version of Kitwood's Durango turntable which, like you, I intend to use as British outline. I use a small battery pack to turn the table as shown in the attached photos but currently only have a simple on/off switch to operate it so stopping the table in line with the exit/entry track is a bit of a performance. Could you please tell me a little more about the voltage regulator you use on your turntable. Also, when lined up to the exit track, what do you use to hold the table in position and stop it moving out of line? Many thanks Jim

Firstly try the Hornby website. They have Service Sheets for almost all their models but you will have to identify whether yours is the original Margate type or the latter improved Chinese made version. I can't find the sheet for the original Margate model but believe that the Chinese made version was detailed in Sheet no. 218. Once you have identified what parts you need, try Peter's Spares as they seem to hold fairly comprehensive spares for both Hornby and Bachmann. HTH Jim

Hi Cypherman, I'm sure there is a spelling mistake in there but can't think what it is. Jim

Peter Smith's book "Footplate Over The Mendips" has a photo of Ex GWR Prairie tank 5522 and Inspection Coach sitting in the middle road at Evercreech Junction in February 1956. The photo was credited to P. Pike but no other information on how it got there or what routes were inspected was given. Jim

If none of the above suggestions work, can I suggest that you swap the bogies between engines to see what effect that has. I see 3 outcomes;- 1) If both engines run through points without any problem then you are sorted. There's no logical explanation for this, just accept it and be happy. 2) If the original loco with the new bogie now runs through points and the other doesn't then the problem seems to be with the original bogie, wheels or swiveling arm. Concentrate on these parts. there will be something too tight, too wide or bent slightly causing the problem. it's just a matter of looking closely and comparing with the other bogie. 3) If both engines now have difficulty negotiating pointwork, it's nothing to do with me Guv'nor. Just put them back the way they were. Jim