peterfgf

I think this might have been what you were thinking of: https://www.nelevation.com/ Very nice. Peterfgf

Try to locate the centre of the grub screw and threaded hole. Drill out to the minor diameter of the threads (i.e.to the inside diameter of the female threads) so that the outer diamter of the hole just misses the crests of the threads. Identify the thread size. Buy a set of taps (screw threading taps, not water taps). At aguess, M4 or M5. Use a tap to remove the remains of the grub screw from within the female threads. Peterfgf

Absolutely spot on with the L&Y Class 25. They can even do a 3D- scan of the real thing. Peterfgf

That seems much more likely. I asked them about a year ago when the G5s could be expected and was told Q3 2022. I'm pleased it has only slipped one quarter, but lets see. Peterfgf

Thank you for a very informative post. I was involved, from the outside and on the periphery, with CalMac and recognise the situation. Peterfgf

Conflat L indeed, please. Need them for Derbyshire layout. Peterfgf

Rotrings were/are superb drafting pens - the best of the lot. What an incredible waste to use one as an oiler (but at that price...?) Peterfgf

A right pain. Bad enough on my laptop but an intolerable size on my tablet. I'm surprised RMWeb haven't been blasted out the water with more complaints. Peterfgf

That's very interesting. I was also involved in failure investigation. Metal fatigue was known about in the 50s and 60s, and indeed Griffiths had done some fundamental work in the 1930s, but it was still in early days in the design offices, especially in marine engineering. I read C.C Pounder's book on diesel engines (the authority in the 1960s) and was puzzled by what he called "creeping cracks". It took me some time to realise that these were fatigue cracks. Mind you in retrospect, I should have been suspicious of anyone who could inflict double-acting opposed-piston heavy oil engines on marine engineers. Peterfg

I contacted Rails before Christmas after not being able to see or change my contact details. I had a conversation with a very pleasant lady who admitted said they had their new website didn't allow that but that internally they had much better systems for stock control and processing orders. Fine , but I think being able to change my contact details would be a basic part of any business' website. Peterfg

The Ambis ones are very good and to scale- so much to scale that I decided they were much too small for me to use. Peterfgf

Bachmann seem to made their instruction sheets avaiable too. Many thanks to them. I'm fairly sure I couldn't find them a couple of weeks ago. Peterfgf

Many thanks for posting these photographs and plans of Millers Dale - I'm trying to build a layout based on the station. Would it be possible for you put copies of the drawing into the file section? Peterfgf

Wago connectors are great. I was sceptical but they are easier to use than screw choc-box connectors. Peterfgf

Many thanks, a good idea. I like the stuff - releatively rigid and lightweight. Peterfgf

This sounds to be exactly what I want to do. Early stages at the moment: working out height above baseboard, length of strips, a way of supporting the lighting strips (possibly aluminium flat bar bent over from the outer edge of the baseboard), but the great unknown is what is a reasonable light output in terms of lumens/metre. Peterfgf

Hope these are produced separately for use elsewhere. Peterfgf

Rule No.1: "The original re-appears as soon as soon as you buy a replacement". Peterfgf

Totally agree. The combination of gears and couplings rods indicates a total lack of understanding of engineering. I'll try removing the gears on mine. Peterfgf

It's a good book. Covers a lot of ground adequately. I would have liked a bit more depth. more maps, more photographs, more history, more of everything, etc, speaking as someone who is very interested in Manchester's railways, but this is very good single volume on the subject. Well recommended. Peterfgf

Superb modelling.

Museum curators are professional curators and know the cost but not the value of the exhibits. I think this is the latest in the dumbing down of engineering museums. The last time I was in the NRM (as I continue to think of it) at York there was a distinct lack of explanations about the exhibits. The curators would be better doing something about what they already have rather than making mischief by shutting down something that is interesting - have they tried explaining to visitors what is going on in the workshop? I doubt the curators know because they appear to know nothing about industry and engineering. The great age of knowledgeable curators (Dow etc.) who had once worked in the rail industry has long gone. Look at what is happening to Museum of Science and industry in Manchester, where they are closing the aerospace gallery and dispersing the exhibits. Similarly with the Maritime Museum in Greenwich which has become an entertainment centre and the ship model have been put into store. want to trace the development of ships in Britain? No chance. None of the museum shops stock any books relevant to their subject. I think they've lost their way in pursuit of footfall and have forgotten their educational role. Rant over with (for now). Peterfgf

I agree with RonRonRon above about dBPoweramp. I think it's great. The defaults are good but you can customise it as much as you want. I've ripped all my CDs to FLAC using it and found the results are very good.

I compared my Mainline RU Buffet Restaurant Unclassified (I think) with the new Hornby RB restaurant buffet car. It stands up very well for a model that must be about 40 years old - and I paid £4.50 for it probably from Beatties. That works out at about £25 now compared to £32 for the Hornby model. Peterfgf

Have you considered of the Z21 black wireless LANMaus? It has a rotary knob and function buttons, and can control turnouts. Peterfgf