LisaP4

full of sardines

Just a little something I've been working on when I get the chance: Lynton & Barnstaple Railway coach No.16 as a 3D printable 'kit'.
Modelling in 1:35 scale, but it's easy enough to rescale to whatever (see image of 4mm, 7mm, 1:35, and 16mm scales).
Not happy with the door vents, those'll need redoing, but it's coming together slowly.

Fool's Paradise - Buddy Holly

I bought a PS3 just so I could play The Last of Us; still the only game I have for that console. Great game.

If anyone here likes incremental games (cookie clicker, kittens game, etc.) and also railways (above average chance of that here), I've started writing a little Railway-Builder incremental game. If you'd like to give it a go, it runs in the browser: https://ticklishhoneybee.github.io/ClicketyClack/

Still quite early in development, but some friends have been playing it, so you should get some fun out of it.

On 09/02/2020 at 22:51, Andy Hayter said:

 

My post earlier was not about the panels not lasting the lifetime of the property or even the roof of the structure, but rather not lasting the lifetime of the debt incurred in buying and installing them.  In other words you will still be paying for them after they cease to work.

I did the maths on solar panels and batteries here a little while ago, and it'd cost less to go solar than to pay one electricity bill. If I wasn't planning on moving out soon(ish) I'd be on solar already.
Admittedly I have very low energy needs, and it'd cost more if I had to include heating a UK house in winter, but it'd certainly be paid for well before it wore out.

... nope, they're still coming.

I got a surprising 'Your registration is complete!' email from rmweb last night... then another, and another... there's been a few.
Came to see what's going on, couldn't log on, had to reset my password... let's see if I keep getting emails.

Morning all.

General salutations, commiserations, congratulations, and such, to everyone; seeing as I've missed over a hundred pages in 'ere.

 

The humidity this summer has been horrendous (90%+ a lot of the time), thus, so far this year I've only managed to get into the workshop for any appreciable amount of time once.

I've mostly just been living in front of the air-con vent, and sleeping a lot.

 

At least summer is a good excuse for making ice cream; so I made some strawberry ice cream, it was delicious, even dad liked it.

Morning all, from tomorrow!

 

Had to battle dad into the shower today, then get him to the doctor. A rather tiring exercise on top of not much sleep. Thus, naps were muchly in fashion in the afternoon.

Still tired, will probably have an early night (well, early for me).

 

In the meantime, I'm gonna eat ice cream.

 

Enjoy your day all, whatever may be left of it.

PS for Lisa - do you know about Bagnall, and Bagnall-Price valve gears?  Interesting motion, we have one B-P and two Bagnalls!

Vaguely, I think one is similar to walschaerts, but with no drop link, the union link back-facing, and the combination lever inline with the expansion link. While the other is kind of a mix of southern and baker gears.

Don't recall which is which though, assuming I'm anywhere near right.

For the 5" locos, we start off with paraffin/other impregnated charcoal and put the anthracite on top (the shiny stuff tends to be much better than the dull and dusty variety we've come across), then switch on the electric blower in the top of the chimney to get it going.  Bought by mistake - it should have been Fluid - BBQ lighting Gel is dreadful - it's so sticky the lumps of charcoal not only stick to themselves, they stick to the shovel!  This means that while it's taking time to get the coal into the firebox, the door is open letting in all that cold sea air...Be warned...

We used to start with wood soaked in kerosene/paraffin with a little coal on top, plus the electric blower for draft. We had a jar that was slightly shorter than the length of the firebox (thus if it fit in the jar, it'd fit in the firebox), that we kept full of wood and kero. Said jar was found by wandering around the supermarket isles with a bit of wood in hand, I think it was some brand of peanut butter. None of us liked peanut butter, but ate it as we didn't want to waste it, and needed the jar.

 

Speaking of different fuels, we always carried wood, coal, and char with us, as each had its own uses.

When you need heat now, use wood, it won't last long, and it isn't the hottest, but if you're low on steam and blocking the line (or have long queues of waiting passengers) it'll give you the quick boost you need.

If you need a lot of heat, but aren't in a hurry for it (low on water, injector's packed it in, so have to pump in a lot of cold water) char is what you want, anthracite would probably do the job too.

For the rest of the time, when you just want a good constant fire, nothing beats coal. It's not the hottest, and it's not the fastest, but it does give the most even firebed, and you will burn less of it because of this, even compared to longer-burning fuels.

 

I've just discovered that paraffin and kerosene are the same thing; I always thought them to be different products of oil refining, but apparently not. Mind, I did learn this from wikipedia, which isn't the greatest for accuracy at times.

 

Also, Kerosene/paraffin is always blue here, methylated spirits is pink, or sometimes purple - probably depending on how much dye they add.

Morning(?) all.

Caught up with everything, got distracted, caught up again, figured I'd better write something before it took a whole day to post it again.

A rather nice overcast day here today, spent most of it trying to cajole dad into the shower, without luck.

Shall have a bit more of a poke at the 16mm scale loco in a bit, still nibbling on some assorted left overs for a late dinner.

Also I need to stop looking at 2FS layouts, before I get sucked into doing something.

 

Enjoy your day all.

 

I suppose they would boil eventually without the air blowers, but some day next week probably.  I made working pressure in an hour and a half today, which is about perfect from cold for these little locos.  They both have 'marine' circular (tubular really, I suppose) fireboxes and these need a rather different technique from firing a conventional firebox.   Sea Lion was warm from yesterdays works trains so they didn't have to get out of bed so early!

Where is this, and what's the gauge? I don't think I've seen you mention it, or have but forgot!

I've seen air used quite a bit for steam raising on larger (4"/foot and larger scale) 7¼" gauge locos, but usually with a fitting on the blower pipe to attach the air line to. On the other hand, I know a couple of 11" gauge lines where they just stuff a length of drain pipe into the chimney to get a natural draft.

 

Great pics, Dom.  Do the passengers get Announcements before, and at, each stop?  I noticed it was introduced on the London Underground but I didn't expect it on our buses (so far, on the North Coast, Caernarfon-Llandudno route) - in Welsh then English.  It gets a bit much when you use the buses a lot but it probably helps the holiday visitors.  I prefer a (silent!) electronic display board.

A few years back here, the guards on the trains were first told to announce the stations, then told not to. There was apparently a number of complaints about the grumpy guards' voices. I also recall a guard once announcing the names of the stations, but calling out the names for the wrong line; it took five or six stations before he realised (or was told of) his mistake, and started calling out the right station names. Now there's recorded announcements, which are quite loud and bothersome, probably so as to be heard when wearing headphones; which are necessary to drown out the announcements.

 

The 5" gauge Sweet Pea loco I've had the privilege to drive this year has a marine boiler.  Advice I was given - keep the top of the fire towards the back of the firebox and below the tubes at the front so they don't block up, and add more coal little and often.  About half an hour to make working pressure - if you get it right.  Some coal (small lumps of anthracite) doesn't seem to do so well as others.  I guess it's the same with all scales.  Read performance articles in the Railway Magazine in the 1950s and the speed of the Castle class is synonymous with Welsh coal - it always seemed to get mentioned, anyway.

We tried anthracite once, and only once, it was horrible to burn. It took ages to catch alight, then burnt too hot, and too quickly. "Char" is popular here with miniature loco's, no idea what it actually is, but the draw card is not having to clean the firetubes if you use it exclusively; much like anthracite though it needs a lot of heat to get it burning, then burns too hot. It does last a while though, but burns to a fine sand, which naturally gets blasted straight up the chimney and into the driver's (and passengers') face(s).

I'm rather a fan of good steam coal, Blair Athol being the local coal of choice for loco's of all sizes. Many have to settle for Rosewood coal around here though, which is high in tar, resulting in black smoke, a black face, and blocked tubes.

Dad's Sweet Pea, btw, we used to get from cold to 100psi in about 20 minutes; though that had a Briggs steel boiler, and I imagine we wouldn't be starting from quite as cold as you would in the UK.

... he's made a good job of making himself look a complete numpty as it is.

Reminds me of a movie quote: "bums wanna look like bums, and swells wanna look like swells." I guess the same applies for numpties.

I think the movies was Ironweed.

 

LisaP4, I'm truly impressed by the manner in which you approach your father's condition. Although the responsibility must wear you down at times, you are indeed a very loyal daughter! That was a lovely bit of history in your post (I've lived through some of it!!) although I'm not sure Pete Waterman would agree, having sunk a large portion of his personal fortune into 4472, only to have to part with it! As an aside, one of my school nicknames was the 'Flying Scotsman' as I raced motorcycles whilst in sixth form. Another one later was 'Haggistini'!

I promised dad, several years ago, that I'd keep him out of a care home for as long as I was able, and yeah it wears me down at times, but along with the tough times are the good ones to remind my why I do it.

Back when it was the 'in' thing to wear lots of badges (usually bands and such) I picked up the nickname 'steam', as one of the badges I wore was a 'Support Steam' badge; I don't know what happened to the others, but I still have that one.

 

So now I need to catch up with the thread since I started writting this post yesterday.

Just noticed that this topic is only 100 pages away from having 4472 pages, which is oddly exciting.

 

Speaking of trains (trains in early risers?), those who've been on this site for a while (in its various forms), may be aware of my occasional starts on building a model of Smallford on the long closed ex-GNR Hatfield to St Albans line. I've so far started it 3 times in 2 different gauges/scales, I will (probably) actually finish (after starting again) a model of it one day. However I came across a short 1933 silent film on youtube last night which features Smallford, referred to as Southmoor in the film.

 

 

There's some good railway scenes in there, both at Smallford and elsewhere, including a short view of 4472 at speed pulling the train she was named after.

Morning all.

 

Have missed a while here, so generic greetings/congratulations/commiserations/etcetera as appropriate.

 

An afternoon storm's just bumped the humidity up to stupendous levels here, which is most uncomfortable; air-con is working overtime trying to dehumidify the house.

16mm scale loco is gradually progressing, progress mostly depending on the relative comfort of the workshop.

There was roadworks right outside the house the other day, dad went to help them out; fortunately this was met with more amusement than annoyance by the council workers. I got him back inside be before he could actually try doing anything other than wave a couple of cars through the roadworks. Then deadbolted the doors.

 

Meanwhile, there's some turkey breast in the oven for dinner.

 

Enjoy your day all!

Storm's gone, can still see lightning to the north-east though. Power thankfully stayed on, though it did flicker a bit.

Bangers and mash cooked and eaten, then a bit of a search to track down two water bottles dad had managed to lose; found them in the linen closet.

 

About to watch a couple of videos of Warley that've appeared on youtube, then once dad's asleep I'll wander off to the workshop again.

Morning all.

 

Heavy thunderstorm ongoing here, hopefully it doesn't knock the power out, the lights have been flickering.

Should cool the workshop down nicely though.

 

Was posting to my 16mm loco thread when the site went down yesterday, glad I copied the post, saved having to rewrite it.

 

Enjoy your day all.

First thing this morning (around 7AM) Bob provided his contribution to the feast - dismembered mouse a la living room floor

Turkey now duly "stuffed" and started by Mrs

I'd suggest avoiding that stuffing then.

 

Someone tried to start a thanksgiving-like day here a few years back, ad's all over the tv even for the "national day of thanks." Such a day was never heard of again.

Cold callers:

I resent them - mostly because they disturb very elderly folk in the village who can barely make it to the front door.

Also the cruelty of the way the 'evangelists' of whatever faith sometimes drag their young kids around with them.

(ERs will never believe it but I'm forcefully rude to some of them).

I was one of those kids, mum was (probably still is, haven't spoken to her in years) a JW. Think how those kids feel when they get dragged to a classmate's house to preach at them. Tends to result in getting shunned by others at school; not that the JW's care, they don't like their kids to associate with anyone outside the church anyway.

Of course they hit up the elderly regularly, preach to someone in their later years, promise them about eternal life, and hopefully get a donation to the church in their will.

 

On one occasion I opened the front door and shouted 'Clear Off' to the 50 person choir assembled opposite.

I had been warned by 'phone of the arrival of some JWs in the village!

Although I regret my mistake, the expressions on the faces of the well meaning choir were priceless as they shuffled away.

I'd probably do that anyway, I don't see the difference in pushing your beliefs on someone by talk or by song.

 

I was just repeating the comment the video stated. Using "Your Country" is probably better than saying "only viewable in the USA" for some reason.

It'll likely be the same phrase regardless of the source country, which simplifies many things including translation to other languages (I got it too btw).

Morning all.

 

Another stinking hot day here, ended up having a nap in front of the air-con vent.

Might do some work on the 16mm scale loco tonight, I should silver solder the 5" gauge loco's coupling rods, but after a hot day I don't really fancy playing with the gas torch. Will see what I'm in the mood for once the workshop's cooled down.

 

Seeing mention of a comic con happening at the NEC at the same time as Warley, reminds me of how the Brisbane Miniature Train Show used to be: It used to be held in one of the buildings at the RNA Showgrounds over a three day weekend, the same time as a hot rod show was on in a neighbouring building. Most of the visitors to the hot rod show would also come to the train show around lunch time; it was cheaper to buy entrance into the train show and buy lunch there, than it was to buy food at the hot rod show.

 

Enjoy your day all.

Morning all.

 

Managed to get to the post office today, and picked up my parcels. Mentioned the "knock and run" delivery "attempt" to them, so they suggested I rent a parcel locker; suggesting that I'd rather they just delivered it was met with unintelligible mumblings.

Still, at least I now have some rather nice German made metric bolts (they also sent me some chocolate, though that didn't last long), plus some other bits and pieces.

Expecting the groceries to get delivered soon; delivery costing considerably less than the trip to the post office and back.

 

Enjoy your day all.

 

Having not seen any over the summer I spotted one of the Eastleigh rabbits this afternoon and watched it hopping about and grazing for several minutes.

I was imagining dodgy springs on the wagon, then I saw the bunny.

 

 

LisaP4, I've been looking in on your '16mm Loco' thread and truly admire the sheer guts, as well as knowledge and skill that you are applying to such a project, starting completely from scratch. Did you acquire your knowledge and skills from your father, or did you also study engineering?

Thanks, it should be an interesting build. I did do a short "pre-apprenticeship" course just after being kicked out of leaving high school, wasn't interested in an apprenticeship, but the course was interesting. However most of what I've learnt has come from dad, other model engineers, books, magazines, experimentation, etc.

 

"Mr.S.corn78 the founder of ERs"

Gordon S. may have a view on that!

Indeed, Gordon started it, then blamed me!

You have got me guessing your location now. Booval to the south and Ipswich workshops north west suggests you might possibly be in East Ipswich?

 

Nice photos anyway.

Thanks, and yes you found me. Though across the street is Booval as I'm right on the border.

Morning all.

 

Postie's playing games today, put a parcel on the front veranda, knocked on the door, and dropped a "You weren't home" note to pick up from the post office for 2 more. I was only 10 feet from the door at the time, didn't try too hard did he? Will have to go pick them up tomorrow.

Meanwhile dad managed to lock himself out of the house twice, and tried to throw his torch in the bin because it was broken. So I let him back in and plugged the torch into the charger, all is well.

 

So I've now got some more materials for the 16mm scale loco, and the two undelivered parcels should be some taps, dies, drills, and hacksaw blades; which means I have everything except the cylinder material for the chassis now (or will have when I go to the post office).

 

Another hot day, not as bad as saturday was though, thankfully. Going to do some silver soldering on my 5" gauge loco's coupling rods tonight, I think the gas bottle's full, soon find out.

 

Enjoy your day all.