Kirby Uncoupler

My 4160 arrived today, this is it moments after taking it out of the box, something doesn't seem right? BK

Hi Tony, I'd forgotten about the DMU derailment, I shouldn't have run them, since they were still a work in progress, with unrefined couplings, and a few wobbles, where i'd re-wheeled the motor bogies. I've never found oil on the rails to form a gooey mess, it either gets wiped off, or just evaporates? Maybe the sharp western curve on the Retford layout, could benefit from flange lubricators? The layout's semaphore gantries look truly splendid, like roses in the garden. Cheers, Brian.

Hi Everyone, I haven't been on RMweb for ages, ever since my move overseas to my island paradise, away from all the hubbub of mainland UK. I can't see a huge problem with re-starting model railway shows, even though they were previously well known for over-crowding, oversize rucksacks, and a degree of pushing and shoving. We just need to follow the now more relaxed supermarket practice, having scrapped the one-way system in the aisles, although retaining the separate entrance and exit, and with a limit on overall numbers at any one time. As long as everyone wears masks, and keeps one metre apart (like at Scaleforum on the sunday afternoon!), we'll all be fine. Regarding material for loco pick-ups, i've always found phosphor-bronze good on nickel tyres, nickel-silver strip to work better on steel tyres, and hard brass wire works well on anything. No doubt it's all down to the metallurgy, i'm told that even the finest steel has quite a rough surface, hence it's superior adhesion properties, perhaps not so good for conductivity though, with the bumping causing more sparks. The pick-up metal should always be softer than the tyre metal, or you'll end up with grooves. I've never been a fan of enclosed plunger pick-ups, the springs tend to eventually collapse, and to change some, means removing the wheels. Enjoying a visit to Little Bytham two years ago, we ran two of my DJH Black 5s (supposedly on a Mansfield to Norwich cup tie special) around the Up Main, Tony was rather cross to find some oil had got on to his railheads. I have a habit of allowing a droplet of oil on to my loco driving wheels, it reduces sparking between wheel and rail, meaning less dirt, keeps the wheels and pick-ups cleaner, and I find everything runs more smoothly, quite good for starting wheel-slip effects too. In the real world, high-voltage switchgear is invariably contained within an oil bath, to reduce arcing, my method is just a scaled down version. It makes track cleaning easier too, none of this "I spent two hours cleaning the track" nonsense, the film of oil spreads along the track, loosening any dirt, then a heavy loco with a wiping pad is sent around to mop things up. I'm a great admirer of the late Roy's Retford layout, although sadly I never got to see it in the flesh, I must say it looks splendid in the latest photographs, and i'm sure it is in safe hands. Cheers, Brian. (On the Isle Of Wight)

I've only just discovered this sad news. John was a larger than life character, who encouraged people in their modelling endeavours, and could often be seen demonstrating various techniques at shows. As many will know, John could often lose his temper, I had some blazing rows with him, but give it 20 minutes, all was forgiven, and everyone was mates again down the pub. Back in the 1990s, I remember an ill-fated trip with John, by train to the NEC. On arrival, John decided he needed some cash, so he popped his card into an ATM on the concourse. No sooner had he done this, and there was a power cut, power returned after 20 seconds, but that was enough for the ATM to go into fail-safe mode, and poor John's card stayed in the machine for the weekend. He went ballistic, and started marching around, remonstrating with all the staff of the various shops and kiosks, but of course it wasn't their fault. (I was busy biting the inside of my cheeks, so as not to laugh). When he had cooled down, I lent him the money (using the same ATM, to add insult to injury). As expected, his card was posted back to him, a few days later. John's gruff, then jolly, manner probably came from working on building sites, he was a bricklayer by profession, he was also a stickler for time-keeping, again probably from having to turn out for contractors. John will be missed at the shows, from now on they will be emptier (and quieter) places. R.I.P. John. Brian Kirby.

To explain, I bought the above composite coach from the excellent "Upstairs, Downstairs" model shop in Sandown, Isle Of Wight. Well that's overseas innit? BK

Hi Everyone, Bought a BR Composite this afternoon in an overseas shop, which completes my 3-car set. Very pleased, it looks very smart, but be careful to get the correct one for each particular set. They should be available everywhere this weekend. Cheers, Brian.

Hi Andy, I'm pleased to see my old thread revived, looks like some of the first photographs need replacing, lost when the Photobucket rules changed. Since i've switched i.d. from "Brian Kirby" to "Kirby Uncoupler", again brought on by the recent RMweb changes, I probably can't swap the piccies on this original BK thread now? I never set out to model all the 1957 prototypes, it was kick-started by acquiring the various Southern Pride offerings, some of which were supplied printed, and some as etched kits, so far i've concentrated on the ones that migrated to the Western Region in later years. Having said that, i've also got SP's Craven Second and two Metro-Cammells to build, for use in more northern lines, like 25457. If I wanted to model the latter, and as you've asked, I think i'd convert a kit or RTR for a Diag.73 FO to create the 7-compartment SK, the toilet side is pretty much correct already, the other side might require blanking off the two short windows, opposite the loos (compartment stock usually had blank panels here, but you never know with these 1957 beasts), but nothing too difficult. However, be aware that 25457 was built to a similar profile to the 1956 Swindon DMUs from the year before, with flat panels around the windows, and only a curved lower tumblehome, whereas regular Mk1 profile is a continuous curve from top to bottom. It's not that obvious, and only really shows from the ends and around the window frame sides, only old fusspots like me would be all that bothered. Hope this helps, good luck with the project. Cheers, Brian.

This is a tragedy. To lose such a talented modeller in the prime of life, just think of all the masterpieces he might have made in the years to come? It must have been two or three years ago, when Colin emailed me, to advise of his illness, I remember googling the details at the time, the prognosis was very poor. He had to put up with some gruesome chemotherapy, and other medical procedures, but he remained upbeat and positive. I first met Colin in the 1970s, when I used to work at the King's Cross model shop, he and Barry used to deliver their Cambrian wagon kits in bulk, since we were their distributors. This involved driving up from far-flung West Wales (Tregaron), in a green or grey three-wheel Robin Reliant van (think Del Boy), the vehicle rammed full with plastic wagon kits. In later years Colin and his family lived in Llanddewi Brefi, made famous in recent years by the "Little Britain" comedy series, Colin used to report that fans of the show, kept pinching the village road signs! I think anyone who ever met him in person, or just contacted him via this forum, soon realized that he was a very nice chap, He would never talk down to a fellow modeller, or try and score points, his method was to offer gentle advice and encouragement Rest in peace Colin. Brian Kirby.