Homologator

Good afternoon, Thats very helpful, I knew if I asked there was bound to be information available. Andy's comment about "Pre grouping" British companies is very appropriate. The one difference I can see is that while the majority of UK companies adopted semaphore signals (Either up or down) for main lines (with many variations), the continental companies had such a variety of shapes and from what I have briefly read colours, also methods of operation, any form of "Standardisation" must have been unthinkable. I see a lot more research ahead. Many thanks for the information. Kind Regards David.

Hi Andy, Thats great, I'll have a look. Kind Regards David.

Hello Andy, Many thanks for your swift reply. I was considering the "Chemins de Fer du Nord" as a subject for a Diorama The Area around Fricourt. My Grandfather visited the area twice, once in 1912 with his employer who holidayed there, then again in 1916 when he was wounded (lost a leg). He talked often of the first visit and how nice the people and area was. He didn't say too much about his second visit! Kind regards David.

Hi, Do we have an expert who can provide any information/illustrations of Pre WW1 French signals? Also any information/illustrations on signal boxes of the same era? Kind Regards

JeffP! I had to explain that to my grandson who is just starting his first model railway! He dissolved into fits of laughter! "Honestly Grumps (my name = grumpy old grandad!) I didn't think people who build model railways would be funny! all the blokes at the club are even more grumpy and serious than you!" (I believe he's right!). Keep em coming! even the old ones! David.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think super glue is going to be easiest, had a quick search, couldn't find "Accent Glue". Kind regards David.

Hello, Given just how small they are what is the best method for mounting N gauge figures on platforms etc.? Regards David.

Hello, Given just how small they are what is the best method for mounting N gauge figures on platforms etc.? Regards David.

Hi, 70.000 photos! I guess I know where to go in future! Kind regards David.

Hello When I was young (Centuries ago) one of my favourite activities was to watch the shunting at Ferme Park yard. In those days (Before Elfnsaftey) there was a path from Harringay west running up over the hogs back to Ridge Road. From there you had a good view of the GN main line clearly to Hornsey Station and the goods yard. in the early 1950s as the Diesel shunters took over I'm convinced there were experiments involving "Conspicuity". I'm convinced that at least one of the Hornsey based diesels had White stripes. I can't 100% swear to it but close! they were horizontal and quite different to the later yellow and black diagonals. The locos were plain black. Can anyone confirm my memories? I would dearly love to reproduce this on my display model. So far I have the prototype Deltic, D5500, D5300. D200, D1 all of which spent some time in the back yard at Hornsey shed, which I passed every evening on my journey home from school! I'm working on D6100 (A conversion of a Hornby class 29) and have hopes for a "Baby Deltic" Regards David.

Hello, Only just picked up this thread despite living with the East Suffolk line 60 feet from my house! My first thought was "Who does Rail Way work for?" My second thought was why not listen to the professional railway men who are commenting from a base of knowledge and not "What I read in the press/press releases? My third thought was is it credible that a public relations department would tell fibs? After a career of forty years in the motor industry, let me assure you that ALL the information given out by PR/press departments is true! just look at fuel consumption figures! (Under specific conditions a particular vehicle (perfectly prepared) did indeed achieve the quoted figure) Any similarity with reality is purely coincidental! Sorry if I seem to have a jaundiced view. Regards David.

Hi Colin, It was lovely to see you at IMRA last week. Sorry I lost your contact details, I need your advise on going "O"! PM please. Kind regards David Grant St.John!

Hello, Thanks for all the feedback. Kind regards David.

Hello, Thanks again, I take your point about the old Bachmann chassis, but at over £100 for the new release just to try to fit it to a kit seems a bit risky. Hadn't thought too much about body mods of a J72 into a J69! I think that might be feasible. As my accountant (Wife!) is muttering darkly about yule tide gifts, I think I might think hard about the SEF kit and give the brass chassis a try. Kind regards David. P.S. is there any info on the soldering method you mention?

Hello, Thanks for the replies, it sounds a bit of a mixed blessing. I did look at the Brass kit but the amount of folding and soldering frankly puts me off. I'm an "Airfix" man! solvent has no fears for me! I understand the SEF kit can be assembled with super glue or epoxy. Did you Gents make your own locos? if so what method did you use please? On the subject of chassis would the Bachmann J72 chassis fit? Kind regards David.

Go on spit it out! David

Hello, Before I make a fool of myself (well bigger than I am already) thought I should check if: A/ Anyone had built one? B/ Anyone had advice on the kit? C/ Any other useful information. Regards David.

Hi Osgood I guess you know the good burghers of Southwold! Be fair, they're not quite as bad as "Aldeburgh"! (I think it's to do with the frequent passing of "Snape Maltings" with so much "High culture" it just rubs off). Regards David.

Who knows what might have happened if the original plan to link up with the "Southwold Railway" had come to fruition? The Southwold was a going concern, with an upgrade to standard gauge and a link to the GER at Halesworth station, a usable cross county line with junctions to the GER (LNER) at each end. Southwold might have been a mighty container port like Felixstowe! (I doubt it) The "Debenham" branch was about 150 yards (?) short of the plan when the "Bankers" pulled the plug. It seems the banks have always had the "Profit today" attitude, even in 1908! Regards David.

Thanks Stewart, That gives me something to model mine from. Very many thanks. David.

Hi, Thanks for the Link. I think I shall pass on constructing my own. Any comments on the commercial available stuff? Kind regards David.

Hello, Sorry if I'm repeating things! I looked but couldn't see any information/thoughts/comments on photographic back scenes. I have been looking at some "GaugeMaster" on line and they look quite good. I'm an engineer by training and technical drawing holds no fear for me. However my "artistic" ability makes "Salvador Dali and Picaso" look like "Old Masters". So its "Sky Blue(ish) emulsion or something like theses photo jobies (I looked at some PECO printed back scenes but decided to give them a miss!). Advice please. Regards David.

Hello, you are right about the "Railmatch 312" it is quite yellow. I have decided that as I don't need a huge quantity, I shall try adding white to the jar until my memory tells me its "about right". I think I may do the same with the Humbrol green. From the picture Stewart posted, it looks to be almost "Rail Blue" on the door. I'm wondering if mixing yellow with "Rail Blue" would perhaps produce a similar green to my memory colour. Again adding white to soften the effect. The good news for me is that its not something that will stop progress while I experiment. Still lots to do before trains run and I need buildings in place. Regards David.

Hello Stewart, I think you could be right! We make green by mixing yellow and blue, the yellow would fade out quicker than the blue! I doubt the pigments being used just after the war were anything like as colour fast as modern paints. I Guess I could try mixing my own, but the "Humbrol" green does look pretty good! I won't need a huge amount, just the station, signal box, goods shed etc. but if I mix up my own: A/ how much do I need? B/ will it keep? Perhaps I should move my layout to Devon "Where the yellow and brown paint never fades, the sun shines everyday and on a branch like mine Hymek's are the rule." No.................................. I don't think I will!!! Kind Regards David.

"BY GEORGE HES GOT IT!" The water crane is very much my memory. The green on the site Stewart led me to is what I imagine things must have looked like when the painter was putting his brush away! Not the green I remember from "Haringay West, Finsbury Park" etc. We seldom went out as far as "Hertford East" so I'll take your word for it. The Railmatch cream will do nicely, I suppose if I needed even more faded green a drop of white mixed in might do the trick. Very impressed with the photos of your railway. Have you posted more that you could signpost me to? Very many thanks, Kind regards David.