MoonMonkey

On 07/12/2021 at 22:30, AKelsall said:

Like many others in lockdown 2020 I found myself working from home which gave me more free time then I've had in several years, no more commuting or working away meant I had time to work on a small project. After two false starts with shed based layouts (one due to a house move and another due to the shed roof leaking) a small project was just the ticket to increase my enthusiasm for model railways again. 

 

It all started in April 2020 with a scale model scenery micro layout baseboard for my birthday.

 

Thanks for bringing this to my attention... I just had a look at the website and it looks good, quite reasonably priced.  I'd been thinking about a 'build a layout in a weekend' kind fo thing, and this would be a great start.  Otherwise, it'll take me the full weekend to knock together a badly fitting and slightly warped baseboard and backscene assembly, nevermind getting any track down!! 

Just now, 2750Papyrus said:

The way the middle figure has turned to look at him, I suspect a bad case of flatulence.

That's it!  She's generated forward thrust through her bum venturi!  Having managed the same once before, it's such a sense of achievement (although I didn't actually levitate, it was more of a momentary motion upward and then back to earth (the loo seat) with a thud).  I reckon she's probably giggling to herself like child at this amazing feat!.

Oh, general confusion and bemusement about how on earth the old bod in the blue manages to levitate?  Hovering over the bench in the most alarming fashion!  (Mental note to self... place figures correctly before photographing!!!)

I finally got round to doing a few more Modelu figures.  I wonder what they are so talkative about?  

16 minutes ago, MoonMonkey said:

Hi, reading the other responses to this, it looks like the norm is to provide the source for such assertions.  I spotted this post while looking for thoughts about the Prairie models.  I don't usually scout for info requests about prototypes.  However, I have a book that used to be my Dad's on the shelf and it prompted me to take a look, and I actually found relevant info in there!  So if it's helpful then lovely, although it's before your time query, but it does lend weight to the Didcot allocation.  Source as per images.  

On 29/11/2021 at 20:44, MoonMonkey said:

1955: Didcot,  including Wallingford (sub-shed I think). 

Hi, reading the other responses to this, it looks like the norm is to provide the source for such assertions.  I spotted this post while looking for thoughts about the Prairie models.  I don't usually scout for info requests about prototypes.  However, I have a book that used to be my Dad's on the shelf and it prompted me to take a look, and I actually found relevant info in there!  So if it's helpful then lovely, although it's before your time query, but it does lend weight to the Didcot allocation.  Source as per images.  

5 hours ago, Fredo said:

Hi could help me find out about 6167 shed allocation thanks 

1955: Didcot,  including Wallingford (sub-shed I think). 

On 22/11/2021 at 06:47, KNP said:

And the wagons made it into the yard.......

Exciting isn't it?

 

 

 

Now it's a funny thing, but some years back I found myself in a place which shall remain nameless looking at logistic overpack cases for former-Soviet era air to ground missiles, which were rather large, grey, and bore a remarkable resemblance to the grey long pods/boxes here.  Nothing more shall be said about that.  However, I find myself wondering, is this a shipment of Eastern European (or thereabouts) armaments being received into Little Muddle by sea?  Is this some new front in the willy waving war from the chaps over in Russia?  First Crimea, then forget about Ukraine, but take on the hub of all happiness which is Little Muddle (given the apparent lack of HM Customs and otherwise wary eyes)?  Maybe that chap reading the paper is actually on post to spy out the British military on the off-chance this vile scheme is rumbled?  Maybe the plan to adjust the cattle dock is actually a way to dig in an underground missile silo on our doorstep. 

What would the Squadron Leader say?  

23 hours ago, Steamport Southport said:

Fifty Sheds Of Grey is probably more apt to most on here....   

 

Look in charity shops, they probably have it for about 50p. I wouldn't pay much more. You can read it in about ten minutes.

 

A pastiche of the book, but not very rude (more Carry On style).

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fifty-Sheds-Grey-Erotica-not-too-modern/dp/0752265458

I've got 50 sheds of grey in my back bog! 

There's a great line in there... something to the effect of:

"She bent over my workbench and said "Hurt me".

So I told her she had fat ankles and made a rubbish rhubarb crumble. 

Hi BlueMonkey, I did some google-based research into that kind of area and found this to be an interesting piccie of Chippenham goods yard, may be useful for you, if only for inspiration:

If you hadn't already found it, there is a book called The GWR Swindon to Bath Line by Colin G Maggs, which has at least one one photo of Chippenham, specifically of a line of SR cattle wagons.  It has the same photo as the link in this message. 

I'm sure you've already found the book titled The Calne Branch by Colin G Maggs.

Hopefully those pointers are useful. 

1 hour ago, Les Bird said:

Quite easy this one. Undo one screw at the front and two at the rear and the bus comes apart. One slight problem, if you decide to change the colour, you will need a steady hand to paint the bar across the driver's windscreen. Apart from that, it's very straightforward.

That's most helpful, many thanks @Les Bird I shall look to buy one next time I do an order.  I shall try to remember to post any observations here! 

1 minute ago, jcm@gwr said:

I made this suggestion on the 'Exhibition layouts and speed of the trains',

but I realised that it is appropriate here as well.

 

With respect to a lack of realism when it comes to coupling and uncoupling,

the chances of an animated, or mechanised, figures able to do the job are 

probably in the realms of sci-fi/fantasy, I suggest that it might be possible to

develop a hologram to do it, either pre-programmed, or worked by the layout

operator, using one of those suits that are worn to set up CGI animation.

 

I know it might sound far fetched, but probably closer than you realise!

A hologram operated by the layout operator?  Wow, that's an idea.  Maybe that could (in the future) be personalised in the way that Modelu can scan people.  I could have a hologram of me running around my layout, pulling moonies, hugging the 3d printed plastic ladies, climbing the ladders up signal posts, and generally being a top banana!  And then if in future peoples' layouts become hooked up through/to the 'internet of things' I could hack into someone else's layout through the unprotected url that their fridge has, and then present a hologram of me to moonie my way (uninvited) around their layout!!!!  

And on a lighter note - how about working toilets in coaches? 

Ability to cope with 1st radius curves, please!

If one doesn't have space for 2nd radius curves in places, then there are 2 options:  miss out/don't bother, or accept a little compromise and go for a slightly tighter radius, ie first. 

Mine isn't intended to be an accurate scale replica - if it was then I would need a hanger rather than a house.  It's a compromise in so many ways: including but not limited to: scale compression in all directions, track gauge compression, inanimate people, trees which are compressed in height, sound limitations, lack of moving sunlight/shadows.  But do you know what?  I quite like it, in fact I'm proud of what I've produced, it kept me marginally more sane through lockdown, and most importantly my target audience love it and it helps that they neither know nor care about the few mils inaccuracy of track gauge or the fact that a curve into a goods yard siding is slightly too tight.  

For me personally, spending more time and money and effort, and finding an alternate location for my layout, would be a waste - because no one with that detailed eye will ever see it (but if they do, they'd better play nicely!!).  So I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a few 1st radius curves in places where there was insufficient room for 2nd radius.  Most items cope ok with the 1st radius actually, and the ones that don't only pose the limitation that they need to go on the track without the 1st radius curves, and I can live with that. 

I get that certain failings in accuracy are important to some people for a whole host of good reasons, but please remember that not everyone has the same levels of requirement in every aspect of the hobby, be they 7 or 107.  There is place for first radius curves, albeit not to everyone.     

Hey, that chap with the suitcase and the relaxed look... he's been hanging around my station too.  Has he nothing better to do?  

Well, I'm thinking about getting a bus to go on a bridge, if only to adhere to the apparent cliche 

Has anyone dismantled the Oxford Diecast bus (like this one:  https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/1-76/products/bedford-owb-royal-navy-76owb001) to weather and spray varnish (so popping the glazing out too), and also fitting passengers and a driver?  

If so, did it go well or was it a shambles? 

4 hours ago, MrWolf said:

Back to railway and Warren Branch related subjects, have any of you ever wondered what makes us sufficiently interested in a railway company and a period from forty years before we were born that makes people like myself and @chuffinghellwant to try to represent it in miniature? 

 

It can't be just a creative exercise I don't think.

Interesting question :-) 

I started to get back into railway modelling a few years ago, driven by my child finding my old stuff from when I was a kid/teenager.  That lot happened to be mostly GWR.  I think back then, the GWR seemed a bit exotic.  Not sure though, but I had a fair old mix of stuff.  But now, I live in the GWR region, so I thought I'd make use of the items I had and focus on that.  Then it struck me, doing a layout to show some history of the area my child lives in might be interesting... so I went with that.  I was mulling over an era and thought the 30s or 40s sounded nice, but then the whole VE Day 50th celebrations cropped up... so there I had it:  GWR, VE day 1945! 

@Mikkel - quick - if you look carefully, the lady in red is back!  She must have emerged from her covid lockdown hybernation :-)

I use Humbrol spray acrylic primer for Modelu / Hardys figures.  Plus some ones from a company which isn't trading anymore.  It worked fine for me.  

FYI, I then painted using Humbrol acrylic paints, and perhaps a very thin wash of watered down Humbrol black acrylic afterwards.  Then finished off with Humbrol spray matt acrylic varnish.  

I think they came out ok. 

I enjoyed it too.  

On 28/09/2021 at 15:02, Mikkel said:

Reminds me of this photo, which has had me wondering if the gent on the left is extra skilled, or just pretending...

 

Caption: Unloading milk churns from Southern Railway wagons at Clapham Junction station, 1926. Source: Getty Images, embedding permitted.

 

 

 

He's just showing off.  What we can't see is who (or what) is just offscreen to the left.  

52 minutes ago, 57xx said:

 

You ask the questions others don't. You assume it's "because I'm being thick" when in fact it shows intelligence to be thinking about it in the first place. Then, as the discussion ensues, lots of your readership learn something and your model becomes even more realistic. Keep asking them questions!!

I agree (for what that's worth!).  We can't all be experts on everything, so if we are improving ourselves in something then it makes sense to learn, and learn by asking and being inquiring and interested.  I've done quite well at work by being prepared to ask the 'back to first principles' questions and then finding out that no one or very people few people know the answers because they'd either been afraid to ask or weren't curious enough.  Same applies to  this new hobby!  I'm trying to create something with some thought behind it, but in many areas I don't have any knowledge.  So the only way I can learn is to ask, unless I want to create something totally based on my imagination and preconceptions.  So, thank you for being one of those people who asks the questions, so that others may also learn.  Thank you to those who share their insight and knowledge and ideas.  

Thanks for bringing this topic up.  I've been wondering which way to do the levers as well, although I haven't got as far as being ready to stick them on to the frame (although I'll probably go with tacky wax so if they get knocked they might be less prone to breaking.  

Just to add to peoples' options (or at least considering other options), I got some white metal ones from a firm called Knightwing (no connection by the way, just commenting on my purchase).  I selected the two best mouldings to avoid trimming flash and seams too much, and popped them on.  It's a first go, so I'm not sure if the level relative to the sleepers/track is quite right, but it needs to clear the point mechanism (although I did cut off the little upright protrudence for this one, I’m using standard Hornby track by the way).  The ground level is the top of a layer of picture card, so I cut a hole into the card and so the frame is supposed to part-embedded in the ground.  That said, it needed enough room for theta bit of the point mechanism which sticks out as I didn’t want to cut that bit off.  The picture card was already down as I'm using it as the base for the goods yard floor.  

Photos below in case these are of interest.  The level assembly is just popped on at the moment, hence it isn't quite aligned properly... that’s me being a biff, it isn't to do with the product!!

8 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

 

Beware the dark side......

Reminds me of a joke...

Why is gaffer tape like The Force? 

Because it has a dark side, a good side, and it holds the Universe together. 

5 hours ago, 2ManySpams said:

 

For some strange reason I get lots of sheep related adverts too, so it's not just you.

 

 

I've never looked at the adverts before.  But I just spotted one with pictures of sheep and pictures of sheds, combined in the same add.  Then it morphed into an advert for 'thinking huts'.  So, presumably Google ads (or whatever) thinks I'm the kind of person who would like to take a sheep into a hut and then do some damn good thinking.  Now, I'm not an expert in AI/Artificial Intelligence, but if that's what AI is coming up with as its vision for the future of mankind, then that may be perceived as slightly worrying.  Unless its trying to tell me to move back to Yorkshire?