MarkC

I bought my example of that kit in 1994, and mine became 60532. I'm pretty sure that a double chimney was included, but what wasn't was the bits to represent the operating linkage and boxes cvering the multi-valve regulator that Blue Peter has. Whether later versions of the kit have these, I don't know, but I made suitable parts up

FGS don't give the b*ggers any ideas...

I stopped buying the Eye a couple of years ago. At a guess it was the carp about ships using scrubbers in the exhaust uptakes?

Oh, I don't know. Look who they elected as President...

Well, I've bitten the bullet and gone for a set of Worsley Works 4mm scale etches. I've been toying with the idea for a while; the announcement of the RTR one has made me decide to get the etches, just in case they become unavailable. A nice project for next trip, I think

Seeing how a RTR manufacturer would tackle the issue of the front bogie/cylinder interface whilst still allowing operation round fairly small radius track would be interesting,for sure. BUT, if it can be done then it would open the door for NER Atlantics, A7 and A8 tanks, the 4-8-0Ts or even Raven's big beastie - his Pacific. The last is, I would be the first to admit, probably a step too far, but never say never... Certainly a B16 would be a good choice for many - they were long-lived, were used on many varieties of trains, could be seen all over the old NER routes and occasionally further afield. Oh, and to many they could be regarded as a 'big chuffer'

M'yes, but those 4.5" shells are still pretty good if you're tasked with bombarding a shore, or against, for example, pirate mother ships. (The latter, of course, only if you have leaders with the cojones to allow the guns to be used rather than considering the yoomin rites of piratical vermin - but that's another story...)

What could possibly go wrong???

Darwin Award Winner...

How about some Triffids?

Oh, to be able to use that service today...

Where's the "Groan" button?

Ah, I note the vendor...

The madness continues I see that e***e is there again...

Genuine or shill bidding? But even so. Wow. Just...wow

This is the sort of machine I have - it was sold by BT, but works just fine with another provider. We haven't had one spammer, scammer, data miner or cold caller for 2 years now. If anyone who isn't in the 'approved' list calls, they have the option to either try and connect, or leave a message and we'll get back to them. Our own recorded answering machine goes "Leave a message, or call our mobiles". That's it. It doesn't even give our first names out. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-1700-Nuisance-Call-Blocker-Cordless-Home-Phone-with-Answer-Machine-Single/173473178569?epid=2255452098&hash=item2863cea3c9:g:YmQAAOSwK~ZbdCWS:rk:2:pf:0

A Call Blocker phone is the best defence against these vermin

Working for some of the Arabic Countries' oil majors was like that. Friend of mine was sacked after an electric motor started glowing - not good on a ship loaded with 55,000 cubic metres of liquid propane. The Company chose to believe the 4th Engineer, one of their own, over my friend...

Of course, there's the "Russian Repair", done as someone is about to leave the ship. Drain holed pipe down. Wrap chart paper round the pipe. Apply several thick coats of paint. Leg it... Next poor ba****d who opens the valves to put that pipe into use gets a bit of a shock. Don't ask me how I know that this is not a tall tale... ...oh, all right. Happened to me. Scary stuff. An 8" diameter Main Sea Water line in the bottom of the Engine Room. We did identify the person responsible, although we couldn't prove it - but he wasn't invited back. Sometimes voyage contracts work in our favour...

I agree with Daddyman - the 52F chassis is well worth waiting for. As for the long bearings - there's no need. As long as your iron is big enough, 25W or more, you can get your shorter bearings soldered into the frames from the outside. Just make sure that the metal is clean and use plenty of flux. It is possible.

You know, the more I look at the images from 91119 'out and about' yesterday that are seemingly everywhere on the 'net/social media, the more I'm struck by the lack of visual 'clash' between locomotive and leading coach, particularly in the classic 3/4 front view. There's little or no whinging about the new loco colours either, which is nice

I hear that the last phone call from the Bridge to the Engine Room went something like "For goodness' sake, Chief. Stop gargling and tell me how bad the leak is..."

Very true. What a pity, then, that nobody copyrighted "Man and machine in perfect harmony" before Ford used it in their Blancmange - sorry, Sierra - advertising in the early 90s...

We had a discussion about these abominations a while ago, didn't we? There's only one real reason why these things still operate, of course... (hint - it's not about making money)