clecklewyke

I really enjoyed the show and in particular Bridgwater. This has meticulous attention to detail, not only in its physical aspects, in the layout and rolling stock (all of which was scratch or kit built) but also in its operation. Everything worked as on the prototype. Block bells made the correct codes, every movement was properly signalled. Everything made the correct sounds. This extended to the signal box. I’ve heard block bells properly used (indeed we use them on the Bradford North Western branch) but I’ve never before heard the clank of levers moving. I was privileged to be invited back scene and I was tremendously inspired. Trevor Gibson should be recognised as a master of his craft, on a par with Denny, Jenkinson et al. Trevor seems to be a very modest chap. The only reference I can find on the web is his very interesting web site https://bridgwatersdjr.wordpress.com/about/ Ian

I should point out that Woodcock is a Hornby loco, the DCC. chjp is by Loksound and the sound project is by Locoman. Thoroughly recommenced - credit where credit due! Ian

Another couple of photos of my semi-scenic fiddle yard, which I call Scargill Sidings. The throat is controlled by a geographic panel which is on a long lead so that when I am operating alone I can operating alone I can move it alongside the main BNW controls. It saves a lot of walking about! The.first is of a field barn whose funcios are twofold. First I wanted to do some real modelling as a relief from fettling track but it’s main purpose is to hide a point motor I had replaced.and relocate in a more accessible location. All the ohetr point motors are easily reached but normally hidden by the embankment.b

Here she is. She looked, performed and sounded wonderful. At rest thee was that lovely burbling sound of steam under pressure, which took us back to York in our teens. Then that chime whistle which made us shout “streak!” and scamper to the other end of the platform to see if it was a “cop”. DCC made for a really smooth start with a superb rendering of that characteristic, slightly syncopated beat. We are blessed to have such models available, ready to run.

I,ve spent far longerfettling those terrible Markway points than I expected. They really are not fit for purpose. However, we are beginning to get some reasonable running and there have been a few other developments to report. Yesterday “the boys” I.e. S4Soc CRAG came round and we had an enjoyable running session. It was enlivened by the unexpected appearance of an A4 on a football special, seen below * crossing the canal at Clecklewyke. It seems that Doncaster had rostered Woodcock to haul the train carrying supporters of Bradford Park Avenue to Wembley and back for their team’s one and only appearance in the FA cup final. For the record PA lost 4-1 to Manchester United. * It will be seen just as soon as I can work out hot to attach a photo with this annoying new software. grrrr.....

Yes but... If you cannot import a layout database created with a different version of the Z21 software I think it means you have to rebuild the database if you want to use a new version of the Z21 app. That must be wrong? Ian

The Android phone has version 2.6.5 and the iPad is 2.3.21. That is the latest version I can find on the iPad App Store. I don’t want to downgrade my phone for fear of losing my layout database. I am reminded that some time ago a friend managed to import my layout on to his iPhone so I think I am doing someone wrong, but what? Ian

Can a Z21 layout database be exported from an Android device to an iPad? I have a Z21 database (= configuration file) on my Samsung phone which I have been trying to import into an iPad. I get as far as clicking on the Z21 configuration file attached to the email in the iPad and responding to the prompt to identify the name of the layout but then just get transferred to the home page of the Z21 app, which does not have the downloaded file. I conclude that either the layout database comes in two distinct flavours, Android and iPad, with no means of converting one ro the other, or I am doing something wrong. Help, pease! Ian

<curmudgeon mode on> It might have been “good family entertainment” but it did nought for me. I think a smaller proper diorama format would have reflected railway modelling as a really adult hobby. Hepton Wharf it wasn’t. This was a layout built by Iain Rice, Don Leeper et al during a Scaleforum weekend. It has subsequently been developed further, see https://www.scalefour.org/layouts/exhibheptonwharf.html I was surprised at the lack of focus on railways proper, even on the Missenden group’s depiction of The Ladykillers. A circulating tank engine with two corridor coaches was an unlikely train on the approaches to Kings Cross and where were any signals? But I did like their “illegal” buildings with forced perspective. How did they make them? <curmudgeon mode off> Having said all that I recognise that I am hardly an average viewer. I come with a strong view of the type of model railway that I like. I know that others have different likes, at which point I duck for cover... Ian

John I was in Leeds station yesterday and noticed that platforms 1 and 2 are at a lower level than the rest of the station and that platform 1 has an old saw-tooth awning similar to Bingley station, on nicely ornamental casr iron pillars. Are these relics of the old Midland station? Ian

I wonder if they will be previously unpublished images? I have Decline of Steam, Each a Glimpse and Gone for Ever and I would hate to part with good money for duplicates, no matter how good and evocative they are. Ian

My grandfather was a coal factor - "Everett and Shepherd" - and I well remember his long-lasting resentment at the appropriation of his PO wagons. I wonder what sort of compensation he received - not enough in his view I guess. Ian Everett.

How big was the loft trapdoor? A friend once built a Mirror dinghy in his living room - and had to remove the bay window to get it out. Ian

Jason Will you be disposing of any of your lovely buidings? They would be just the job for Bradford North Western! Also, somewhere I have a High Level kit fhr an industrial 0-4-0 (I forget precisely which) tuat I will never build. Would you be interested in a swap for a BR loco? Ian

I think I've asked this quwation before - certainly I have in other forums - but never gpt a satisfactory answer. Perhaps lovers of the East Riding railways will do better? Do you recall a large notice that stood in the grounds of Thomas Stratten School adjacent to the throat of Hull Paragon station? It implored engine drivers to avoid making loud moises, saying something like "School. Drivers please keep your engine quiet." I'd like to use this on Bradford North ~Western and I would like to get the wording correct. I wonder if Mr Nicholson has a photo. It must have been within view of his old signal box, West Parade. Ian

Doug, what you need for enlarging holes gradually is a set of tapered cutting broaches such as these Ian

The friction can be varied by changing the number or thickness of the plasricard spacers. All the keys and spacers "float" so all the keys have the same lateral force and hence friction - very neat! Ian

You're quite right Tim. I just used what I had and my memory is pretty poor. Of course the actual thickness is not very critical to thr working of the lever frame/ Cheers, Ian

I also hve a Scalefour Soc lever frame.. It took me hours to complete with lots of fettling required but I needed a bigger frame - some 20 levers plus spares - and I thought the connection between ther lever and the turned handle was weak. The PD design, with 23 levers has taken about three hours to complete. Now for the wire-in-tube connections... Ian

At last, some evidence of progress. We'll dispense with boring bits sch as track-fettling and concentrate on the new lever frame and station roof. First, the lever frame, which is based on Peter Denny's design. It comprises 3" long strips of 12mm sq timber (I wanted 10mm sq but the local timber yard did not have it) interleaved with strips of 5 thou plasticard. The red keys are for signals, the black for points and the uncoloured are spare - I might want to add connections to an MPD later. The base is 5mm plywood. The completed frame. Knobs are upholstery nails and the connections to the wire in tube are mild steel wire (paper clips!) attached to the piano wire by electrical connectors, which will allow adjustment. Simple and costing pence! The station roof is beginning to take shape. It is based loosely on Manchester Mayfield. The main lattice girders are by Plastruct. I will omit all the fine trusses as these would be invisible from our eye-level viewing position (and they would be very fiddly to make - remember I am adopting a broad brush approach as I simply cannot do fine work any more). The individual sections of the roof will simply lift off to gain access but I am hoping my version of S&W couplings will work well with the permanent magnets installed between the sleepers.

There have been many railway modellers who have been honoured for other activities, such as Jim Summers for sevices to the railway industry (he designed the regular interval timetablr for Scotrail when Chris Green was the boss but coincidentally he held several senior roles within the Scaefour Society). Rod Stewart gained a gong for cavorting in tight trousers but I don't think the fact that he is also a railway modeller was mentioned in the citation. I just think that such an important hobby should be recognised. No disrespect to pony clubs, Ivan, but if services to ponies are recognised why not model railways? To build a good model railway you need lots of skills and dedication and your work can give great pleasure to others - and no-one (apart from messrs Hornby and Prichard) has become rich from building model railways - it's done for love.. Ian

Butanone is the modern name for Methyl Ethyl Ketone, which was the solvent used by George Slater, and which he sold as MEKpak for use with his Slater's Plasticard. Plasticard and most plastic kits (Fallers, Wills etc) are made of polystyrene, so Butanone works well with them. I endorse the advice of applying with a small paint brush, using capillary action to make it flow between the mated surfaces. Butanone can be bought in small doses under various trade marks but it is much cheaper to buy a 500ml bottle from Amazon which will probably out-live me, especially if I smoke and use it in an un-ventilated space like George did when he was demonstrating it! I decant small amounts of it into a small bottle which I hold in a simple wood and card structure to prevent it spilling. Ian

I know, I've tried (not for Mr P.) You need to provide a lot of supporting evidence and letters of recommendation by other people but it's quite straightforward and clearly they are trying to be inclusive. But I infer that services to hobbies (unless it involves ponies...) are not considered. All the details are here. Ian

As a good republican I don't really know why this excites my attention but yet again as far as I can see no-one has been awarded a gong for services to railway modelling. Yet someone's been rewarded for saving rabbits. Round here they are a pest and get shot. And is the David Joy, CE of London and Continental Railways, who's been given an MBE, "our" David Joy, who has written lots of railway books? Ian

I find that statement amazing as there was so much more scope for operating a much greater variety of trains on Bacup. With a well-thought-out timetable, full signalling, block instruments and a good wagon contrpl system, as used by Amrtican modellers it should have been an operator's dream. I wonder what made the mill more fun? Having said that, it's great to hear from you, Jason, and I look forward to seeing your next project. Ian