ROY@34F

The tubs at Grantham were 2 wheeled , bigger wheels as well ; but otherwise quite correct and well done on t'other side (mess room side) ; captures the scene well.

That's correct Graham , but not really Deltics , more the smaller suburban diesels , various classes . Roy.

As above posts , I also thoroughly enjoyed the Grantham layout in it's first outing of complete running form . What a brilliant job Graham & his merry gang have have done in capturing the overall atmosphere of the scene , and did'nt it run well well ,. I just had to keep going back to have another look , always finding something different to ponder over . I heard a few critical comments , but that's what you get with a model of a specific place . There will always be some folk who will point out something wrong , and you will never get perfection or suit everyone . But what a lovely overall picture it is , and it brings back such wonderful cherished memories for me ; and many more , I'm sure . Many thanks Graham and crew ,and as said in previous posts , thanks to so many for the friendly chats . There were so many good friends to see today . Regards , Roy .

The best I can suggest is to have a look at "Working ground signals" thread on this rmweb site , by Steve ? .That is where I got my inspiration to have a go . Steve operates his signals with servo motors , which he can set the throw of the operating wire with some electrical gubbins which is a bit beyond me , but not to most folk . It's a very interesting thread anyway . Regards , Roy.

Hello "Robert", Looking good , just for interest : the little hut in your 2382 post is actually used by visiting loco crews for somewhere to spend half an hour , make a brew and a bite of snap . Or at least it was in my day . They would drop their engine off on the ashpit/coaling plant road , check with the loco foreman in the time office of any changes to their planned return job , and after a cuppa , pick their prepared engine up on "London road" I've been there in my days at K.X. Gosh what happy days too ! Looking forward to the Grantham show , appreciate the hard work chaps . Regards , Roy .

Hi "Robert", Jeremy's model is excellent. I've seen it at the meetings we've had in Grantham (Return to Grantham) and it is more accurate than my memories mentioned previously . I think Jeremy has it spot on . Regards , Roy .

I must confess Gilbert,after I'd posted,I got to thinking I'm not too sure whether the 02s got south of New England yards regularly in 1958 . 9Fs and Austerities were more common were'nt they . But I'm sure you could use one occasionally. Sorry I can't be more specific. When at K.X. in'59 &'60 I made it a few times to New England on 9Fs, but of course that's quite a useless bit of info ! Roy.

Gilbert, As Derek says,I'm sure you can't resist a "Tango" or two as they were certainly frequent visitors to P.N. I know 'cos I've been there;got the T shirt etc. But I'm sure your aware they were often seen anyway. I continue to enjoy your thread ,though I know I don't comment as much as I should perhaps, so keep it up and thanks. Regards,Roy.

The bits of wood ? The bike shed ?

Thanks for that Graeme, I thought it was my podge intruding there ! must cut down on the cakes.

Thanks Phil. for your kind comments , and your so (W)right , T.W. certainly knows all about these things , and I was foxed at first with the dome , but thanks to John (61070) , another very knowledgeable gentleman , with his blowup picture it is beyond doubt '47 Donovan . Roy.

It must be old age !! I got the above post right round my neck . I meant to say '48 "Doncaster" had a "streamlined" dome , and the photo in post 1874 , and in 1880 looks to have a "round" dome , which someone suggested . does it ? ? In which case I think the engine is 60065 "Knight of Thistle" as it was the only Grantham engine with a round dome . And 60047 certainly had a streamlined dome , as Graham is suggesting in post 1880 . Now IF it is'nt a round dome....well take your pick . Sorry to labour the point gentlemen . Roy.

The A3 on the Hotpoint train in 1961.......I reckon it's 60065 Knight of Thistle ,a Grantham engine with GN coal rail tender and round dome . '48 Doncaster , as has been suggested , had a round dome . I seem to think it was the only engine we had at the time with a round dome . Regards , Roy

That's exactly how I did my gradients years ago Gordon, using risers screwed to crossmembers at different heights. At the time I used 1/2" chipboard and not nearly as neat as yours, but it has stood the test of time in my attic, and I'm sure my gradients are steeper. Indeed a friend of mine recently brought a Hornby A4 to show me and on trial it would only take 5 coaches without slipping on my layout. . BUT what I have done each time I've acquired an engine, I have usually added lead weights superglued in wherever, often casting lead in copper tube for the boiler, Sometimes removing the DCC gubbins to free up the room . I have 3 A4s, 3 A3s, 1 Bachman A1, all so treated and all will handle 13 Mk 1s easily. Of course some are ok like white metal kit built, like my DJH A1, and a Bachman K3 surprisingly sure-footed as bought. Their 2-8-0 austerities are'nt quite so good but reasonable. I realise it's more difficult if you're DCC as you cant very will move the DCC stuff out of the boiler space. By the way I am another follower of your escapades, and admire your workmanship. 00SF and your trackwork looks brilliant, I am a definite convert if I ever build any more points. Keep going at it please. Regards, Roy.

"Robert", I was up that hill the other day (South Parade bridge) and noticed the gradient is 8% (1 in 12 1/2 ). 'Thought you might be interested, as I did'nt think yours look quite as steep. Looking very good though. Roy.

Tony, In post 3311 , the photo of the O2/3 side view , the valve gear/radius link bracket and reversing rod look too close together . The rev. rod would'nt be able to swing upwards without fouling the rad. link , it looks to me . I guess the bracket and integral slidebars could move forward a bit , but not much as the crosshead would then hit the rear end of the slidebars . What do you think ? I'm sure we're all very grateful to you ,and of course many others others, for the input on this project , and you are too modest I'm sure . After all you must have enlightened the necessary people of the long travel valve / high footplate variant which other previous kits did'nt incorporate . (after the "Grantham fireman's advice ! ) Happy new year to you , and all on this very popular thread . Keep it going Tony , it is just the time and area of my cherished few years on the footplate . Regards , Roy.

Thanks Andy . No , I don't have a thread . Some have urged me to but I'm not really clever enough....takes me ages with one finger doing a post of any length , and I can't master reducing photos for posting . I often post on here , quite a bit on "Grantham the streamliner years" where there are one or two photos of my layout , kindly reduced by a good friend on the LNER forum and emailed to me . Computers are brilliant , but I belong in the steam age...ha ha . Roy

I have'nt posted on this very busy and popular thread before , and not wishing to prolong the agony , I have to say 00sf is brilliant and I entirely agree with RBE , sp1 and tender with what they have said on the matter . I have old code 100 Peco points in my fiddle yards , some code 75 also , plus many hand built copper clad ones on the visible parts , with SMP plain track . I decided to try a 00sf point , just tapering in to the 16.2 at the crossing and which is about 3 foot rad into the bargain , and everything sails through it beautifully , including an ancient Hornby 9F with rubber tyred tender drive , which pleasantly surprised me . The beauty is fine Maygib / Gibson / Sharman wheels along with Hornby and Bachman in some cases , do not "drop in" the frog gap . And it looks so much better for the finer flangeways . If I make any more points they'll certainly be 00sf . No altering BtoB on modern stock . It is after all EM minus 2 ( 18.2 to 16.2) I know it's "narrow gauge" , but only for perhaps an inch or two . Sorry if I am adding to the the confusion . This thread takes a lot of keeping up with , being so popular but keep it up folks , it's all interesting stuff and good luck with your project Andy . Regards , Roy .

This bricked up entrance Paul refers to certainly was a way in for folk such as me coming on my bike from Gonerby . And in my day was the way to get from work to the Railway Club for a "quenching refreshment" , not necessarily the Blue Bull , though of course the "club" would'nt be there in the 30's . Looking good Graham , considering the limited space you have . Roy.

Very nice "Robert", the Lee & Grinling building looks brilliant , certainly is typical of Grantham on the south side . The cattle market was quite a size as I remember , but I appreciate you are cramped for space , and it was to the north of Dysart Road , which you also have not been able to fit in ; but a depiction the scene would be appropriate , as you say . It's creating the atmosphere that is the important aim , and you're certainly achieving that . As for the up side goods yard , I can't remember much detail about it , but again it looks like you're getting it about right . Nice to see it all developing so well . Regards , Roy .

On the contrary, it's me who's embarrassed JCL. It is from the neck, and I apologise. I'd always understood it's from t'other end, but I've discovered I was wrong and you're quite right. I remember as a boy pigs being killed from time to time on my grandad's, and later my uncle's, farm in the fens near Boston. Cutting it up, salting the sides ready for hanging in cotton bags on big hooks in the back kitchen, making sausages etc.. The women of family and friends nearby would all "pig in" (pardon the pun) , being very busy for ages dealing with it. Sausages and "pigs fry" would be dished around to people . All a bit gruesome to young eyes, but a way of life long gone. Stuffed chine is jolly tasty anyway, and may well add a little atmosphere to the "Robert the Devil's" Grantham. Roy.

Stuffed chine---yes , the proper stuff from pork butchers, Watkins of Westgate, Grantham. I have some most weeks. Not always as reesty as chine should be, but tasty stuff with vinegar. Also pork dripping, from Watkins, with brown jelly in the bottem...loverly on toast. I reckon beef dripping is still available. I Like the comment about proper lincolnshire dough cake also.... The "chine" comes from the hind quarters of the pig, by the way; i'm sure, and being very reesty (as Graeme K. says) needs stuffing with parsley and boiling a fair while to make it paletteable. Nowt wasted when you kill a pig remember. Sorry for all this non-railway stuff on your thread Graham. Keep on inspiring us with your brilliant depiction of Grantham. Roy (Lincolnshire Yellowbelly).

That looks brilliant I think. Wish I was clever enough to do that ! Looks similar to the exactoscale slates that I've used, but of course they have to be cut out.

Tony, in answer to your post 2246 ....such is the popularity of this thread of yours !...on the previous page already... I can't remember which comet chassis it was; I did'nt even know there were different ones. I may well have had to modify things a bit, as often happens as you know. My rad. rod moves though, driven by a pin locating in the rad. link, and I think is guided by a pin in the reversing rod locating in the slot of the rad. rod . Does Tony Geary's actually move. It looks like the rad. rod on Tony's is fixed to the reversing rod by a soldered rivet. I know on some engines I have spent quite a while very delicately cutting the slot in the rear end of the rad. rod . I'm barmy, I know. But you can therefore get the thing to work as per prototype. May I just echo what others have said, that we follow this thread of yours with great interest. Even when going over things from years ago, and stock that we've all seen umpteen times, it's still captivating. I sometimes pick up little tips that I did'nt know or had forgotten. So keep it up Tony and co. Roy.

You may be interested in this photo of my B1 with comet valve gear (& chassis) and built in forward gear. I.E. with the radius rod in the lower half of the radius link/expansion link. It's something I like to do, as the engine is usually going forward, as you say. I have modified my Hornby A3s &A4s. T.W. thinks I'm mad....but he says it nicely ! Re. the return crank/eccentric crank, I always look at it that it FOLLOWS the driving crank (which it is fixed to) by quarter of a turn (well plus a couple or so degrees actually) when the engine is going forward, whichever side of the engine you are. So as T.W. says, with the driving crank on BDC (bottom dead centre) , the return crank is leaning right looking on the right side of the engine, and leaning left on the left. Apologies for butting in Tony, but thought I'd add my two penneth.