Charles

What an odd question. Surely we should be asking about motive power on the journey from Glasgow to Euston ?? I made that trip with double headed 50's, in 1971. It was very, very special, particularly in contemplation of, perhaps, seeing my homeland for the last time. In the event, they performed flawlessly. An '86' was substituted at Crewe, and from there on the whole event has been pretty uninspiring. Yes, all of it. Charles

Someone commented above about the distinctive smell. 35 years after leaving Glasgow, I climbed to the top of a plastic film manufacturing tower, in a factory here in Sydney. At the top was an ozone generator, the ozone beingused to remove static electricity from the film during manufacture. My first thought upon smelling the ozone was 'Glasgow Subway', so I presume the smell would have come from arcing between the collectors on the train and power rail on the wall. Charles

I always wondered what the distinctive smell in the Glasgow Subway was, until about 15 years ago, doing a job in a Union Carbide plastic film factory here in Sydney. Clambering over various equipment I came across an Ozone generator, the purpose of which was to remove electrical charge from the film. My nose immediately told me Glasgow Subway, and I have no doubt that's what is was. The Ozone created by the arcing between the carriage pick-up and the wall mounted electrical feed rail which lay at about shoulder height. Charles

My two 'as built's' arrived at my local Post Office in Sydney yesterday, and were collected today. In my view Rails of Sheffield deserve sincere appreciation for the manner and quality of their packaging, which could not possibly be improved upon. Present circumstances dictate my models will need to remain in their unopened boxes for a little while, but I have no concern whatsoever for the integrity of the goods supplied. It's been a fairly long wait since ordering at the first opportunity, so waiting a little longer before opening isn't too hard, particularly when I can see the excellent quality of my new locomotives. Best regards to all at RMWeb. Charles

Forgive me. I meant to say VERY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, in no way directed to RMWeb.

Tks, Andy, Leaving the most urgent issue to one side, for, hopefully a short while, I must say NO, I have not tried to join RMWeb from observing posts which might have been made about the subject, as that is what you have provided. I sort of expected that if I wanted to join RMWeb, with money, that I might find a means of 'signing-up' within RMWeb within the RMWeb website, but I can find none. I have tried on a number of occassions. Only too happy to join up with a bunch of the Best People in the World, but I find when I accept your suggested means of 'signing-up', I find FILTH. Your call, Andy.

Tks Andy, Nothing is working at all. I've tried to make a Full Paid join-up on a number of occassions, buit there is nothing here, or previously, which will lead me to where I can do so. I think the obvious 'filthy intrusion' should have been of more concern. Charles

I must apologise in advance if I reveal my lack of understanding of the issue, but I too am very annoyed by the large, intrusive, advertisement appearing on RMWeb for some weeks now. The advertisement/videos appear to be coming from some company called 'Connatix' who, it seems, have breached RMWeb security and attached their messages to the RMWeb page. I have no reason to think RMWeb have approved the Connatix advert/videos, but it seems it is only RMWeb who can remove this unwelcome intruder. I think that maybe I should be concerned that RMWeb seem to have allowed this intrusion and, so far as I can see are making no attempt to correct the situation. If I am misunderstanding the situation as it appears to me to be, please do not hesitate to tell me so. I certainly do not mean to offend anyone. Best regard, Charles

Yes. Other than the absence of constipation, how do you recognise the difference from any other Monday morning ??

Hi Fellows, I was about to about to contribute my observations and disappointment with R3623 'Queen Elizabeth' on 16 January last, when I read Andy's message quoted above, and for which I say to Andy, Thank You. So, rather than get 'over-excited and ranty', I thought 'Very good Point', he's totally correct, 'I should write to Hornby. I did so on 16 January last, and encountered a form, the likes of which I consider utterly offensive i.e. put your comments here in this small box. This is a device extensively used by Governments and businesses in Australia so as to deny the opportunity to make an effective complaint. Nevertheless I did not have that experience at the Hornby website. I have suggested to Hornby that they have either failed to manufacture, or failed to fit during assembly, the correct handrails they intended to fit when designing the new model - as is clearly the case. Hornby have responded, within their stated '5 day standard', to say they have passed my "inquiry onto the development team for further clarification". My purpose in posting this message is to ensure that the thread remains alive. Lord knows what they will do when they issue "Sutherland" in present condition. "Duchess of Sutherland" as she presently appears has no upper handrails at all. I wonder how Hornby intend to deal with the "machine gun" holes they have chosen to place, prominently, on the 'face' of the model. I will report back when I have Hornby's response. Best regards to all at RMWeb, Charles

Hi drt7uk, It looks like a great model, and I hope you are, ultimately, very happy with it. I guess Rails of Sheffield should be acknowledged for getting it to you as quick as they could. May I ask if Rails of Sheffield included a 'certificate' with your purchase, which said that your model had been inspected and approved for dispatch as being satisfactory ?? Best regards, Charles

Hello, Gents and Ladies. Loved the Beano cartoon above. My last MRJ is No. 264, but I can rely upon my Newsagent to regularly supply, and I've noticed the regular purchase of the two other copies my Newsagent orders since my order was placed with him about 3 yrs ago. Perhaps an MRJ thread is not the best place to say this, but I do believe the model railway press has a very important part to play in the education of our youth. All of the magazines, printed or otherwise, should bear this in mind at all times. We/They are attempting to provide an example, and it behoves us to do so in a fashion which illustrates proper use of our language. I am happy to attribute my use of language, particularly as written, to Mr. Cyril Freezer, editor of Railway Modeller. It was from Cyril; who I had the pleasure of meeting at Model Rail Scotland in 1971, I learned enough, through his Editorials, and the magazine generally, to pursue a career whereby what I would write is what I lived by (mostly legal briefs for maritime stuffs up). I know we are living in a far different world today, and I acknowledge again an MRJ column is probably not the most appropriate place to raise such a general concern, but the fact of it being an MRJ column seems to say that it may well be. I need to say I learned, certainly accompanied by some very excellent teaching, particularly in Primary School, how to write about anything which might concern me, from the model railway press; Railway Modeller in particular. We don't all come from 'reading' families. Best regards, Charles

Hi, Signaller69. I must say that I am really impressed with your Class 303 project and the progress you have made. They have always been a favourite of mine, having spent too many evenings travelling from Bridgeton Cross to Balloch and back when I should have been doing my homework. Haven't seen one since 1971 however. The attached photo, taken from the Blue Trains booklet produced by BR at the time of the Glasgow electrification may be of interest to you regarding front end details (can't imagine it could be subject of any copyright issue), although you certainly seem to have that aspect very well in hand I am looking forward to seeing how your project comes to fruition, in particular how you deal with the wrap-around glazing. Thanks for the inspiration. Charles

That is in VERY bad taste, and I'm sorry to see it not so noted within the Topic (Noted I have read a more recent message of a similar ilk, which was, at least to some extent, debated, between protagonists who argued their right to 'state it as it is'). I've spent a couple of very enjoyable hours this evening, coursing back through a thread I'm not familiar with. I particularly enjoyed the story about the rubber duckies, and followed the links and find, yet again, that RMWeb is a source of wonderful information, aside from being the best possible resource to turn to for railway modelling advice or inspiration. If I may, two questions; 1. Is it OK to remain 'signed-on' to RMWeb ??, So as to participate, say, in this conversation.? I've always thought that I have an obligation to sign-off, so as to not inhibit the access of others. 2. Is it OK to forward the .utterly delightful and profound observations you fellows make (noting Tony Wright's observations about originality), to others who would well appreciate same ??. Say, Accredited to 'RMWeb' ? Almost Midnight for me now. Cheers, Charles.

Thank you, Hayfield. Very well reprimanded, as I realised I deserved when following your links. My model railway club was EKMRC in 1970, before coming to Australia in 1971. I guess the 'world' has changed since then, although it deed seem to me at 14 that we were all 'flying in the dark' with forming a new club. We went to Model Rail 1971 in the McLennan Galleries, where we made our presence known. I was treated as an Adult there, but I understand we might live in a different world today. Your references show that I was far too quick to say that RMWeb is a bit 'light' on how to type postings. Indeed, considered again, 90% of RMWeb postings are nothing but 'how to' type postings, when read accordingly. At the risk of imposing upon another's thread, it may well be that a 'Here is a build' group, of a particular kits may well be a manner in which RMWeb could advance. The obvious question is - 'So are you going to start, Charles ?'. I'll give it my best shot, and I'm happy to be quoted upon having said so. Good Luck to Bundeena (whose namesake is very near to one of the most beautiful places on planet Earth). Charles

Hi Bundeena 2230, greetings from the Shire. I suspect I may have discovered one of the other purchasers of MRJ at the Kirrawee Newsagent, since I asked them to secure it for me. Whilst I fully admire your intention to involve and demonstrate how to go about things, surely this has been done before, to a limited extent, on RMWeb and, as 'micklner' referred to in his post of 18 March referring to http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/31727-lochgorm-4mm-lner-cov-b-van/ which considers a kit specifically designed so as to serve as a 'new to kit building / soldering exercise'. It might be nice to see a few more step-by-step 'how to's', as you are clearly trying to do, and I can only plead GUILTY to personal failure in such regard, but surely if a 15 or 16 year old, in the UK anyway, wants to know about railway modelling the best thing to do would be to join a Model Railway Club ?. I acknowledge things are far more limited in Australia, but given your putative beneficiaries, how does this young British Railway enthusiast, lacking the skills which seem to be common across railway enthusiasts everywhere, ie concern with detail and research, arrive at wanting to build a Jidenco kit of anything at all ? I hope you will not find my comments too negative, and I would certainly like to see how your Jidenco build continues. Best regards Charles

Hi JS. Did post a reply, foreshortened through things needing immediate attention. The reply seems to be gone. However when I did attempt to get back to you I found a PM from someone calling themself 'The Great Bear' or the like, talking about Passchendaele (I'm sure you need no clarification). I tried to deal with that, and must now off to bed. Amongst other things, I did say that I went ahead with the purchase of the model, courtesy J.Isherwood's fair comment. I'll let you know about what arrives. I would also like to continue 'consumer expectation' aspect of our exchange. Perhaps it should fall under another heading ?. In the interim, whilst I have deeply held sincere views about the Great War, as my PM was talking about, at first glance it seems RMWeb has a bit of a problem with PM's coming in from unexpected angles.. Sorry, must go, 700 km journey in the morning. Best regards Charles

Thank you for your courteous response, JS. You raise a number of issues which, I think, should be considered. Leaving Hornby aside for a moment. What would happen if everyone took my 'recipe for Hornby' to heart and started issuing proceedings against anyone who, however unintentionally, let forth into the market a model which was fundamentally flawed, that is to say 'destroyed itself', when power was first applied. Sorry, some fundamental issues just arose and must attend. Best regards Charles. PS. I took John Isherwoods advice, and ordered it anyway.

Thanks, JS. I think my fair point clearly was that since RMWeb correspondents represent such a small percentage of the total market, and such a large proportion of RMWeb correspondents reported a defective product, This points directly to a defective product being sold on the market in a large scale, to the detriment of the hobby. It is somewhat disingenuous to suggest your life was not in danger, we'll need to wait for the reports to come in, won't we ? If you are happy to see a GBP 200.00 product sold on to the market, when that product seems to be clearly defective, as reported by our peers, so be it. I'm happy for you that you are 'flush' enough to put 200 quid out for your young fellow's Christmas present and still bring him a happy Christmas. But I think if I had bought a similar present and the valve gear destroyed itself as the wheels first turned, I'd be pretty annoyed, and the recipient of the present would be pretty disappointed, particularly so when I subsequently learned that the problem was clearly known before I made the purchase. I respect your apparent point of view, and I do not know how 'consumer laws' may operate in the UK, but I reckon if someone takes GBP 200.00 from me, fully knowing that they are selling me a defective product, there ought to be some remedy available to me which might discourage any repeat of such behaviour. Best regards Charles

Thanks Rob, That was a really good suggestion. So I had a look around, and I found one - https://www.mightyape.com.au - sitting at an internet retailer whose business model is utterly unclear to me. AUD 390.00 which equates to about GBP 219.00 today seems to be a reasonable price for a model 'landed' in Australia, and a quick look around the site confirms this is what they charge for a 'Pacific' locomotive (although there was a very questionable 'Flying Scotsman'). I know nothing about these people at all, but I have have no concern about their legitimacy in making 'card' transactions. So I arranged to transfer funds to my debit card so as to make the purchase. Whilst awaiting the funds to arrive in my debit card account, I took the opportunity to review this thread, and what do I find ?? Absolutely shocking behaviour on the part of Hornby. Selling clearly defective models, which should have been subject to IMMEDIATE recall. Are Hornby 'hell bent' to trying to destroy the hobby ?? I haven't even attempted to calculate the number of defective models they may have sold on to the market, but it seems perfectly clear that the number of reports of defective models from RMWeb people must represent a very small percentage of the sales, and Hornby's apparent behaviour can have nothing but a deeply negative influence upon the Hobby. Maybe I don't sign in to RMWeb often enough, and maybe I should contribute more, but it does seem to me Hornby should be making some very fast representations to the appropriate authorities before someone calls them to task, before Law. The model should work without destroying itself, and creating a PROBLEM for the purchaser. How many potential railway modellers would RMWeb correspondents think this exercise has turned to 'not being bothered again' with model railways ?. I have chosen not to proceed with my purchase. Kind regards to all at RMWeb. Cheers, Charles

Evening all, and Happy New Year from Australia. I'm wondering if anyone might expand my knowledge or point to information as to the history of the Chain in George Square, Glasgow. When I say the Chain, I mean the installation of a, presumably brass, presumably 22 yards long, thin solid block, which I recall also included measures for yards, feet and inches, and perhaps more. It lies behind the park benches in the NE corner of of central George Square, near the Cenotaph. I don't recall how I first learned of the existence of this part of Glasgow history, but I imagine it must have been through my association with the Strathclyde University Astronomy Club, when I was a student in 2cnd year at Allan Glens. I'm sorry to say I haven't been to Glasgow in 45 years. I wonder if there is more to the Chain i.e. 10 Chains equals a furlong, I reckon that might well have fitted into George Square, so does anyone know if there was a furlong mark ? (Funny how things appear bigger with the mind of a child). Does anyone know where this installation has its provenance? I have a very vague recollection that such installations were, at least fairly, common. So that's the measuring, does anyone know what we might have done about weight ? In a similarly public fashion. I'd be very chuffed indeed if you didn't know the Chain was there, and you could go to see it now. Best regards Charles

'I must have built over six Wolves of Badenoch, and this is my current one............' As Australians say, 'fair go'. I'd like to say Tony, and fellow contributors, I find being able to spend a little time catching up with what is going on the railway modelling world provides me with a great deal of relief from current difficulties. The level of discussion, and the modelling and methods on display, are truely informative, and I feel privileged to be allowed to look into such a mutual assembly, as it has formed. I'm sorry to say I cannot say much about my çurrent project', a 00 DJH Duchess, but it will get underway shortly, and I would be privileged to report my progress on RMWeb in the appropriate place. Thank you all for your inspiration. Best regards Charles

Hello Fellows, I didn't see the first broadcast of Dr. Who, only the second broadcast of the the first which came about on the following Saturday. I truely recall sharing something special with my Dad, because this was something he wanted me to see, and sharing something with my Dad alone was really special - perhaps the first time we ever did. I also recall that was when Peppermint 'Malteasers' were available, well in Glasgow anyway, for the first time - so Peppermint Malteasers, my first evening with my Father, and Dr. Who. I recall being a bit disappointed by the first episode because nothing happened. Best regards to all, Charles

Hello Lady-Ava-Hay. I've only come across your thread today. I have been a member here for many years, but a somewhat irregular visitor. I think it it has been very selfless of you to have told your story in the manner you have, and you have provided an invaluable resource for others who might find themselves in a similar situation, as almost all of us eventually will, although not, perhaps, with the regularly recurring uncertainty you have had the misfortune to meet. I do hope you get much more positive news from your Medical people; you've managed to illustrate them in the manner I think they deserve. I have had similar experience here in Australia with our equivalent of the NHS, and those of us in this 'first world' would do well to have proper regard for our very privileged position in being provided with a dependable health service (whatever it's deficiencies) which shows the rest of the world how they should behave. Having had the luxury of reading your full thread today, I am a little surprised that the public 'personal' responses began to fall away. Not too much so. After all, how many times can you say 'you have my heartfelt sympathy'. But I was very encouraged by the responses which appeared a couple of years ago now, who in themselves sought to encourage fellow modellers to 'get in touch' with their own bodies and to be very mindful of themselves. The impetus to remind our fellow railway modellers to be conscious of their health seems to have drifted a bit. That said: I've got my second PSA test kit sent to me by the Government sitting under my Coffee Table now. I do not understand why I find it 'beyond the pale' to provide the Australian government with a sample. I mention this only because I think RMWeb is a good forum to raise consciousness amongst fellow railway modellers about the necessity of being aware of health issues such as we all have to confront; and let's face it, railway modellers are not renowned for being adventure sportspeople - not to say we shouldn't be. If things are going good for you now, why not buy a kit - say from Parkside Dundas - and get into what it is you seem to want to say through your modelling ? Good Luck Mate ! Charles .

Hi Jamie, He noted in his Diary "James Born and 72002". I've done my research, fairly thoroughly I hope, and I can find no locomotive "James Born". I have reserved my Brassmasters 4mm edition, and like you, I think the Princess Coronation, is the finest steam engine ever created. Not only as a consequence of demonstrable fact, but for similarly sentimental reasons. I hope the construction of your City of Carlisle will bring you every satisfaction, and I'm confident it will. That said, and noting you have a few things on the go at the moment, perhaps you could also turn your attention to an almost pristine Clan Campbell. The Clans, like the Britannia's, may not have been at the pinnacle of British locomotive development, but they were a fine looking locomotive. I am happy for you to have found your Duchess and wish you every success. Best regards Charles