Charles

On 29/05/2023 at 16:52, Nearholmer said:

Has anybody mentioned the use of Class 50 to complete the trip from Euston to Glasgow until wiring was complete?

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 ??

8 hours ago, manna said:

G'Day Folks

Compared to getting over-excited and ranty on a forum? Give them some credit, they have a good record of responding to customers.

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

Also, has anyone else's model arrived with the 4 front railings missing? Got mine from Rails of Sheffield, will give them a call after Christmas. Hoping they / Hornby have plenty of spares...

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

Justice has been served

There's been some thug called Carl going round breaking in to people's houses near me for months, but the police couldn't catch him. The weirdest thing about it all is he was breaking into people's houses just to ruin their washing machines by putting bricks in to them & turning them on!!!!! Really weird if you ask me... Anyway, just read that he was found dead in an alley coz of a drug overdose.. It's never nice hearing of someones death, but on the bright side, washing machines live longer with Carl gone

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.

One of the problems with model railway clubs is the wide difference in what clubs offer. I am a member of a very large club and the vast majority are folk who use RTR models, we have the odd scratch builder and some very proficient in kit building. We have several club layouts in different scales and gauges, most use RTR track but build super layouts. My previous club which is tiny in comparison had more accomplished scratch and kit builders, but achieved far less.

 

Its not just going to a club, but finding a club with a person(s) who has the ability/skills required. Plus with young people normally clubs require they are accompanied by a family member.

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.

I understand yours and the consumer point of view. There is a raise in expectation with the price. However the process which makes them has not changed only the workforce wants better wages (if some what government imposed over there). The model is made to a standard which - for me - is about the same as before. My schools brought in the cheap old days arrived in bits for example, and I can think of plenty of cases. Some were easy enough to put right, others were returned/replaced (I nearly gave up on Heljan's 23 and 28 after a few attempts on trying to get a good one). It is annoying returning stuff, but I certainly agree that I do not like having money in a faulty model so back it goes in those cases.

We don,t know what the rate of rejects/returns for these locos are unless a model shop comes here saying what percentage they returned. We do know people are more likely to share their bad experiences in places like here where as positive experiences are less likely (other than the first 5 posts following release). If 10% were returned (a big figure for returns), should Hornby request a recall? On what grounds are they going to make the recall? And if you had a perfect one (like me), why should I send it back?

One could also argue that Hornby did not make enough to meet demand and the next batch will be more expensive. But Hornby has over produced many items the previous year leading to deep discounting to shift them (at Hornby's loss - they loosing money). Even then we are still saturated with deep discounted items!

I sympathise with those who had issues and wish them well to getting them sorted out. I know its a lot of money too, admittedly I would not have brought mine at £200 (3/4 of that is my limit), but I will say mine is perfect, very happy with it and I assume many others must have liked theirs for it to have got around a 1000 votes for model of the year (and I voted the H class here too!).

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.

Well mine was fine and I suspect most are fine. If it is was not, my life was not in danger.

 

I tried the paper test and found locos across all ages having this issue. The only aspect is that the modern duchess and merchant navies have weight centred towards the rear, previousl models were more centered towards the middle. This can cause issue if undulations are too great in the track work (I sorted the track out in my case to the benefit of other locos).

 

If it had been faulty, I would have sent mine back.

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.

I don't what the fuss is about, you can buy one new from a retailer in NZ

 

https://www.hobbycity.nz/collections/locomotives/products/br-coronation-cl-sir-william

 

about £185, plus delivery   but that price is quite normal local retail for we antipodeans,  who have the advantage of VAT off for web purchases from UK retailer (not Ebay)

 

the above may even qualify for NZ goods and services tax off for export,  12.5% off   but I don't know Hobby City's system... only that they are good retailers here. (no connection)

 

FWIW I bought two SWS models from UK sellers, one was faulty , front locating lug broken, valve gear badly made/bent, , paint, mostly fixable but refunded in full after return to Rails, the other was fine.

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