Pendennis

Last month my medication, RM 48 Hour tracked, took 7 days to get from West London to Surrey; inexplicably it spent three day in a mail office in Larne, yes the Larne in Northern Ireland!

As a Civil Servant I was paid monthly at the end of the month: when my job was hived off to the CAA it stayed the same and continued to do so when it was hived off to NATS; that was subsequently privatised but the payments stayed the same. However my pension, from the CAA Pension Fund, is paid monthly at the begining of the month.

You're not an 'overseas' agent for SNCF are you? They are paid twice in December, that's why they usually go on strike in November. Most workers in France get double pay in December; its not a Christmas bonus, its because their annual income tax payment is due in January. I can't be sure about other European countries, but the PAYE system is not at all common outside the UK.

Your iPlayer is obviously different to mine because I watched BOTH German episodes from Series 4 on Wednesday night via the BBC2 listing!

But on the BBC2 iPlayer they list Episode 1 Salamanca-Canfranc, Episode 2 Orleans-Reims and the two German ones - that's all!

In their infinite wisdom, the BBC have put the German episode from the 2015 series on iPlayer; Freiburg to Hanover in two 30 minute bits. Are they trying to con us or what. Martin

Episode 3 Berlin - Stuttgart was scheduled to be broadcast last night (WED 12th August) at 20.00 but, despite being in the listing magazines and on the programme planner, it failed to materialise. Anyone know why? BBC now list it for SAT 15th at 18:30 but still list Episodes 4 and 5 for the following Wednesdays. I'm confused! Martin

I'm sorry but I had a problem with them too; despite verbally promising otherwise, they took the full 28 day statutory period to deliver something they had in stock. What other on-line retailer offers that sort of service?

It wasn't any of those, the Spanish Navy also have a fleet of AV-8B+ and a pair of them did at least a couple of UK shows last year, Yeovilton and Fairford. For the non-aviation readers, the AV-8B+ is the contemporary USMC version of the Harrier.

Does this include Derails, my on-line store of choice?

The trouble is that, initially at least, many of the liveries are understandably pre-grouping ones including the GWR ones and may not be suitable for GWR 1930/40s and thus not ideal for LM and ANTB. I'm going to wait and see if some more post grouping liveries materialize; I'm sure this type of coach lasted into the 1950s on workmen's trains. I've lived without coaches such as these for 30 years, another two or three won't matter too much. The number of areas and eras that these could made for must be vast and for a full-brake even greater, they could be a real money-spinner for Hattons. The normally terrible (in my opinion) Platform 1 on YouTube yesterday (12/9) did feature these coaches and the indications are that they have realised not doing a full-brake was a big mistake and are designing one right now.

I do wish Kernow every success with this project, it is only 10 miles from my home. Never having visited the Camborne shop, I cannot say whether the range stocked will be a match for Paul at Alton though. My only concern would be the demise of two other Model Railway shops in Guildford, Antics and another short lived establishment, in relatively recent times. And the location is unlikely to attract passing trade. Nevertheless it is likely to become my model shop of choice and I hope it is a success.

http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/trf/trfindex.htm Martin

I've had mine for a couple of years, can't remember if they were from Aldi or Lidl, but the on/off button is not to be relied on. Turn it off and the slightest movement of the battery cover turns it back on again so to be on the safe side I always remove the battery after use. There is a little recess on the foam insert to keep it. Overall good value though.

I thought it was a good show this year, much, much better than last year. A good number of layouts, several new to the area and good trade support too, I picked up several bits and pieces I needed. For the first time ever I was unable to park in either car park but found somewhere in the street about 400m away; it seemed like a normal residential area to me, nothing different to what you would find in any other UK town. I think the derogatory comments made earlier were out of order. The exhibition halls appeared busier than normal, the Great Model Railway Challenge effect? If so, that can only be good for the future of the hobby. The catering is always a bit naff, but it is not expensive. In all honesty I'd rather pay a bit more for something better but I guess that the catering may well be out of B&NHMRC's control; why do they produce so many sandwiches with white bread, there always plenty of those left over.

Thank you again for making the situation clear.

Thanks very much; the video was from IronPlanetHobbies [USA] using Digitrax https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGyoi3Y68e0. It indicated that one part of the set up could not be done using the Digitrax hand controller so I just wanted to make sure.

I too have been using DCC concepts ADS-8sx to switch points and am interested to learn about the DR4018. I use a Lenz set-up but in an on-line video it seems to suggest that the DR4018 has to be programmed using a computer; whilst I use DecoderPro for my locos, I haven’t yet programmed my accessory decoders and was planning to use my handset. So would I be able to program the DR4018 using my LH100 handset? I use solenoid point motors.

I was recommended this https://cpc.farnell.com/powerpax/pi315-09/ac-adaptor-9v-1-6a-desktop/dp/PW02354; my signals are working fine. I am sure similar devices are available elsewhere.

Excuse me if this has been discussed before but a quick search did not highlight anything. I have just purchased a GWR Round post 4L-001-003. I note it has an aluminium/silver post; I always thought that all GWR signal posts were white. Is this a BR(W) thing or did the GWR have silver posts? Martin

Having just switched to DCC, its my 3F's turn for a decoder. But how do I get the tender top off? I have removed the two screws as indicated on the 'exploded' diagram and this releases the rear of the tender but lifting it as much as I dare, the front wont move and looks as if the brake gear / handrails will break off if I try to lever it anymore. Any suggestions? Martin

This would restrict its period of operation far more than without; is it a moulded smokebox number plate? If so it can be a pain in the a**e to remove without damage! In which case I think I'll probably wait and see what future releases bring forth.

I went to the show as a normal punter on Sunday; I usually don't bother with lunch as I've seen everything by then and make my way home. This year was different, the selection of layouts was superb, many of which I had not had the privilege of seeing before; I might add that a similar comment could be made about two other "local" exhibitions this autumn, Fareham and Farnham. At Tolworth there were less of the "run of the mill" [not meant to be derogatory] 00 and N gauge layouts but an unusual bias towards other gauges. Congratulations to the organising committee for having such a varied selection of layouts. As to trade, I have to say I rarely buy more than one or two bits and pieces; it was the same this year. In all honesty I don't think the trade is the greatest part of the show's portfolio. However staying longer and needing lunch led to my one gripe; the fish and chip van. I don't think fish and chips is everyone's idea of a lunchtime snack, a burger van would have been so much better. I queued a while and didn't see anyone buying fish and chips; I had a bacon baguette, which tasted of fish and chips! If these catering arrangements are going to continue, I'll take sandwiches next time.

I've also got some MX620s, albeit with wires. I believe they are designed as N gauge decoders but I would like to use them on a couple of Bachmann split chassis locos, the small size would help. Could they cope with the peak voltage? Martin

The pile showed, at a guess, 15-20 models visible all in Hatton's branded boxes; there were at least three different versions. From the way they were arranged, it is quite possible that they were further models underneath, but they could also have been empty boxes to enhance the display. Regarding Tomparryharry's point, I cannot believe that they were being sold without the agreement of Hattons. There was a "disclaimer" notice, I can't remember exactly what it said,it was quite long(!) but it did indicate that the models were returns that had been tested. What I cannot recollect is whether mentioned Hattons or if it differentiated between poor runners and models with some form of physical damage. I was intrigued by the fact that they were being sold in this way, however having had two models with the awful DJM mechanism, I will never buy another one, whatever the price. Martin