sjp23480

https://www.archiuk.com/archi/archi_maps.htm - provides a range of old maps of the UK, some of which are sourced from NLS. Has a really useful slider feature to compare the old map to Google maps.

Roco also do a long radius point (1942mm radius and 344mm long: https://www.roco.cc/en/product/22680-0-0-0-0-0-0-005002-0/products.html Be aware that both the Roco and TIlilig products are code 83 rail (like the Peco US switches. That said, I have found that Peco Bullhead track fits quite well with the Roco points. Also, I have two Roco R/H turnouts for sale in the classifieds right now - so if you want to see one without buying new I am sure we could do a deal? Stephen

Brian, That would be fabulous - thank you. I am aware of at least 2 missing pieces in the kit, but the instructions will enable me to check it thoroughly and ask DJH for them. Stephen

Mike, I am so sorry for your loss - no apology needed. It must have been a terrible shock, I hope the formalities are quickly resolved so that you can have some closure. Stay safe and well. Steve

Lee, I use a leather punch - I think its a Draper - produces round chits which can be a bit tricky to recover from the punch. Larger rounds can be produced using a regular paper hole punch, which may be a better size for SR indicator discs in 4mm? Steve

Adrian, Thanks, I think I will order a new iron, they are still available from CPC Farnell as a Duratool D00675. Thanks for all your help. Steve

Hi Capt'n @Captain Kernow Not to worry, but thank you for checking. Steve

Hello Capt'n, Not urgent, the partially complete kit is in my to do pile and won't receive any attention for a god few weeks - it may even feature in my list of new year's resolutions! Thank you! Steve

I went to use my soldering station and it is no longer working. Its quite old, but looks to be the same as the Duratool D00675 solder station - see below: When I turn the unit on the temperature reads out what I assume is the ambient temperature (25 degrees or so), the temperature blips up to 28 degrees - as if the iron is heating up, but then goes down to 0 degrees. There are no error messages and the display reads as if it still trying to heat the iron. I am wondering if the transformer unit is faulty or if I need a new heating element/soldering iron. I have checked the internet but can't find any guidance. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice? Thanks Steve

Hello Everyone, I have one of these kits in my to do pile, but it doesn't have any instructions. Would a kind RMWebber have a set of instructions/diagrams that they can scan and send to me? Many thanks Stephen

Stewart, I have mine as suggested by Peco - one observation is that the outrigger wheels don't always turn as they don't touch the guide rail on the outside of the well. It doesn't bother me as mine wont be on the scenic side but I can see how metal parts would improve the visual effect. Steve

I would like to ask if anyone has tried using one of these to motorise a turntable. There are loads of variants of these motors on Amazon at a reasonable cost and are listed as having very low RPM and high torque - which sounds ideal. I believe their are designed for applications like robotics? I don't think they can be indexed, but I don't need this facility. Does anyone have any experience of using them. Thanks Steve

Not strictly speaking a modelling topic, but I recently came across this fascinating site about planning international train travel as an alternative to flying: http://www.seat61.com Its a bit of a time sink, but thought it might interesting to someone. Steve

Thanks, that's the one, in the dark green livery - what a great looking loco! £262 though!!

This is another good site for old maps: https://www.archiuk.com/archi/archi_maps.htm

Just curious but during one of the links between features there was a glimpse of a B-B-B or Bo-Bo-Bo loco, in green and looking a little like the English Electric Type 3 and Type 4 designs. Does anyone know what that was? Thanks Steve

The last Kestrel I saw on ebay went for over £200, not too shoddy. I nearly bought one at Roneo Models, £110 and certificate #2 of however many were produced. Ah well!

I think the programme reveals that Hornby have finally got to grips with segmenting their target markets. The footage suggests that Simon and his team now know who they are selling to and what they want. The attention to detail lavished on Winston Churchill's funeral van is clearly aimed at the modellers/collectors. Railroad is clearly for the younger end of the market - with bright colours, punchy video and soundtrack. A major dept store in Canterbury used to carry the full Hornby range but now only stocks Railroad, track and Hornby scenics - all in their toy department. I suspect we will see the gulf growing between the two ranges in the years ahead? I am sure the VC is aimed at tourists, i.e. Mum, Dad and the kids. I confess I have never been, despite living only an hour away. The APT is an interesting model, I wonder if Simon decided to release it having seen just how well Rapido's APT-E flew off the shelves? That said, once the full fat sales are exhausted, will they consider resurrecting the old model for the Railroad range (assuming the moulds still exist and are serviceable) for their younger audience at a price point to match? As for track, continuing to sell the legacy range with minor tweaks is probably commercially viable at home and presumably abroad? Why release a new range when Peco has 90% of the UK market, as well as well as a few alternative suppliers offering the fidelity that most of us need. The return on investment would take decades. At the end of the day, Hornby can't please all of the people all of the time - but they appear to be trying their best. Its just a shame that (to the best of my knowledge) neither Hornby nor Bachmann have an "recognised" presence on RMWeb, or any of the other forums. They clearly watch these things for reviews and feedback, but I suppose they prefer to communicate through "messaging central" via Hornby.com. Steve

Another vote for flooring underlay from me, but I use a closed foam example which comes in 4'x2' sheets - or the metric equivalent. I used to get it in Wickes, but they don't appear to stock it now. It looks very similar to this stuff from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/XPS-Underlay-Insulation-Laminate-Fibreboard/dp/B098LRLQZW/ref=asc_df_B098LRLQZW/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=535908606674&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10767304736419707524&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006483&hvtargid=pla-1396045330734&psc=1 Its very cheap - £7.50 for 5sqm, seems durable (although I haven't used it long enough to verify), is noise dampening and is easy to lay - I just laid the sheets on the boards, lay the track and then cut around the underlay to remove the excess. I think I read that @Tony Wright used similar something similar on Little Bytham, but I could be mistaken. Steve

I had this with a Bachmann C class, gave up trying to fix it and ordered a new plug and socket. Good luck, Steve

I am not really qualified to comment, having left full time employment at the start of the health crisis, I took 9 months off before getting back in the saddle to return to work, albeit on a part time basis and working for myself in a consulting capacity within my profession. I now work about 70-80 hours a month, almost always from home and for the most part I am very happy. Mrs SJP works full time so we manage to stay sane - as others have mentioned, its important for you both to have "me time". Despite this, I still consider myself "time poor" - with a long list of things to do, when I get more time. Almost everyone I know that has retired claim to not have enough time, so I am not sure how much you should worry about staying busy. When it comes to your property situation, if you have not already done so, I would sit down with Mrs D and make a list of what you want, both in terms of the property and the location. It is important that you are both honest with one another (and yourselves) as to what you want/need. This may include: bungalow, house, apartment, new build, Victorian, number of bedrooms, railway room, garage, garden size , aspect, proximity to relatives, local amenities, transport links, affordability and so on. Once I had our list, I put it away and went back to it after a week or so, this reflection time helped me clarify my thoughts. This process will help you determine what you want and location. You can then narrow your search and figure out what you can afford and if it meets your requirements. Saving a search on a real estate website with all your criteria is a good way to figure out the market for your preferred property. When I stopped work we did this and decided we would stay put, because our current house and location ticked most of our boxes and the risks of moving outweighed the possible advantages. Not sure if this helps, but it enabled us to make a few decisions about our future and address our wanderlust. Steve

Stephen I don't disagree, best used with the Anderson/Fox or Jenkinson works to get the full picture. But, they are track plans which are drawn in Anyrail which can be downloaded and adapted to suit. Having said that, I am not sure why the site owner didn't recreate them correctly in the first instance? Steve

Greg, Track plans can be found here: https://freetrackplans.com/prototype-plans.html Steve

Greg, This site also has an extensive collection of historic OS maps: http://www.archiuk.com/cgi-bin/build_nls_historic_map.pl?search_location=%2C+Greatstone-on-Sea%2C+Kent&latitude=50.959869&longitude=0.960504 Also look for Rails in the Fells by David Jenkinson. Steve

Hi Mike, Haven't seen you on here for a while, I am missing your updates! Anyway, saw this and thought of you - an early Christmas present to yourself perhaps? Steve https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/g-w-railwayana-auctions-ltd/catalogue-id-srgw10030/lot-2730523d-796f-45ad-acb1-adc30149ddb3