Dagworth

1 hour ago, RikkiGTR said:

I don’t know exactly what back to back means

Back to back is the distance between the backs of the wheels across the axle. If it's too narrow then the back of the wheel can touch things it shouldn't. You can buy back-to-back gauges 

https://railsofsheffield.com/products/dcc-concepts-dcg-bbn-back-to-back-n-scale-standard-765mm?variant=35450541375560&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google%2Bshopping&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_LOwBhBFEiwAmSEQAWKKW6f7hLtI4qwXjMEYZXZ6rVEDtcEl240LzVdgjnwDNFwcrR_dBxoCNj0QAvD_BwE

Andi

54 minutes ago, steve1 said:

 

No Exhibition Manager worth his salt would allow for that many extra operators!

 

steve

But they would be able to save a fortune on catering...

Just need a couple of fish and some bread.

Andi

3 minutes ago, F2Andy said:

Has this one been on here yet? Avoided the bus-on-a-bridge cliche by posing a lorry on there.

 

 

Wow, talk about timing! I'm building a model of that exact bridge right now!

Andi

53 minutes ago, Michael Hodgson said:

To bring this back on topic, perhaps that's what they should do to refloat the Dali ?

Is the Dali actually sunk/grounded? 

Try gently pushing the bogies away from the baseboard edge as the loco goes over the point, if it behaves when pushed slightly sideways it will prove that the fault is as I suggested above.

Andi

If it's just that loco then check the back-to-backs, you've probably got a narrow gauge on one wheelset so the back of the wheel is hitting the other switchblade.

Andi

10 hours ago, kevinlms said:

the exception is mainstream sport, like top level football, which cannot be ignored.

It can most definitely be ignored, I manage every day!

Andi

White Fields - The Escape Club

Apple Tree Man - All About Eve

McArthur - Blyth Power

There were two messrooms for footplate grades at Stratford, one of those that didn't and one for those that did. 

I joined the railway in 85, the strike of 82 was still very fresh in memories and scabs never lived it down even years later.

Andi

10 minutes ago, Captain Cuttle said:

Plenty of nice green grass and water , well here in Devon as it hasnt stopped raining since September and that is all good as it keeps our reservoirs full.

Of course the grass is green, the rivers are full of $hit!

Andi

4 minutes ago, stivesnick said:

 

Hi 

"An Illustrated History of the East Suffolk Railway" by John Brodribb (Oxford Publishing Co) has lots of pictures of Lowestoft Station. There are also pictures of various railtours including 55015 at Lowestoft on 3/9/78 and 40004 on 24/7/83.

 

As Class 40 were used on the Great Eastern Main Line out of Liverpool Street it is possible they could have reached Lowestoft in the 1960s but by 1980 they had long gone from the route. They were used on the Harwich Boat Trains from the north west so could have made it on other routes. Given that most trains would have reversed at Norwich, more local motive power would have been used on the final leg to Lowestoft. I don't recall seeing many Class 45 in the region during the 1980s.

 

Regards 

Nick 

By the 80s it was very rare to see any loco in GE land that didn't have three axle bogies until the arrival of the AC electrics. Primarily we had 31s, 37s and 47s and that was it except shunters and units.

I remember VERY occasional 40s and 45s but they really were very rare by my time, 83 onwards. I have photos of pairs of 20s at Ipswich but again they were very rare, and I can't remember ever seeing a 25 there. 56s were a later arrival on some of the stone traffic but not common. Simple thing was that Anglian drivers didn't know other traction so it didn't get there.

Andi

4 minutes ago, Phil Bullock said:

Can I ask what issues you have had … in the interests of avoiding them ! 😉

About the worst thing you can do is to tin wires that are going into any sort of screw terminal. Over time the solder will flow and the joint become loose. If you don't have ferules then strip the wire, twist it and then fold it back on itself before inserting into the terminal, this will result in a secure joint.

Andi

The footplate has always been worked on overtime and RDW, I knew the 12hour kings that worked every rest day and sunday and 12 hours every shift until Hidden came in and brought some forced time off. 

Overtime for some was a way of life, some lived to work, some just worked to live.

Andi

2 hours ago, Mark Saunders said:

They were to work with a high output ballast cleaner and a shuttle car took the loaded slips back and forward in the same fashion as the TRT does with pods of new and used sleepers. The only place I know it worked was on the single line at Choppington between Morpeth and Bedlington after the Pit Strike restoring the embankment after coal had been discovered there and dug out!

They were used around Anglia in conjunction with works for electrification in the 80s. As soon as I saw Andy's topic title I knew it was going to be them, fascinating to watch in action.

Andi

It's the same grey as used on blue/grey coaches

https://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/products/paint-products/precisionrailway/nationalised/diesel-electric-colours/14p133

Andi

The only reason I spray the ballast before gluing is so it doesn't ball up with the surface tension of the glue being applied to it dry. the dilute PVA flows much easier into wet ballast

Andi

First And Last And Always - Sisters Of Mercy

I had similar problems with paint not behaving as usual on some Hornby 58 cabs. I eventually came to the conclusion that they were made of polycarbonate which doesn't like enamel.

Andi

3 minutes ago, SouthernBlue80s said:

Also does anyone know what the length of a two car cravens is in 4mm?

490mm over buffers.

Edit: I’ve just got my Bachmann Cravens out to measure it for you, obviously destined for your layout 

Andi

8 minutes ago, iands said:

The joke is 'no one expects the Spanish Inquisition'. 

6 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

I'm presuming people know the "Aunt Edna" reference?

 

If not: Spoilers: National Lampoon's Vacation (2:21) 

I don't know how many people knew what my comment referred to?

Andi

7 minutes ago, melmerby said:

Maybe not but who is it then?

Uncle Nicknack?