Neil

Whilst sorting through a huge pile of magazines I came across this piece from Model Railways. I believe that it's this carriage that the Hornby model is based on and that it's no coincidence that it first came out in S&D livery. Whether it's an acceptable resemblance I leave for each and everyone to judge for themselves. Though it's no finescale replica in the sense we would understand it today, this close to but not an accurate copy of, perhaps lends more credibility for the freelance light railway than something that's instantly recognisable.

Any chance of a few photos please Martin; stock that is, not the checked shirts.

My commiserations that it no longer does.

It's often the tone of the criticism rather than the factual content which grates. Even a simple, non-judgemental list can give an impression of pedantic point scoring if there isn't some attempt to put the 'errors and omissions' into perspective. A good review takes into account the sensibilities of its intended audience. Here on RMweb that'll be a pretty broad sweep of interests, abilities and tastes.

Au contraire; as I keep mentioning in these threads it does bear resemblance to a Somerset and Dorset three compartment four wheeler. There were plans published many years ago in MRC (afraid I can't put my hands on the copy) and whilst the beading is a representation (presumably to aid the lining process) the body isn't too far off though the underframe isn't very good.

Would Zobshire be the bit of the UK that comes after Yorkshire?

Thank you, strident dogmatism isn't an attractive read. I would be interested to know (perhaps Chris K could offer an insight) just how close to the finished product the first engineering prototype is likely to be and what scope there is for change before a commitment to set the machines rolling to produce a batch is undertaken?

Daybreak greets the first train.

So far it seems as though much of the debate has been about the practicalities (standards) of a British modular system. Whilst normally being of a 'just get on and do it' frame of mind, I wonder if the success of the euro and yank versions isn't founded on robust organisation that the participants buy into with enthusiasm. Whatever standards are set it should be possible to make a module of whatever takes your fancy, the important thing being that sufficient numbers adopt the standard.

I'm not sure that it is a meaningless exercise. It's certainly a more interesting post than 'I'm going to buy one'. There's been a genuine attempt to find a comparable niche model and to attempt to make a comparison; difficult I'll admit because one can be picked up and examined and the other is a set of scan data and a manufacturers sound reputation. I find this intriguing and therefore worthwhile.

Dyslexic paint job for a hundred quid anyone?

I'm surprised this one is still going. Anyone mentioned Lesley yet?

Has it worked?

Don't encourage him; I believe it took some effort from Mrs Wales to wean him of garish to checked. Progress has been so good that I believe the Wales wardrobe now contains several 'stealth shirts' enabling the man himself to go incognito.

Night, and the only light at Little Point comes from a low moon.

Should have gone to specsavers. I'm sure they must have branches in Cumbria.

Really?

Apologies for the tangent Martyn. I was making a general comment rather than specifically targeting this particular incident. However it strikes me that being under time pressure can have effects not only on deliberate decision making ( I see the train but I'm going to cross as I'm in a hurry) but also on the unconscious actions by occupying too much of the thought process (I'm late, I only have a few minutes to the next drop, whoa, where did that train come from)

I'd agree, but perhaps the law needs rebalancing so that it will also vigorously back the driver if he refuses to take a dangerous vehicle out onto the road or is asked to comply with a schedule which is impossible to legally meet in all but the most advantageous of circumstances. Here's an example from the West Japan Railway Company, about what can go wrong when the poor bloke at the controls is powerless and pushed to keep to an impossible timetable by overbearing management.

That's an interesting observation; I wonder if the police or the courts ever take a look at the delivery schedule given to/imposed on the driver in such cases?

An unfamiliar face appeared at The Flounder this morning, and a young one at that. Searching for The Unicorn, he was directed to the hostelry of that name close by the far terminus of the tramway in Great Tedium by the Landlady. 'There's no trains running today, so just follow the tracks' was the suggestion, adding cheerily 'your little dog will enjoy the walk too'. 'Funny,' she said later to her husband, 'he looked a bit too young to be interested in ale, and I couldn't place his accent but he's certainly not from these parts'.

Yes, it has a Bachmann mechanism, and wasn't my submission for the 'best ever' title partly because of that and partly because of the work involved in the conversion. However I believe that Hornby got the basic body right, in a way that Bachmann haven't; a shame considering the relative ages of the models.

Can I make a left field suggestion that the Cowans Sheldon hand crane is considered. It must be one of the longest lived models, production having started in the Triang era. Very little work indeed and I believe that the model can cut it in today's more demanding world. While we're at it, you might also care to note that the 24 and the crane runner are also Hornby and Triang respectively.

The Little Point Tramway boasts one named train, an unofficial one you understand, but a non-stop service at that. The Flying Flotsam runs daily or at least on days when weather conditions allow the fishing fleet to cast off and cast around for shoals of herring. It’s thought that the service was christened in 1924 when another east coast railway company inaugurated it’s own non-stop service. Like the Kings Cross to Edinburgh express speed is of the essence to the Flying Flotsam; the bloater paste factory in Great Tedium require their ingredients to be as fresh as possible.