APOLLO

Wonderful A4 photos Tony. Alas I never saw an A4 in full flight in BR days. Not too keen on the graphs though. Graphs (to me) are often quite meaningless, I (and the boss) used to fiddle the figures at work so the graphs "looked" right for the monthly reports to the higher ups !!. Everything had to balance though, and that was carefully done. We engineers ran rings round the accountants (and everyone else) back then !! As to BR blue / grey, I personally think it will never be bettered. Granted DMU's (and some locos) in overall blue looked a little drab. Newton Heath depot applied white lines on some DMU's that certainly helped, and the later blue / grey DMU's were nice. Also some nice blue diesels evolved - especially the 47's from Stratford. We now have once lovely red / silver Pendolino's being repainted in an almost undercoat like light grey. They look awful. There are some very nice modern liveries, and some b****y awful ones these days. personal choice I suppose. Brit15

I find very interesting is the subject signaling and the operation thereof, both mechanical and electrical. Brit15

I agree with Tony's comment above - persevere. I occasionally buy the "Model Railway Journal" magazine, not that my layouts etc will ever feature in it, nor do I contemplate carrying out some of the modelling that is portrayed to the same level, I buy it just for the inspiration it gives me. As recent "discussion" has shown, we all have varying interests, knowledge, skill sets etc. That should not stop any of us at least trying, and enjoy the hobby in our own way at the same time. I certainly do things "my way" - but will be the first to say there are much better ways !!. It's a learning process, and in this hobby you never stop learning. This thread is perhaps the best on rmweb, not just on account of Tony and his skills, but also the many others who post here. It all inspires me to varying degrees, and has certainly helped me along my way quite a few times, (as has rmweb in general). Hope all is OK with your wife Tony, whatever else, family always matters first. Brit15

Tri-ang TT is like cockroaches - virtually indestructible !!! Brit15

Tony has a few Sleeper trains to get through Little Bytham. His shift ended at 06:00 !!!! Does anyone run their layouts late at night ?- I have been known to in the past when insomnia struck, better than counting sheep !! As to modelling, virtually none since before Christmas, quite a bit of maintenance work though, but I run my layouts almost daily, keeps the tracks etc clean. I have a growing list of things to do / make, but being retired I will do them (or not !!) as and when I feel like it - that's the REAL benefit of being retired - but for those who are - keep active, model railways or not. That's the important bit so my Doctor tells me. Brit15

Google "small industrial model railway plans", click on images, lots of photos & plans. Brit15

Yes this is it. The C & O Railroad built the Greenbrier hotel / resort. Very up market. Read about the nuclear bunkers installed in the 50's. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greenbrier My condolences to those killed / injured today. Brit 15

My favourite "foodie" was by far Keith Floyd. I can't (won't !!) cook - but his programmes were always entertaining. Here's Keith having a "slurp" !!. R.I.P Keith The Hairy Bikers are entertaining, but I can't stand the rest, especially the "Bake Off" - what a turn off !! As to Rick Stein, last time I was in Padstow was back in 1963 - steam hauled by N class No 31840. Was there for as long as it took the loco to run round & take water, so no chips, no nothing. !!. I don't watch much TV, and we don't have subscription TV, Just paid 140 odd quid for the rip off licence TV is such a PITA to me these days. Brit15

Long time ago !! Brit15

It was in the late 60's - mid 70's that most East USA railroads were either bankrupt or on the edge of it. The Pennsylvania merged with the New York Central to form Penn Central - which promptly went bust - then the biggest bankruptcy in history. But the trains kept moving. Conrail was formed and took over Penn Central and many other railroads (Lehigh Valley on the video included). A government owned / run railroad - an anathema in America !! But it worked, Lots of money invested, lots of lines closed also. Conrail was sold a while ago to two majors (CSX & Norfolk Southern). Both are fine railroads today - (but yes they still have the occasional pile up !!). Look at videos of American railroads today, most main lines are in superb condition, mile long double stack container trains running at 70mph etc. But all the old "Fallen Flags" have gone, that's why I model the 1960's American scene - the diversity of rolling stock, the many old forgotten virtually romantic railroad names adorning the trains. Like 1950's UK steam, Little Bytham etc,, another world long gone. Which brings me to modern image (for me 1980/90's to today). Not my scene, but I do like to see such layouts at exhibitions (and in the model press). There are some absolutely superb layouts in this category - dare I say it when catenary is modeled to a high standard the modeler of such deserves a solid gold medal for patience and skill !!! Brit15 .

Here is some prototype fast running on bad track. USA of course (!!!). Watch from 1min 24 sec to 2 min 20sec, listen to the comments of an old railroader, (and pray for the photographer !!). Hair raising stuff. I don't run my trains so fast, and they don''t bounce so much. Still, when I have trouble it's just like the prototype !!. Brit15

My apologies if this has been posted here before, this is an interesting video showing use of buckeyes on an A4 & coaches at Kings Cross. How can you model the "atmosphere" of this wonderful place ? Incidentally I use quite a few Kadee buckeye couplings, I couldn't really use anything else on an American layout. I occasionally have a problem with stock uncoupling whilst on the move. Investigation showed it is usually a combination of bad track (vertically) and oversprung heavy stock bouncing vertically, thus the couplings just lift apart (knuckle does not open). Track adjustments / weight reduction sorted most of it out. This only happens with Kadees, Weaver and Atlas couplings seem immune. Still this is part of the fun of Yank model railroading !! Brit15

Contact tel no here (hope this works !!) https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/change-your-personal-details Agree they are a PITA to deal with, but I registered a while ago and the system works (for me anyway). Good lukk. Brit15

40 years in the gas industry, heard it all, said it all, invented a few !!!! Back to topic. Indexing / dating collections of old photographs has been mentioned. indeed such work will get harder / impossible over time, but these collections need such work as far as possible. Have a look at this interesting American flikr site, over 40 thousand photos of American Railroads, most pre WW2, black & white, & mostly steam. Very little is indexed (one or two even scanned back to front - corrected by flikr members with fading local knowledge) but it is a very important archive, especially for US Railroad modellers. https://www.flickr.com/photos/barrigerlibrary/albums BEWARE - you can spend many, many hours on this site !! Brit15

Get it bought - little to loose. I have bought O gauge colourlight signals from China, incredibly cheap (5 for under £20), delivered in 2-3 weeks - And they work well. Brit15

Mate had an old mini years ago, Reg No 714 KX - we nicknamed him Keith Xylophone (hence remembering the reg number) !!! One night we all piled in, 8 of us, bust the rubber cone suspension - but we helped repair it the following weekend. Good old days !!! Brit15

Wagon drivers -- they want ALL the road !!!!! Brit15

Well, it did happen on a level crossing - Why did the copper not chase after him ? Laugh a minute these Yank level grade crossings !!! Brit15

Tiny Tims Trains n Toys, seems interesting - they also stock fire extinguishers !!!!! http://www.trainandtoystore.com/ Here is some info about ashlands railroad proposals - seems the locals love "their" railroad ! http://www.richmond.com/news/local/ashland/trench-option-under-ashland-emerges-in-federal-rail-talks-that/article_8fb906cc-dfe8-578a-b4a2-ce5871d92279.html http://www.richmond.com/news/local/ashland/drpt-recommends-----rail-option-through-ashland/article_f782ec7f-74ba-528f-9b35-f47d13bf499c.html https://mainstreetashland.org/main-street-news Place I'd like to visit !! Brit15

Wasn't it the same with Jubilee 45562 "Alberta" - a regular performer on the S&C Leeds Carlisle expresses in august 67 - then gone - forever - Why ? Brit15

We're the Sweeney son and we haven't had any dinner The Sweeney website - full of info http://www.granada-and-scorpio-online.com/sweeney/ Brit15

Lots of models I recognize on your superb TT layout there BanburyKev. Brings back my TT memories. brit15

Reality. Belle Green Lane level crossing, Higher Ince, Wigan - LNWR New Springs branch, closed 1958.(this portion). My model, based on this picture and my faded memories (aged 6) swinging on the gates while a mucky old Dub D clanked past. Brit15

The Jammy Wheels are for the Modern Traction Kit I bet !!!! (I never did get mine built - back from 1975 or so). Brit15

Must play the Sweeney music. Loved "The Sweeney" back in the 70's - In 1975 looked at a new Granada but couldn't quite afford it - bought a new Princess instead !!! Ah well - young and daft !!!! Brit15