Kylestrome

A Steam Gala at Tucking Mill! 👍

I have found two photos, both of the same loco, at Kyle. 5113, together with 5129, in September 1973 on an excursion, and again as 24113 in July 1975 with a regular service train. And here's another one:

That period encompasses a good deal of change which could lead to few anachronisms, if you run everything together. For example, the introduction of TOPS, replacement of vac-fitted/unfitted wagons with air-braked, Class 27s then 37/0s and 37/4s, almost complete elimination of freight traffic on the Kyle line and Radio Token Signalling (phew! 🙂). I have similar modelling interests, but I have decided to concentrate on two main periods. 1968-9 which seem to be the last years where older BR wagon types, including pre-BR designs, could regularly be seen. After about 1970 it would be mostly BR Standard types. My second period is roughly 1984-6 which is a complete change of scene with 37s and AB wagons on the whole. Of course, your Rule No. 1 might be different. David

Being an impatient sort myself, I uploaded my missing images on April 11 and they are all still there. The images were uploaded from my backup, placed in the relevant posts and the old photo links deleted. When I view my topics, it's interesting to note that the few photos that were uneffected by the outage appear first as 'flashing' blue boxes and then show a few seconds later. I 'only' had 300 photos to replace, but people with more than that should probably take the advice to wait and be more patient. David

I'm surprised about that. When I've traveled to and from Switzerland from here (Germany) it was just a case of driving across the border, just like to any Schengen EU country. David

I spent most of last Monday uploading and replacing photos, on my workbench and layout threads, (300 in all) and they're all still there. David

... and keep taking the pills.

That reminds me – it's the right time of year to watch "Life of Brian" again ("what did the 2mm Scale Association ever do for us?") 😀

The buffer stop at the end of the long siding is scratch built from NS rail, which I had to anneal in order to make the bends. The two buffer stops that end in a platform/loading bay were made from one Lanarkshire Models North British whitemetal kit. David

Although I’m a keen cyclist I’ve never been one to own more than two bikes at a time. In fact, since I bought my first s/h bike at 16 (I was a very starter!) I’ve only had a total of six bikes, and I’m now approaching 70. It would have been only five but bike No. 5 was stolen after only a year of use. I tend to make things last. As an example, my current winter bike has inherited all the 1996 Chorus parts from my old Pinarello (bike No. 3) and, apart from replacement chain rings and cogs from TA and Miche, everything is still working like new! I don’t believe I would have got the same amount of use out of a Shimano groupset, but I might be wrong. It weighs a ton but it keeps my muscles from disappearing in the winter months. One big problem I see, with older bikes and parts, is that the tech in the last couple of decades has moved on at such a pace, that it’s become increasingly difficult to know what parts are compatible with each other. Long gone are the days when everything was more or less standard and you could build a bike with just any old bits with basic tools! David

Looking at the specs, price and weight of that bike, makes me realise what a good deal my Rose X-Lite Four was a couple of years ago. Carbon frame, forks & seatpost, Ultegra groupset, just over 7kg (with rim brakes, without pedals) and all for 2400 Euros. Do disc brakes weigh so much? How do you plan to trim down the weight? David

It's in Indianapolis now. I wonder if it will take a couple of laps of the speedway before heading back to Tampa?

Now they're giving the impression that they know what they're doing : 15. Mrz 2022, 23:57 In Transit, Arriving On Time Pretty vague, though ...

I can't understand where this 'lapped cars' nonsense came from in the first place. I would have thought that it is fairer for everbody if the track positions remained the same for the re-start as they were before the race was neutralised. Am I missing something? David PS. The way they handle things at Le Mans is way better, with slow zones and virtual safety cars, but I suppose that might be unworkable on the shorter Grand Prix circuits.

Jump cuts in face to camera YouTube videos.

I'm currently following the tracking information for an N scale loco that I've just bought from eBay.com (US). To say that the route it's taking is fascinating would be an understatement: 12. March 2022, 23:20 Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility YBOR CITY FL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 13. March 2022, 3:05 Accepted at USPS Origin Facility CLEARWATER, FL 33764 13. March 2022, 7:04 Departed USPS Regional Facility YBOR CITY FL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 13. March 2022, 7:21 Departed USPS Regional Facility YBOR CITY FL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 14. March 2022, 2:42 Arrived at USPS Regional Facility CINCINNATI OH NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER 14. March 2022, 16:45 Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility YBOR CITY FL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 14. March 2022, 18:35 Departed USPS Regional Origin Facility YBOR CITY FL DISTRIBUTION CENTER The package originated in Clearwater, Florida and now appears to be leaving Ybor City, Tampa FL for the third time – or maybe not? I wonder if I'll ever receive It?

Where's the 'offended' button when you need it?

Clever clogs ...

Sentences that end with three dots ...

With all this cycling you're doing, you'll soon have to change your user name to "Medium-sized Jim".

You've just summed up the whole problem in one sentence, and the answer to that is "buyer beware".

Not in the photos I've seen. Just the usual, heavily weathered, BR brown. David

You are! The "Wick fish" ended in 1981 according to Tom Noble (Diesels on the Regions – Scottish Region, OPC). I have photos in my collection that would suggest that BR 12t standard vans, and other short wheelbase vacuum-fitted wagons, were common up to 1980 on the Kyle line and, presumably, also on the Far North. David

I'm afraid I can't answer your question, but here's some more inspiration if you need it:

My wallet's just sent me a text message: "Thank goodness you only model the West Highland!"