Tim V

I have a Unimat with vertical post as my precision vertical drill. If I was to buy a new drill, I would go for the Proxon, I've looked at them, very well made.

An empty Temple Meads today.

If the picture was in focus could probably give a better answer, but they look a bit like early Gibsons. The focus point is on the far wheel. They are brass centred on taper axles. To get them off, I used to try a pair of steel rulers behind the wheel, butting against the axle. Then a sharp tap with a small hammer and punch.

I've seen some models at exhibitions which weren't operated as well as the Addams' railway!

Pictures evoke a time and a place. When I discovered the station at Ffestiniog back in the early 70s, it was as though the points had been lifted, but everything else had been left. The signal posts were bereft of arms, but the station building, waiting shelter, goods shed (with crane), signal box - complete with frame, the point rodding was all still there. I think this picture sums it up, taken in 1978, it was wet (surprise there!), but I'd climbed into the box. On a previous visit, I hadn't dared, but I'd regretted it afterwards. Gradually, all these things disappeared (I think the pagoda went to Didcot) till the last time I went the track was very overgrown, but the rocking bar for the FPL was still there. Everything else that made it unique was gone.

I have to say that my favourite photos weren't taken by me - so I'm unable to post them here! However, I'll post this one - it wasn't my first railway picture, but it did lead to a lifetime of interest in railways, and but for the current situation, I would have been there this week working at this location. So it is a favourite. It is the summer holidays, 1965, on my first ever visit to the Talyllyn. Taken on a Kodak Instamatic.

There was an etched brass pre-pro version I saw at a Scaleforum many years ago - then Lima brought theirs out and the brass one was never released. You could always look for the K's one ...

I have been struggling for ages with the terrain at the tunnel end of the layout, when I was looking at a picture of the village and realised (a eureka moment) that the canal passes into a cutting. It all became easy. I had been distracted by the removal of land during the barn conversions.. So a bit of CAD (cardboard aided design) and here is the result.

Perhaps you should be asking how to keep the cat off the bonnet, having fixed your paint the cat will be back!

Stoke Canon for Exe Valley trains.

Or you could start by using a permanent felt tip pen. Then if it gets scratched, felt tip again!

I can speak for Scalefour News (as editor), current position is that the printers are still working normally. The magazine is distributed by post. Members get the magazine through their letterbox, plus it is available (and all back numbers) to members only on the website. An additional benefit of membership.

If it was built that recently, don't do anything more - return it as faulty.

I don't use my car much - sometimes it's left for three weeks before being used. As said, the handbrake will stick on, but soon frees off. Provided the thing has had a decent run recently (over 25 miles), the battery will be OK. Especially if its only two years old. However, if its only been used for nipping to the shops - you may be out of luck.

Boiler is wrong as well. I used the body to make the 2-6-2 version back in the 80s, shortened boiler, scratchbuilt tanks and bunker, scratchbuilt chassis. Not a bad model till it got stolen. As others have said, if you want a decent Ivatt, don't start with the Hornby model.

Of course, these are mostly double track instruments that are being shown ...

From the position of the frame and instruments, a down train has arrived (you can see the end of it). The down home has been put back, but the Pensford instrument has not yet been corrected. The down instrument is also over for the down token, but the down starter has not been pulled, probably an inexperienced signalman as the route and signals should be all be pulled in this situation.

Clutton, being a single line, used electric key token working (EKT). This method is used on the Severn Valley, West Somerset, Talyllyn (there must be others). Seen here is the frame and two instruments. The bells are on top, no tappers, the key tappers are in the red instruments. You can make out the tappers. Plus there is a three position switch. Key in, down key out, up key out. Trains are offered in the usual way, and when accepted, the instrument is turned to the appropriate direction. At the same time, in the staging roads, the corresponding instrument is turned, and if both are in synchronisation, a needle points to the appropriate direction - this acts as a virtual key token. Foolproof (to a degree). A telephone is also provided for communication between the staging roads (where the driver sat) and the signal box.

Mine was a 1954 model - re-circulatory, not fresh air!

Welford Park in 1975, a very cold Captain Kernow on the left, and my Morris Minor with a useless heater. Oh, just remembered - the line had been closed by this point.

Bodmin in 1978.

Oops! that should be CM.

My computer desk is 73", while my workbench is 76". I'm not saying these are ideal though!

Try wooden blocks to raise the bench. I've successfully used a car jack to raise the bench to then slip blocks under the legs. You don't want to strain your back lifting as well

It does annoy me when I see old tools being sold as 'collector's items', tools are made for using. I have a number of 'old tools' that are in regular use - must get round to photographing them for this thread!