billy_anorak59

Not Monks Ferry. The map pre-dates the rumpus the Ferry companies made which forced the original terminus to be built at Grange Lane, not at Woodside. I think Grange Lane was only the terminus for 2-4 years or so before Monks Ferry opened. The map does show a version of a Woodside station, but not as was built later, in 1870, to the other side of Chester Street. On the section view, it shows an 'Archway' (sorry, not a brilliant photo) - does that mean 'Tunnel'?

So it does. Gosh. Many thanks - much appreciated.

Quick question, while there is a lull in the main discussion, please? I'm sure someone here will have the answer. I acquired a map in an antique emporium some years ago now, of the 'Proposed Chester and Birkenhead Railway' and dated 1836. It's quite finely drawn, as of most similar maps of the period. Unfortunately the top left corner was missing, but it displays fine. I was just wondering as to why such a map as this was issued, and hence get some idea of its audience and how many were produced? For example, do you think it was part of a prospectus to invest, or maybe as a more official document? Thanks.

Tried that in my local B+Q. The car park there is massive, and I always park in the most remote corner miles away from anyone else. Do the shopping - come out - there's always another car parked right next to me... not another car around...

Thanks everyone that has responded – it’s all very much appreciated. After taking a day or so to mull things over, I think I’ve decided on the approach I’m going to take, which is the less invasive route as promoted by Ade and Kris. I hadn’t thought of any historical ‘worth’ of this model, and I don’t want to ruin it for its future custodians; So no restoration as such, more a renovation of what is there. First thing will be to close the split in the hull (I will leave the hole), followed by the re-attachment of the fin, and using the Johnster/Nearholmer method of brass pins for strength and location. Regarding the break being clean or not as Nearholmer questioned, it is quite sharp – it reminds me of the surface you get if you snap a piece of hard tar – it’s got a slightly ‘glassy’ surface. Here’s a not-very-good photo (my camera doesn’t ‘do’ macro very well): I'm hoping that epoxy will be the right choice of glue. Finally, a clean. The ‘dirt’ on some parts of the aircraft is a bit odd. It’s almost as if the plane has had a surface coat of something in the past (camouflage or varnish?), and whatever the environment that the model was left in, has, in places, removed it. It sort of flakes off using a fingernail, but requires a bit of effort. The underlying surface is not affected. Here’s another photo – this is the underside of the starboard wing: Incidentally, I stumbled across this site: Uncle-Sams-Plastic-Air-Force Fascinating stuff, and relates a lot of the history of these models if anyone is interested. I’ll try and let you see the ‘finished’ result as and when. Thanks again folks - cheers.

Possibly! My guess is that it's a Fokker T.V111 (a Dutch aircraft) taken over by the Germans at the time of the chart's publication? One of these: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Fokker_T.VIII

Many thanks for that Johnster - some aspects that I hadn't thought of there - Re: showing restoration in different colours, and leaving the hole. I thought of a bent wire 'hoop' armature for the tail fin, covered in milliput for strength, but hadn't made the leap to wire for the tailplane. Makes sense for strength purposes - just the sort of idea that I'm after! I'm not sure just how many survive out of possibly tens of thousands, but I've never seen another. Yes, I'm quite honoured to own it! Thanks again - I'll mull things over, and see if any more ideas come in.

I’m plonking this here, as I can’t find a natural home for it. It’s ‘non-railway modelling’, but it’s general modelling help of a sort that I’m after, so this is the best place; ...maybe. I’ve acquired an ‘ARISTO-CRAFT’ 1/72 Short Sunderland that could do with a little help. This little-known range of aircraft dates to WW2 and were intended as recognition models for pilots, ground staff and anti-aircraft gunners. Generally black, they best replicated how the aircraft would appear in the sky. The pictures below show the aircraft I have on a chart of the range available, along with some bumf on the same chart. And this is the model as found; The Sunderland is dated ‘9-42’ under the port wing. I would like to canvass opinion if possible, on what restoration (if any, bar a clean, and reconnecting the starboard tailplane) should be done to it? Its problems are: 1. Starboard tailplane detatched (but present) 2. Top of tail broken (and missing) 3. Both floats (and struts) broken off (and missing). Inexplicably, I have got one Airfix Sunderland float from around 1964 as the only remaining bit of that kit, and could possibly use it as a mould… Providence? 4. Hole in hull 5. Hull joint split to rear of hole (will squeeze together, but springs apart again when pressure is released) So what to do? I’ve thought of leaving as is, or repair the defects using black milliput in some way – the material of the aircraft is some sort of early plastic, possibly a type of Bakelite or celluloid? And BTW: I’ve cleaned up one side and managed to retain a nice patina commensurate to its age and without going over the top (not the best of pictures this one, sorry): Any ideas folks? I know it’s up to me, but I want to do what’s right for it, as there can’t be too many knocking around. Thanks in advance!

Although as mentioned on that website it’s condition has since deteriorated again. The 502 spent many years out in the open at Tebay, and was a sad wreck, Following it's acquisition by the 502 group, its restoration seems to be coming along nicely - according to the promotional video on the website - see towards the end for recent restoration work images: It's the 503 at Margate that isn't too well (from FaceBook):

The rain's just started, and ex-Crosti No 92026 waits for the road at 'Dacre Hill'.

I know you're going for a compound now, Grahame, but just for completeness, I reckon that the brand of the filling station shown in the earlier screen-grab was 'Burmah': Sorry - but it's been driving me mad...

Limescale!!

Sorry, late to the party as usual. Just to confirm 47 365 (Crewe Works 1977) with dominos and green:

Mazda 323?

Great stuff Rod - and congrats on 100 pages too!!

Thanks for the confirmation Simon, I'm a bit of a numpty when it comes to things 3D Print... I agree, the MoldelU figure finish would be a good standard to aim for, wonder what material spec that is? As you say, the likeness of a 503 has been captured well though, and it does look pretty good in the flesh, so to speak. However, I don't think this particular print is worth progressing with - shame - but I might have another go sometime once I gain a bit more knowledge into what is possible. Cheers

Class 503 prints in 4mm in cruel close-up. As stated earlier, the material is not nice to work with, but another selection might prove a lot better? Some layering evident on the print too. Hope it's useful to you Rod.

All 503’s together on one page here: http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/passenger-stock-lms/3d_printed_LMS-cl-503.htm No ‘O’ gauge listed, but they might do ‘specials’? I visited the Coventry ERM when the preserved unit was there, and took a number of detail pictures – I would have no problems letting you have them, (if required! ) Rod. I have one of the rue-d-etropal 503s printed out at 4mm scale (just to see if a whole 3-car would be practical). The shape and accuracy looks very good, but as mentioned by others, the surface finish is proving to be harder to get in acceptable state. This may be because of the material it is printed in – not knowing much about 3D printing, I had it printed in whatever Shapways’ default is – other materials might well be far better, some futher research required methinks. The result of using the default material is an extremely hard, ‘grainy’ texture with some layering in cerain areas, which all takes much effort to get into an acceptable state. The shell is put to one side at the moment, as I got a bit fed up with it, but I could take a photo to illustrate what you get at 4mm scale if you want? In the meantime though, I've got another one running - my Judith Edge kitbuilt on ‘Dacre Hill’:

Love the under the canopy shot Rod - it really looks the part - as this prototype shot shows: Great stuff!!

That's a fairly zoomed in post, Simon - I can send you the full picture if you want? Apologies, a bit OT for Rod's thread...

Sorry - forgot to add this, but you may have seen it before. Particulars of "West Kirby Fire Station for sale" PDF which may have some use as it gives some dimensional details... Edit.... Hmmm, adding the pdf as an attachment doesn't seem to work, so here's a link: West Kirby Fire Station

All good stuff Rod! I was going through some aerial photos I have of the Bromborough area, taken in the early 60s and I spotted the Fire Station at Bromborough Pool on one of them (which is probably about 10 miles or so from West Kirby). Immediately thought - 'West Kirby'!!!! So here's a crop - no idea if it's any use to you or not!!:

Born in 1959, my earliest memories all date to about 1963-65. At Liverpool Lime Street, and looking up at an absolutely massive red engine at the buffer stops, and asking my Dad ‘if it was like my City of London?’ (my treasured Hornby Dublo engine). Walking to my local station ‘Bromborough’ (Wirral) on my first family holiday, complete with suitcases, and bucket and spade; standing on the platform, and being aghast at the grey and rust apparition that pulled in. To my tender sensibilities, engines should be black, shouldn’t they!? In my mind’s eye, it must have been a Stanier 4MT. I remember the maroon compartment coach we boarded having a large round window at both ends (‘Porthole’, I suppose). The only other things I remember about the journey was sitting in the compartment singing ‘We’re all going on a summer holiday’, watching the rise and fall of the telegraph wires outside the window, and the specks of dust suspended in the air, lit by the sun streaming in through the window (weird what sticks in the mind!). Reaching Colwyn Bay station (we were holidaying in Llandudno), and seeing another train pulling in as we paused at the platform (…mind’s eye again – it was hauled by a Black Five’) Finally, my sister and I being invited into the cab of a DMU at Birkenhead Woodside one dark late afternoon Saturday in winter, returning home from a shopping trip to Liverpool. The rails were glistening in the rain up to the tunnel mouth, and I recall vividly the row of marker lights on the inside of tunnel wall as we departed. Thank you driver!

...and a view taken from ON the Aire & Calder - Class 56 trundling by (c.1985):

Think this might be more detail of 'The Wall'? Might help anyway. BTW: M28690M is the preserved 503 at Margate.