John M

Have a train of Foxrock Models C&L cattle wagons built several years ago. Very nice but I have not got round to fitting couplings, perhaps some day 🤔 The decals were a custom order from Studio Scale Models

I have used Bemo HOm track on my Irish 4mm 3' narrow gauge layout for the best part of 20 years. The track produced for Bemo by Shinohara a Japanese manufacturer was probably the simplest option for modelling Irish 3' narrow gauge track using a proprietary track system before the advent on the Peco HOm. I had used Tillig HOm track and points in the fiddle yard but have since replaced the Tillig points with Peco as my locos and stock tended to de-rail at the frogs, though I have not experienced similar problems with the Peco HOm replacements in the fiddle yard or the Bemo points in the station area. My feeling is that sleeper spacing and cross section on HOm track is closer to scale for Irish 3' narrow gauge than the sleeper spacing and cross section of standard gauge TT track. 3T with a Cattle Special at Keadue 2021 Bemo HOm track point 1:6 crossing angle 3T on the Tramway section, convey of photographers cars! Track on this section is Peco HOm unballasted/unweathered installed as a replacement following damage to the original Almost a close-up of Peco HOm track and point at fiddle yard approach. The Ground Throw (point lever) no longer performs a function since the replacement of a Tilling point but haven't gotten round to replacing it! Probably use HOm if I ever get round to building another Irish 3' gauge layout or a Continental HOm layout Bemo/Shinohara track has been unavailable for several years and more fragile than Peco HOm

The official reason for delivering 201 by air was to allow IE to have sufficient drivers and crew trained while awaiting delivery of the remaining 9 members of the initial order, the unofficial version was that there was an expectation for the loco to be delivered before the IE Chairman Paul Conlon retired. At the time there was an expectation under the governments "Building on Reality Programme" of the mod 80s under which there was to be no further Government investment in the railways after the completion of the Dublin-Cork main line power signalling (CTC) project and the completion of the MK3 main line Coach Project, the IE Chairman flying in a loco from the States as a vanity project would have not gone down well politically. At the time (92-3) IE was faced with the Kildare Line Suburban or Dublin-Belfast (south of the Border) as either or projects.

Blog featuring graphics and photos of our latest version of the 20T Good Brake. Due to very low levels of demand for our existing models we are accepting "Expressions of Interest" to assess whether its worth while to proceed to production with this particular model. At this stage we are looking at Expressions of Interest in a minimum of 50 wagons (Brake Vans, Opens, Vans) to proceed to production. I have not set up an Expression of Interest/Prepayment function on the Shopify site because of very low sales turnover and relatively high running costs of pre-payment apps. We expect to sell the updated version of the Brake Van at a similar price point to the existing versions. Please e-mail me on info@jmdesignmr.co.nz or PM on this group if you would like to place an expression of interest or have any questions. Blog featuring graphics and photos of our latest 'modernised" version of the 20T Good Brake with all metal duckets/lookouts https://jmdesignmodelrailways.com/blogs/news/february-2024-update-expressions-of-interest-cie-20t-brake-van-rebuilt-version All planked version based on 23642 "the Cultra Van" with 'in service" graphics/decals. Sheeted ply cabin version with vertical planked verandas 23508 Test print of the ply cabin version by our former Singapore supplier graphics are a mock up to be finalised if we proceed to production

One of my memories of traveling home in late Summer evenings on the Northern Line during the 1980s was what appeared to be hayricks by the lineside on the above ground section between Golders Green and Edgeware. At the time I lived in Colindale and worked in Wapping normally driving to work, I took the Tube home on Thursday evening after a session in the pub with my workmates, traveling to work by Tube on Friday mornings, part of my London Days long ago! With few people travelling some Guard/Conductor would leave their door open between stops letting in some fresh air and adding to the bucolic atmosphere. Presumably the 'hayricks" /dried grass cuttings would have been removed by Works Train. The questions are whether the 'hayricks" were a figment of my imagination, was the hay actually used as animal feed and when or if the practice ceased.

I have built a number of shelf layouts including an N Scale loft layout set in the North East which incorporated oNe Trak modules (12" wide baseboard). I found that it was feasible to achieve greater depth of field within a slender baseboard width with the trackage placed close to the baseboard center line. It was even possible to achieve a reasonable foreground effect within the yard modules within a 12" wide baseboard. Bernard Kempinski used similar principals in his "Moose Lake" oNe Trak module featured in Model Railroad Planning during the early 2000s increasing the baseboard width to 18" modelling a corn field in the foreground and the backscene to achieve the horizon effect https://nrail.org/resources/Documents/oNeTRAK_Manual.pdf The Delaware and Hudson layout never developed beyond the operating and basic scenery stage, the layout was dismantled following a move to New Zealand in the mid-2000s, though I have a couple on N scale elevator kits and carried out a lot of "research' in the Mid-West during the last 20 years.

Currently in the Mid-West visiting family which gives me a chance to railfan lines in ND and MIN when out grocery shopping! Weather to date has been mild with little snow until early January and a 'Brown Christmas", greatest surprise is the amount of grain being shipped by rail at this time of year. Grain being trucked in large volumes to the elevators for shipping by rail The area is mainly served by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe BNSF with shortlines Dakota Missouri Valley and Western (DMVWR) Red River Valley and Western (RRVW) acting as feeders for the respective Class 1 railroads. It was mild when we arrived shortly after Christmas initial sightings were BNSF Unit Grain trains on the BNSF former GN main line south east of Beckenridge Minnesota East bound BNSF Unit Grain shortly after departing Beckenridge MN 6787 was closely following another eastbound grain the BNSF line in this area has CTC signalling with intermediate signals between signal interlockings (passing sidings) which allow trains to closely follow through sections 6787 is probably running at caution or approach. Trailing loco on Eastbound 6782. A day or so later the weather had changed another East bound grain on the BNSF line approaching Campbell south east of Beckenridge Cars on BNSF grain tend to be from the home road or leased. Trailing loco on unit grain. Beckenridge is the main operating base of the RRVWR and interchange with BNSF. Main change since I first visited the RRVWR in 2003 has been the change and development in motive power from ex-BN Caterpillar powered GP20-C rebuilds of 1st Generation GP20s to 2nd Generation GP38-2s to SD70s to reduce maintenance and increased tonnage as a result of longer trains as a result of the construction of on-line shuttle elevators and ethanol plants. Line up of GP20-C,CF 7 and SD70 at Beckenridge. Another SD70 and a Crete Grain SW in the background Crete Grain, BNSF and RRVW motive power on the yard lead at Beckenridge. After two weeks I managed to catch a number of east bound CPKC trains on the former SOO line St Paul-Portal line near the NDMN border. CRKC GE ES44AC on eastbound grain near Tenney MN. The SOO line is relatively easily graded, grain trains are usually single headed by the large GEs without a trailing locomotive, Kansas City Southern cars in the train consist reflect the recent CP amalgamation-takeover of the KCS. After seeing relatively few trains on the Soo line late this afternoon was something of a jackpot with three closely following eastbound trains on the SOO Line. BNSF motive power on a RRVWR empty ethanol train from the BNSF to the SOO Line at Campbell MN. Approaching Campbell I passed a long train of tank cars on the passing track at Campbell and a pair of BNSF locos backing down on to the train. Crossing to the other side of the line I watched the railroader coupling up and had a chat when he returned to his pick up truck. The train was an empty 100 car RRVWR train for Hankinson on the SOO Line on GN running powers dating from the 1950s. I later saw the train as it approached the interchange with the SOO line, but following the train would have involved a long wait for at least on east bound CPKC train to clear! Another CPKC ES44AC hauled eastbound grain train on the SOO Line in MN. The train was running under caution with flashing yellow intermediate signals or several miles indicating that it was following another train. Surprise of the afternoon a BNSF powered eastbound grain on the SOO Line near Tenney MN. Although topped and tailed by BNSF power the train consist was made up of CP and absorbed "fallen flag" cars.

Probably thought it was not worth the cost of repair, I still use the secondary 15V ac output to power a hand held electronic controller. I will have a look at the transformer when we return home from the States in approx. two weeks.

I was involved in the management and removal of asbestos until recently and hold a BOHS IP 402 Certificate in the Surveying and Sampling of Asbestos. This post is intended to provide some clarification around the sampling and testing of a singe sample from a resistance mat of a H&M controller which is likely to require a lower level of control compared to taking multiple samples of potentially high risk asbestos containing material or a risk of cross contamination. Normal Usage: The potential risk of health from the release of airborne fibres from a H&M resistance mat or variable transformer appears to be minimal provided the case is intact or in good condition. The asbestos is effectively encapsulated within the case isolating the user from exposure to asbestos fibres, a highly effective control measure. Sampling and Testing: HSG 264 The Asbestos Survey Guide Section 5 Paragraphs 110 and 118 details safe working practice for sampling of material similar to those used in a resistance mat or variable transformer. https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg264.htm In practice a sample 3-5Sq/Cm cut with a sharp knife should be adequate for sampling purposes. A disposal P2 respirator, gloves and disposable coverall should be adequate for taking a single sample. I would recommend placing the controller on a piece of 1000um plastic as a drop sheet/decontamination area before taking the sample. A water/pva/surfactant wetting agent is normally misted/sprayed on the sample area before taking a sample to minimise risk of release of fibres during sampling. Samples of white dust debris may be sampled using a small wet wipe which is sent for testing and analysis. Samples are double wrapped in (small) zip lock bags. The drop sheet, wet wipes, PPE should be double bagged on completion of sampling and disposed of as asbestos waste in the case of a positive test result. Asbestos Test Kits and Testing Analysis Laboratories. The Test Kits available from DIY stores usually include respirator, gloves, sample bags and pre-paid envelope to an approved asbestos testing laboratory, but price excludes test and analysis. The Laboratories usually provide sample bags and pre-paid envelope on request. Is it worth having a H&M Controller tested? Apart from a positive result the main risk appears to be the wetting agent used to minimise the risk of release of fibre may damage the resistance mat/ transformer even if all the components are dismantled, dried and cleaned thoroughly before re-assembly. Safely removing resistance mat or variable transformer and de-contaminating a H&M case would be a relatively low risk task similar methodology to sampling in the event of a positive test result, disposing of the waste may be more challenging though some registered removal contractors are willing to take small amounts of waste from householders and tradespeople they ask nicely. Interestingly I have a Safety Minor with a failed variable transformer on the bench and never thought of sending off a sample for testing! At this stage I don't think I its worth bothering.

Political pressure and disfunction in the University sector seems almost universal and going on for a long time about 20 years ago the wife worked in a General Studies department in an Australian University which was dis-established and staff made redundant, my main surprise was that the University had not demolished the building to erase all trace of the Department. Several years later my wife experienced serious resistance from her academic supervisor while submitting her final Phd dissertation although she had previously been supportive. The wife was advised to submit the dissertation by the head of the department and awarded a Phd in education. It later turned out that my wife's supervisor took stress leave as the University took steps to terminate her employment around the time my wife was submitting her dissertation. The Graduation ceremony was like something from Roman times or a medieval court, as my wife's supervisor jostled for position on the stage with the other academics, elbowing others out of the way to take her place on the stage. I am sure blood would have been spilled that night if she had a knife.

Its been quite a year, I been under considerable pressure for the last six months as a result of a family crisis which required my 100% attention. The crisis has forced me to focus on my family and finally put the legacy of a breakdown I experienced five years ago as a result of work related stress behind me and move on. Thankfully we appear to have weathered the worst of the crisis and have been able to recover some of my modelling mojo actually spending evenings in the workshop catching up on projects started before the crisis. In my working life I developed a pattern of working under pressure not feeling stressed 'believing that I had everything under control" until I reached my breaking point and became overloaded with stress. This time around I appear to finally understand my limitations, to recognise when I am beginning to feel stressed and do something about it rather than attempt to soldier on. With little opportunity for respite its mainly been a matter of eating well, taking short breaks when I can, talking about it to family and getting a decent nights sleep. Being retired the financial pressure of needing to hold down a job no longer applies, in the past the overload usually arose as a result of taking on too much personal responsibility without the management support and resources to see the job through.

Off topic to me the Cape to Cairo brings to mind Neil Andrews inspiring 9mm Scale NZR (New Zealand Railways) layout. Pronounced in the New Zealand dialect the layout is based on NZR practice in the early 1900s and features realistically modelled Central North Island bush (native forest) extending in some places from floor to ceiling.

I converted a second hand Princess to a Class 5 or Jubilee based on a Railway Modeller article, before re-purposing the chassis for a Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties 0-6-4T with a scratchbuilt tin plate body. As far as I recall I picked up the Princess basic model unlined black without outside valve gear for abut £1.5 at a model railway club sale, I also picked up a Triang-Hornby Jinty chassis which I unsuccessfully re-purposed as a chassis block for a 4-4-0. Modifications to the chassis included replacing the Princes driving wheels with wheels from a Triang-Hornby 0-6-0 crudely filed to a narrower profile. Curiously the 0-6-4T turned out to be a smooth and reliable runner, my first successful attempt at wheel quartering. Although my early attempts at scratchbuilding locos on rtr chassis were not the most successful they laid the groundwork for my first successful attempts at kit and scratchbuilding several years later. Almost feel tempted to repeat a Black 5 or Jubilee conversion for a 60s retro layout as a change from todays hi-fidelity rtr models

Great Southern and Western Railways 273 an ex-Waterford Limerick and Western Railway 2-4-0 one of 8 locos designed under Robinson as WLWR loco engineer built by Dubs and Co 1892-4 one of four members of the class withdrawn by the GSWR between 1906-13. I have no information on the original WLWR name or running no. The remaining locos were classified Class 276 by the GSR or Inchacore Class G3, 291 the last member survived until 1959.

Had one of those 'lightening bulb' moments a couple of months ago in the rural Mid-West United States when a technician arrived to remove the cable TV hardware from my father-in laws house, who at the time was moving into a care home with dementia. The technician who once had his own business was working for one of the Cable companies and was planning to live "somewhere in the woods off grid" to escape the rat-race. Something that was not exactly difficult to achieve in a laid back, relatively sparsely populated part of the states. The other amazing thing was the way the local small town community rallied round my wife (who left the States over 40 years ago) when she decided to care for her father at home and the effectiveness of the public health system in very Republican State shattered some of my perceptions of the United States.