Huw Griffiths

"Lesson #1 - make sure you're holding the correct end of the soldering iron."

Who can forget this timeless image from the August 2018 BRM?

On 20/07/2018 at 09:38, Phil Parker said:

That would be Howard "Oh my fingers are on fire" Smith? Dunno. :-)

Don't worry - I'm sure he does know how to use a soldering iron.

Huw.

Quite possibly.

15 minutes ago, Huw Griffiths said:

After all, how many toddlers have learnt how to build etched brass kits?

5 minutes ago, Hroth said:

Can't start them on soldering too soon....

Lesson #1 - make sure you hold the correct end of the soldering iron ... .

22 hours ago, 2mmMark said:

My subscription copy arrived this morning with troubling advice for anyone with younger offspring. 

 

Probably for the best.

After all, how many toddlers have learnt how to build etched brass kits?

On 18/03/2021 at 11:19, Legend said:

Its not true that Germans don't have a sense of humour . Another one of these Generalisations .  I remember wondering round the town centre of Duren, which is not far from Cologne and complimenting my host on how tidy and modern everything was . Yes came the reply , of course the RAF helped us with this . 

Unfortunately a generalisation that's found its way into a number of adverts over the years - sometimes exploiting it - sometimes appearing to debunk it.

I can also remember a talk on Radio 3 in the 90s - in which Andrew Sachs explained how a lot of German humour works.

Apparently, it tends to be nice and dry. Also, the "punchline" never actually gets mentioned. It tends to be an "elephant in the room" - of which everyone present is only too aware - and there are also plenty of unsubtle hints.

For some reason, this brand of humour doesn't always "travel" very well between countries ... .

On 18/03/2021 at 11:35, AY Mod said:

I've heard the same with Frankfurt despite the deaths of thousands, "the RAF started the process of Frankfurt becoming a major financial centre (mitt Deutsche dead-pan irony)". Plus they made it look better than Coventry (not difficult) when they rebuilt it

I don't know.

Perhaps some people might like picture postcards showing ring roads ... .

23 hours ago, chris p bacon said:

In a similar vein we did a trip to Nuremburg and a young guide took us to what were the national Socialist rally grounds and associated buildings.   In general conversation it was noted  how good and precise his English was, he replied that he had got the box set of 'Colditz' from the 70's and used that to learn from. He initially said it was the best tv series he'd seen, but we both agreed after discussion that Das Boot was an equal (if not better).

I never saw much of "Colditz".

As for „Das Boot“ - that is excellent. I can't help wondering if the real reason I haven't since seen lots of submarine based dramas is because they'd be measured against it - and they'd probably fall short.

Huw.

On 17/03/2021 at 20:06, AY Mod said:

If you purchase the showguide you get ongoing access to the videos with a summary of the layouts. It's part of how we pay to run the event.

Sounds fair enough - probably of interest to some people.

Any plans to flag this in the advertising, during the lead-up to future virtual shows?

Huw.

3 hours ago, d00m said:

6mm self adhesive copper tape (I cut it down to 3mm wide) is an alternative to vero board. really easy to solder to, but back it onto paper.

When I installed strain gauges as part of a job, it was common practice to use masking tape to hold down thin wires for soldering.

If you're using masking tape (or indeed paper, backed with adhesive), you're probably best to be careful (and quick) when soldering.

Incidentally, after soldering a few strain gauges, it was standard practice to run over the gauges and the solder joints with some varnish, to protect against tarnishing. You won't get exactly the same varnish in the shops - but cheap nail varnish would probably work - although this could be clear, coloured might be useful, as you'd be able to see the areas covered (and those missed)!

Huw.

29 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

For clarity, I'd like it noted that I have not specified the size of said measure of Port. 

 

I thank you. 

As long as it isn't called a Stein, I'm not worried ... .

Seriously though, there are limits to how much Port anyone's going to drink (and I should know - I like the stuff). It's definitely possible to get too much of a good thing - even something as good as Port.

Huw.

1 minute ago, Gilbert said:

Have you seen his restraint? It has a special case.....

Sounds scary.

Anyway, I understand that the Douro Valley's finest product sometimes comes in cases of 6 bottles.

Huw.

1 hour ago, NHY 581 said:

An armchair awaits this evening with an accompanying measure of Port or four.

Only four?

Some people would admire your restraint.

Huw.

17 hours ago, Phil Parker said:

The end of March. We'll be looking for photos and words at the start of April.

 

This still gives you a few weeks, so leave the computer alone and get modelling!

In view of other stuff I need to deal with, it's probably just as well that I haven't started my own thread.

This might sound like me making excuses - but it isn't. I'm just being realistic. Following some family bereavements, I've had a number of things to sort out - and my mind just hasn't been on stuff like modelmaking.

Although I've tried to push myself, this hasn't worked as well as I would have liked - instead of a complete build, I've got lots of bits and pieces, which need a relatively small amount of work to pull them together. Unfortunately, this would mean being able to concentrate on drawing some stuff up on a computer - probably for several hours at a stretch - and I'm finding this impossible at present.

By ruling myself out, I'm also removing any deadline - which will make this easier for me. Doing this might also allow me to make progress with clearing some space etc in the house. This needs to be done anyway - but I'm hoping it might also allow me to make a start on a long-planned layout.

Anyway, returning to the "cakebox" stuff, I don't honestly think my efforts would have fared too well against some people's work here. It's better if I stop "beating myself up" about this stuff - and just return to it when I'm ready to.

This will probably mean my "cakebox" stuff moving back in the queue. However, in time, I'll probably include this stuff in a workbench thread (as long as nobody minds), just in case there are any ideas that somebody might be able to develop into something they might be able to use in their own modelmaking.

So that's me out of the running (although I'm not sure I was ever really in the running). This leaves everyone else - and I can already see that there will be a number of very credible entries.

It only remains for me to wish you all well - and look forward to seeing your completed builds.

All the best,

Huw.

"RAF Inner City Redevelopment Team" - priceless.

Edit:

Saying that, I can't help wondering if people from certain UK cities would really make similar comments about the Luftwaffe.

Politics aside, during the war, a number of cities and transport networks - in a number of countries - were carpet bombed, by both sides.

Afterwards, the "powers that be" were left with little choice but to rebuild, often from scratch.

In some places, they did an excellent job of rebuilding - in others, they did not ... .

Huw.

5 hours ago, 4630 said:

As a resident of Huddersfield and one of the regular users of the station before the pandemic, I really enjoyed tonights programme.   And although I have visited Cologne, I haven’t visited Morecombe, so like @dagrizz once we’re allowed a trip will be arranged.  

I think I've mentioned elsewhere but, for some of 1987, I was in the area - doing part of the industrial training component of my HND at Heysham power station. I was lodging in a B&B, at the opposite end of Morecambe sea front.

I'm not sure there's an enormous amount to do in the area - and I don't think the new Morecambe station is anything special.

The old station (which Tim was filmed outside) is an extremely attractive building - looks great from the outside - and it was on the inside when it was used as a station. As a pub etc, I'm sure it would still be amazing inside. There also used to be some covered platforms attached to the station building - it's a shame they're no longer there.

Another building I liked was Morecambe Town Hall - which, confusingly, was used by Lancaster City Council. I only visited this building once - a summer Sunday, when I was walking past and became aware of a bit of a "buzz". I quickly realised that lots of Bond Bugs and Morgan 3 wheelers were being shown. Anyone interested was welcome to pop in - and see some owners driving round a "handling course" (plastic cones in the car park), whilst loads of cars were lined up in a "concours d'elegance". It would be fair to say that I wasn't alone in enjoying this event.

Whilst on the subject of attractive buildings, Lancaster also has a number. (Lancaster is a few miles away - by road - by train - or by the former trackbed of a pioneer electrified line, now converted into a foot and cycle path, which I walked a number of times.)

When I was based in the area, summer Saturdays generally saw me catching a train. (My Young Person's Railcard wasn't going to use itself!) I particularly enjoyed the run to and from Barrow-in-Furness - the scenery (and some of the stations I passed through) had to be seen to be believed. As this line was, at the time, the preserve of proper "heritage" DMUs, it was actually possible to see this scenery - especially through the windows behind the driver's cabs.

When the "heritage" units were replaced by Sprinters - and particularly Pacers - with no front view, I know I was not alone in feeling cheated by whoever specified the 2nd generation BR multiple units.

Anyway, I don't think this thread is supposed to be about my memories of my early 20s ... .

Huw.

14 hours ago, Ben B said:

Has a specific deadline been set for the Cakebox please?

12 hours ago, ManofKent said:

And can it be later rather than sooner please? 

I can imagine a number of people thinking along similar lines - I certainly seem to be at present (and I wasn't expecting to).

I seem to recall plenty of time being allowed for the first cake box challenge.

For subsequent challenges, I think it's been 3 calendar months - with the way things have gone recently, I wouldn't mind another 3!

I never thought I'd say this - but there's been a lot of starting stuff, probably getting most of the way (with little to show for it), but being sidetracked and not getting the relatively small amount of time needed to finish the job.

I've got a mental vision of completing a build a few weeks after a deadline - and ending up posting pictures in a workbench thread.

Huw.

Another excellent episode - definitely nothing "shoddy" about today's programme or the buildings visited ... .

(Yes - I know - Huddersfield station - construction probably paid for using money from wool.)

Huw.

This should be interesting.

I wonder how long it will be before someone posts about where the publicity photo was taken.

Huw.

I think I know where you're coming from.

I've also enjoyed what I've had chance to see of the virtual shows.

Although I probably got to see most of what I intended to with the most recent one, I didn't get chance with last year's (for reasons over which I had no control).

Again, not a "dig for victory" campaign - but I strongly suspect that a number of people who would have enjoyed these virtual shows might have welcomed the material staying visible / accessible for a few days longer.

Just a thought for the future.

Huw.

18 minutes ago, timdunn said:

Alas - filming in the pandemic meant that only one of the pubs was open - and that was only serving briefly. So I'll have to return some time - oh well!

I wonder if this will mean with - or without - a filming crew.

(Don't worry - I'm not expecting an answer ... .)

Huw.

2 hours ago, Dunsignalling said:

 

Now that's what's known as "modern image" ... .

As previously "threatened", I've now also ordered a copy of the new "Aylesbury" book - plus some other books - and some issues of MRJ.

I'm not panicking about them - quality reading is worth the wait - but I know I'll enjoy them all when they arrive.

Huw.

5 minutes ago, Edwin_m said:

So all in all it's a significant improvement, not perfect by any means and would be better if they sorted the signs out.

For example, it might help if they added signs with messages like:

• "You can change platforms here."
• "Use other stairs / lifts to change platforms."

OK - I'm not exactly sure about optimal wording for this sort of signage - but something is needed.

Huw.

I think this is the biggest problem with the rebuilt "New Street" - better signage at platform level would be a good investment.

At one time, I can remember platform changers at the East end being directed, via some lifts, through a maze of tunnels - which was interesting, to say the least.

OK - at 55, I'm too young to remember New Street before it's 60s "make-under". Photos in books suggest that there might previously have been at least some nice stuff there architecturally (especially pre-war). However, it was 2 stations (I believe) separated by a road - which probably wouldn't have offered seamless changes.

Then came the 60s - and a rebuild, complete with a shops complex which could probably be most politely described as "of its time". This could be a real maze.

This isn't an idle boast - but I know I'm good at navigation. However, even I managed to lose my way once or twice there (before finding my bearings again).

As far as I'm concerned, the 60s incarnation of New Street was one of those stations where certain movements were straightforward - but it was extremely difficult to find your way through the whole station. I certainly doubt if many people really knew their way around all of it - and that doesn't strike me as good.

The current version definitely has serious flaws - and I suspect that keeping that road through the middle might not have been the best of design moves - but I'm not convinced that it's necessarily worse than before.

It's just "different" - that's all.

Huw.

1 hour ago, Markwj said:

Just signed up but it was a £24.99 by direct debit not £30 quid(was that by debit card or something)?  Not that I am complaining though!

mark

Neither am I.

I'd been intending to "go gold" for a while - but the time needed to be right.

Even at £30 for the year, this was an excellent deal and well worth following up.

At £24.99, I definitely wasn't hanging about.

Huw.

Jamie,

Is your photographic lighting setup (from today's second video) likely to feature in the article?

It looks rather interesting.

Huw.

2 hours ago, AY Mod said:

Thank you @Not Jeremy for the copy which arrived safely today with a lovely note.

2 hours ago, AY Mod said:

We've included Aylesbury in the virtual show this weekend with a recommendation for further reading in this book - it's almost like it was planned!

You mean it wasn't?

Joking aside, as I suggested yesterday, I'll be ordering a  copy in the next day or so - together with some other stuff, which I'll need to finalise beforehand.

1 hour ago, Blandford1969 said:

This looks fascinating. Is it likely to find its way to other bookshops when they reopen?

47 minutes ago, Not Jeremy said:

If they order it, yes. Wild Swan is happy to supply any retailer with stocks of all of its titles.

47 minutes ago, Not Jeremy said:

It won't be available through Smiths or Waterstones however, for various reasons and in common with nearly all the other specialist publications in the UK.

 

Simon

I must admit that I've heard about some of those reasons, "via other channels".

Without going into too much detail, or breaking confidences, I suspect that it just isn't cost-effective for a number of specialist publishers to do business with certain large companies.

Huw.