Huw Griffiths

Well, it's either that or a small circle of track. Pizza, anyone? No - on second thoughts, I think I'd prefer some sort of shunting puzzle. I wonder if there's a prize for the most offbeat innovative concept - perhaps a shunting layout with no switches (but a turntable and a traverser) - or would that be a pointless exercise? Whatever the score, I'd hope for something better thought out than this concept - ever get the impression that some people have never built a layout: http://www.carendt.com/articles/layout-design-contest-entries/26-tramcar-shuffle/ It would probably surprise nobody that this concept was never built as shown. (If I ever were to build it, I'd make it longer and wider - with the turntable moved to the left of the shed roads - and more space between the storage roads on the right. Don't worry - I don't think this is likely to happen any time soon.) In fact, I suspect that a number of the ideas in that challenge were never built - certainly not exactly as described. I seem to recall reading on the site that, when somebody tried to build the (deservedly) winning entry, it needed to be expanded (larger radius curves - gentler gradients) to make it work. I suspect it would have looked rather good, though - even if the Douro Valley is often known for something rather different to model railways. (A lot of people are familiar with Port - a most agreeable beverage, named after the city variously known as Oporto, or Porto.) There is one way to short circuit that nonsense - for the people concerned to agree on a theme (plus trackplan, what's needed, who does what initially etc) beforehand. That way, the whole time gets spent doing something constructive - and a lot of negative stereotypes can be effectively disposed of. Certainly, the concept of "pre-assembled" teams might appear not to favour "virtual teams" formed from members of a web forum site like this one. How many of us have even met each other - leave alone knowing each other well enough to know each other's specialist interests, abilities etc? At this moment, I don't know whether I'd be available. However, that sort of thing definitely sounds like it could be fun - especially the wiring (even better if it's overhead). Well, I've always liked electric traction (even if OHLE could get in the way with certain layout concepts) - and who could possibly object to a layout full of diesels? (On second thoughts, it's probably better if I don't ask that last question - I don't like the image of steam coming out of some people's ears.) Huw.

Me too - I was hoping for something with a pantograph. (OK - perhaps not ... .) Seriously though, the battery shunter certainly seems to have come in useful in places - like very steep gradients, for instance. As for the second "kettle" (!), this also seems to have had some uses. Perhaps it might be worth starting with something uncontroversial - like "gauge wars". On second thoughts, perhaps not. Sounds like fun. (As for "critters", some of our American friends already have them. However, they are actually talking about different types of "critters" - essentially, small shunting locos, usually with added "character" - think in terms of slightly more "offbeat" versions of that battery shunter in the TV series, but made to look a bit "rough & ready".) So does a battery, with a switch. Come to think of it, that could be an alternative form of digital control: "0" = "switch is off - no juice flows - so the train stops"; "1" = "switch is on - juice flows - so the train moves". If anyone really wants to be "clever", they could even add a variable resistor (to improve controllability on sharp curves) or the use of two digits on one hand, to assist with "explaining" things to any "wise guy" who tries to suggest that "official" DCC systems are so much easier to wire and set up. Seriously though, both DC and DCC have their adherents (and advantages). I, personally, see nothing wrong with either, as long as people are sensible about which they choose (and why) - and respectful of other people's right to make their own decisions. I know you're joking - but it might have been rather more useful than a solar charger, if some of the programmes (and comments in this thread) are anything to go by. I'm sure it would be possible to find far worse TV programmes. In particular, it would be possible to watch those late morning shows, full of foul mouthed wasters screaming abuse at each other (and anyone else within a 10 mile radius) - and some guy making suggestions along the lines of "you go that way - you go that way - get off my stage", before introducing yet another ad break by saying that he's about to "go and lie down in a darkened room". Well, it would be possible to watch those programmes. I, personally, wouldn't bother. I couldn't agree more about production crews. Anyone who really wants to know how small and light broadcast cameras etc are these days could get a pretty good idea by visiting BVE (I think it's short for Broadcast & Video Expo - or something like that), at London's Excel in a few weeks' time. Somehow, I suspect that a lot of people would struggle with carrying even the smallest, lightest, "pro" filming gear - leave alone holding it steady for extended periods of time. The same would probably be true of equipment like "steadi-cams" etc. Huw.

Yes - but which one? Joking aside, they clearly had at least 2 of these - as shown when they had them on parallel tracks, with a rope and pulley between them. To be honest, the program showed one of these locos getting such a hammering, with so little down time, that (however good the things are) at least one operational spare (perhaps more) would make a lot of sense. My thoughts exactly - although, at the other extreme, I can think of some countries where a number of people would have difficulty coping with the heat. As for the hotels, I suspect that, at a push, some people might be prepared to accept 4* hotels. However, your comment sums up my reasons for not applying for this series. Saying that, I enjoyed watching the programmes. Regards, Huw.

There's nothing wrong with beards ... . I couldn't agree more - however, once Channel 4 started showing this series, my gut feeling about it was that it's really a programme about engineering, which just happens to feature some model railway kit (rather good model railway kit, as it happens). This was why I earlier made a reference to The Great Egg Race (one of my all-time favourite TV series). For me, this perception is reinforced by the people fronting the series - although they've got a range of backgrounds, Dick Strawbridge, Claire Barratt and Hadrian Spooner are all engineers. In the programmes, we are also introduced to a number of other engineers - again with varying backgrounds - a number of them volunteers (some of whose "back stories" we've also come to hear about). As I've already commented, I'll be sorry to see the end of this series tomorrow. I hope that Channel 4 - and Love Productions - are working on a sequel. Huw.

When I've needed to enlarge drawings (from a published diagram book, in my case), I've just scanned the relevant drawings into my PC - and rotated, enlarged, or otherwise adjusted the files using an old version of PhotoShop. Although I can't be certain, I suspect that a number of other image manipulation packages (eg The Gimp) would probably offer similar features to these. Depending on the size of your drawings, you might also be able to rescale them using a photocopier (perhaps set to print at A3 size - try checking your local library, or even one of those shops that print pamphlets and business cards while you wait).

Some people might suggest that most* still seem to be. (*Presumably, this means the ones that haven't been banned yet. OK - this might be slightly harsh - but, unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any 100% effective way of completely eliminating them from any site that allows people to post things, or add their comments.)

It looks like some of those guys might have gone on a diet*. Edit: * I'm beginning to suspect that Diät might be closer to the truth in some cases ... .

If this year's event was anything to go by, it should be worth the effort. Incidentally, it isn't just Cardiff Bus whose buses serve the area - I got there and back using Stagecoach buses to / from Greyfriars Rd.. (I think it might have been some of their Talbot Green routes.) Talking of Talbot Green bus routes, I might also find myself using them to get to the "Ponty" show in a few months' time - together with some Edwards buses from Talbot Green to Llantwit Fardre. (This assumes, of course, that I don't find myself at the model tram show in Manchester ... decisions ... decisions ... .) Returning to the Pontcanna show, I enjoyed the chance to catch up with a number of people - layout operators - demonstrators - people from various clubs etc - and visitors. (These people included some RMweb members - not all of whom I'd met before.) This year's event seemed like a very friendly show - complete with a lot of thoroughly decent people - and I'm looking forward to next year's event. In the meantime, I guess I might just have to get on with a number of my own projects, so I've got something to talk about when I speak to these people next year. Regards, Huw.

A steam loco on the viaduct would have made for good viewing - but it wasn't in the programme. The stuff about the steam loco's high centre of gravity is also interesting - as is the fact that it was shown rolling on its side a number of times. In fact, full sized railways sometimes had problems of this nature - as clearly demonstrated by a fatal accident involving a GWR express, at Loughor in 1904. I don't know all the details of this accident - but I believe a saddle tank (with a high centre of gravity) was assisting another loco on a London bound express. For me, the "express" bit is relevant, as the train was going fast and oscillations were set up as a direct result - which led to the saddle tank rolling onto its side (plus, unfortunately, a number of deaths). As for the decision to "sub" a battery loco for some of the journey, there could have been a number of potential reasons for this - and not all of them would have "made the final cut". Certainly, though, using a battery loco for a short while could potentially have offered extra time for servicing the steam loco(s). Whether this time would have been needed is not for me to guess. The stuff about the relative speed of the battery loco is another point - if this were an issue, I'd imagine it might have been possible to change the motor and gearing for alternatives capable of higher speeds. Whether doing so could have caused other problems is another matter. Ultimately, this series is what it is - and a number of people enjoy it for what it is. I would always have expected some sort of "jeopardy" - real or otherwise - as the programme makers would want to keep viewers "glued" to the TV. As far as I'm concerned having Dick Strawbridge fronting this series was a stroke of genius (whether the programme's detractors see this as flawed genius is a matter for them alone). I just hope Channel 4 - and Love Productions - are working on a sequel. Huw.

I believe both "carbon tet" and "trike" were banned from general sale (with loads of conditions placed on the few places allowed to use them) - good thing, too. As for Garryflex, like all abrasives, it polishes metals by wearing away their surface - and leaving scratches (small ones in this case) in the metal surface. Despite this - and the risk of leaving a synthetic rubber residue, unless you're careful when degreasing - it's good stuff. Incidentally, I don't think the Gaugemaster abrasive blocks are that far removed from Garryflex (or even its, harder and more brittle, rival marketed as "Sandflex" or "Schleiffix" in various countries) - but I wonder if they might be somewhere around the "120 grit" range. I'm not saying any of this stuff as a "dig" - but merely because, for a number of years, my job involved installing resistance strain gauges. This involved the use of a lot of chemicals (especially organic "degreasing" solvents) and a lot of abrasives, whilst preparing specimen (mainly metal) surfaces to accept various adhesives. Huw.

Further related points are: Use a hand drill or hand operated pin vice, as they might be slower and easier to control than a powered drill. Try to ensure that the drill stays slightly inside the cutaway area, to reduce the chance of the drill cutting away at any of the material you want to keep. No prizes for guessing why I keep on remembering about reading them somewhere. Huw.

This sort of thing wouldn't surprise me - and nothing cynical about that. After all, when the production company were phoning people up to "scope" this series, they were also seeking advice on a number of issues - including what sort of propulsion to use and (if they went electric) whether to go for on-board power. Even from the initial "scoping" phase, I think it was pretty clear that on-board power (of whatever sort) was the way to go. OK - with my background (and my interests), I might have quite enjoyed seeing an electric outline loco drawing juice from a pantograph - but transmission losses would have made such a scheme a non starter. Anyway, James May's BBC series had already made it clear that even getting reliable connections for externally powered electric traction would have been a very tall order with any outdoor "model railway" challenge using hastily assembled track. Additionally, a lot of the stuff in the series appears as if it might have been included to illustrate different real-life railway challenges - ways of dealing with them - and decisions that affected full sized railways. I, personally, don't have a problem with this - especially as the production company also appear to have used things that happened during filming, together with key parts of some volunteers' "back stories", in an effort to make a more interesting series (and generally show the volunteers in a sympathetic light). However, for me, the real issue with this series is what they'll do for an encore. (I take it there will be an encore.) Let's face it - whatever our individual preferences on the series concept - despite a minority's extreme "negativity for the sheer b****y minded H*ll of it" style cynicism - I suspect that a number of people would reckon that the production company (and Channel 4) have something here with future potential. Anyway, even though this series isn't strictly about what some here would term "model railways", I suspect it's likely to have generated significant additional interest in the hobby. I'm sure it would also be possible to come up with related challenges elsewhere - perhaps building on experience gained during the current series to make improvements to the equipment (eg track) and methods used. OK - as I've previously mentioned, the concept is a different one to what I would have chosen. Compared to what I, personally, would have opted for, it's less "Model World" - more a "reality TV" themed take on "Great Egg Race" or "Scrappy Races" - and nothing wrong with that. Certainly, the concept used here has yielded some very watchable TV. This series has also helped to identify a number of people who could prove very useful in other programmes in the future - either as "resident experts", or as presenters in their own right. I'm definitely looking forward to next week's instalment - even though it is the series finale. I hope the people behind this series exploit the opportunity to use it as a stepping stone for further series. I also hope I encounter some of the people behind this venture in the future - especially at model railway shows. (You never know - if any future challenges don't involve "sleeping under canvas" - or trying to avoid midges - they just might get more volunteers. Whether they'd actually want them is another matter ... .) Huw.

Well, Wales is to the west of England ... . Anyway, it could be suggested that images like these help to illustrate certain points. Similar considerations might also account for the inclusion of different ways of dealing with various challenges along the route - like the "funicular" section for instance - and especially the "ferry", complete with issues about stability and loading / unloading. Even the loss of radio control signal was of interest - as, in some countries, I don't think it's unknown for shunting to be done using radio controlled locos. As for me, I intend to watch today's programme - but I'm looking at it from a different angle to some people. Instead of "model railways", I see it as an easy-viewing series about how a group of people solved certain challenges - engineering challenges - and the challenge of getting on with a group of (quite possibly "frazzled") individuals, the vast majority of whom had every intention of working as a team. It doesn't surprise me that a number of these people appear to have maintained contact after filming ended. Huw.

You mean we're not? Oh well - I learn something new every day - or maybe not. Joking aside, what I've seen so far of this series doesn't strike me as particularly contentious. Anyone could almost imagine some people misappropriating a well known quote about another leisure pursuit: "It isn't a matter of life and death - it's far more important than that!"

I couldn't agree more. Last Saturday, in Cardiff, there was conclusive proof that model railways are not just for anoraks. At least one of the visitors to a model railway show was wearing a wax jacket.

This might be a bit of an uphill challenge. After all, how many people actually do any modelling - leave alone scratchbuilding? Joking aside, I can think of one visitor who'd like to do something on the boundary between kitbashing and scratchbuilding, at some point in the foreseeable future. I'm not saying this will actually happen though. Only another 500* to go ... . (* I just picked a random number out of the air - I haven't got a clue how many people visited this show - all I know is that it was worth their while.) Huw.

As a number of other people have already commented, this was a very enjoyable show. I really liked the modelling - and, far more important, I really liked all the people I met / had a chat with (including all the people on the "other side of the table" - somewhere I'm never likely to find myself). The show also allowed me to source some key parts for a couple of long term modelmaking projects (as long as they never get completed, I can't see anyone getting too worried ...). OK - I've still got to find a couple of other components - plus the time to do something with them - but at least I'm getting close to the point where I might be able to think about perhaps considering the vague possibility of maybe starting to do something interesting. Well, you don't expect me to promise the impossible - do you? Some people have commented about the size of the venue and show - it clearly isn't "Ally Pally" (where I usually find myself this weekend - not for the snooker - but for the London Model Engineering show). I don't deny that I enjoy big shows, but local shows / club open days offer something that isn't always available at big shows - the chance to have a proper conversation with exhibitors. If you try to do this at "Warley", or the BRM shows - if you try asking any demonstrator any really detailed questions - if you try asking a layout exhibitor how they built something - it'll probably be a matter of seconds before you become aware of a long queue of "punters" getting very impatient (or performing their world famous vanishing act). Now for the question to which some people here might like the answer - as this was my first visit to this show, am I likely to visit again in future? I think so - and also getting the chance to put faces to a number of RMweb members' "board names" was a major bonus for me. OK - I'd prefer it if there weren't the clash with the London Model Engineering Show and "The Masters" snooker. I'd also be tempted to say that I'd prefer it if the Bristol O Gauge show weren't the same weekend most years - however, as I can't sensibly get to and from the latter show by public transport, I probably shouldn't be concerning myself with that. Such is life. Anyway, returning to this Cardiff show, I certainly enjoyed my visit - I look forward to visiting in future years - and I hope this show thrives. It certainly deserves to - and I'd like to take this chance to express my thanks to everyone who helped to make this show such an enjoyable experience. Regards, Huw.

I take it that will be Swansea, then (other teams are, of course, available - although I must admit that I've never been the most dedicated follower of soccer, as I generally prefer my "football" to a different code with a different shaped ball). Alternatively, for those of us who can't be bothered with jumping through hoops and all the other malarkey mentioned in the posts above, there's always a much simpler approach, as mentioned in a thread about "Ally Pally" 2014: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/82873-the-london-festival-of-railway-modelling-2014-march-2223/page-4&do=findComment&comment=1388199 Whether I'd bother with badges is another matter completely - although, as I mentioned earlier in this thread, my appearance is so distinctive that anyone who so wishes would probably have little difficulty in recognising me. This assumes, of course, that I can actually pull myself away from the snooker to get there. Huw.

I take it you're aware that Phil isn't likely to decide who wins this challenge - even if a "Pug" and some 3D printed people did find their way onto his blog ... Joking aside, I wonder how noticeable it would be that, as supplied, the "Pug" model is a "left hooker" - especially if you add a bit of "dirt" on the windscreen and windows (you could also "distress" some of the paint on the metal bodyshell at the same time). Let's face it - if a car's having welding work done on it, it's not likely to be in pristine condition with spotless, shiny, paint. Just as an aside, the cases from those Cararama cars can sometimes be very useful in their own right - either as the basis for models (On30 inspection car, perhaps - and I suspect they'd lend themselves to loads of projects in other scales) - or as something to build a small electronics project into (I should know - I've done this in the past - unfortunately no photos). For all I know, it might even be possible to use one of these boxes as a platform for the flashing lights for your "nightclub". Incidentally, if you weren't able to get one of those seasonal kits in a closeout deal, it wouldn't be too hard to throw together a simple circuit to achieve a similar effect, using a couple of 555 timer chips (other options also available) and some cheap assorted LEDs (perhaps from tree lights or similar, if you got hold of any when various shops were selling them off cheap). Well, I talk about finding shop closeouts of tree lights in the past tense - but there might still be some of them around. For example, this afternoon in my local Wilkinson's, I came across some boxes containing 100 mixed colour 3mm LEDs (and a 31V power supply) at £1.75 a pop - I'm not expecting them to hang around long at prices like that! Probably of more use to many railway modellers would be their similar boxes of "warm white", or better "copper" (filament bulb colour light) LEDs - whether 3mm or presoldered surface mount types (albeit already encapsulated in clear resin). Whatever you do with this project, I hope it works out well, Huw.

I suspect that Andy might, too. Huw.

In Newport (formerly in Gwent), there used to be a small industrial tank loco and a wagon, on a short length of track: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2217110 http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/10037762.Vandals_force_historic_steam_train_out_of_Newport/ The second photo - and the accompanying local newspaper article - give some idea of the sort of abuse it received at the hands of local vandals. (Yes - the wagon chassis did end up twisted!) Understandably, the local council had had more than enough of this nonsense - while those of us who like old trains also didn't appreciate seeing it in this state (complete with a rather dog-eared wooden footplate, which would probably not be too difficult to represent). As for what you could use to represent a similar loco, I'd reckon something like a Dapol "Pug" plastic kit - perhaps with one or two parts either removed or "distressed". If you also want a wagon to go with it, a scrap (or secondhand) open wagon with some parts removed could work. (Just remember to remove any couplers - suitably "distress" some of the metal angle at the corners - and (perhaps) remove or break one of the leaf springs and tilt the wagon, to represent the unwanted attention of vandals and scrap metal thieves.) Of course, you might have better ideas of your own ... . Huw.

I don't know - but I'm guessing it might have something to do with a live steam loco going for an unintended swim. I wonder which channel this Voyager documentary was on - and when it'll get repeated. Seriously though, there is / was definitely a tenuous link between the Voyager space missions and UK railways - what do you think the Class 220 DEMUs were named after? That's certainly the way I'm seeing it. I suspect I might not be alone here - I seem to recall Claire Barratt (on BBC Breakfast, last Friday) saying something along the lines that she "came along for the engineering - but fell in love with the train". When I have cream, I usually prefer the extra thick stuff - though I doubt if it would have been available during this project. I suspect this might go some way towards explaining why one relative of mine insists on dismissively referring to anything connected with model railways as "choo-choo trains", every time he visits. To suggest that I might be starting to find this somewhat tedious might be a slight understatement. That sounds like a decent engineering solution - certainly the simplest solution to an immediate problem. Anyway, whatever various people might see in this series (and the whole exercise), I'm certainly finding that it makes for enjoyable viewing. Huw.

A number of people have the same problems with names and faces - probably always have had. I just hope this doesn't result in lots of people turning up with name badges - much like some people did, a few years back, at RMweb Live. Let's face it - I've never liked wearing badges. Saying that, if I attend, I don't think I'd need to (even if anyone were actually to want to know who I am) - in my fifties, overweight, glasses and a beard (a bit like my avatar, in fact) - so I'd be very easy to recognise. I hope this doesn't mean your Christmas presents included a pair of Totectors and a snooker cue. Joking aside, if I attend, this might mean having to tear myself away from coverage of "The Masters". (Why, oh why, do so many model railway shows clash with the "business end" of major snooker tournaments?) Anyway, if I'm able to get to the show, I'm looking forward to it. If not, I hope it goes well. Huw.

I think they were only on the same team in the revamped version - in which there was a "house team", called "Dick's Diamonds".

When the production company were phoning people who'd contacted them in response to their initial "feelers", I know the issue of ensuring suitable engineering / technical backup was "on tap" was raised - and it quickly became clear that they were "sorting" this. To be honest, I wasn't surprised - as I'd imagine they'd need some sort of insurance etc., to be able to go ahead - and I'd expect insurance companies to insist on all reasonable steps being taken to reduce any foreseeable risks. Certainly, the people I spoke to - both on the phone and at least year's Ally Pally show didn't strike me as stupid or reckless - and they seemed to be "doing their homework" - so no surprises there. Meanwhile, there seemed to be a number of other people - in front of the cameras - with significant engineering or practical know-how. . Meanwhile, if anyone were to visit a structures lab - in the Civil Engineering department of a university - models of another form might be encountered - engineering models. By the time they've been placed into a test rig - covered with strain gauges and other instrumentation - and loaded up using (typically) test weights, bags of scrap steel punchings or, more usually, hydraulic jacks - they often end up looking nothing like the bridges etc. they are standing in for. However, this doesn't matter very much, because they are designed to behave in the same way as the full size structures they mimic. Judging by how many of these "models" have been built and used over the years, I suspect they are probably reasonably successful in this aim. Similar comments could probably be made about the automotive industry making use of crash test dummies (with many of their characteristics apparently being ultimately based on cadavers). Incidentally, it's not exactly unknown for some people to adopt a related approach to railway modelling - building "part models" as "proof of concept" exercises, to develop ideas for planned models, or to check if ways of doing things are likely to have any real chance of working. Of course, this doesn't mean that any of my "proof of concept" stuff looks anything like the projected final models - or even that said final models actually get built. You didn't seriously expect that bit to happen - did you? Huw.