Huw Griffiths

What - "the late" Western Railway Journal? I know - terrible joke - and we don't yet know if it's too early to write this excellent journal's obituary - but I shall definitely miss it. I wonder if / when we might start to see "bookazines" of articles compiled from old issues of GWRJ - but, again, I'm not holding my breath. Huw.

I generally get those as well - but I don't try again, preferring to hit the "refresh". Despite this, I seem to recall having one or two "multi-posts" myself - and promptly deleting them. Saying that, I haven't had many of them. Huw.

I wonder if multiple postings of status updates might have a similar cause. Not complaining, you understand - just curious. Huw.

I wouldn't. I could imagine this figure being similar amongst regular show visitors who don't subscribe (admittedly, some of us still buy / read BRM every month). It could also be interesting to find out how many "regulars" have had layouts, or train sets, in the past - and how many are members of clubs. However, their answers about clubs might give a distorted picture - as a number of people (me included) aren't able to join clubs - mainly because a number of towns don't seem to have them! (Whether this also leads to higher or lower membership of forum sites like this one is anyone's guess - I suspect it might cut both ways.) I wonder if this might push some people in the direction of building "shelf queen" models, in the hope of eventually getting chance to build some sort of layout. I also wonder if this might also account for some of the interest in microlayouts. Huw.

Fair comment. I suspect that some people's first "train sets" might actually turn out to be "bitsa" sets - random assortments of locos, stock and track - inherited, found in the loft, or "hand me downs" - and possibly considerably older than their recipients. Of course, I'm not criticising this - there's actually a lot of amazing old stuff out there (there's also some rubbish - which can either be sidelined or offer the chance to learn how to improve it). A lot of the stuff involved might well need to be serviced or (quite possibly in the case of controllers) checked for safety. Not having seen this new "bookazine", I don't know exactly what Howard has to say about the electrical stuff. However, knowing Howard, I'm certain he'd be sensible (by which I mean cautious) with his advice - and not suggest taking any stupid risks here. I'm also certain that a number of people on here (me included) would also be happy to provide guidance / answer questions if it's appropriate. As for the "bookazine" itself, I'm glad that a guide of this nature is being done by a mainstream magazine publisher - as opposed to one of those "first part" work outfits. I'm not being a snob - far from it. (I've never been one - and I'd never wish to become one.) Several years back, a beginner's layout was done as a partwork - I know that some people had a bonanza of cheap, "bashing fodder", coaches with the first instalment - but the bargains soon dried up. Also, the suggested layout wouldn't have been for everyone - even passenger operation would not have been to everyone's tastes - and following the whole series would have worked out a slow, expensive, way to get a layout which might not even have fitted into the space available in many homes. The new guide is likely to be far more sensible - being based on mainstream items, available from a number of suppliers. More to the point, within reason, there isn't even any need to stick to all the suggested items - which might be useful if readers have a boxful of, perfectly serviceable, secondhand locos and rolling stock. It might also be useful if the local model shop happens to be offering good deals on suitable locos / stock by other reputable manufacturers (eg Bachmann, Heljan, Dapol etc). However, Hornby also manufacture a lot of decent stuff. I hope the plan is to ensure that it's possible to buy copies of this "train set" guide in the long term (ie in future years, long after they've disappeared from newsagents' shelves) - because I'm sure the demand will be there in future years. I also wouldn't mind if this new guide were to signal a move towards more themed "one-shot" specials - perhaps layout specials about microlayouts, depots, freight / industrial layouts, passenger layouts - perhaps a special about refurbishing / servicing typical examples of RTR locos / stock - that sort of thing. Another option might be to point people towards books etc relevant to these themes - there is some amazing stuff out there, if you know where to look (and what to look for). Of course, if this new guide (and other future ones) serves its intended purpose, I suspect a number of new people might be asking demonstrators (and people manning magazine stands) questions at shows. I don't know if there might be some merit in posting some of these questions in a new "model railway FAQs" thread (it might offer the basis of either an online resource, or a new "FAQ" themed "bookazine"). One big bonus of a "train set" guide being published by Warners is that there are already close tie-ins with a major forum site devoted to railway modelling - a forum site where there are already lots of people with expertise / experience in a wide range of related topics, a number of whom are happy to provide appropriate guidance / advice / background information relating to their "specialist subjects". I am, of course, talking about RMweb. Now, returning to the "train set" guide - and any potential layout guides - I wonder how many people are thinking of the sort of layout they'd really like to build. That's right: "I want the one at the back of the track plans books - the one with every 'toy' in the book - the one that takes decades to build, costs a fortune and would probably fill a sports hall!" Lots of us have had thoughts like that - then we've woken up. It's possible to have lots of fun with a simple train set. OK, mine was in the wrong place (on the bedroom carpet), but it was still a lot of fun. If I were to build a layout tomorrow (chance would be a fine thing!), I'd learn from this mistake and fit the whole thing to a board (actually several, small, boards that can be easily worked on separately and securely linked). I'd also take advantage of my electrical engineering knowledge to ensure that any wiring were to a standard that even I'd be happy with (neat, robust, reliable, properly labelled / documented and easy to fix). By the way, if I were to build a layout any time soon, it would probably be a "puzzle" layout - quite small overall (for which read "affordable, with some chance of being completed in my lifetime") - but still featuring a couple of "toys", carefully chosen for play value operating potential - nothing too outlandish, you understand, but I'd like to "keep my mind active". (I am an engineer, after all!) Anyway, that's more than enough from me for now. Huw.

As you say, LEDs need to be wired the correct way round. They also don't like much in the way of current - or reverse voltage, for that matter. This means that, when connected the right way round, they need a series resistor - if the supply voltage is somewhere between 10 and 20 Volts DC, a series resistor of about 1K is likely to be reasonably safe for initial test purposes. One very easy way of working out which way round an LED should be connected on DC is to use an LED tester - I've personally found this one from Component Shop to be rather good: http://www.componentshop.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=led+tester&cat=0 When LEDs are powered by AC (low voltage and limited current, of course), they also need another diode (or LED) wired in inverse parallel, to limit the reverse voltage to a safe value (typically 5V). We now come to the 2 terminal bicolour LEDs you mention. These actually contain 2 LEDs, wired in inverse parallel (anode to cathode; cathode to anode) - so, connected one way round, you get one colour light - connected the other way, you get a different colour. I hope this is of help - all the best with your electronics "adventure". Regards, Huw.

I suspect that a number of people rated him as a pianist. I can remember him featuring in a piano advert, on the door of a music shop in Swindon, in 2001.

I agree. (However, there is a "craftsmanship / clever" flag, which strikes me as having a similar meaning here - so I've used it.) Huw.

I thought some people used to say something similar about "Brummies". Obviously, I could be mistaken. Huw.

… soon to be seen running on concentric turned wheels - and with a build article booked to appear in a magazine, in the very near future, no doubt. As for the clockwork tramcar, that just doesn't sound right. What could possibly be wrong with 550V dc live overhead, as on some of the real things? (Well, apart from some "medium voltage" electrification adding a new "buzz" to the layout, that is … .) Seriously though, nobody wants an unexpected "fry up". OK - I know that it's actually the current that does the "damage" - but 550V would be a high enough potential difference to really get those electrons flowing. There's also the little matter of this electrical engineer having a healthy caution when it comes to electricity (that shouldn't come as a shock). Anyway, I haven't seen this edition yet - I might see it in the town centre WHS. Huw.

This new RMweb challenge sounds like it could be interesting - even more so if it's one that a number of people are in a position to enter - but please don't view this as me trying to dictate which challenges to run. As for me, whether I enter will depend on whether it's something that interests me personally (which effectively means something I was thinking of building anyway and have done some groundwork on) - and whether I actually get the time available to devote to it, early enough so I've got some chance of finishing. Depending on exactly what this new challenge turns out to be, there might be potential for a "rolling" challenge (running over a number of years - the year it's finished is the year it's entered). Something like this could have worked well with the other year's "motive power" and "rolling stock" challenges - especially since a number of people were unable to complete their "motive power" entries, due to external / family commitments and health issues. Also depending on the exact nature of the new challenge, there might also be potential for future magazine articles - and reader / member generated display pieces at "Ally Pally" etc. Whatever the score, I'll be watching with interest - hardly surprising, really, as I have also wondered about the possibility of unofficial challenges. However, I never went very far with them, essentially for the reasons that Andy has mentioned. This is one of those "discussions" where I can see both sides - and I wonder how far apart they really are. (With me not knowing the nature of the proposed unofficial challenge, I suspect I might never find out.) However, I certainly wouldn't wish to discourage anyone from having a go at building things - or any groups of modellers from challenging each other. I don't wish to speak for Andy - but I very much doubt if he'd be looking to deter people from actually doing stuff. Ultimately, I suspect Andy's got to "walk a tightrope" here - he wouldn't even have set this site up if he didn't want to encourage modelmaking (and people pushing themselves and their friends to improve their skills etc). I could also add that, over the years, I've found him very easy to get on with and straightforward to deal with. However, when it comes to any challenges run via this site, Andy needs to be very careful - for the reasons he's outlined, plus others. Anyway, I'll be watching with interest - and I suspect I might not be alone. Regards, Huw.

I suspect it might be about inspiration. You might not have somewhere to run this loco - right now - but it gives you something to look at, which might inspire you to build something else. Also, with your 08 being in a slightly larger scale than what you think you might be likely to run, it might also be slightly more detailed, which might encourage you to "aim high" with the standard of any future builds - or at least that's what one electrical engineer (and HO tram enthusiast) told himself a number of years back, when buying an On30 Bachmann streetcar. Fast forward a number of years - and this same engineer was now in his early 50's, visiting a local O gauge show and being warned by a friend (and long term "Guild" member) of just how "subversive" O gauge models can sometimes be. Well, I don't know about the models being "subversive" - but the wish to build some of them certainly can be, as this 52 year old electrical engineer now knows only too well. Worse still, the long-scrapped railmotor that really got me thinking that I might build in O was actually built by the NER - this will never do, as I come from former GWR territory. Seriously though, I suspect that the Dapol 08 will probably provide loads of future inspiration for you - even if nobody yet knows what it might inspire you to build. I'd imagine that somebody will be along soon, to suggest building an O gauge micro layout - loads of shunting action in a small space - that sort of thing. It might interest you - it might not - but I'm sure you'll find some way of getting a lot of enjoyment from your model loco. Whatever you do, I hope it's something that interests you personally. Regards, Huw.

Isn't that what's known as "Two Tone"?

I'd also have thought that not naming the station(s) concerned might also invalidate a challenge. However, I can't be sure, as I've never seen the rules written down anywhere ... . I'd wondered about Canary Wharf and either West India Quay or Herons Quay. Meanwhile, I believe that some former "full size" railway stations might actually have been omitted when the DLR was built - albeit ones that had been forgotten about for a very long time, like Leman St., slightly east of Minories (aka Tower Gateway) on the one-time London & Blackwall Railway. Huw.

It sounds like they "should have gone to Specsavers" - which reminds me - I'm due for an eye test in the near future. (I'm also shortsighted - not that I'm unduly worried.) Unfortunately, this is a recurring theme with public transport - and the NEC is better served than a lot of places. There are actually a number of cloakrooms in the NEC complex - much like there are at a number of other exhibition centres (Excel etc). Inevitably, they come at a cost - but this isn't the only reason I've never used them. When I arrive at any show, I've already got my coat - my coach ticket - and some refreshments - inside my rucksack. During the course of the day, these refreshments get consumed - a process which one exhibitor at a tradeshow I recently attended aptly described as "eating space". Meanwhile, some of this newly freed space gets used for carrying newly acquired essential supplies for future projects ... . Of course, some people might try to put a different spin on things - like my steel toecapped "size 9s" being the perfect "must have accessory", to go with my rucksack. The truth, of course, is rather different - but I'm still not putting my rucksack in a locker. Huw.

I'm sure there is - but I wouldn't bother - it would spoil the fun!

I certainly hope so (especially as you are booked to do demos)! Regards, Huw.

This is a shame - I wish the position were different, or that it could change at some point - but, ultimately, you've got to do what's right for you. Like it or not, I suspect that a number of shows are a bit "Marmite" - some people can't stick them - some people can't get enough of them. I'm one of the latter group. I've been looking forward to this year's "Warley" since the moment the doors shut on last year's - partly because of all that's at the show - partly because it offers me my one chance each year to meet up with some very good friends. (I could also make similar comments about "Ally Pally" - but I digress.) Please don't get me wrong - I also enjoy small shows, club open days and specialist shows - but there aren't many of those I can get to using public transport. This means that, if I want chassis parts, Replica OO spares or Ian Kirk O gauge coach kits * (and I don't want to order "blind" online), I've got to get them on one of two weekends at one of two places. "Guildex" isn't an option for me - as I can't get to Telford by affordable public transport - same goes for anything at Burton on Trent, or any of a large number of places known for hosting great shows. (* Never mind the "rubber gauging" - there is madness in my method … .) Ultimately, as for a number of other people, there isn't much danger of me staying away from "Warley" (not if I can get there, anyway) - so, when it comes to certain "irritants" at the show, I just have to take the rough with the smooth. I could add that steel toecapped shoes help …. Don't worry - I've never used them "in anger" - and I'm not about to start. I like my "size 9s" because I find them comfortable and they stand up to very heavy use. The steel toecaps also come in useful if anyone accidentally steps on them (which has happened a few times, but not at the NEC). In other words, I didn't buy them specially for the Bachmann scrum - which is just as well because, by the time I can get there by public transport, anything worth fighting over will be long gone. What will be left is the show itself, which I personally find worth the trip. It's not for everyone - but, for those who like it, it can be a very enjoyable way to spend a few hours (as can meeting up with some other RMweb members, but I digress). Huw.

Fair comment - and, before anyone tries suggesting it, I definitely would NOT want any "meetings" around one of those pianos that are scattered around the NEC. As for when to hold meetings, the options are rather limited. I don't know which hotels exhibitors are staying at - or how far they are from the NEC (or any other venue). However, it's likely that some exhibitors would be facing a drive at the end of each day - so this might rule out the sort of "after show meeting" held after the first day of some tradeshows (even assuming that "Spoons" stays open for very long after the show closes). Anyway, a lot of people will have been on their feet for rather a long time - so they might be in a rush to get home / to the hotel - which is why the railway station platforms often seem to be packed a few minutes after the hall doors are closed. Returning to the lunchtime meetings: Of course, this assumes that visitors aren't resorting to "bring a 4-pack". I doubt if that would go down too well, either. Even worse, it would be a waste of good lager - the stuff doesn't taste right unless it's properly chilled! OK - I know "Spoons" at the NEC isn't a proper "Spoons" - it doesn't offer the full menu - and the prices are higher than they would be in a proper "Spoons". However, I personally find it vastly preferable to the "in hall" "catering" outlets. Huw.

Well, sort of. At one time, a number of forum sites used the space in front of the full size "centrepiece" loco as a meeting area - which should have been fine, except certain members of some forum sites don't always choose to talk to each other in a civilised manner. I can also recall, a number of years back, when there was definite friction between a number of magazine publishers, the people running a number of forum sites and somebody organising a large area of one year's show. (To be clear, the magazine publishers weren't the ones causing the trouble - they were just being used for "target practice". In a similar vein, the people who set up and run any reputable forum sites also go out of their way not to do anything to stir up trouble - and take appropriate steps against any members who've got "other ideas" - but this still doesn't stop a few idiots intent on making life difficult for them.) For obvious reasons, I'm not about to start "naming names" - but, understandably, all of this stuff seemed to act as a spur for some people to start using "Spoons" as a lunchtime meeting place. Although I'm generally very "reserved", I'd personally be happy to talk with people connected with any forum site (or any magazine) - or none at all. However, different people have different viewpoints on this - and I have no wish to spark conflict. Turning to the business about "Spoons" being used as a meeting point, there have been some days - some years - when the RMweb contingent is reputed to have consisted of 1 or 2 people, taking a break from proceedings (and sometimes having very agreeable chats with visitors to the motorcycle shows that have been on at the same time). Most years, however, the RMweb contingent has been reported to have been slightly larger (albeit equally "visible"). OK - a number of people attending 1PM "lunchtime meetings" might have been partaking of some "nourishing beverages" - but this has been by no means universal (and there's never been any pressure placed on anyone ...). Interesting ideas - but I wonder how they might work in practice. At "Ally Pally" (in which, of course, Warners have been very heavily involved), a number of years' shows have been enhanced by a seminar area, with RMweb / BRM branding. This didn't happen this year - but, when it did happen, it provided an obvious focal point. A few years back, there were also seminars at RMweb Live. In fact, just about anywhere in this amazing event could have served as a meeting area - well it could. Unfortunately, RMweb Live was marred by low turnouts - mainly as a result of it not being effectively promoted - whilst also being scheduled for the same weekend as another major show not far away. These problems led to the show not being repeated (although I wish some people would reconsider at some point in the future). As for RMweb / BRM seminar areas at shows, somehow, I don't see them being a viable option at "Warley". I could also see a number of issues with RMweb having a society stand. Although, in a number of ways, RMweb is effectively a society, it's also bankrolled by a company (Warners) - which means that I'm not convinced that it would qualify as a society, in the eyes of any club organising a show. There would also be the matter of who would be "behind the barriers" at an RMweb stand - and what they'd be doing, when they're not chatting to show visitors. If magazine editorial staff were "behind the barriers" here, this would take them away from the BRM / GardenRail stand (where visitors would be expecting to find them). I'd imagine that this might also cause some people to be wary about approaching either the RMweb or BRM / GardenRail stands. Site-wide moderators might also be an issue - after all, a key point about RMweb is that a number of these people are anonymous - and this anonymity would be destroyed the moment anyone appeared on a stand with a badge saying "Mod 57" (other numbers are available). OK - in theory, it might be possible to put just about anyone "behind the barriers" and some show visitors would be none the wiser - but good hobby forums don't tend to be built around playing "let's pretend". OK - I'll let you all into a secret (actually, it's no secret, but you know what I mean). I've never been a moderator - on here - or on any other site, for that matter. I'm not expecting this to change any time soon. You might be wondering why I've mentioned this - well, if editorial staff of affiliated magazines are ruled out, this effectively rules out the site administrators. If the "Mods" are also ruled out, this basically leaves ordinary site members - effectively, people like you or me - and this could well be a problem. I'm probably typical of a lot of site members - I've never had any modelmaking articles to my name (and probably never will) - and the lack of a club in my town rules out club membership. Also, few of us have built anything memorable - and a lot of us don't have "exhibition standard" layouts or models to our names. In my case, there's also the little matter of a "charisma bypass operation" (OK - probably not strictly true - but few people would be any the wiser). Anyway, although many of us have skills / experience which might be useful, most of us would never be likely to draw crowds. Yawns, perhaps - crowds, almost certainly not. In other words, many of us are "lone wolf" people who pretend to build models modellers - effectively "nobody", in the eyes of many show visitors - and most of us are never likely to see the inside of a show barrier (if, indeed, we'd want there to be one). OK, somebody like me could, in theory, bring along a desparate disparate selection of kits and other stuff we're working on - possibly even some half-baked apology for a layout that might, otherwise, never get an airing - and proceed to wreck a load of "stuff" during the long hours when nobody stops by. Well, I could - but would anyone want to pay for people like me to take up floor space (and hotel space, after the doors have closed on the Saturday)? Would anyone be so keen to see "Missing Summit" (or whatever my fictitious layout might be called) that they'd want something decent pushed out of the way to make space for it? No - somehow, I didn't think so, either - even if people like me would probably be available for a couple of days in November (or March, in the case of "Ally Pally"). Regards, Huw.

2mm, I believe. (Just to check, I ran a digital caliper over a wheelset, from a pack I've had for a few years - and it came out as expected.) Hope this helps, Huw.

Thanks for asking. I suspect that a number of us might be interested in finding out about this - without going into the full-blown "pistols at dawn" style "discussions" that sometimes seem to ensue in some places. Thankfully, things haven't gone down this path here - and I don't want them to. Certainly, I've been wondering about essentially the same question myself - but I've been scared of asking. This is mainly because I've been thinking of building a small railbus model, in O (to give my eyes some chance of seeing what I'm doing) - so I'd like to ensure it's compatible with as much as possible. This (plus a subsequent post) makes me wonder what gauge a lot of RTR stock and wheelsets are actually designed / produced to fit - and also the compatibility of a lot of track and stock sold for both gauges. At the same time, if I were to go to a show - and buy a Heljan or Dapol loco - or some Peco or Parkside Dundas wagon kits, or Peco or Slaters' wheelsets - without specifying which of these gauges I wanted, I wonder which gauge I'd be more likely to get (and how easily I'd notice the difference). Somehow, I suspect that my version of the question might be rather less helpful than the original version at the start of this thread - I wonder ... . Huw.

This might well also apply to lesser models and layouts. If I were ever to build a layout to go "on the road", I dread to think the sorts of names it might acquire. I'd imagine that "Missing Summit" could be uncomfortably near the top of any shortlist. That is, unless you try reading it back to front - probably not recommended if there are any English Language teachers in the vicinity. Similar advice applies here. Ditto. As for the last name, it probably depends if anyone's name is Saul. They all sound like they could be credible suggestions. However, if anyone were to build a layout based on the town where I've lived most of my life, they might need to be selective. References to the former GKN foundry - or nearby roads / areas like Forgehammer, Forgeside, Springvale etc might not be too out of place - similar comments might also apply to the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal. If anyone chose, instead, to come up with a name like "Crow Valley" or "Grey River" (spelling optional), some people might almost imagine some fictitious US "backwoods" style railroad in On30. I'm afraid I can't help you much, either. Changing the subject slightly, I also wouldn't mind hearing about them. I've been staring at various drawings (that show bits of some planned 4 wheel railbus project) for a while now. The next stage will involve transferring dimensions to my own drawings, using an old version of Adobe Illustrator - little more than clicking a mouse a few times, to generate a few rectangles (some with corners - some rounded). This is all stuff I've done loads of times before without problems - but can I get started? (What do you think?) Ultimately, this why I won't be worrying about what to call a new layout any time soon. Huw.

Probably not - it looks like rather more than "a yard of track" to me - but then I might just be overdue an eye test. However, I'm sure that drinking games could be much worse - like at one pub in Oxford, where some patrons are reputed to have lost parts of their ties in exchange for half a pint of beer - sounds like rather a waste to me! Anyway, fear of losing an old tie wasn't what made me decide against putting my name forward for this year's challenge - neither was the prospect of working with (and getting to know) a bunch of people I'd never met before. I certainly wouldn't have lost any sleep at the prospect of no network coverage for my "electronic tag" - sorry - mobile phone. No - the fliers handed out at "Ally Pally" mentioned about "camping" along the route of the track. I'd only just managed to get rid of a cold at the time, so the thought of trying to sleep under canvas in what might turn out to be inclement British Summer Time weather didn't exactly appeal to me - neither did the prospect of needing a "single malt cough remedy". Well, it was either that or "wall to wall" hayfever if the weather turned out better than I feared. On reflection, probably better to leave this year's enterprise to people who'd be more likely to enjoy being outdoors 24/7 for a couple of weeks. I might have made a mistake - I might not - but that was my call. Of course, future years' challenges (assuming they happen) are a completely different matter - but I'd really like this year's to be as much of a success as possible. The fact that a number of people who'd never met before were able to work together and leave as friends suggests to me that the most important objective was definitely achieved. I'm happy to wait a few months to find out what other objectives were achieved. Huw.

There would, however, be nothing to stop the production company putting together an article about what's involved in building the "permanent way" for this challenge - running trains - and filming it. There'd also be nothing to stop them interviewing some of the people involved - and compiling a programme(s) or magazine article(s) about all this stuff. (It could also be interesting if they were to use this chance to explain their reasons for using this sort of track - I'd be surprised if expressions like "practicality" and "engineering compromise" were absent from such an explanation.) After all, they'd be unlikely to have any shortage of photos, footage or other material for this purpose. Whether magazine editors and readers - or TV viewers - would be interested in something like this is not for me to say. What I can say is that similar stuff - often for about ten minutes at the end of BBC science / natural history programmes - can often be of interest to some people. As for the challenge itself, although certain aspects of this year's exercise wouldn't have worked for me, I'll still be interested in seeing the finished programmes - and I hope it all works out well for all involved. My guess is that, whatever happens, the production company will generate a number of hours of very watchable TV from this endeavour - after all, they seem keen for there to be further series in future years. They are probably also keen to sell repeats of all of these programmes to other networks (like Quest, for instance). I could also imagine the production company wishing to encourage further volunteers to get involved in any future series - for this reason, I'd be very surprised if they don't maintain contact with everyone who expressed an interest in the current series (even those of us who weren't ultimately involved in filming). Anyway, let's get back to the trains.