John Tomlinson

I rather doubt that sir, but for those wishing to try to follow in your footsteps much of what's needed can be found from these folk on ebay, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233726635768 No connection except as a customer, they do sometimes appear at exhibitions. John.

I went to Doncaster this afternoon, Sunday, and greatly enjoyed watching an entire sequence. Well done to all involved for creating and displaying such a splendid layout. John.

I went today, arrived at 13.30 and walked straight in, no queues. I was a bit surprised to find the main car park considerably less than full, and also the main hall of the exhibition reflecting less footfall. Great for viewing layouts, but... I enjoyed my visit, leaving on closing time. I'd intended to major on "Hills of the North" and happily watched an entire sequence. Some other good layouts too, particularly in "N", and I was very taken with Alexandra Sidings in "O", feeling that the double level made for a very interesting layout in what for the scale is not a large space. Did a bit of shopping, nothing too much (I've got far too much rollling stock and locos anyway), and will be trying out some Hunt's magnetic couplers in due course. Well done to the organisers in arranging a very good exhibition! John.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that, and I'd suggest that putting specialist professionals in charge of any business has its risks, you could for example say the same of lawyers. What is important with accountants is to distinguish the "recorders and reporters" from the "analysts and forecasters". Whilst both are useful, it is in my view the latter where a finance training really comes into its own in a business context, in guiding decisions and hopefully preventing serious mistakes. John.

FWIW, and speaking as one of the "evil" profession, I wasn't offended at all, amused more than anything. It seemed highly unlikely that you really meant it, railway enthusiasm and homicidal tendencies don't, as far as I'm aware, tend to go together. So please don't be put out if our reactions seemed a bit OTT. John.

That's great photo by someone. So it looks like mixing them up a bit on the wagons is the key. John.

Interesting, they probably just became lighter with the bleaching effect of the weather, sun and rain. I'd suggest that this is no more than happens with any rolling stock. I've used this picture before, and it is in preservation, but if someone thinks they're sure what a real maroon Mk1 coach should look like, then they need to look away now! Click on the pic for details if it's of interest, John.

On those grounds I have to join him! There's a lot wrong with the accounting profession, and the outlook of many of its practioners. No question. But shooting us all, whilst superficially appealing, wouldn't help much and might in fact make things a lot worse. Accountants tend to make the world a bit more stable and rational, and in consequence rather boring. Without us those with blind prejudices, primitive grudges and bonkers ideas would run riot to an even larger extent than they do now. John.

I was just the same. It killed my number collecting/recording, as under the old system I could pretty well remember most shed allocations, by blocks anyway, and what I'd seen (or not). So I gave up, short I think of around twenty shunters to clear BR. That was in 1973. Things like the class 37 subsections remain a bit of a mystery to this day! John.

Well they might be a tad dark, but then some of the others seem rather light! I'd suggest you revisit some prototype photos before you do anything else, and see what kind of mix there was. Having done so see if there might be a case for respraying one or two of these and also some of the light ones into an intermediate shade, then mix them up a bit on the wagons. John.

One wonders if the "first fifty" built one way was misinterpreted to think that included 73050, whereas of course fifty on 73000 gets to 73049. Something that wouldn't have been a problem under the TOPS numbering scheme, with every series starting at "1". Just a theory! John.

I agree with this 100%. The planet would be in much better shape had China remained a Maoist, poverty stricken shambles. Not only would there not have been a consumption boom in the west fuelled by low cost but decent quality products, but there would have been no investment boom there either, nor the consumption increases it spawned amongst some albeit not all. Someone once told me that the demand for wood both for use in buildings and as for example sheeting for setting concrete was a major driver in SE Asia's deforestation. Not comfortable at all!! John.

Given this is a model railway forum, I think you're on thin ice here. Model railways aren't a "need" but a luxury. Think of all the energy in making stuff, and the plastic, then shipping it half way around the world! Ban them and you'll be doing the planet a favour. Perhaps we should get back to HS2! John.

This was all before my time, but a late friend once explained to me that back in the '60's there were two main groups of active enthusiasts, specialising in chasing steam or anything else about to meet its maker. One was the DAA, the other being the MNA "Master Neverers Association", so called because they were very skilled at travelling all over the UK without buying a ticket, or if they had bought one ensuring that it was used on multiple occasions (I'm not condoning this BTW). All sounds a bit "Mods and Rockers" to me, although I don't think there was any hostility between the two groups. In any event, ancient history, and I suspect many of those involved are no longer with us. John.

Away from the razmataz of new issues, I used one of the original Bachmann 44's to make my D10 "Tryfan", using Olivia's grilles. There are a number of other tweaks to the model that can be viewed if you click on the picture to see my description. I've since added black card inside to blank off the "see through" look, I have some nameplates but need to spray them green before fitting. As with all my examples of these early Bachmann Peaks, I find they run and haul very well indeed on my DC setup. John.

A piece from the BBC website today, https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68217031 John.

IIRC several of the Nohab diesels were leased to private operators in Germany around this time. They were in several different liveries, this being an older DSB scheme. I think this is one of them, someone must have had the bright idea that it would have been a welcome guest at the event you visited. I'm sure it was! John.

Finding myself in W H Smiths last week I ended up buying the "Hornby Magazine" out of mild curiousity. This featured a review of the "Booster" model, plus quite a nice historical piece. I noticed that the photos included showed clearly that their review example failed the "all wheels touching on a flat surface" test. This didn't seem to have been noticed by the reviewers, who indeed commented that the model "ran smoothly including through points and crossings"!!! John.

Possibly, although at times she reported the service to be full. Her benefit rested on the advance booking, maybe at some times there are enough latecomers paying full whack to make the first section worthwhile. John.

Mine runs in a very similar way, quiet and smooth, despite in my case all the wheels not touching the track - to be addressed! I do like the two Bulleid catering cars, I'm not sure I've ever seen a Tavern Car in action on someone's layout before. I presume this is a kit that you've made? John.

There is a paradox with our ticket pricing system, that quite often first class can be cheaper than standard, or if not cheaper then similar. My wife for many years used the train to go to see family in Cornwall from our home in the East Midlands, and using the pre-booking system going first paid either a small premium or indeed travelled less expensively than standard. The benefit is the space and single seating, rather than the free tea and coffee. John.

Thanks for the reply. I did delete my post as I remembered that we touched on this a while back, however I don't recall the issue of compensation for work already done. So that's a very useful point. John.

Post deleted.

I've always understood the point about the Whelley Loop is that it effectively made the WCML through Wigan four track. Much of the freight went via Whelley, certainly when there was conflict with passenger services, and in fact then often turned northeast to go via Haigh Jn., Adlington (White Bear), Chorley and Blackburn to the S&C. The Adlington to Blackburn line ceased around 1970, not least because the viaduct just north of Chorley over the Leeds- Liverpoool canal was demolished to make way for the M61. It begs the question of whether the Whelley Loop could be re-instated to go round Wigan to Standish, rejoining the present WCML there, and so adding to capacity. North of Standish the trackbed for four lines remains, and in fact for some sections the overhead wiring gantries span all four lines. The attached picture is close to Standish, click on pics for details, This picture taken just south of Balshaw Lane station (Euxton) also illustrates, John.

It was very much to Bachmann's credit that they took the fault on the chin and did a recall. I took my 60147 and 60158 into Barwell personally (an excuse for a visit to nearby Midland Counties books, when it was worth visiting), and there was a massive pile of A1's in the entry hall to the offices! As has been said, they all came back from China, remotored and returned to customers, and it is such an example that you now have. If you find you still have haulage issues, it's probably due to the spring on the front bogie being too strong, so the front drivers lift away from the track. Chop the spring in half and see if that helps. John.