kevinlms

Also you KNOW the ads are at the front and rear sections and not between each article/feature. Actually not 100% true, as in the late 50s/early 60s, RM did have ads scattered through the editorial pages.

If you do basically the same thing for 50 years (Peco have actually owned RM since 1951, I believe) and are still the largest selling model railway magazine, then they must be doing something right! If the layout (sorry!) design was seriously flawed, then a competitor would have long ago, knocked it off the perch. I think that CJF had a lot to do with that, by getting some people to write about their layouts and importantly continued the updates, for several decades and so became household names in the world of British model trains. Indeed some wrote in the 50 year of Peco edition, that some readers knew more about their layout than they did! RM has been doing something differently, it is supporting the TV show Great Model Railway Challenge* and has several pages of content in recent issues. That is something quite different to what has happened before. * I haven't seen any of it, because it hasn't made it to Australian TV, to my knowledge. I do read the articles, but doesn't really interest me. But I can see why others do.

You are probably correct in not really that many writers. Fact is not that many people want to write about their modelling experiences. As in writing the article and including, photos, diagrams etc. It is probably easier now with PC's and phones that you can instantly take a photo, check it for quality and retake if required (although many on eBay, seem not to have mastered this!). It still means that some preparation is required for writing an article to get published in a magazine. Yes, many write small amounts here on RMweb, but that's usually equivalent to writing a 'letter to the editor'.

Which of course explains where all those Hornby and other brand tunnels get sold! Always amazing why the builders of the prototype railway, went straight for the only hill around. Yes, I did receive one!

Agreed, model railways should NEVER be allowed anywhere a carpet. They are mortal enemies! Or else equivalent to using WD-40 as a lubricant.

Really, that would be a first! He already KNOWS everything. Cures for Coronavirus, building walls, better not go further!

Some of the video clips certainly know what they're doing. Typically those who fault find/repair. I'm not just talking about model railways here. Sometimes a magazine has difficulty explaining how to dismantle something, to access the innards.

Fact is most of the time Relco's do NOTHING! There is nothing wrong with that statement, it's a case of understanding how they are meant to work. If power is getting to the motor AND the capacitor is correctly wired across the brushes, then effectively the Relco is shorted out and does nothing. It is only when there is no contact somewhere, then the Relco tries to break down anything that is high resistance - typically dirt, or the Texta shown in some early ads! If the wheels are clean, the pick ups clean, good wiring to the motor & the capacitor across the motor, then there will be no ill effect at all. So the answer to good running never changes. Clean wheels and track, good pick ups (the more the merrier), internal wiring and good brush contact, are the secrets. The Relco is a back up, not an excuse. If the wheels become pitted, it's because the Relco is attempting to overcome dirt or open circuit 'somewhere' and the wheel plating is the weak link. But NEVER use a Relco, if there is any chance of DCC components or other circuitry except that which drives the loco. Be aware that many modern locos contain DCC compatible circuit boards, even if you run DC. 2 choices, either don't use a Relco or remove any circuitry that is intended for something other than driving the loco.

I was replying to TJ52's comment about the majority not knowing (or caring?), about what is going on. Not suggesting that I agree. A fellow club member told me about another (sporting) club AGM, that he'd been involved with. The big debate raged for an hour, because $100 worth of electrical tape had been used in the last 12 months. It was a good diversion by someone, because what DIDN'T get discussed, was that $10,000 had gone missing from the bar! The AGM meeting & Treasurers Report was accepted as is. That occurred 20 years ago. So no, I would not be happy that huge amounts of cash had been spent without apparent reason. Just pointing out how ordinary members can be deceived.

If most of the members don't know about any issues, why would they leave? The Guild will continue with the majority of members, exactly as it has for years, assuming the majority are oblivious to the goings on. Until one day, the members realise that most of the cash reserves, has been spent!

No doubt they do. Open a model railway magazine and have a look through to find them. Especially if an article is 7mm NG or a light railway.

Hard to know what to do. The postal (or equivalent) service is in a bit of a turmoil at present, around the world. I'm in Victoria, Australia and the post is quite spasmodic due to lock downs. I had an Express Post package take 11 days to get from 1 side of Melbourne to the other - about 60km. I could have walked there and back faster - not that I'm going to! My wife has also been waiting 10 days for a small parcel. Due to social distancing requirements at Australia Post in Vic, some post is getting sent to Sydney for sorting, then coming back. A round trip of 1500 km! I suspect, that if you go down the path of getting a refund/replacement sent, no sooner you do, the original will turn up. Perhaps give it until the end of the month, then decide?

Just like the Tri-ang and Airfix versions of the Class 31's then!

Got to create a market for their new 'Genesis' version. https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail.aspx?id=594 Perhaps now Hornby will do something with their versions. Must have been paid off long before 1985. I think the S&DJR livery was first in 1977.

So why is that an issue? If people want to buy such an item at an inflated price, that is their right. Sometimes this sort of thing happens to support someone who is losing their property.

But plenty of movies/TV shows have had dinosaurs & space travel in the same show! Sad fact is that many people believe that stone age man & dinosaurs mixed. Given that, it's no wonder so many conspiracy theories are alive and well. On that basis, it doesn't matter what is included in a train set, as long as it is cheap. Which is where the OP came in.

I think you'll find that Peco Streamline points (not counting Set Track as that is a different beast), have evolved far more frequently than that. For instance, there was a news item early in 1973 & the point springs were going to be mounted on top. I suspect the points need retooling every few years (10?) and little changes get made and are undocumented each time. 2 things to observe there, firstly it's going to take sometime to go through the range of points - several years, then start again? The other thing, is that Peco are unlikely to advertise most of the changes, because they want to move on the older stock. I believe the Electrofrog version of the points became available, shortly after they moved to the new location. Yes, nothing to do with flangeways, but thought I'd throw that into the discussion!

Have you tried this one, allegedly sticks those slippery plastics, such as Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) https://www.selleys.com.au/products/adhesives/minor-repairs/selleys-all-plastic-fix/ And this one being a 2 part version https://www.loctite-consumer.com.au/en/products/superglue-all-plastics.html Can't say I've tried either product, so hope they don't waste your money!

That is also hitting the nail on the head. Thomas/Chuggington/Underground Ernie ARE intended for the very young. With only the Harry Potter range for slightly older. I don't know what age group has given up on model trains, probably not that long after receiving a HP set?

Yes, that will do fine. The only addition I'd make is to use switches with centre off, so you can park a train.

Where's the section on LED's? Or how to change from QH to LED, best to replace the whole fitting or just the lamp? The above is showing it's age!

The best place for an index was/is within the magazine itself, or at least a future edition, say January with the index of the previous 12 months. Some magazines managed to do this - Model Railway Constructor for one. Model Railways was another. Much easier than a separate page(s) to be sent out separately to those subscribing, or in Peco's case, asking for a copy. If the index is in the magazine, it can't get separated or lost. Obviously everyone acquiring a copy, gets the index, even years later - assuming not ripped out! This days with editorial content covering many more pages than the 20 odd from the 1950s, a 4 page index is well worth the space IMO.

I'm sure most take their new job very seriously, but you only need one idiot to ruin it for everyone. When I did my basic training for the phone provider, the trainer said we normally go and look at the QANTAS PABX next, but last week someone from another group, turned it off and it took half a day to get fully working again!

Maybe we'll never know as the OP seems to have disappeared!

As to regard the trainer, I've been on training courses (nothing to do with railways), where if the trainer turns his back or leaves the room, people on the course will fiddle with 'things'. So if I was the regular driver and found some unexpected trainees in my work space, I'd be highly suspicious of practical jokers!