lapford34102

Hi, One difference between the Heljan Mk1 and Mk2 Cromptons was the bogie sideframes. The Mk2 version is certainly better as for one thing itcorrects an error on the Mk1 in that the central springs are inset from the sideframe which they weren't on the first attempt. However it is an easy fix on the early version. Perhaps not that obvious but on the left the original sideframe, modified on the right. All that's needed is a sharp knife, file, plastic glue preferably something like Mek-pak and some 1.5mm x 1.5mm square plastic rod. With the springs removed the rod, cut roughly to fit across the sideframe mounts can be secured inside the frame. It's conveniently the right depth so the springs are simply glued on but now correctly set back. As for the two KB's one has had the weathering re-done and re-numbered to a D prefix, the other the sideframes modified. And finally A bit odd this, the height difference between the two. A quick check with stock from other makes seems to indicate that the 33 is wrong, something I've never noticed before. I know the buffer beams on the Crompton model can get a bit loose so something to check first. Incidentally what seems a little known fact. TC fitted Cromptons had larger buffers at 24" as opposed to the 22" ones on the ordinary one. The class was normally referred to as a ""TC fitted Crompton" or simply as either a fitted or unfiitted Crompton. I assume the nickname "bagpipe" came about later when they ventured further afield as then they had about as much Scottish connection as a stick of Bournemouth rock. Cheers Stu

Hi, Firstly something I forgot to put in earlier was a link to this: https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail.aspx?id=400 A nice and concise guide to the 73's with some interesting photos. The 4-COR in the first photo looks pretty washed out whilst the KA (33) is surely ex-works to match the JB. It's worth noting the ED is about 5 years old at this point so probably due a works visit. All back together now with chassis given a coat of grime and the body mildly weathered though the more photos I look at of early grey roofed versions the more I realise quite how unsurprisingly grubby they got so it'll probably get a bit more attention. Doing the final stages was a bit fraught with jumper cables falling off and not being noticed till later resulting in a panicked scrabble on the floor plus I managed to knock out one of the roof grills, a bit of an |"Oh Bother" moment. Re-attached with some runny superglue though the designer was hardly extravagant with the mating surfaces. "Oh Bother 2" - just noticed I've missed a bit of the grey circuit board ! I've not done any bufferbeam work yet as I've nothing to run it on - yet - so not sure what system; tension/Kaydee/something else as that will limit what can go on. Was it worth it doing the repaint - definitely and if I stumbled across another one at a reasonable price would like an early grey stripe version. This isn't the end of ED's though as I've a DCkits HB (74) part started. Whilst in the frame of mind and having a fair amount of time to myself whilst SWMBO is out and about doing good works I've dug these out. Both need a little work so they'll be up next. Just looking at that photo I realise I've done something to the back KB that I've not done on 6520. Answers on the back of a large cheque to.......! Cheers Stu

The F-117 "Stealth Fighter" and it's Have Blue predecessors were flying for over a decade before they became public. OT a bit but then you have Aurora and does or doesn't it exist Stu

Hi, Thanks to everyone for reacting to this and to Brian for clearing up the who did what question. Actually now found a '68 MRC with an airport scene on the front with an OO 4VEP in view. Yes, those were the days, wonder if Mr Mortimore ever tried this one ? So it's on to the numbering etc. As this is the 21st Century I could get one of the bespoke transfer makes to do it all for me but I suppose I'm "old school" and rather enjoy doing it myself. I've also go a large sheaf of rather old Pressfix/HMRS BR Blue sheets lying around. They've lost most of their "stick" but quite useable in an alternative universe waterslide sort of way. These sheets are extraordinarily comprehensive and remarkable value and cover loco's, units plus passenger and NPCCS stock. They've even got the early, smaller coaching stock font used on Blue and B/Grey stock. https://hmrs.org.uk/transfers/br-blue-era-loco-and-coach-insignia-to-circa-1978-150308.html There is one problem when numbering a loco whatever you use, that is getting it spaced and level. My trick is to cut some strips of masking tape or the sticky bit of a post-it and use that as a guide. The strips in place. You'll usually find a window, grill, handrail, etc somewhere handy to help you get things level. I didn't use a vertical one this time but they are useful to space the number from some obvious feature. The numbers coming together. Early pre-TOPS numbering usually had a distinct space between the D or E and the first numeral so it's worth looking at contemporary photos. You do not need to be gnats-kneecap accurate when renumbering but DO try to be consistent. I was a little concerned that the Pressfix font was a bit heavy - this aspect does seem to vary with my sheets - but looking at Plate 19 in The Power of the Electro-Diesels it looks good. I chose E6017 for the number as this was one of the group, 07 to 28, allocated to Eastleigh. There's a shot of it in The Power book hauling a rake of Bulleid stock! All numbered up and a Railtec arrow to complete the job. The Railtec double arrow doesn't have a carrier film, neither do the numbers so a preparatory gloss coat avoided here. So a coat of varnish tomorrow to seal everything in then the fun begins. Cheers Stu Stu

First a bit of a health warning as this is likely to quickly degenerate into a confusing ramble! My shopping plans for the Warley weekend got torpedoed pretty quickly when I came across the Southern Way’s special 50 Years of the Bournemouth Electrification and soon after stumbled across cheap(ish) Dapol JB (class 73/1 for our younger listeners) in pre-tops “blue”. The first I justified on the grounds that money on books is rarely wasted and the second as it seemed a good idea at the time – for some reason! The Dapol ED has many qualities, moulting large number of bits to mention one, and is a step change over the preceding Lima/Hornby effort though I know one modeller sufficiently expert in the class who’s not convinced. It’ll do me though. Back in 67 the idea of any sort of model ED, RTR or otherwise, was a pipedream. However it was done in the Model Railway Constructor by I’m fairly sure Chris Leigh, sadly I cannot find my copy which I know I have somewhere. The ED was a massively rebuilt AL1 electric along with a 4TC from 4 Hornby Dublo SD tinplate sided coaches and very convincing it was. If Mr Leigh reads this or someone can point him here then perhaps he’d confirm I’m right and maybe there’s a few photo’s still around. Today things are rather different and all it takes is going through the ritual of holding your phone in one hand, your credit card in the other and answering the magic question “and the three number on the back please?”. Back to Dapol’s effort their struggles with colours are well documented and the early ED’s are no exception. Dapol can probably be forgiven in this case as a certain urban mythology has built up around what colour they were. Conflicting and incorrect information even appears in print tending to prolong the life of an idea that should have been stuffed full of garlic, skewered with a big pointy stick and deeply buried ages ago. All the ED’s appeared in Rail Blue, grey stripe or no grey stripe. So looking at it a repaint was in order as the blue Dapol had used was very nice but never graced an ED plus the body moulding has the battery box clips which were a later addition and so had to go. Fortunately most of the bits needing to come off did so easily plus, unintentionally, the radiator grill. Bizarrely though the engine room windows had enough glue around them to complete a large kit so it was out with the masking fluid which was also used on the grey window surround and grills. The roof was tape masked but it’s prudent to put some paper over the roof grills first. With the loco masked up it was out with the Precision Rail Blue. As an aside I’m not that happy with some contemporary offerings for Rail Blue and still think the Humbrol’s HR135 from 1967 is the best though next to impossible to find though unopened and still usable tins do turn up. With the body resprayed and definitely looking a better colour I’ve also painted the translucent fibreglass engine room panels. Never totally happy with my choice of colour for these but they’re pretty noticeable on many classes and worth doing in my view. So this is where things are with a few ragged edges and a bit of overspray to sort out. It’ll be on to the details and renumbering next. Stu - with apologies for the mis-matched pictures, still getting my head around this system works

Agree, plain track running proves only what RoyalOak has said. Test each wheel individually. Both my "Mk2" 03's needed the pichups tweaking to get decent running Stu

Hi, Firstly a belated thanks to the Warley Team for having Sheepcroft there, we had a really good weekend. Second time at the NEC and just as crowded, manic and slightly insane as the first time - great fun. Thanks to all those who stopped by for a look and a chat plus thanks to who have put up videos or photo's. My carefully thought out shopping list sank without trace about 5 minutes into my first walkround! Regards Teamyakima's thoughtful comments I didn't find the layout until Sunday PM, no idea why it took so long. Not my area of interest but then I like looking at good modelling whatever the subject. My experience as well Chris, picked up one confirmed and one probable over the weekend so happy with that. Previous visit resulted in one invite that arrived about 6 months later. Cheers Stu

Hi, Bits from DC supplies, official Dapol spares people Wider/narrower? My EM'd 22 with the split collar simply ran badly With an OO one it narrowed, the two stub axles touched and caused a short Not got a unit but note the ED has a similar setup so unit likely to be similar Stu

I have two OO class 22's which have had the wheelsets re-gauged to EM on Sheepcroft. They run well enoughl but as Mike (Enterprising Western) pointed out the sideframes need some surgery to thin down the width. A drag but needs doing. One caveat though is that you end up with less axle in the plastic centre section so the gauge can drift out a bit in use plus if you do try this check the centre sections for splits as that IS a problem though you can get replacements as I had to do. Cheers Stu

Don't worry Clive I'm sure you'll be getting plenty of opportunity........................................! Very Nice Dave, a credit, look forward to seeing it a Warley Stu P.S. you've got two weeks to get that 08 suitably weathered up :-)

On the other hand.......... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_paradox No need to wade through the whole thing, the first bit gives the general idea. Stu

Not if it's the DCC version which it sounds like as he has swapped chips. Assuming it runs fine on DC which reading the OP it sounds like then it's a DCC issue in some ways. My initial thought is check those pickups again and check they're in contact at all times and especially at max axle deflection, chips seem far more sensitive to momentary loss of current than plain DC. Can't remember if there's any suppressors on an 03 which might cause an issue. If you have a "quality" 6 pin chip to hand it would be worth trying. May be of some help Stu

Hi, Hymek at Cambridge on a Football special 1965 - about 2/3rd's down page. http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/c/cambridge/index16.shtml Stu

Hi, Going slightly off topic if I may I was wondering if The Stationmaster was particularly familiar with somewhat infamous Bradpole Crossing which is just outside Bridport. There were a couple of incidents in the 60's but an earlier one, told with assorted variations in the actual exchanges, passed into local folklore. One night with poor visibility the driver asked the fireman if they had got to Bradpole yet. The reply was yes, he was sure they had as the gates were on the front of the loco. Stu

122's certainly appeared during the green era but it was predominately 121's I was aware Class 25's did trip workings to Yeovil but thought that was about it for south of Cary. I never recall seeing or hearing of one further south of Yeovil so would be interested if anyone has any information. The very rare 22 did get through. Weymouth never signed the 25, they were appalled enough to get 31's for their Hymeks, Lord knows what they'd have made of the 25's. 33/1's +TC's did have Wey-BTM turns but that was rather later. The view from the Weymouth end was that the need to keep Bridport open as long as they had to - the closure being delayed while they sorted out "alternative transport" - probably saved the Yeovil - Dorchester Jcn section as by then views had moved on. Not sure the WR ever fell out of love more likely the change in regional boundaries left it in a sort of limbo with the SR being responsible for part of the line. Stu

Hi, EddieK, you may be aware of this book but if not then it's one of the best for the history of the line. https://www.amazon.co.uk/story-Westbury-Weymouth-Line-present/dp/0860935140 Slightly off timeline but with regards to Warships on the route Newton Abbot's were diagrammed for Wey - Westbury during the early 70's. My understanding was that they were substituting for DMMU's whilst the High Density units got corridor connections. Possibly co-incidence but they were unusual before this time but commoner after. Perhaps someone knows Stu

119's also featured. Although possibly a bit early for your interest Hymeks were the regular power until replaced by the Brush Type 2's plus Warships appeared on regular turns in the early 70's. Stu

France's LaRance barrage is one of the old around. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rance_Tidal_Power_Station Environmental Impact https://tethys.pnnl.gov/annex-iv-sites/la-rance-tidal-barrage The Wikipedia article mentions capacity factor and this explains it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacity_factor Phil; My wife and I help run the local RSPB group and the membership is probably skewed the other way, plus I'm not sure what you're trying to imply there. Stu

Hi, Covers a wide period but a few shots here that might be of interest. http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/castle-cary-to-weymouth.html Stu

The big scheme for Swansea bay foundered - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_Lagoon_Swansea_Bay Here's one overview of tidal and where we are (or aren't) with that. https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/feature-uk-missing-opportunity-as-it-swims-against-tidal-energy As an aside a trivial idea that may not be that trivial if enough do it. D people switch off TV's etc at the mains when unused or do they leave on standby or whatever. I realise standby usually uses minimal power but even small savings widely applied could add up plus there's a clear need to change mindsets about how we use energy. Stu

Thank you, perhaps I'll take a closer interest from now on. Years ago I had to read this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Only-One-Earth-Ward-Barbara/dp/039330129X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 It's largely irrelevant today with a number of it's predictions, such as when the oil would run out, proved wrong but then they were based on the evidence of the day. It made me think about where we are going and I've been doing so on and off ever since, a largely depressing activity now. No 2 Daughter sadly not active in climate change though she and her partner have taken conscious decision not to have children because of fears for the future. Whether you agree or not with that it should be respected, personally admire their guts. Stu

Hi, I've kept away from this topic so far in deference to my blood pressure but was given a link to this courtesy of No 2 Daughter {Bsc (Hons) Oceanography and Meteorology} https://xkcd.com/1732/ Cheers Stu

They might get through as high scoring runners-up, they deserve to. Stu

Tamiya's acrylic NATO Black which is a very dark grey which I think gives a good "scale" black Stu

Just thought I'd cheer everyone up ! https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/seasons/autumn/when-does-autumn-start Stu