tomparryharry

Personally, I'm not too worried. It gives me some extra time to afford one (or two).

Dean or Churchward locomotive shed?

That would be the young lady on a bicycle that was posted a couple of days ago....

May I suggest try London Road Models. They make an ex-Taff Vale full brake. As Miss Prism has mentioned, they were mostly condemned, or to departmental work by the 1930's. The last two I ever saw was at Cross Inn, and Beddau. This was 1971, and both vehicles were on their very last legs. Ian.

Yes, quite right. There was to be a new 'factory' for Taff Vale llocos & stock at Radyr, but WW1, and the grouping put paid to that. As a result, the older Taff vale locomotives were a right mish-mash of different ages & standards. About the best ones were the 04's, and rebuilt as it fell due. The much-loved A class was a hit or miss affair. Swindon proposed to swap the no10 boiler for the No2, but events overtook that also. Ian.

Limestone was sometimes used as a flux in steelmaking. However, certain ores produced certain steels, and as such, required different methods of limestone, coke/coal mix, and oxygen. Nitrogen is to be kept at a minimum in steelmaking, so the ability to select certain types of ore(s) would be used in either preference or cost. I need to dig out my old metallurgy books.... Ian.

I'd ask Oxford to make some more 7-plank wagons. However, rather than put in some generic ones, put a original photo on the back of the box. A stab at historical accuracy will help sales no end. If you are going to make a locomotive, try a Western metro (of any size:- small, medium or large). Good luck for 2020. Ian.

So I'd assume you included the Penydarren, as being the first, and the Vale of Rheidol, which still ran a timetabled service pre-grouping, post-grouping, nationalisation, and sectorisation? Hmmmm.... Ian.

Yes, it is a nice trundle down the A48. If you are going through Chepstow, there might be a large Tesco by the lights. I can't remember if there is a cafeteria there. I'm assuming that you've travelled via the Air Balloon junction, in which case there are several large supermarket eateries on the old Gloucester Road. Happy travelling, Ian.

With a young lady wearing snakeskin boots & hotpants, it's enough to make you reach for the soldering iron... I notice the chap on the right of the photo was counting the rivets on her bicycle chain...

Yes, due to the changes in VAT.

IMHO, the two terms will overlap. I'd guess it just happens where you are in the general scheme of things. Right now I'm a collector, pure & simple. However... Shed building starts this year... Once that happens, goodbye keyboard, hello layout. I'm collected out about now. The limit has arrived. I'm not blind to anything new, but it will have to 'grab' me. The new Collet suburbans are a no-brainer, just like the Peckett 6-wheeler. Past that... Well, really? There are some items I've publicly said "I'll have that", and I'll stand to my word. By the same token, some models have missed the boat. It's not the fault of the producers, it's just where the demographic has changed. Larger producers will cotton onto this, and by & large, the collector will become the more prominent segment of the hobby. Competition in the market? Yes, certainly. If I was in the production game, I'd be worried about a new entrant on the market, who can (and will) undercut the competition with equal quality & fidelity. Every time a percentage increase arrives, so does the attractiveness of the market. Gate prices are an open secret to those in the know, and many the time I've been to a meeting where the chief exec asks "What can we make this for?" There's an awful lot of low hanging fruit... Happy modelling (or, collecting), Ian.

Stick with it Phil. The forum throws up a lot of people in similar circumstances. I sometimes call it a sabbatical. Best wishes, Ian.

I used to run a basic 8-wagon shunting puzzle. 1 x 03 diesel, and 8 wagons only. My last session revealed 9 locomotives, and 43 wagons. Like Topsy, it just grewd & grewd! Ian.

I've absolutely no intention of knocking Bachmann whatsoever, but it truly seems the current model prices are a bit 'fanciful'. Naturally, as Bachmann hoist the prices, so every T D&H does likewise. It's a real pity, and some executive thinks it's 'easy money'. Still, the prices have been set, so it's "caveat Emptor:- Let the buyer beware". No, I'm not grizzling, just being a bit circumspect with my cash. The Dapol/Airfix kit is about £8-9, but I'd expect the RRP to rise fairly quickly. Get in fast! Cheers, Ian.

Hi Ralf, We had an inclined NG roadway (actually railway, but the terminology is correct) across from the Big Pit complex. It's all bricked up now. However, we had a large ropeway coming up from pit bottom, of which the remains are still extant. The proposed 3-road shed reminds me of Mountain Ash, so I'll be very interested how you get on. Happy modelling, Ian.

Nothing new with me, mate. The family motto is:- "Half hour late, ten quid short".

Bl**dy good idea....

"The blue mist parted, upon a sea of froth The items so desired were covered in a cloth, And, as we approached, a shouted voice to hear...... "There's nothing here for you lot! We'll see you all next year!!"

That is very, VERY cryptic, Mr York!

Well, now the tolls are removed, I'd guess that travelling to Cardiff has never been easier. Pontcanna has never been lovelier this time of year... Ian.

Well, it is a discussion forum, after all. One thing is a sort of situation is being interrogative, whilst keeping the gloves on. I think it's easier to lead, than push the beast. Some of the best client/producer interaction has happened in the last 2 years, and long may it continue. From a modellers perspective, it seems we're getting pretty close to the time where modellers are starting to give constructive support to the hobby to the benefit of all. I guess it depends on how you pitch the question. Reasoned discussion, or smash & grab? Ian.

The western was an operating company; if it needed them, they made them. In a hard-nosed business world, an awful lot of Western classes would have been withdrawn for no other reason than depreciation. You'd see a lot less castles, kings, etc. Reading to Paddington would happened a lot sooner, all on the 3rd rail. Steam classes? Halls, Granges, 28's and Collet Goods. Panniers would have been wiped out, supplanted by an improved class 09, or the D14xx No steam west of Taunton: The cost of dragging coal puts the keybosh on that. Whatever does the diagram needs to be capable of Truro & back. I'm dyed in the wool steam, but money talks....

Johnster! You didn't mention the X**X did you? I nearly mentioned it earlier, but I think I got away with it...*