tomparryharry

No disrespects folks, but isn't there a theory out there about reaching the point of Nazi Germany? I used to work for Levi Strauss, but I left when we reached the bottom of the jean pool.... Don't fart in the elevator: It's wrong on so many levels..... They made a documentary about high octane petrol, but I don't know who played the lead role.... Cheers, Ian.

Hello Folks, a quick dash back to our wood stove question. First. Get it installed by a suitably qualified HETAS installer. He will sign off your stove, if it has been installed from new. Second. In ideal conditions, you can fully expect a Sweep to 'do' your chimney twice a year. Unless you're an industrial chemist, you'll need to know such things as calorific content, tar yield, and important things like draught, primary air flow, secondary air flow, and that sort of thing. That's before you 'chuck' the wood on..... Cold fire. A fire can be 'cold' Sure, it's burning, but it's putting out a lot of smoke. That is normally where the hydrocarbons do not have enough temperature to ignite. Ask your Sweep to give you a flue survey, as well as the sweeping itself. He will basically put a camera up the flue, to check out any problems that might arise. It is worth every penny, especially for your personal safety. A Sweep will be a highly skilled guy, and he should have all of the necessary equipment. If he turns up like Fagin, with a small boy in tow, you might want to hire someone else.... Sweep twice a year, survey yearly. Cold combustion is certainly not in your best interests. This happens when a fire, although burning, is 'cold'. Tar is a by-product of a cold fire, and it will layer up the flue, as the unburnt fuel gases cool down and adhere the inner flue walls. After a while, it will start burning, and that will be a chimney fire. To combat that, dry wood is the answer, as it will be a total consumption of the fuel itself. One of my friends would have a burn out once a week in the winter, where she would have a coal fire, with the intent of burning out any tar deposits before that got too much. Plus of course, the twice-annual sweep. There are lots & lots of information sources out there. If you have any questions, ask your chimney Sweep. he's the man (or woman). Cheers, Dick Van Dyke. ( " I really loves you, Mary Poppins....").

The term is 'uncle Jack' he other term is 'jack', in the singular. I'm sure that the broad church, such as the readership of RMWeb, can work that one out. No censorship, either! Cheers, Ian.

If at first you don't succeed.... Select a larger hammer.....

Well Hi Martin, your view is quite valid. However, I'd like to point out that trade selling is nothing new in the retail business, models or otherwise. I can remember the proliferation of Bachmann brake van bodies, or the mi-numbered panniers with 8715 on the plates. You would need an invoice, monies, and (as you say) agreement, and away you go. I still have faith in the DJM model. Foolish? Moi? There is a fundamental flaw somewhere in the model, and penny to a pint it will be a simple rectification. How that stands against the much-vaunted quality of the model, remains to be seen. Having seen some of the photos on here, it's a high chance of 'diddy-itis' , as far as the motor is concerned. We shall see. Finally, I should point out that I've only ever expected a 48xx, to do the work of a 48xx. Sure, they can lift a larger load, but in my world, and serious inclement weather, there would be a pannier on the job .In my tiny, happy world, I'd like the quality finish of the DJM model, and the mechanics of the Hornby version. I'm even considering a Black Beetle motor, on a dummy loco body arrangement. Happy modelling, Ian.

Hattons might well have exclusive rights on the model, but I'm sure the term 'Disposed by way of trade' can equally happen. Happy modelling, Ian.

I had a quick look at Tremains. No less than 7-8 Fowler 0-4-0 diesels, and an oil fired Peckett. No real reference to a spark-arrested pannier, although if it did have a diagram, that would be the place.

There is a very informative article on Tremains, but apart from your direct, railway sided viewpoint, I'm not sure there is much to add to Abergwynfi. Ian.

No doubt a variation on the RTR P4 idea. We'll get there, someday...... Ian.

It was a 'red route', so the larger locomotives could take loads over there. Subject to confirmation, I think the largest locos were 38/38xx tender locomotives. I think however, the 72xx tanks were banned over Crumlin. As for Greymouth, I had the pleasure of travelling the line from Christchurch-Greymouth and return. Arthurs Pass was something else, even the Keas! Highly recommended.

Actually Johnster, I'm a bit intrigued by Tremains. I wonder if the diagrams had a spark-arrested loco on the roster. Didcot had a loco such as this on the roster, as did Worcester. I've no idea with Tremains, and wonder if they had a diesel instead. Or, a fireless... Ian.

Hi Mike. I was given to understand a possibility of double headed trains. Certainly, Waterloo catch pits are quite long also. Enough room for a MN, and another, shorter locomotive.

I'd suggest Tremains is the key to your conundrum. Tondu had extra work for the RoF. However, once ww2 ended, Tremains downsized pretty quickly. AFAIK, it had a full 3-shift system, with several diagrams on the roster. Trains from the valleys had their timetables altered, and beefed up, to transport the influx (mostly ladies) of several thousand workers in a very short time period. It's little wonder that panniers grew to such a large class. Somewhere on the allocations records, show Newport Division receiving a brand-new pannier every week, for about 6 months..... They had to go somewhere! Happy modelling, Ian.

I took the opportunity to reflect upon my most recent post on RMweb. We might consider that English is still a working, living language. The dialects, accents and pronunciations of perhaps only 50 years ago have changed, and will continue to change. I fully expect that by the time I bite the dust, anything we're writing & posting today will have changed. These changes are incremental; consider, for instance, the subtle change from 'railway station' to 'train station'. You might consider this to be an Americanism, but a change nonetheless. I like RP. In an increasing multi-cultural society, it helps to set me apart. A big building site in London will be one of the most language diversified places you can attend. Polish (no, not polish, Polish), Bulgarian, Italian, Chinese (Han), and a multitude of others all speaking their brand of English. A fine example of showing the language that continues to evolve. Whilst I mention RP, it does have its drawbacks. If you drop a hammer on my hand, I will revert directly to pure Anglo-Saxon, complete with all expletives, references and phrases so commonly found within this Spectred Isle. "Orfft now, to study Rogers Thermostat" (an olde plumbers phrase). Tootle Pip! Happy modelling, Ian.

It's not just mobile phones, it's the bikers riding, whilst using a hands free device. I nearly cut one down whilst out on the weekend. Lucky for him I anticipated his actions, otherwise 'Goodbye Vienna'. Ian.

What amazes me about the Paddington photo, are the locomotive catch pits. Designed to gather any water from the locomotive injector overflow, and still here 50-odd years after they were last used. I thought only Waterloo still had these. Ian.

Wee did Spellinge wen I wuZ yunga an Wee diddnot com too eny arm. I reeEly duzznt undsstan wot the world iz cumin too. I recently raised this very subject with my good friend, Algernon Go-Lightly. We discussed the declining standard of grammar, and enunciation. Algernon agreed, and stated that things have gone downhill since the commoners have been allowed into the lower chambers in Westminster. Tootle Pip! Colonel Knuttt (Retired, off to flog some servants).

I do like the fence. A little bit of urban decay? No scrapped, or burned out cars, vans. Just an observation, but nothing more. I like it a lot. Ian.

Tongue in cheek from me, Mr McDermott, very tongue in cheek! Many thanks, Ian.

Hi Mike, The 'setter' on a toad is always on the verandah, facing the main cabin door, with the handbrake behind you, and to your right. Depending on the mark (such as AA23) the setter will be atop of a piece of 2" steel pipe. The valve is exactly the same as found on a DMU. A standard vacuum gauge is screwed next to the cabin door, slightly above the setter position. This is mostly a standard placed item. Regardless of guard, he would be able to go to the same place, to do the same job. Johnster of this parish will be able to provide further information. Happy modelling, Ian. Edited because I posted slightly misleading text, since corrected. Sorry!

If I may 'chuck in' a few thoughts. If you still have the wishlist poll, as an bi-annual event. In between, have a slightly smaller poll, which is to have what you'd like to see upgraded. Some producers have models that stand the test of time. Some, sadly, are a bit 'not all there'. A bit like me, really. having re-read our posts on RMweb, it seems plausible that we could have a poll every month or two, given the niche (s) involved. I can hear Mr McDermott and his team sharpening their knives, as I type... The logistics of doing this sort of thing will stretch the system to overload, and possibility of being counter-productive. One bloke I know will vote for Common Branch Junction engine shed, in 4mm, as an RTP product. Oops! Silly me! Happy modelling! Ian.

Yes, I can see your point (pun?) Streetley is strictly a 4 x1' inglnook. Quick to erect; quick to close up. If you double the length, you can get approximately 24 wagons on the puzzle. With this, it raises the solution possibilities from 40,000 to 200 million (check the factorial). I have planned to do a small roundy-roundy with small fiddle yard, just to break things up a bit. My fault: I haven't done it yet. Happy modelling, Ian.

On a slight aside, but I guess that as the subject base gets smaller, so will the 'niche' element grow pro-rata. Driving to your natural conclusion, the poll will be:- Steam, Diesel, Electric Other. Green, Black, Sky-blue pink, Tea, Coffee, Milk, Sugar. I'm highly entertained by the polls, and I missed seeing the last one. Well done Poll Team & associates; a thankless task. Happy modelling, Colonel Knuttt (retired, walking the dog).

Harumph! Harumph! What about us lot on the 71/4" spectrum? Nothing again, I suppose... Makes you want to go full size... Letter to my MP, Times, etc.... Disgustedly yours, Colonel Nutt (retired)

A quick ditty, Mr Rolley? I've got a little layout, It's only 5 foot eight, I keep the other wagons here, upon the sector plate....... Just leaving the house.....