tomparryharry

like piccalilli should

Piccalilli at dawn

A spicy assignation

Space & scale no object? Oh dear... To keep it real, then it's Pontypridd, from Rhondda Cutting (the north end) down to just above Treforest Estate.. Any period, up to the 1960's. All in 4mm scale, but if I'm honest, then 00, or, EM. If I'd narrow it down a bit, then it's late 1940's. The Taff Vale was pretty much still there, and still working to near capacity. The Barry Railway had been relegated to near closure, but still had a lot of traffic. Banking work was handled by Abercynon shed, so it's a set-up dominated by tank locomotives, never -ending rakes of 4-wheel wagons. Traffic awaiting to cross over the junction. PC&N junction, and the transition from AB working to permissive. 90%-odd freight, with about 10% on passenger work. You couldn't run it by yourself, so you'd need a group of friends to come along and enjoy it as well. A man can dream.... Ian.

but only serrated

You are joking of course, young Johnster.... Those Bachmann 4-wheelers are going to cost you about £12-15 per wagon. So, that projected rake is coasting towards £250. Little wonder I'm working up a stock of Airfix/Dapol wagon kits, just to keep the costs down. That said, that little Peckett working out of Tymawr colliery? Oh yes....

On a slight aside, I'm just reading the book on Crystal Palace. I well remember dad holding me up to look at the derelict High Level station, probably 1960-61. There was a very large house above Paxton tunnel. If I ever win the lottery, well.... So, away from Crystal Palace, and my wanderings take us to:- STONEBRIDGE PARK

Sorry Folks, I didn't realise we were only playing the Underground Short Game. So, with our 'upside down' ticket revoked the move is to:- HANGER LANE

I see posters have stopped at Honor Oak Park, which is just up the road from my old house. So, a brisk walk down Devonshire Road brings us to FOREST HILL

Sorry Andy, you're absolutely right. I don't know why I wrote Polythene instead of Polystyrene, I'll edit my post. I guess I've been sniffing glue again.... Ian.

You can take the warp out of polystyrene based plastic. You will need a bowl of hot water, and some kitchen tongs. I'm assuming you are referring to the Airfix model wagon. Bring the water to the boil, but not boiling IE, very hot. Immerse the cast plastic polystyrene part for 15-so seconds, and remove with the tongs. Gently bend the affected part back to true, and allow to cool. You will need to satisfy yourself that this treatment will not materially affect that part which you aim to modify. I will not, repeat not accept responsibility for posts on here, because their prize locomotive has disappeared down the plughole! Experience will tell on how long you immerse the hot water, and to what extent you can bend the shape. Remember that the thicker section of material-any material- will take longer to accept bending. If you're trying to bend any material beyond its design parameters, it will snap. Remember also, that it might take several immersions before you reach the desired shape. Sometimes with high-speed plastic injection, the operator will have a cooling block, to allow the impressed part to cool off whilst remaining the shape. Remember:- Safety first! Despite what you've heard, steam will hurt! Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Happy modelling! Ian. Edit: Thanks to Mr Hayter for pointing out my error, and a reminder to self to proof-read my own posts from time to time...

They always include Hull on the weather forecasts; It never rains in Hull. I hate presenters who can't tell the difference between 'train', 'locomotive', and 'engine' Cheers, Ian.

I'm invoking the 'upside down ticket' clause, which sends me to:- WATFORD JUNCTION

If I've got the picture right, I'm afraid she is not one of Scotland's' finest exports.... Whatever happened to the educational element of the BBC? Harumph, Harumph! Letter to the times, methinks! Colonel Custard-Golightly.

I've got a few of the humble 16 ton mineral kit, from Kitmaster through to Dapol. The quality has pretty much stayed the same, and ideal for a relatively scale mineral wagon rake. The quality of fit is fairly constant, and it's capable of being worked up to a good running quality. I'm using Romford bearings,and amazingly, Dapol 3-hole wheelsets, which you can buy in bulk. The only thing I'd like to see changed is the inclusion of a proper headstock slot to accept a hook. I'm currently using the Brassmasters model, which is just right for this. Cheers, Ian.

There ought to be a 'MONUMENT' to that.....

Any relation? There might be:- SEVEN SISTERS

Ere! You're covered in it! I'll bet you've been to:- MUDCHUTE

It's in the locality, so... PARK ROYAL Well, not 'local' really, but I fancy a biscuit or two...

Mr Oldman will have a zero chance of an Oscar here... Hollywood is currently making a cinematic masterpiece about the digestive life of a baked bean, and have cast some unknown as the farting sound. A great pity. I really like Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and Mr Oldman was spot-on in that film. Cheers, Ian.

Branching off your Tooting Bec, I'm rooting for:- BECONTREE

I also use this, just like young Johnster. I will profile the top of the coal, as I presume the colliery used 'trimmers' (labourers to 'trim' the coal load). Last year I used Fros-Yr-Fran seam coal, used off the coal pile at Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway. We create enough dust to last me for the next century or two, so no trouble there. For foam, look into a builders skip. I use 'closed insulation', which goes by the trade names of Celotex, or Kingspan. You can carve it to any reasonable shape, and I'd guess it's good for scenery as well. Cheers, Ian.

I think Hornby have learnt their lessons now. After all, with the market, and competition, any c*ck-up will only help the competitors in. The final arbiter here is your wallet: Don't like? Don't buy! The 'dead cert' type of strokes, such as the Western large tanks are long gone. That said, the chances of seeing Hornby turning out another Western locomotive are fast diminishing. As far as I can tell, the last Western tanks are the 15, 16, & 94xx. Anything after that is a long shot into the dark, with all sorts of situations with misplaced rivets, etc. There's nothing to stop Hornby reworking their favourites, such as the Dean Single, and some exquisite Clerestory coaches. A nice little open cab Pannier, or, a 6-wheel Peckett would be right on the ball. Happy modelling! Ian.

Those are some nice photos of the missing side of industrial activity, long gone now. Who would enter his trade as 'coal stacker' nowadays? Miners got paid by the size of lump they hewed. The owners didn't pay for dust. Cheers, Ian.

look at that long line of people. It must be..... KEW GARDENS