tomparryharry

Raining here at Newport. Snow basically gone, but valleys still have problems here & there. M4 is all back to normal. Lots of HGV's on the move already, catching up the backlog(s).

I need the optician. I've followed this post, looking for the bit about lager. Curling? Oh! My mistake! Carling! Ooops....

I did consider just modelling Llantrisant, which is a smallish depot on the South Wales main line. However, to do it justice meant making some fairly stringent measures. Instead of Rule 1, think more Rule 0.75. So, no big tender locomotives (yet), just panniers, 56xx and 42xx, along with lots of wagons. I've already bashed my rule 1 inside a half paragraph. Of course, if I put in the main line, I can include all of the 'red route' big Western stuff, along with my bank balance.... Cheers, Ian.

You will normally find air in the system, when it manifests itself as a 'cold' radiator, but quite hot in the lower portion. Most (but not all) boilers have an expansion vessel, where the diaphragm will take up expansion within the central heating circuit. Should the vessel fail, you should have a drop off in pressure, you will re-pressurise and restore to normal. However, the vessel is now unable to accept expansion, and the system will 'safely fail' by expelling the compressed water out of the boiler drain pipe. A service will normally show this up. HTH, Ian.

I very nearly made a snotty remark, then I realised you are quite correct. Although Cardiff is only down the road, I did decide to have a self-imposed limit to a tank locomotive-only layout. There are several reasons for this. A:- It stops me buying 'nice' big things, like Big Lizzies and B:- To try to keep a sense of perspective. So, nothing bigger than a 72xx, although a 43xx is really, really stretching Rule 1. I've even considered an ROD. Cheers, Ian.

I'm awaiting the release of this. Despite the undoubted quality that will arrive, I'm not sure about actually buying one. I'm very firmly stuck in South Wales, so the 47xx and Kings are completely off the patch. That said, I will await the big prairie & 43xx from Dapol. I guess I'll stretch 'rule 1' when I see a 47xx in the flesh. Cheers, Ian.

If you are having this trouble, keep a note of it. Wait for warmer weather, and get your local plumber to alter your boiler D2 pipework. There should be a clear fall from your boiler down to the covered drain. If your plumber asks "What's D2 pipework?" get another plumber. The building Regulations are quite hot on this sort of thing. HTH. Ian.

The thaw is getting underway now. The biggest problem is possible freezing overnight. The snow has had a remarkable effect on the neighbours, with people stopping to say hello, and pass the time. We've done our 'good Samaritan' bit, and dug out the neighbours path, and gritted it. Visibility is good, at about 3/4 mile, and the gritters are keeping the M4, at a very respectable 60-odd mph. Some people up the valleys are posting photos of FaceAche of drifts with 8-9 feet. I'm staying right here.... Tea? Yes please! However, keep safe folks! Ian.

I've got 2 of those type. I must admit that I'm not too worried. There will come a point where any thrust from the axle will be counteracted by the surface area of the bearing. As I'm not working with a full-size 72xx I can't see a real problem developing. I'd agree that 'quality dodging' by Hornby didn't do them any favours, so I'd rather expect to see bearings on a top-flight model. After all, we've paid top whack! In a way, it's done a favour for us. We'll no longer accept whatever the manufacturers put in front of us. You can bet your bottom dollar that if Hornby had in fact 'got away with it' all of the other makers would be doing it as well. Remember, that if any model, regardless of maker/ era/railway company doesn't fit your particular want or desire, keep your money in your wallet. Money doesn't just talk, it educates in equal measure. There will always be a market for top quality, high fidelity kit. Next years model is only around the corner. Who or what? I don't know. There's nothing to stop any manufacturer trying to blow my socks off, and I welcome the challenge. Now, how about that nice, full-fat, high fidelity pannier tank that I keep banging on about.....? Cheers, Ian.

Good call John. That's exactly what I'm doing. I reckon it could be mostly gone by tea-time. Tea-time, however, might be late.... Ian.

The snow has been falling to varying levels all day here. The M4 has still maintained a very respectable 40-odd mph during the day. Once it gets dark, though... Ian.

The wife has been staring through the window for hours..... I suppose I'd better let her in....

A slight postscript to my earlier post. I did venture out to our local shop. Despite the weather, we had some bread, plus some odds & sods. Nothing to get panicked over. The little lady had struggled a lot further than me, just to open up. The biggest grumble? The time it took to put the stuff through the checkout! Some people and gratitude! Makes me angry sometimes.... Cheers, Ian.

Good morning folks, hope you are all well. From here, I've got a good view of the M4, and the traffic seems a steady, reliable 50mph. Overnight Newport had a bit, but it's stopped now. I might venture out for a loaf of bread. I steadfastly refuse to panic over this: everybody has a deep freeze these days. Keep safe, people. Ian.

I'm starting to fill up my shed allocation of Western locomotives. I did intend to keep it a 100% tank locomotive depot, and so far, it stays that way. There's room for another 51/61xx, so I hope Dapol turn up trumps. Shapeways have a nice 17xx saddle tank at the moment, so I keep thinking about the Blackmill diagram, and a couple of 6-wheel clerestories. Mind you, if a 72xx comes along.... Or, an I'll stop now. Still costing out my railway shed. Ian.

I'm 'stood by' for a 61xx. I'd rather buy one 'good un' than the rather dated Airfix one. I'm content to await the Dapol version. If it's good, the money awaits.... Cheers, Ian.

That's ok, to a point. If you try that with a non-vacuum fitted train, you might well have had a different experience.... There is an unique sensation when you brake, and the train comes in behind, like a giant hand.... Ian.

I thought I'd look about, just to see if there were any 48xx on sale. Lo & behold, none appear to be any left. I could have swore that there were thousands of the blighters. I guess that people have cottoned on after all. Cheers, Ian.

Well, it appears the snow has made it as far as Newport, in deepest South Wales. The M4 is seeming to be ok. Ian.

That looks good to me. The upper limit should be 45 mph for unbraked, 4 wheel stock. Mike (Statiomaster) has said as such. I'm more inclined to think 25-30mph is the norm. The old saying is "your ability to stop is your right to speed". It does depend on the viewer, but I prefer seeing scale speed, train length & perception. The 72xx can deliver that in spades. Something like 80 ten tonners? Oh yes! Even 50 -on with a 56xx looks good to me. You wouldn't see great speed though, unless it's 'brown underpants' time.... Cheers, Ian.

I bought some heat sleeving this week from our local store in Cardiff. There were 8 staff (I counted them) for a sale for £2:50. Excellent service this time, but as I left, I thought "How do they cover the overheads?" Now we know.... Ian.

I never had any problems with the DJ locos I've bought. They do need running in, with about an hour both ways. Just remember to follow the boxed notes. I ended up buying a rolling road to make things easier. If anything, I'd like to get another (4825) to complete my diagram. Cheers, Ian. (No connection, just a customer). There's too many Ian's on this forum!

Yes, I agree. Having been brought up since 8 that "that's the positive, that's the negative" has worked very well for me. I don't need a smartphone; I've seen some first-rate, award winning 'gold' layouts, none of which relied on Nokia to make it go. If I want some fried chips, I'll go to the chip shop. I'll admit to being old fashioned. I still work in feet & inches (I can work in microns, if you wish).It's probably why I slightly object to:- A-paying top-whack for a locomotive. B:- Chipping the blessed thing, and give it an address (An address? More junk mail?) C:- Make it go "chuff". I don't really need a computer to hear it, and what's worse, if someone is mishandling the real thing. So yes. I'm to blame. I'm a dinosaur in an increasing world of techno. But, I do know how to put an injector on, and when to ease the blower. However, If Nokia have an app for getting a foot of clinker off the bars, sign me up! Ranting? Me? Never! Ian.

Putting on my 'Reginald Molehusband' voice, ...."P304? I think you will find it is actually P304.8, my good sir". Cheers, Ian.

I've just bought the book on Crystal Palace High Level. This could get expensive.... Ian.