tomparryharry

Once you get in the grove, you more or less stay in the groove.

Yes, quite right.

You never, ever, run. Running signifies you are not in control. Walking past the general public requires a firm, but relaxed gait. When volunteering at Havenstreet many years ago, a lady enquired whether we (footplate staff) were professional. We replied in the negative "No, having a day off, volunteering". "Oh! she replied, I thought you were professional railwaymen, as you looked so relaxed about it".

I'd suggest that the Keyser worm & screw run in a fixed set of centres. Lifting the motor on the axle centre should only serve to rotate the 'angle'. The mesh staying the same. As Johnster has mentioned, there's nothing to lose by trying. I think it's a mechanical hiccup, rather than electrical, and you can test that by putting a test feed onto the pickup wires. Hope this helps. Ian.

Michael, it's the old cynic in me, I guess... FEMA might well have a disaster fund. Good for them, I say. Anything larger over here will elicit a response such as "here's an umbrella voucher. This will allow you to redeem the VAT value of said umbrella, subject to a fiscal limit of £2:75."

Do you honestly, truly, believe that of our current set of clowns? For clarity, I will deliberately omit any references to political parties.

No desperation here. Get the cider in... 20-something years ago, I was stood in front of a furnace, hand bailing 2 tons of molten aluminium; Sweaty work indeed. A work colleague approached... "Hey, Smithy..." Yesss, What's up? "You know when you have a really cold one, and the condensation runs down the outside of the glass?" "Yesss, why?" "Oh, just wondering..." Very, very many expletives deleted. "B@$T@*D!!!!

Aha! Define normal! Retirement? Yesssss! Workload? Increasing to Gale Force 10! Ahhhhh! I sound like a shipping forecast! Actually, Mojo has remained, but the list of jobs is relentless. Modelling is zero, but I know it'll return. The current weather is doing wonders for my demeanour; I haven't smiled this much since the last time....

We're still working through the house renovations, but some 'prep' work has been done, namely lifting the suspended floor and getting in 150mm (6") of Kingspan insulation. Nearly all of the near neighbours have gone over to gas combis, and ripped out their fireplaces. We altered our dining room, but I'm keeping the front room fire fully functional. The big secret, IMHO, is not to get the house 'hot', but to keep it 'pleasant'. Getting cool? Put a thin jumper on..... We haven't re-done the upstairs bedroom (front) but when we get to it, I'm thinking of a flue-based heat exchanger, with a facility to enable a hot water supply to a tap. At least that way, civilisation can be retained... I mistakenly over-ordered insulation for the shed project (nearly completed), but I had more than enough in stock for the shed ceiling, and the ground floor in the house. Mrs. Smith is currently researching the growing of potatoes in the back garden. Chips with everything!

Coffee with tinned milk is ok, but no sugar. That way, you can taste the coffee. Tea is likewise. No sugar, and as strong as you can make it. I've never tasted Oreo's, and I suppose I never will; not being in the frame of desire. The Lincoln biscuits are made in Ireland, as are the lemon biscuits made at Peak Freans.

Well, the toplights are 25% of your list, so that's not bad. The poor old Aberdares are a real niche, after all, there was only 80 of them ...Meanwhile, on another unrelated page, Flying Scotsman is due another release. After all, it's been 6 weeks, Y'know!

It depends on where the loco is going, Jason. The water stops dictate what loco is used, as you probably know.

I can see why; it's a good choice, and quite pretty, to boot. I can visualise a 48xx (or pannier) tootling around the system. It's not normally for me; after all, it's about as rare as a Gibbons Blue Backside on the system. That said, it'll probably sell very well, and why not? As a bit of a footnote, there is a ex-Western saloon on the Pontypool & Blaenavon railway.

having watched some older episodes, it seems Morse was SIGINT before joining the police. He alludes to that in several episodes.

I'm not too sure about that. Remember that 29xx were being scrapped at the end of WW2, and usually at the 30-year mark, due to accountancy practices. 43xx were being scrapped, and/or converted to grange/manor after the 30-year period. However, further verification is required.

The one to watch out for is something like:- 'XXXX diesel locomotive small yellow panel' Which is what you're bidding for... a small yellow panel...

Rule number one: Caveat Emptor, let the buyer beware. Don't agree with the items on sale? Don't buy it, simples. If it's considered overpriced, 'just say NO! I'm just off to buy a working model of the Hindenburg: matches not included.... " Oh, look! A ships' anchor from the Titanic, complete with a complementary length of anchor chain! Must have a look at that!" Only used once, as well.....

Hello Folks, I hope you're all doing well. some questions from the collective, as usual. I'm currently thinking about ceiling paint in the shed. What's ideal, blue or white? many thanks, Ian.

Similar here. We had a commission near Machynlleth to finish off. My oppo was a Geordie. Our boss had organised a pub for us to stop over. On the way, my oppo was none too pleased at going to a strange place. Still, there we were. It turned out that the pub was owned by an ex-miner, whom was related to some of my ex-foundry workmates. When asked of his experience in darkest Wales, he replied "Smithy went native!"

Unsolicited phone calls? "Listen matey. Either you can put your phone down, or I'll put Jeremy Vine on the line...."

I'm fairly sure that the coal is carried in open-topped containers. At least, when in transit. Cawoods? Nowadays, there would be a netting over, if only for transport safety issues. As far as I can tell, we can have coal, it's just you can't mine it from here....

Or, glad you've called, I am indeed looking at a glazing upgrade" "Excellent, we do quotes! How many windows?" 293, 655. "We're thinking of rebuilding the Crystal Palace. Do the old place up, you know...."

Local neighbour keeps a pet jellyfish in his aquarium. Calls him Sting.......

Stock response here: Well, until I invent another stock response... "Oh! Hang on, I'll just get her!" Lay phone down, nothing to see here; carry on....

A post over on the 'early risers' thread got me thinking:- Did I write something about the shed? Oh yes, here it is.... Well, Black Dog did indeed visit, and stayed far too long. On the plus side, the brighter weather has lifted the spirits somewhat. Picking up an unfinished job can be a real PITA. I'm trying to remember what I was doing. Not the work, as such, more the techniques that need remembering. All being well, tomorrow will see the north-facing end gable finished off. I still have the ceiling insulation to finished (2/3rd to go) and the ceiling itself, also 2/3 The phone contract is up for renewal, so I'll get one that takes pictures instead of lithograph. More pictures will follow this weekend. Have a great weekend folks!