DavidLong

The Fallowfield loop has been a sad loss to Manchester. It took London a while to fully accept that people may want to travel around a city and not necessarily always towards the centre, hence the success of London Overground. Stockport - Stalybridge sadly under-utilised and another, Bolton - Bury - Rochdale seemingly gone forever. Gareth Dennis makes the point that the real carnage in the Beeching plan was in England's provincial cities which has left them under-provided with urban railways. David

Be even better if you use Finetrax . . . David

That's a delightful photo, Tim, with the track creeping along behind the houses. Sadly, nigh impossible in the UK with our more stringent rules about track segregation. David

A couple of points about the coloured illustrations. Both D2 and D5 are shown with data panels, is this likely for them in the mid to late 1960s period? There are photos of D2 in 1968 and 1969 which don't show the panels but D5 did have one by mid-1969. Perhaps do one of them with the panel and one without. It may also have been a bit different to have D5 without the white stripe which it seems to have lost at an early date, possibly 1966 and certainly by 1967. David

Is a DMU about to appear, Duncan? David

Hi Duncan, https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/couplings/pk_mag/ Andrew took over the DG Couplings and the magnets from the 2mm Association a few years ago. When I phoned him towards the end of last year was when he told me that he was discontinuing them. I think that he was making them himself and didn't want to do it anymore. David

Duncan, Sadly, Andrew Hartshorne has decided that he won't be supplying any more of the PK electromagnets. I have been using them for forty years since Phil Kerr was making them himself. The things are bombproof and never fail. I bung 16v ac through them and they are very effective with DGs. I've recently bought a couple of the Seeps to try out. Looking at the size if the coils I'm not sure they are going to be as effective as the PK ones. I do like this layout! David

I agree but a tad pricier than your usual arrangements, James! David

And a very interesting project it looks! As you may gather from my location, Daubhill is only a matter of 3-4 miles away. The point where the line crossed St Helens Road is still very obvious even after so many years. Bolton had many interesting locations and they have been well covered by the volumes from Triangle Publications. I shall certainly be following the story of its construction with interest. David

If I recall correctly, either in this thread or elsewhere, you did some musing about Finetrax or Peco and I am still slightly disappointed that you didn't take the Finetrax option. As James Hilton has shown it really adds something to go with the quality of modern N scale products. Having said that this is wonderfully original take on layout design and delightfully executed as well as being a complete contrast to Shirebrook! Finally well done on the DGs, if only more N modellers would use them. David

Your philosophy Tim, with which I fully agree, is beautifully expressed, The accompanying photograph quite wonderfully illustrates the practical outcome of that philosophy. I've followed your progress around a number of proposed projects but this seems to be the one that really strikes a chord within you. I am so enjoying the progress so far. David

I suspect that having a friend with a laser cutter or 3D printer (or both!) is becoming more valuable than someone who is proficient with machine tools. David

I'm intrigued by the Dock Shunter conversion. Any chance of another photo and a bit of a description? Oh and I do like that fence at the back! David

The specific dates seemed to be outside the 'normal' RHTT season which was why I had discounted it. Does the path then keep being extended until the autumn? David

Detailed here on RTT:https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:H42567/2024-01-18/detailed A couple of questions: What and where is Wigan L.I.P.? What is this train doing? It appears to be taking some sort of tour around the North West. It is dated all weekdays 11th December to 19th April. Unlikely to be a RHTT. David

You are correct, Simon, in the fact that the Association did sell 16BA washers. They were really nice brass turnings and I still have a couple. They are 2.35mm o.d. with the centre hole about 0.7/0.75mm. I bought my last lot, which were etched, from an outfit called Amberley Components who now seem to have disappeared! Those etches were 2mm o.d. I've noticed that Hobby Holidays have brass etched ones back in stock: https://www.hobbyholidays.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=16BAWASHER Looking at the photo I would suggest that they are also around 2mm o.d. Eileen's used to do etched ones as well but they are also not available now. I use them for reinforcing the hole in the centre of a moving tie bar made from Association 2mm sleeper strip. David

The Class 25/3 is an entirely appropriate piece of motive power for the railways of West Cumbria but for a slightly later era than the period that you are modelling. Common as rats! David

I couldn't agree more, Bob. I get tired of comments about DCC only being suitable for large(ish) layouts. At bottom it is a control system, nothing more and nothing less. The control that it gives, especially with stay-alives, is quite outstanding in 2mm/N and this is especially appreciated on small layouts where slow and steady movement is very important. Like all digital systems there are wilder shores to explore for those who have the desire but I don't and it works just fine for me. Hate to say it, Bob, but that Buck could yet be your finest hour!* David * Doesn't mean that you should give up on some more wonders!

The Swansea Vale was a helluva railway but was treated strictly as a cash cow by the Midland who invested very little in it. Well worthwhile making your investment in the recent Lightmoor publication about its history. Although the Great Western and its subsequent constituents ran most of the lines in South Wales I still find the ventures of the Midland and the North Western into the area of more interest. A new volume on the Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny would be most welcome. David

Is that photo of the DB version? The slightly down-at-heel look is quite endearing. I'm enjoying this thread, Tim. Your enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject shines through. David

Now you mention it L&Y looks likely. David

Thanks for the clarification but why is the signalbox not of Midland origin? David

JDI, Mr W, JDI. I know that you have the skills 🙂 Happy New Year David

I realise that it's Great Central (MS&L) and not Great Eastern but that 4-way point is the sort of thing which one always thinks is more likely in the swede growing counties. David

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/new-map-reveals-stoke-trents-7693627 David