johnb

Agree with the above. True in recent years the trip pin has almost always been correct, but it was not always the case. Certainly I have in the past had a pack or two where the trip pins were too low. John edited for keyboard that can't spell

I can't locate the book at present but I have 'somewhere' a 1960s underground book which refers to this tunnel amd comments something like :- "The Circle line outer rail was diverted into an unused tunnel at Kings X bored in 18-'something' to link the Widened Lines to Euston, but which was never completed." Just my pennyworth to this interesting debate. John

Er ...... pictures don't seem to be there!! John

Dreadnought coaches were a Metropolitan Railway design and used only on the Met between London and Aylesbury. So without any perceived demand for a small batch type with a very limited area of use, it is unlikely that a manufacturer would have risked producing any. Kits are available from Radley Models (no connection). John

I had that on one of mine! A return to Hattons got it sorted fast, by a replacement from their second delivery. John

Nah! I suspect someone mis-measured said "Oh buffer!" or words to that effect. Had a word with the foreman who said "No problem guv, leave it to me!"

Some info re parcels traffic and towing a parcels van which may be of interest. This comes from a BR Western Region pamphlet dated October 1957!! entitled "Multiple Unit Trains for the information of Operating Dept Staff" the section reads:- Tail Traffic Inter-City trains must not convey tail traffic and the booked formation must not be varied. Regular tail traffic must only be attached to other Multiple-Unit diesel trains where authorised and shown in train-working notices. Additional vehicles must not be conveyed unless specially authorised by the District Operating Superintendent or District Traffic Superintendent, and the total trailing tonnage must not exceed the total weight of the power cars; the instructions on pages 109 and 110 of the General Appendix must be observed as far as they apply. I find the trailing weight restriction to be interesting information. Just in case this will be useful! John

Rarity value!

Ah! Been using that site as my 3rd/4th rail bible for quite some while now. Very useful and informative. John

As far as I know they are still around, but it's a small niche society, probably only one or two people running it, so it may take a while for a reply. How long have you been waiting? John

Maybe quartering slightlyamiss somewhere??

Just been running my two now that I have chipped them. On rollers as I haven't a long run to put them on. No problems on either using a TCS EU621 powered from an NCE Powercab, they are running at 128 speed steps Pretty low current draw too, at full speed both draw around 0.2amp and run smoothly at half speed (64 on the controller) they draw a bit over 0.1/0.12 amps. That's running for about 15 mins in each direction. John

Yes, all three light up at the leading end. John

I got two through Hattons, No 1 and No 8. Both have the nameplates on square and all the other bits are fixed on. Yes the hoses are delicate, but seem quite robust for their size. Some gentle poking hasn't caused anyhting to drop off or break, the pickup shoes are pretty fine also but all are there on my two. The only thing that have noticed is that the lights are 'white' white whereas the real things had tungsten lights that were a 'yellow' white and not not very bright at that. The brightness of those fitted is not excessive and commendably steady over quite a wide voltage range. All in all very pleased with my two. John

Sorry, no photo, but I'm running in No 1 (the grey one) as I type this. It's on rollers and running very sweetly at about 8 volts. It is certainly all wheel drive and so I would expect it to be all wheel pickup. It's been on for around 15mins so far in each direction and has speeded up slightly. I can't test it on track at present, but it starts at a bit over 3 volts, at full speed it doesn't seem over quick but until I get it on the track I can't be sure. Hope that helps. John

Not unless running light engine, when they MAY have had a red filter over one lens. I don't recall ever seeing one running light thro' Pinner though. Certainly they would have had a red oil tail lamp if not hauling anything. From the photo that I have seen I think that the red filter was mounted externally over the light housing, There seems to be a slot/holder on the pic of John Hampden (No 5) in Covent Garden. The Dreadnaughts in the time that I knew them (1950s) used to show both a lit electric tail lamp and and an oil tail lamp. John edit: to add more info

I also rode behind them in service. I lived in Pinner as a kid and we had a view from our flat directly onto the Met, just north of Pinner station. That fact probably got me into liking trains!!!!! They were an everyday sight and quite often on weekends we would go to Chorleywood. We rode T stock to Moor Park (the Aylesbury bound loco hauleds did not usually stop at Pinner) then wait for the loco hauled on the wooden platforms, off to Ricky, wait through the loco change and on to Chorleywood. Saw the grey ones and much approved the change to maroon with NAMES! I recall coming back one afternoon and on seeing a trap point asking my father "Why does that point go nowhere?" Fortunately there was a driver 'on the cushions' in the compartment and he spent quite some time drawing a diagram and explaining their use. Apologies for 'going on' but it must be an age thing as Ian says above. John

Definitely still in business, Charlie was trading at the Leamington show.

It's looking raher good Steve. John

It's at one corner of the EL Loop where the the elevated line completely circles the part of Chicago, known for obvious reasons as 'The Loop'! I am not sure which corner but I have been over it twice(!) during an architectural tour of the loop by special train that circled the Loop twice. One circuit the guide was talking about features on the inside of the loop, the second circuit those on the outside. A brilliant trip, but don't think they do it now. It started and finished at Randolph Street and took about an hour.

I do like the fourth down in the photoset. Looks like it's a case of "Oh buffer! How do we get round THAT corner?" The answer by the track laying foreman was "Like this guv!!"

That's trading and HMRC are likely to take an interest if clubs start doing that. Some years back the grapevine indicated that a club that bought in items to sell for a markup on their second hand stand, and didn't tell HMRC, had some explaining to do. It can be a complex area, and I am not a tax expert, so what I am saying is CHECK the tax rules first!!!!! John