Siberian Snooper

Hi Ron That machine cutting of the plasticard is stunning and as you say a bit cheaper in the long term than etching. I can't wait to get me mits on mine on Sunday. Cheers SS

Hi Jeff I soak 4mm ply sleepers in Colron wood dye Jacobean dark oak, I pour the excess into a butter tub which is then used as the bath for the next batch. The sleepers are spread out on a couple of sheets of news paper to dry, if left in the sun they start to fade like the real thing. SS

Hi Chaz There is an article in the latest issue of Scalefour News 185 for various options on stay alive capacitors if you can get hold of a copy. SS

Hi Chaz On another thread on here, someone else had the same problem with a DCC layout, by not stopping the train using the controller, but cutting the power, the loco remembered and set off luckily the operator also averted disaster. One of the plus points for good old fashioned DC once the juice is cut by whatever means there's no memory to start it off again. SS

Hi Gordon Another fine selection of turnouts built, good luck with the ballasting. SS

My new toy was delivered to my brother this morning, so I can't wait 'til christmas to have a play. Can anyone please point me in the direction of a supplier of the CB 09 blade that I have seen mentioned in this thread. Cheers SS edit for spelling. I might get the hang of making posts using a tab one day.

Hi All I came across this thread a couple of evenings ago and have finally read it all the way through. I am another convert I have just ordered a machine, unfortunately due to my somewhat erratic shift pattern these days I am having it delivered to my brothers, so I won't be able to get me mit's on it 'til Christmas. However this will allow me to produce some artwork in Autocad which I can export as a DXF file, I hope this will work, any tips or advice welcomed. SS

Yes, two, the certificate for the second was 177 the first one was 63. Hope this will help you to find out if you're likely to be in this lot of lucky receipiants. Mine will be regauged to EM and back dated to 1922 livery. Names and numbers to be decided, but will be on Laira's allocation for the mid '20's. SS

My second one has turned up. On removing it from the packaging I saw the water scope standard jammed in the packaging and on removing the loco from the packaging the body came away from ths chassis. On checking the instructions on the removal of the body from the chassis I discovered that the 'nut' that should be fixed into the body under the smokebox had in fact not been glued in. I still have to put them on some track to try them out. SS

Old Gringo's drink looks decidedly dodgy, either that or his 'oss is unfit for work. SS PS. In my avatar I'm the one behind the camera

Hi Chaz Do you have a church or village nearby, you can usually rent these for a modest price. SS

On Thursday I had 50% of my order turn up, a quick couple of phone calls has (hopefully sorted the problem) and the other half will be waiting for me at the sorting office when I get home from my parents. A very quick perusal revealed that a tender hand rail has come loose. A closer inspection will be made on my return. Plus a quick trial before converting to EM gauge. The correct wheels are in stock from Alan Gibson. SS

Hi Andy If that little lot had made into BRM there wouldn't have been room for much else, perhaps it warrented a DitD special, so that non RM Webbers could see what they're missing. SS

Hi Chaz Did you get time to be daunted by the place or were you to busy operating? I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. SS

I think that if the kit has prototype fidelity and is easy to put together like the Parkside offerings and is not available cheaper than from somewhere else then you're in with half a chance. If the kit is of a prototype that was in use during the mid '20's in reasonable numbers I would be interested in a couple of three. If it is of a common vehicle and in the common user pool then there is a chance of the kit being bought by non GW modellers to add a bit of variety to their stock. Cheers SS

Hi Colin I think knocked together is a bit of an understatement coming from a master plastic card butcher like yourself. SS

Hi Chaz The NEC is not that daunting, just make sure you've got plenty of provisions behind the layout and you know all the possible routes to the loo and you should be alright. Once they open the doors getting anywhere in a hurry becomes nigh on impossible. SS

A lot of exhibition venues have hard floor's, when I was on the circuit (17 odd years ago) we had a couple of pieces of carpet plus two layers of under felt underneath, after a few hours even this is hard on the feet if you have to stand up to operate. SS

Hi Jeff I would use alternating keys as per single track lines as the forces will be in different directions depending on which way the deck is turned and there are very low accelerating and braking forces due to the driving mechanism being mandraulic at least on the prototype. SS

Due to my shift pattern that will not be possible for nearly a fortnight unless Steam have some unusual opening hours like 7am to 7pm. SS

I note that Steam are still quite on the subject, no update since September. SS

No, it's better! SS

Hi Barry Ten How many coaches do you have hanging on the hook in the photo? SS.

Hi Ron The craftsmanship clever does not do this plastic civil engineering masterpiece justice. Cheers SS

I think after all of this I shall go back to kit building/bashing. I was going to buy the 42XX, but after the dogs breakfast Hornby made of it I have decided that I will stick with the PDK kit that I purchased just before the Hornby announcement. I would also have purchased a 72XX, although it is outside the period I model I would have invoked rule 1, as I do like the beast's. Hornby will have to do a lot better before they get anymore of my hard earned dosh after the recent slide in standards and the cavalier attitude of Simon kohler to the incorrect number of spokes on the bogie wheels. Steam will still get my readies for the 2 Stars on pre-order. SS