GC Jack

I agree lets give this chap our support. The only problem I have here is that it was a very lengthy post and perhaps went into too much detail for the project he is pursuing. From my own experience in conducting research, which has become the new day job, when seeking specific evidence from people its better to keep the questioning simple and to the point.You don't need to spell out the entire project, its aims and objectives. Doing that is counter productive. Robert perhaps you could edit the post so that a simple soul like me can properly respond. Jack

I haven't properly read the OP so perhaps I should before commenting, but as to the limited question - why do we model then I think the topic is much much wider than the model railway community. It would seem to have roots in antiquity. Look at the beautiful models in King Tuts tomb. Now I know they were designed for a specific purpose - for use in the after life - but perhaps there is a fundamental human desire to re-create the real world in other forms. In essence art often seeks to that. Oh dear heady stuff for a Tuesday morning time to sit down for coffee. Jack

Thank you for this inspiring thread. I have some part finished Comet Coaches "maturing" its time to get them out! Jack

It is unlikey that someone will say that this or this didn't run with that or that but they sometimes do,and with great authority. I had a chap in front of my fictitious layout - approximately west midlands somewhere - loudly proclaiming to all the visitors round the layout, that this loco and that loco never ran there. I tried to point out that this was not an actual location but to no avail he just got angry. In the end he moved the layout next door and it started all over again. Jack

That is a superb piece of modelling. You have really captured the look and feel of the loco. Jack

I don't think many loco crews would vote for the WD. Dreadful to work on and very bad riders when due for shopping. Most loco men I know (outside of the SR, ER and WR) loved the Black 5's. Jack

As has been said the ultimate subjective subject: For me three I think but it could be so many. Pre-Grouping: Caley Dunalastair: BR Steam: Standard 5 Diesel: Has to be a 50 in large logo livery. Jack

Great modelling fantastic and inspirational!! Jack

When you are happy with what you have made. Jack

I agree with the historical summaries. When I worked on the Rail Passengers' Committee I met quite a few ex BR managers. They all were enthusiastic about privatisation. They had long memories of government interference in the 70's and 80's. Perhaps we have forgotten how anti rail governments of all colours were in this period. They recalled many many stories but their role was really to manage decline. Hardly inspiring to anyone really. As Nigel Harris of Rail said it was a period when intitiative was discouraged in his words " many people with a get up and go attitude simply did just that - they got up and left". Jack

Thanks David I have checked out your pages and left a comment. Well done layout looks really good. Jack

Once again to agree with Mike on this. Back on topic though, I have read with real interest about preserved railway layouts and look forward to seeing one. However, I have been on the exhibition circuit for over thirty years and have yet to see one at a show. Has anyone posted any pics on the forum of one? Jack

I agree with this posting. Most preserved lines will never be able to provide anything that even comes close to a 24/7 service. However demograhic changes have meant that some lines could potentially provide a commuter service that would never have been viable at the time of closure. Mid Hants is a good example but as has been said here, Light Railway Orders prevent a profitable operation and, in my limited experience of preserved railway volunteers, I don't think many would be motivated to attempt such an operation. Look forward to seeing Tom's layout. Jack

Like many others I haven't followed the earlier thread. So my apologies if I repeat other postings I have considered a preserved line as part of an exhibition layout but my plans came to nothing. I really enjoy preserved railways and - very ocassionally - they can remind me of what we have lost. The last train of the day in a wet winter evening, without the "fairground" atmosphere, can re-kindle old memories. Although one of my best nostalgia moments was last year pulling up at Settle - admittedly in a 158 - on dark snow filled scene with the replica gas lights on this beatifully preserved station - a real railway. Preserved lines are not, for me something to model, as in my imagination my model railways are every day working railways. However I look forward to seeing some of the excellent models of them. Jack

Good comments above but be aware of copyright if you intend to publish. Documents in the public domain cannot be used without permission, as we all know on this site, photographs belong to the owner. Not a minefield if it is for personal use, but if you intend to publish for commercial gain it can be! Jack

Excellent thread. I have been involved in hands on research for a new book connected to railways for nearly two years now. All the above recources are excellent but if you got the National Archives in Scotland read their requirements carefully as regards the documents you will need. Whilst I was there a chap came in from Australia without the right paperwork and was sent away to get it. I don't what he did! Same applies at Kew and some other local archives. There are strict guidelines when handling documents and I got rightly told off at Kew once! One source of knowledge is anecdotal. Depends how far you want to go back but many local history groups are very helpful and can direct you to ex railway men and women that were involved in the area. Good luck its fascinating to do this but it can take a long time. Jack

A real pleasure this thread. Lovely inspiring work. Jack

Superb modelling here love the backhead and yes a museum to visit without a doubt

Thanks to everyone I'll try all these and post again, Jack

Can anyone help. Some unmixed araldite dripped onto a couple of coaches, I think is was the main component not the hardener, any tips on how to remove it please? Jack

Hi Geoff I replied to you on the NRM site, hope you found it helpful. Good advice here as ever, ket us know how it goes. Jack

Hi Dave, I will be posting up in the next few weeks some pics of a DJH standard 3 I am slowly building and there will be shots of my tender pick up method. It's based on the American kit builders system of making tender wheels live like Romford non insulated ones. I use Southern Pride shorting out bushes which replace the plastic bush in Jackson tender wheels. This in effect makes the tender live and if you use the standard Romford system - the loco live, but obviously not both on the same polarity. You have to make an insulated connector and make sure that the tender never touches the loco on curves. It completely does away with pick ups on tender locos. I don't have problems with this at all and as I hate making pick ups its great for me. Will post up fairly soon it might be later in the week. Many thanks, Jack