The Night Mail

[jamie92208]

Yes we had a church organist who fitted that description to a tee.  She seemed to enjoy making things difficult.  Then installed her stone deaf husband as sound engineer.  I have come across similar people in other societies. 

 

 

Jamie

Edited September 3 by jamie92208

[petethemole]

2 hours ago, 45655 said:

Very popular with housewives, apparently.

However Mike Raven's evening show of Blues and R&B was essential listening for a different demographic.

[PupCam]

1 hour ago, Oldddudders said:

But surely they are no different from the more rigid-thinking members of our own hobby? If it isn't micro-millimetric-correct, then it is an abomination, according to a section of modellers. And a % of gricers are apoplectic if livery details have not been faithfully reproduced on a restored loco. Getting things right is what such people live for, and why they join such organisations - to make a difference. 

 

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

But there does come a point where such pedantry, zealotry and refusal to entertain any sort of compromise becomes counter productive.

 

It has been said, not without some justification, that such individuals lead such tiny, inconsequential lives of little or no importance that when they can be in control, they do so with a vengeance. They may not be able to have any influence on the really important things in their lives, but they will do their damnedest (for example) to ensure that the colours of the lettering on the ends of a restored carriage are exactly as Swindon/Crewe/Derby/York specified (or whatever is their cause du jour) - even if the paint is no longer available or that to get the right colour is has to be lead-based paint and thus can't be used.

 

But there's a big difference between getting something plain wrong when it could be just as easily and cost effectively got just plain right and modifying, adapting and other slight meddling to get a pragmatic solution to a restoration particularly if the re-work is reversible if necessary/required in the future.    The former is just plain careless or based on ignorance, the latter is entirely practical and worthwhile.

 

[Northmoor]

In terms of "protecting heritage" we had quite a few in-house pedants when TfL were selling off the historic headquarters at 55 Broadway, insisting it was Selling Off the Family Silver and that we were losing our heritage to a luxury hotel which would be off-limits except to the rich.

 

Unfortunately those of us who had actually worked in the building in the last ten years knew that original interior features only survived in certain areas (the exterior is almost as-built); much has been a series of patch-on-patch-on-patch updates to a 1930s building to make an office for the 21st Century.  There were false ceilings and walls (using tiles or paneling that may or may not contain asbestos) and obscure cable runs everywhere as the building was built when the only electrical item in the average office was a light bulb.  Single-glazed (and no secondary double-glazing) it was cold in winter and hot in summer, although you didn't always want the windows open if your office happened to be facing the Department for Justice, which usually had some noisy protestors outside.  The idea that it would be closed to the public in future was amusing as I wasn't aware of the general public being invited to wander round the offices, expect on Heritage Open Days when tour guides would show the surviving features.  The same can still happen in future, so I suspect the real complaint by some staff was that until now, they got to work in a historic building every day while the public only got let in on special occasions. 

 

Just shows that the British - even amongst those of a socialist persuasion - love nothing more than being members of exclusive clubs, especially when they're the ones who get to decide who to exclude from them..

[jjb1970]

I suspect it's very common that those expected to live and work in heritage buildings have different opinions about the things than heritage enthusiasts. The old building of 71 Fenchurch St in London is remarkable, built in the 19th century when Lloyds Register was riding on the wealth of empire. As awful as the new building was (despite having been designed by a celebrity architect) it was a far superior working environment than the old building. No musty smell, air conditioned, logical layout, plenty of toilets, washrooms etc.

[PhilJ W]

33 minutes ago, Northmoor said:

In terms of "protecting heritage" we had quite a few in-house pedants when TfL were selling off the historic headquarters at 55 Broadway, insisting it was Selling Off the Family Silver and that we were losing our heritage to a luxury hotel which would be off-limits except to the rich.

 

Unfortunately those of us who had actually worked in the building in the last ten years knew that original interior features only survived in certain areas (the exterior is almost as-built); much has been a series of patch-on-patch-on-patch updates to a 1930s building to make an office for the 21st Century.  There were false ceilings and walls (using tiles or paneling that may or may not contain asbestos) and obscure cable runs everywhere as the building was built when the only electrical item in the average office was a light bulb.  Single-glazed (and no secondary double-glazing) it was cold in winter and hot in summer, although you didn't always want the windows open if your office happened to be facing the Department for Justice, which usually had some noisy protestors outside.  The idea that it would be closed to the public in future was amusing as I wasn't aware of the general public being invited to wander round the offices, expect on Heritage Open Days when tour guides would show the surviving features.  The same can still happen in future, so I suspect the real complaint by some staff was that until now, they got to work in a historic building every day while the public only got let in on special occasions. 

 

Just shows that the British - even amongst those of a socialist persuasion - love nothing more than being members of exclusive clubs, especially when they're the ones who get to decide who to exclude from them..

I spent most of my working life in a grade II listed building. Fortunately the owners of the building (a London Borough) were also the planning authority and they were able to install disabled access without any fuss.

[Tony_S]

3 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

What is it about such organisations like the National Trust, English Heritage

We visit quite a few English Heritage, National Trust and more recently have added Historic Houses  Association properties to our places to visit. No jobsworths on show. Plenty of well presented artifacts and excellent explanation of any restoration in progress.  
If anyone doesn’t like the NT , just join and raise the issue at an AGM. 

[DaveF]

I went out to photograph trains on the ECML at Damdykes, near Cramlington in Northumberland this morning.  It was sunny but cool so I needed my fleece.  The paths through the field have been mown which makes life easier - it is a "wild" field, not cultivated.

 

However, it would help if they ran the trains by in the correct sequence.  It was like watching an exhibition layout where the operators were not familiar with the timetable and also had problems with the electrics.

 

So one train was over an hour late, two fast trains came by when a stopper should have passed, it arrived a bit later.

 

One train started from Doncaster instead of KIngs Cross, the one from Birmingham to Edinburgh was working to an amended timetable and so on.

 

The photos are in my photo thread (well some are so far).

 

David

 

 

[polybear]

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

We visit quite a few English Heritage, National Trust and more recently have added Historic Houses  Association properties to our places to visit. No jobsworths on show. Plenty of well presented artifacts and excellent explanation of any restoration in progress.  
If anyone doesn’t like the NT , just join and raise the issue at an AGM. 

Possibly those on “The Front Line (some of whom may well be volunteers) are far more sensible than the “Grown Ups” who take delight in wielding big sticks “cos’ they can”?

Just a thought….

[Happy Hippo]

I have been instructed that we are off on a jolly today.

 

We need to pick up some bags of ornamental stone:  However they are only available in two places, both of which are in North Wales.

 

The plan is to collect the stone first and then go home via Erddig (NT).

 

Since that then will route us on the A483, a diversion via Dapol's factory shop may be on the cards.

[Winslow Boy]

12 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

I have been instructed that we are off on a jolly today.

 

We need to pick up some bags of ornamental stone:  However they are only available in two places, both of which are in North Wales.

 

The plan is to collect the stone first and then go home via Erddig (NT).

 

Since that then will route us on the A483, a diversion via Dapol's factory shop may be on the cards.

Will you be 'preparing' aka quarrying, crushing and bagging it, yourself or are relying on there being enough loose stuff for  you to shovel a couple of bags.

 

Just asking as I could do with a couple of 30-40 mm bags myself, but won't bother if it's not a quarrying job.

 

I'd even come to the borders of Manutopea to collect it, because I know you've not got your health certificate to enter.

Edited September 4 by Winslow Boy

[Happy Hippo]

22 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

Will you be 'preparing' aka quarrying, crushing and bagging it, yourself or are relying on there being enough loose stuff for  you to shovel a couple of bags.

 

Just asking as I could do with a couple of 30-40 mm bags myself, but won't bother if it's not a quarrying job.

 

I'd even come to the borders of Manutopea to collect it, because I know you've not got your health certificate to enter.

Tis bagged at a builders merchants.

 

My mining and quarrying days are long passed.

 

I don't need a health certificate to get to the border.

 

We could meet up and I could toss the stone to you one lump at a time across the demarcation line.

 

Best bring some cake as it will be a long drawn out mission.

[Oldddudders]

3 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

We could meet up and I could toss the stone to you one lump at a time across the demarcation line.

The prospect of a hippo throwing stones is not easy to reckon with!

[bbishop]

17 minutes ago, Oldddudders said:

The prospect of a hippo throwing stones is not easy to reckon with!

From which end of the hippo?

[Hroth]

1 hour ago, bbishop said:

From which end of the hippo?

 

If you've ever seen the twizzling end in action, you'd appreciate that propulsion might be most effective...

 

[Winslow Boy]

6 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

Tis bagged at a builders merchants.

 

My mining and quarrying days are long passed.

 

I don't need a health certificate to get to the border.

 

We could meet up and I could toss the stone to you one lump at a time across the demarcation line.

 

Best bring some cake as it will be a long drawn out mission.

Well if your wanting cake I think we had better agree some pro rata rates as I'd hate to see you go hungry.

 

So you've had your injections then? Did you decide to include the tetsi fly one in the end. I you know were concerned about the side effects- lack of hunger and a desire to model in crimson lake.

Edited September 4 by Winslow Boy

[jjb1970]

I rotated my office toy display today, I like to have a couple of toy trains to brighten my desk and swap them around once a month or so. Something which today highlighted was the growth in box sizes, which gets some comment on various threads.

 

Now I'll admit I like a nice box for model trains, it adds a bit of feel good and often companies that put some thought into presentation and packaging also put a bit of thought into what's in the box. For example, Japanese N models come in excellent 'book cases' which look good and are extremely practical as a way of storing models. However I think things risk getting a bit much, as per the picture. 

 

The crazy thing is that the smallest box is for an Endo EF63, a high end Japanese brass model which cost more than the other three combined (I mean that literally, not as a figure of speech). Despite the box being no bigger than it needs to be it has kept the model safe and sound. The other small model is for a Haidar model of the DF3 diesel. That model is notorious was bonkers levels of add on details and fine parts, Haidar made their name with brass models and when they made the DF3 in plastic it was detailed to brass level with etched and brass detail parts. Despite that the model is perfectly adequate. So while I don't mind a bigger box to add more feel good and hold nice extras like booklets I do think there should be a happy medium. I have several Changming models and you can imagine how a few of those things soon gets very bulky. Superb models beautifully packaged but I do think package size is a bit much.

 

 

[polybear]

1 hour ago, jjb1970 said:

I rotated my office toy display today, I like to have a couple of toy trains to brighten my desk and swap them around once a month or so. Something which today highlighted was the growth in box sizes, which gets some comment on various threads.

 

Now I'll admit I like a nice box for model trains, it adds a bit of feel good and often companies that put some thought into presentation and packaging also put a bit of thought into what's in the box. For example, Japanese N models come in excellent 'book cases' which look good and are extremely practical as a way of storing models. However I think things risk getting a bit much, as per the picture. 

 

The crazy thing is that the smallest box is for an Endo EF63, a high end Japanese brass model which cost more than the other three combined (I mean that literally, not as a figure of speech). Despite the box being no bigger than it needs to be it has kept the model safe and sound. The other small model is for a Haidar model of the DF3 diesel. That model is notorious was bonkers levels of add on details and fine parts, Haidar made their name with brass models and when they made the DF3 in plastic it was detailed to brass level with etched and brass detail parts. Despite that the model is perfectly adequate. So while I don't mind a bigger box to add more feel good and hold nice extras like booklets I do think there should be a happy medium. I have several Changming models and you can imagine how a few of those things soon gets very bulky. Superb models beautifully packaged but I do think package size is a bit much.

 

 

Bear’s most recent acquisition has the best packing I’ve seen so far; it’s a D*pol choo choo secured to a perspex plate with two screws that’s slotted into dense foam packing - the plate is the only thing touching the foam as the choo choo is effectively in “free space”.  The box is rather hefty too - a lift-off lid jobbie.

[GMKAT7]

Good evening folks,

 

In best Finbarr Saunders mode:

 "Never mind the model, feel the box" (fnarr fnarr, yip, yip, wibble).

 

Cheers, Nigel.

Edited September 4 by GMKAT7
Added punctuation!

[Happy Hippo]

39 minutes ago, GMKAT7 said:

Good evening folks,

 

In best Finbarr Saunders mode:

 "Never mind the model, feel the box" (fnarr fnarr, yip, yip, wibble).

 

Cheers, Nigel.

I'm sure some would enjoy feeling a model's box

[Happy Hippo]

The shopping trip was only partially successful.

 

The stone was nothing like it looked like in the picture, so that was a journey part wasted.

 

Fortunately, the ladies in the Dapol factory spirited up two complete sets of open wagon buffers (8) for my spares box.

 

The cost was less than a set (4) from another retailer.

 

We took lunch at Erddig, which was a very nice Cawl (soup).

 

No cake was consumed during the day, so I am very tired and obviously fading away.

[Erichill16]

41 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:.

 

No cake was consumed during the day, so I am very tired and obviously fading away.

Dont go walking over any grates, we wouldn't want falling through any of them!

[Happy Hippo]

The AEC railcar approaches the colliers Halt on a southbound working.

 

[Happy Hippo]

A pannier tank propels another train of empty 16 ton mineral wagons to the colliery yard.

 

[PupCam]

9 hours ago, bbishop said:

From which end of the hippo?

 

The front end hopefully.   We don't want pebble dashing do we .....

 

4 hours ago, polybear said:

Bear’s most recent acquisition has the best packing I’ve seen so far; it’s a D*pol choo choo secured to a perspex plate with two screws that’s slotted into dense foam packing - the plate is the only thing touching the foam as the choo choo is effectively in “free space”.  The box is rather hefty too - a lift-off lid jobbie.

 

Oh!  Will Bear be doing an unboxing video and becoming a YouTube sensation?    

 

A word of advice;  don't do it kneeling on the floor.  That's been covered.   Maybe sitting in the bath would be novel?    Anyway, it would be one way to fund the re-stocking of cake.