Wright writes.....

[FarrMan]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

though a cane wasn't on that list, even though (believe it or not) they were still in use at the time! 

I remember it well!

 

Lloyd

[uax6]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

I still have an Acme Thunderer, somewhere; bought, in 1967, when I started teacher-training. It was on the 'must-have' list provided by Edge Hill prior to my beginning studies there, though a cane wasn't on that list, even though (believe it or not) they were still in use at the time! 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

SWMBO was given a modern plastic whistle when she arrived at her present school. I've got an ARP Acme (the long thin Policemans style one) which I suggested that she used instead, as it gives a completely different tone, so making hers distinctive. She pooh-poohed the idea. Interestingly, at my primary school, one of the teachers had Policemans whistle too, I wonder now if hers was an ex-ARP one too.

Canes were still legal when I went to school... although I never saw one, but have seen black-board dusters (the wooden backed ones) fly across a classroom...

 

Andy G

[Chamby]

3 hours ago, t-b-g said:

 

Thanks.

 

I am pretty sure that the speaker will have some indication printed on it but if not, then at least I have a rough idea as to what sort of reading to get.

 

Zooming in on the image in the Amazon ad shows that it is an 8 ohm, 0.5W speaker. 

[John Isherwood]

15 minutes ago, uax6 said:

 

SWMBO was given a modern plastic whistle when she arrived at her present school. I've got an ARP Acme (the long thin Policemans style one) which I suggested that she used instead, as it gives a completely different tone, so making hers distinctive. She pooh-poohed the idea. Interestingly, at my primary school, one of the teachers had Policemans whistle too, I wonder now if hers was an ex-ARP one too.

Canes were still legal when I went to school... although I never saw one, but have seen black-board dusters (the wooden backed ones) fly across a classroom...

 

Andy G

 

I HAD a Midland Railway guard's Acme Thunderer whistle - complete with cork 'pea' - which I loaned to my wife for playground duty.

 

Sadly, it's whereabouts subsequently are shrouded in mystery; but I gather that it commanded instant attention!

 

John Isherwood.

[stewartingram]

11 hours ago, polybear said:

 

Thanks Tony - I'll give it a good go; one question if I may?  Whilst probably pretty academic after all these years, do you happen to recall whose/what paint you used for the body colour(s) please?  Thanks

Brian

I built my first DELTIC kit when they were introduced, static only though. I'm sure that around that time Humbrol introduced their authentic railway colours and included a Deltic blue. In later years I acquired an unbuilt one (from the breakfast cereal range, along with a couple of 08 shunters), this was assembled on to a Lima chassis. I remember foraging around for my old tin of paint for it. Also Railmatch may have done the colour in their original large range, which has been cut back a lot nowadays.

[t-b-g]

58 minutes ago, Chamby said:

 

Zooming in on the image in the Amazon ad shows that it is an 8 ohm, 0.5W speaker. 

 

In best Captain Mainwaring voice "I was wondering who would be the first to spot that".

 

Many thanks. Now why didn't I think of that?

[John Isherwood]

29 minutes ago, stewartingram said:

I built my first DELTIC kit when they were introduced, static only though. I'm sure that around that time Humbrol introduced their authentic railway colours and included a Deltic blue. In later years I acquired an unbuilt one (from the breakfast cereal range, along with a couple of 08 shunters), this was assembled on to a Lima chassis. I remember foraging around for my old tin of paint for it. Also Railmatch may have done the colour in their original large range, which has been cut back a lot nowadays.

 

I still have a small stock of Humbrol Deltic Blue.

 

CJI.

[stewartingram]

27 minutes ago, cctransuk said:

 

I still have a small stock of Humbrol Deltic Blue.

 

CJI.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts!

[PupCam]

1 hour ago, stewartingram said:

I'm sure that around that time Humbrol introduced their authentic railway colours and included a Deltic blue.

From the 1963 Keil Kraft catalogue it appears that Deltic blue was code 133.    Amazing what lies immediately to hand in the bookcase 😂

 

[Tony Wright]

Many thanks,

 

What a remarkable range that was; useful to all modellers.

 

It would appear that I told a lie when I said I'd used Garter Blue and matt white to paint that Kitmaster Deltic! Rummaging through my tinlets, I've discovered a tin of Humbrol Deltic Blue! I must have used that.

 

 

Believe it or not, its contents are still liquid!

 

It shows how much attention I must pay to my modelling, because I used it just the other day to represent the curtains in the Isinglass RFO I've just finished. 

 

 

Poly Bear (Brian), when you come up to collect your other models (which are here, waiting for you), you may borrow that ancient tin of paint...............

[Tony Wright]

I've just been going through the edit for the Little Bytham sequence video, so it looks like it's almost ready to go.

 

It runs from the first train in the sequence..........

 

 

A York-Kings Cross empty stock working................

 

To the last.

 

 

Move 52, the Up afternoon 'Talisman'.

 

The hardest part has been my trying to remember who to thank in the credits. There are so many contributors, so I hope I don't miss any out. 

 

At every stage, work shown must be credited, otherwise folk will think it's me that's made something, when it's been built by someone else. If that becomes a belief, that's wholly unacceptable. 

 

Once Chris Walsh has finished the video, I'll put in on here. Brickbats welcome! 

 

 

[APOLLO]

9 hours ago, t-b-g said:

 

 

 

 

I miss my old compspeeds, superb controllers, mine had a small reverse switch underneath the knob. Unfortunately they "failed to proceed" (in Rolls Royce speak), replaced by Gaugemaster hand helds, which are good, but just not as good as compspeeds,

 

Is there a chance of their return ?

 

Brit15

[Bucoops]

On 02/12/2022 at 06:14, D-A-T said:

Following a recommendation on here I bought one of these:

https://www.circuitspecialists.eu/csi-premier75w-digital-temperature-controlled-solder-station-with-75w-soldering-iron

Has a wide variety of tips to choose from and good spares back up if needed. I think it is excellent value for money.

I’ve since added a RSU to my armoury after seeing a great demonstration at an S4 North. Between them they cover most of my soldering. I also have a big 60 or 80 watt iron for large pieces of metal but I’ve only used it once.

I think I understand TW’s attitude towards glues but modern adhesives are so advanced these days as to be just as strong as soldering etc. The next time you fly to sunny climes on holiday just remember a lot of the aircraft you are on is glued together!

 

My long suffering wife asked what I want for Christmas "and 'nothing' is not acceptable" - so I asked for one of these. My antex needs rewiring yet again so probably time to get rid of it. I wonder if I will be allowed it early...

[polybear]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

Many thanks,

 

What a remarkable range that was; useful to all modellers.

 

It would appear that I told a lie when I said I'd used Garter Blue and matt white to paint that Kitmaster Deltic! Rummaging through my tinlets, I've discovered a tin of Humbrol Deltic Blue! I must have used that.

 

 

Poly Bear (Brian), when you come up to collect your other models (which are here, waiting for you), you may borrow that ancient tin of paint...............

 

Hello Tony,

That would be excellent - many thanks; I did note that many of the original body parts survived unscathed - the impact having caused failure of the glued joints rather than breakage.  I rather like the idea of only replacing those parts that shattered, hopefully preserving the existing paintwork in the process and patch-painting & weathering as necessary to match the existing finish - almost like restoring a piece of history, really.  Whether or not it'll be that simple remains to be seen, however.......

 

edit:  I haven't forgotten about the Locos - all I need to do is to be able to tie down a certain Puppers @PupCam to a suitable date......😉

Edited December 8, 2022 by polybear

[PupCam]

1 minute ago, Bucoops said:

 

My long suffering wife asked what I want for Christmas "and 'nothing' is not acceptable" - so I asked for one of these. My antex needs rewiring yet again so probably time to get rid of it. I wonder if I will be allowed it early...

 

Hmmm.  That looks interesting.   I've got a couple of bog standard, non-controlled Antex and it's many years since my Weller TC iron packed up.   Maybe it's time for an upgrade?

[PupCam]

3 minutes ago, polybear said:

edit:  I haven't forgotten about the Locos - all I need to do is to be able to tie down a certain Puppers  to a suitable date......😉

 

Yes, sorry chaps .....

[polybear]

On 02/12/2022 at 06:14, D-A-T said:

Following a recommendation on here I bought one of these:

https://www.circuitspecialists.eu/csi-premier75w-digital-temperature-controlled-solder-station-with-75w-soldering-iron

 

 

6 minutes ago, Bucoops said:

 

My long suffering wife asked what I want for Christmas "and 'nothing' is not acceptable" - so I asked for one of these. My antex needs rewiring yet again so probably time to get rid of it. I wonder if I will be allowed it early...

 

I recently purchased one of these - also from recommendations on RMWeb (and S4 Forum IIRC):

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08KS9SG7W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

The speed of heating up is astounding; it also has programmable sleep and auto shutdown modes; a range of bits are easily and cheaply available as well.  Recommended.  

[t-b-g]

1 hour ago, APOLLO said:

 

I miss my old compspeeds, superb controllers, mine had a small reverse switch underneath the knob. Unfortunately they "failed to proceed" (in Rolls Royce speak), replaced by Gaugemaster hand helds, which are good, but just not as good as compspeeds,

 

Is there a chance of their return ?

 

Brit15

 

That was the controller on Buckingham when it came to me. It failed after a couple of years and was replaced by a home made thing cobbled together from the innards of a Gaugemaster panel controller (which wouldn't fit the hole in the control panel) with a bespoke, hand made top plate. OK, it was a square of plasticard with some lettering applied badly by hand. Then I found a second hand ECM (the type with the reversing switch) for a tenner and that is what we use now. I used an old photo as it was really to illustrate the block instruments.

 

The ECMs were (and still are) excellent and allow very fine operation but they do make some of the motors a bit noisier than some controllers.

 

Grandborough has a real veteran controller. Probably a panel mounted H & M type but any lettering has long since disappeared. I replaced the pot. on this one a while ago, so it should be good for another 60 years. 

[St Enodoc]

1 hour ago, t-b-g said:

Grandborough has a real veteran controller. Probably a panel mounted H & M type but any lettering has long since disappeared. I replaced the pot. on this one a while ago, so it should be good for another 60 years.

It's an H&M knob but I don't remember any H&Ms with a separate reversing switch. It might have started life as an H&M full/half wave switch though?

[PupCam]

7 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

It's an H&M knob but I don't remember any H&Ms with a separate reversing switch. It might have started life as an H&M full/half wave switch though?

Looks like a Codar unit to me.   If it is, it will be open frame construction (it’s a 12v controller only and doesn’t include a transformer) with a U shaped “chassis” at the back held on to the front with SRBF / Paxollin discs. Would originally have had horizontal lines and markings screen printed on the front.   I’ve got one somewhere including the add-on inertia unit.  Dates from the late 60s if I recall.

[t-b-g]

8 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

It's an H&M knob but I don't remember any H&Ms with a separate reversing switch. It might have started life as an H&M full/half wave switch though?

 

39 minutes ago, PupCam said:

Looks like a Codar unit to me.   If it is, it will be open frame construction (it’s a 12v controller only and doesn’t include a transformer) with a U shaped “chassis” at the back held on to the front with SRBF / Paxollin discs. Would originally have had horizontal lines and markings screen printed on the front.   I’ve got one somewhere including the add-on inertia unit.  Dates from the late 60s if I recall.

 

Thanks folks. The electrics don't look as though they have been altered, so I don't think it is an H&M that has been changed.

 

I have had a look and there is a Codar that matches that layout that has a round knob like that, so I think that is the answer. It may have been fitted with an H&M knob which fooled me.

 

Whatever it is, it is lovely to use. There is a second controller at Grandborough which can be used split the yard off from the rest of the layout for shunting but can also work the whole station. Grandborough 2 controller is a modern hand held Modelex. The panel mounted one is just as good and is easier to use as you have a hand free for coupling, pulling levers etc. The Modelex is a bit chunky to hold and work in one hand. I do have some smaller hand held controllers and may seat it one day.

[PupCam]

17 minutes ago, t-b-g said:

Whatever it is, it is lovely to use.

 

A feature of Codar units; they were very nice indeed and one of the first to develop inertia (using a basic capacitor/resistor network - no digital intelligence here!) and, for the period, very good it was too.   From a period when H & M were the favoured "high quality, robust " Go-To controllers (father used to flog them in his shop and I can remember going to the H&M works in Watford to collect stock) the Codar units were an order of magnitude better in terms of sophistication and control.

 

Edited December 9, 2022 by PupCam

[APOLLO]

Ah, the old Codar   Regulator & Simulator with Amp meter, and to the left an older unit. Here's my first OO layout early 70's.

 

I still have these units, up somewhere in the loft

 

 

 

 

And my last TT layout before we moved house. Kings Cross with one Brush 4 and 2 A-1-A's, Jinty,etc !!!

 

 

Plywood, Dymo tape and Lettaraset control panels, the rotary switches operated the colourlights with repeater bulbs on the track panel tape !! - worked great.

 

Brit15

[Tony Wright]

The Bytham sequence is now finished..........

 

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AiRP3jVN2v0po3nr1WLWAYAecz7S?e=XegMCN

 

It's a 'representative' sequence inasmuch as only a fraction of the actual trains which ran in in the summer of 1958 can be modelled; not without a four-fold expansion (at least) of the fiddle yard and my building dozens more trains (though there are enough locos). As will be seen, a couple of goods trains have to run twice during the 50+ moves. 

 

Not all the passenger trains are what one might call 'absolutely accurate'. They're based on prototype pictures (probably taken on a summer Saturday) and cannot be found as perfect matches for the CWNs. 

 

I also don't have the space (nor the building-capacity) to run respective Up and Down services of the principal trains. Thus, there's the Down 'Flying Scotsman' for instance, but no Up equivalent - that being left to 'The Elizabethan'. With regard to the 'Lizzie', it would appear that both the Up and the Down services were not made-up in exactly the same way; I have pictures of a Gresley RF being in one set, presumably the usual Thompson equivalent being out of action? 

 

Anyway, it suits me.....

 

I hope you enjoy it.

[davidw]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

The Bytham sequence is now finished..........

 

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AiRP3jVN2v0po3nr1WLWAYAecz7S?e=XegMCN

 

It's a 'representative' sequence inasmuch as only a fraction of the actual trains which ran in in the summer of 1958 can be modelled; not without a four-fold expansion (at least) of the fiddle yard and my building dozens more trains (though there are enough locos). As will be seen, a couple of goods trains have to run twice during the 50+ moves. 

 

Not all the passenger trains are what one might call 'absolutely accurate'. They're based on prototype pictures (probably taken on a summer Saturday) and cannot be found as perfect matches for the CWNs. 

 

I also don't have the space (nor the building-capacity) to run respective Up and Down services of the principal trains. Thus, there's the Down 'Flying Scotsman' for instance, but no Up equivalent - that being left to 'The Elizabethan'. With regard to the 'Lizzie', it would appear that both the Up and the Down services were not made-up in exactly the same way; I have pictures of a Gresley RF being in one set, presumably the usual Thompson equivalent being out of action? 

 

Anyway, it suits me.....

 

I hope you enjoy it.

Lovely stuff Tony. Many thanks for taking the time to record. I can't remember who you said helped.