Wright writes.....

[St Enodoc]

1 hour ago, dibateg said:

I keep getting a thing that pops up asking if I’m a robot. Looks like scam to me, anyone else getting that?

There's a whole topic on it here:

 

 

[Phil Parker]

2 minutes ago, St Enodoc said:

There's a whole topic on it here:

 

 

 

@AY Mod has added a fix for this - https://www.rmweb.co.uk/forums/topic/186425-browser-hacking-on-rmweb/?do=findComment&comment=5561728

 

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, gr.king said:

I can't imagine that DS10 being anything like adequate with single-reduction Romford gears for a K3 that's expected to do any heavy work. I found the only one I tried, in a Little Engines J11, to be incapable of running the loco and a fairly light train at a steady speed on a level layout whose curves were no tighter than 3 foot radius, and it was utterly useless faced with a rising gradient.

Good morning Graeme,

 

I'm inclined to agree with you regarding a DS10. However,........................

 

 

 

 

On test just now, this fish train was whirled easily round by the plucky little motor.

 

Granted, though around 25 vehicles long, it's made from plastic kits.

 

So.....................

 

 

I tried it on a train made-up of some 45 wagons, several built from metal kits.

 

Please take my word that this train was taken with ease (the sort of train a prototype K3 would be on).

 

 

On Bytham, it's usually hauled by more-powerful motive power!

 

That's it. One thing I'll have to do is to reposition the front numberplate on the K3. I don't believe any carried it on the top hingestrap.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, jwealleans said:

 

 

Blimey, I built that!   I thought Tom had sold the coaching stock off separately.  I'm pleased at least some of it stayed with the layout.   I think I may have done some detailing on the chocolate and cream one as well, if it's a Hornby one.  

 

Of course there were no curves on the layout I built it for, so it worked fine when I delivered it to Tom.

Good morning Jonathan,

 

It is a Hornby one, which Tom weathered.

 

The raising of the coach's body was minimal.

 

The other two vehicles behind my B1 are coupling converter wagons.

 

Regards,

 

Tony.

[Barry Ten]

2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

During adjusting the gear mesh on the K3 mentioned yesterday...........

 

 

I discovered that the builder had arranged the conjugated gear ahead of the cylinders to actually work! (Its movement is just visible).

 

I've never seen this done on this model before; especially since, with the body on, its motion is invisible. 

 

Anyway, the gear is properly meshed now (though the DS10 and straight Romford gears would never be my drive of choice), so it's over to the trainset and see how she performs................

 

 

 

I've seen it done on a scratchbuilt American loco whose prototype was fitted with Gresley conjugated gear, but it must indeed be rare.

[polybear]

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

 

Oh no!    Now Bear see what you have done!

 

 

 

Puppers has been outed....

[PupCam]

2 hours ago, polybear said:

Puppers has been outed....

 

And after I made you a podger for lining up your bits!     There's gratitude for you 🤣

 

 

Whilst searching for some 1/8" bearings  to make sure the podger fits correctly I came across this blast from the past.    

 

 

I believe George Alan was the first to use proper, full depth brass etching back in the late 60's / early 70's and coincided with the first commercially available super glue - IS12.    I think his first kit was that wonderful lattice footbridge - an ideal candidate for the technology.   The rep that supplied the kits recommended using IS12 to assemble it (because he supplied it no doubt).   Personally, I couldn't think of anything worse.   There were some other smaller items in the range which were just as good.    

 

Anyway, it is a great reminder for me of my youth from father's model shop in Hemel Hempstead.   I'm guessing this item didn't get sold in the closing down sale!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 9 by PupCam
Typos

[St Enodoc]

1 hour ago, Barry Ten said:

 

I've seen it done on a scratchbuilt American loco whose prototype was fitted with Gresley conjugated gear, but it must indeed be rare.

I've seen models of the New South Wales Railways D57 class with working conjugating links (they were exposed above the front footplate) but I don't know  their provenance. At one time there was a Korean brass version and I believe that DJH also made a kit. I also don't know whether the actual valves moved.

 

http://www.bergshobbies.com.au/store-details.php?d=54

[1471SirFrederickBanbury]

4 hours ago, 34theletterbetweenB&D said:

There's a fair  sized coterie of RTR model railway purchasers in the UK that take this position. This is often associated with the importance of the packaging being maintained in perfect condition. A rather different hobby from the one on the Wright lines...

where's the "unfortunately true" reaction button?  It's sad that railway modelling has Hot Wheels collector types, completely missing the point and attraction of seeing a small scale version of the beautiful, massive trains thundering down the line.  Just run the poor thing!  And detail, paint, and improve it while your at it!  The results are so much grander and more convincing then just plopping something down on an unrealistic piece of track that has no character or story behind it.

[Bernard Lamb]

47 minutes ago, PupCam said:

 

And after I made you podger for lining up your bits!     There's gratitude for you 🤣

 

 

Whilst searching for some 1/8" bearings  to make sure the podger fits correctly I came across this blast from the past.    

 

 

I believe George Alan was the first to use proper, full depth brass etching back in the late 60's / early 70's and coincided with the first commercially available super glue - IS12.    I think his first kit was that wonderful lattice footbridge - an ideal candidate for the technology.   The rep that supplied the kits recommended using IS12 to assembly it (because he supplied it no doubt).   Personally, I couldn't think of anything worse.   There were some other smaller items in the range which were just as good.    

 

Anyway, it is a great reminder for me of my youth from father's model shop in Hemel Hempstead.   I'm guessing this item didn't get sold in the closing down sale!

 

 

 

 

 

 

That takes me back a bit. It was were I first saw the footbridge kit. I also bought a Trix A4 from him at one time. There was a girl who worked in the shop and I worked with her dad. There were two different shops over time, one in Bank Court and at another time one in Waterhouse Street.

Bernard

[31A]

5 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

I discovered that the builder had arranged the conjugated gear ahead of the cylinders to actually work! (Its movement is just visible).

 

I've never seen this done on this model before; especially since, with the body on, its motion is invisible. 

 

Somebody was showing me a video the other day of a Golden Age A4 (OO version) which had working conjugated valve gear.  He took the video as he had taken the body off to repair it, otherwise it wouldn't have been very visible!

 

[Tony Wright]

38 minutes ago, 31A said:

 

Somebody was showing me a video the other day of a Golden Age A4 (OO version) which had working conjugated valve gear.  He took the video as he had taken the body off to repair it, otherwise it wouldn't have been very visible!

 

Good afternoon Steve,

 

It wasn't just the conjugated gear which worked on a Golden Age A4..........

 

 

The full inside motion did, too. 

 

Not only that..........

 

 

The cod's mouth and the smokebox door opened as well; which was a bit daft, because where is the blastpipe?

 

 

There certainly was a range of them, though what's happened to them now, who knows?

 

As is known........

 

 

I bought one, which cost over £1,000.00! Even more, to have the DCC stuff removed (it was factory-fitted at source). 

 

 

It ran during Bytham's early development.

 

And still does...............

 

 

But only rarely; usually on the request of visitors, who must think me rather dim for spending over a grand.................

 

 

On something I could build myself at a fraction of the price, even with Ian Rathbone's professional paint finish. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

Seeing St. Medard's church spire rising on the horizon in the final picture of my previous post, I'm reminded of...............

 

 

The railway scenes it must have witnessed..............

 

 

[zr2498]

55 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

 

 

 

 

There certainly was a range of them, though what's happened to them now, who knows?

 

 

 

 

I last heard from Quentin 2019, and this is the last news update 2021 on the GAM website which is still live strangely enough.

 

 

I went crazy, and have three of the A4s which have subsequently had a DCC sound package upgrade, now that better decoders and speakers are available.

 

 

Superb models, but if you recall their haulage capability wasn't too good considering the weight. What was worse, was the drag on the wheel sets of the GAM coach sets. I had to replace all of the plain bearings in the bogies with pin points otherwise 5 coaches maximum before slip.

 

I guess they are no longer trading, and never will? Your A4 may have some rarity value now, but these never seem to come up for sale, so I do not know how much.

 

The other issue is zero instructions and zero parts list, so even though it was easy to get into the tender, the access to the chassis for maintenance will be a challenge.

 

[Tony Wright]

4 hours ago, PupCam said:

 

And after I made you a podger for lining up your bits!     There's gratitude for you 🤣

 

 

Whilst searching for some 1/8" bearings  to make sure the podger fits correctly I came across this blast from the past.    

 

 

I believe George Alan was the first to use proper, full depth brass etching back in the late 60's / early 70's and coincided with the first commercially available super glue - IS12.    I think his first kit was that wonderful lattice footbridge - an ideal candidate for the technology.   The rep that supplied the kits recommended using IS12 to assemble it (because he supplied it no doubt).   Personally, I couldn't think of anything worse.   There were some other smaller items in the range which were just as good.    

 

Anyway, it is a great reminder for me of my youth from father's model shop in Hemel Hempstead.   I'm guessing this item didn't get sold in the closing down sale!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good evening Alan,

 

Though not a George Allen footbridge.............

 

 

I believe this magnificent footbridge on Retford is the product of the etcher's art; put together equally magnificently by an RAF pilot. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[polybear]

13 minutes ago, zr2498 said:

I last heard from Quentin 2019, and this is the last news update 2021 on the GAM website which is still live strangely enough.

 

 

 

 

It all ended up in Court - IIRC GAM lost (and quite significantly I think); ISTR he decided to represent himself against the likes of Santander(?) and it all went horribly wrong, unsurprisingly.

[Tony Wright]

25 minutes ago, zr2498 said:

I last heard from Quentin 2019, and this is the last news update 2021 on the GAM website which is still live strangely enough.

 

 

I went crazy, and have three of the A4s which have subsequently had a DCC sound package upgrade, now that better decoders and speakers are available.

 

 

Superb models, but if you recall their haulage capability wasn't too good considering the weight. What was worse, was the drag on the wheel sets of the GAM coach sets. I had to replace all of the plain bearings in the bogies with pin points otherwise 5 coaches maximum before slip.

 

I guess they are no longer trading, and never will? Your A4 may have some rarity value now, but these never seem to come up for sale, so I do not know how much.

 

The other issue is zero instructions and zero parts list, so even though it was easy to get into the tender, the access to the chassis for maintenance will be a challenge.

 

Thanks for that Dave,

 

Some years ago I was commissioned to photograph the GAM O Gauge A4s, which included.........

 

 

The fastest of them all! 

 

I rendered this shot in B&W to try to replicate that great day in 1938.

 

 

 

BITTERN and SIR NIGEL GRESLEY were modelled in preserved condition. 

 

 

 

And this pair in as-built condition. 

 

The finish was fantastic.

 

Two presented in front of my camera were not photographed: KING FISHER and LORD FARRINGDON, for obvious reasons. Something had been 'lost in translation'. 

 

I wonder whether my GAM A4 will have a 'value' now, though certainly not over a grand (I don't have its box! I never keep boxes). 

 

 

I sometimes put her on other duties, other than the 'Lizzie', though that's the only working I ever saw her on. 'Magnificent MERLIN', I believe, because of the number of consecutive turns she worked the 'non-stop'.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

P.S. I really must fit a 64B shedplate. One would think that, at over a thousand quid, one would have been present. 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 9 by Tony Wright
to add something

[Bernard Lamb]

 

If you are realy bored and want an alternative to the football, the full report is on line.

Basically he has been a very naughty boy.

Now, where have I heard a defence that 'The computer broke down and I lost all the data?'.

Bernard

Edited July 9 by Bernard Lamb
altered

[geoff west]

10 hours ago, jwealleans said:

 

 

Blimey, I built that!   I thought Tom had sold the coaching stock off separately.  I'm pleased at least some of it stayed with the layout.   I think I may have done some detailing on the chocolate and cream one as well, if it's a Hornby one.  

 

Of course there were no curves on the layout I built it for, so it worked fine when I delivered it to Tom.

I’m guessing you must have built this one to Jonathan? 
I bought four carriages from Tom when he sold the layout, two kit built, a Hornby and a Bachmann. 

[jwealleans]

20 minutes ago, geoff west said:

you must have built this one too Jonathan? 

 

I did, Geoff.   Looking back through my notes, it's an E128 and the other an E152.   Here it is almost complete:

 

 

I hadn't built any GW carriages before, but I have to say they were very straightforward and went together nicely as far as I recall.

 

 

 

Edited July 9 by jwealleans

[Willie Whizz]

3 hours ago, polybear said:

 

It all ended up in Court - IIRC GAM lost (and quite significantly I think); ISTR he decided to represent himself against the likes of Santander(?) and it all went horribly wrong, unsurprisingly.

How sad. Brings to mind the old saying: if you think having lawyers to represent you in a court case is expensive, try not having them, and see what that will cost. 
 

In too many instances in this country, getting ‘your version’ of justice is the prerogative of those with deep pockets. 

[1471SirFrederickBanbury]

5 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Good afternoon Steve,

 

It wasn't just the conjugated gear which worked on a Golden Age A4..........

 

 

The full inside motion did, too. 

 

Not only that..........

 

 

The cod's mouth and the smokebox door opened as well; which was a bit daft, because where is the blastpipe?

 

 

There certainly was a range of them, though what's happened to them now, who knows?

 

As is known........

 

 

I bought one, which cost over £1,000.00! Even more, to have the DCC stuff removed (it was factory-fitted at source). 

 

 

It ran during Bytham's early development.

 

And still does...............

 

 

But only rarely; usually on the request of visitors, who must think me rather dim for spending over a grand.................

 

 

On something I could build myself at a fraction of the price, even with Ian Rathbone's professional paint finish. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the funniest thing about the underside of the GAM A4s is that the inside of the frames and axles aren't even painted red (I know the A1 and A3 were red pre-war, but I can't be exactly sure about the A4s, but I cant imagine that it would be wise to paint them black, hard to find oiling points and such), the hornblock guides aren't visible, nor ribbed, the axles are wrongly parallel, they used fairly obtrusive screws on the brake rigging of all things, and the frame spacers aren't right in place, nor shape!  Using MJT detailed Hornblocks, and better springs (maybe even CSB, or the Varney system) would've looked FAR better, and would've improved the tractive effort immensely!

 

If you want to see what the inside of a Gresley pacific looks like, then this post of Peter Seymour-Howell's fabulous build of a 5" gauge FLUING SCOTSMAN model shows some good photos: http://4472flyingscotsman.co.uk/inside-connecting-rod-and-piston-crosshead-fitting/

 

And, if you want to see just how visible such red paint, con-rod, and other small details are on an A1, this is the right post for you: http://4472flyingscotsman.co.uk/nlsme-event-brean-visit/

 

Another great resource is the blog that the NRM did for SIR NIGEL GRESLEY's overhaul: https://blog.railwaymuseum.org.uk/tag/sir-nigel-gresley/

[PupCam]

Good evening Tony,

 

3 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Good evening Alan,

 

Though not a George Allen footbridge.............

 

 

I believe this magnificent footbridge on Retford is the product of the etcher's art; put together equally magnificently by an RAF pilot. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

Isn't that bridge a thing of beauty!  

 

I think I may have recounted before of how I used to lie down on a very similar bridge over the north end of Oakleigh Park station and look through one of the lowest diamonds.   By doing so you caught the earliest glimpse under the station's booking office bridge of the northbound Deltic you could hear coming out of Southgate tunnel.    I can still smell the creosoted floor planks nearly 60 years later.   Come to think of it I can still hear the Deltic 😀

 

6 hours ago, Bernard Lamb said:

That takes me back a bit. It was were I first saw the footbridge kit. I also bought a Trix A4 from him at one time. There was a girl who worked in the shop and I worked with her dad. There were two different shops over time, one in Bank Court and at another time one in Waterhouse Street.

Bernard

 

Thanks for the memory Bernard.     If Tony will forgive a brief divergence from more mainstream WW fodder ....

 

The shop, Hemel Model Centre, was always on Waterhouse Street during it's existence.   This photograph was taken shortly before "we" took it over circa 1969.       The offices above the shops on the right-hand side of the photograph are the famous "13-35 Bridge Street" which was of course the home for many years of Model & Allied Publications, publishers of Model Railways, Aeromodeller, Model Boats, Scale Models, Model Engineer etc etc   

 

I don't ever recall a model shop in Bank Court but there was of course Taylor & McKenna (subsequently part of the Beatties Empire) in Marlowes just opposite the entrance to Bank Court.

 

In later years another business opened up in other parts of HH named IIRC  "Hemel Model Centre Too" which was nothing to do with us.   There are a few stories to tell but this is neither the time or the place and probably best forgotten now.

 

 

A few years ago a family member discovered a photograph (the only one I am aware of) of Father in his lair (in its final format) which I now treasure.   Observers may note a significant collection of RTR items and a full rack of proper Humbrol paint.       Father used to highly rate the Trix A3s & A4s at the time as he was a fan of such locomotives having spent his youth copping as many as possible around the Wood Green / Hornsey area and racing on his bike at the appropriate times to see the Silver Jubilee and Coronation.  Of course they are crude and dated now!

 

 I'd best give Tony his thread back now!

 

Alan

 

 

[gr.king]

A proper-looking model shop. At least the Plastruct display in my nearest model railway shop retains that same familiar look.

[St Enodoc]

12 hours ago, 1471SirFrederickBanbury said:

where's the "unfortunately true" reaction button?  It's sad that railway modelling has Hot Wheels collector types, completely missing the point and attraction of seeing a small scale version of the beautiful, massive trains thundering down the line.  Just run the poor thing!  And detail, paint, and improve it while your at it!  The results are so much grander and more convincing then just plopping something down on an unrealistic piece of track that has no character or story behind it.

But without all those types sales would be lower, prices would be higher and some models would probably never come to market at all.

 

Live and let live.