John Isherwood

Just keep on at the insurance company - and on - and on ......! They have the responsibility to provide the service offered when you signed-up; if their nominated contractors fail to match what they promised, it's the insurance company's problem. Threaten to lodge a formal complaint with the Insurance Ombudsman - and do so, if necessary. Basically, be a pain in the butt, and don't take 'No' for an answer. My personal approach would be to find the name of the insurance company CEO, and fire off an email to him / her, marked 'For the personal attention of .......'. They don't like being bothered with what they perceive as trivia, and a*ses get kicked into action in double-quick time! CJI.

The test run that I can vouch for would have been from Brush at Loughborough to Wigston, south of Leicester on the Midland Mainline. When I saw it, it was standing at the up slow platform of Wigston Magna station, and was stationary for at least the half hour of our lunchbreak. I'd guess that the train was turned on the triangle of lines formed by the connection to the Nuneaton line before departing back to Brush. I have no memory of the engine sound, but it was probably idling rather than shut down. I do know that the 'white coats' were scuttling around like ants! John Ishetwood.

Agreed, soft, oil-soaked brushes are often the cause of burning smells. CJI.

The mesh between the brass gear on the motor shaft and the first black idler gear looks to be extremely slack / virtually non-existent. Is the motor location adjustable? If so, the mesh should be closed up so that there is far better interaction between the two gears. Have you tried temporarily detaching the motor and checking that the chassis is free-rolling? The smell could be from an overworked motor, if there is excess friction in the chassis. CJI.

Those fitted in the toilet were clearly there in order to preserve public decency; those in the corridor, opposite the toilet door, to spare the blushes of shy ladies entering and leaving. CJI.

Another good reason to avoid that new-fangled DCC! A. Luddite Esq.

Thanks for that - I've been repainting RTR models for over sixty years, and never had this happen before. I think that I will have to bite the bullet, and follow Ruston's example of applying sufficient force to crack the glue assembly, prior to disassembling and stripping the paint. John Isherwood.

Well, it's finished - for now! Unfortunately, I have discovered that the paint applied by the factory does NOT like Phoenix Precision Satin Black being applied over it. The finish somewhat resembles the 'crackle' paint used by Hornby Dublo for its controllers! This is not a total disaster, as I would imagine that No.20, living as it did under a bridge, did not have a flawless finish. Nonetheless, I wish now that I had been able to dismantle the glued body construction and strip the factory paint. If the crazing ultimately drives me crazy, I may well have another go at a strip-down / repaint. As to performance, though; this is impeccable! No. 20 made child's-play of a STARFISH, a GRAMPUS, a pair of WARWELLs, a pair of SALMON, a pair of BORAILS, a STURGEON A and a pillbox brakevan. Ideal for the S&T / PW yard shunter! John Isherwood.

Which - funnily enough - has just been released by Hornby (Ruston Hornsby 88DS - see separate threads). CJI.

The narrow gauge Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway / Hafan and Talybont Railway - not long in existence but carried passengers for one summer season! When closed, one loco and some wagons were used by the contractor building the Vale of Rheidol Railway, and the loco was absorbed into that railway's stock. There are still extensive visible remains of the railway and the mine / processing infrastructure, easily accessible. A dedicated history of the railway has been published in the not to distant past. https://www.bottbooks.com/product/41405/THE-PLYNLIMON-HAFAN-TRAMWAY CJI.

I'm not certain, but it may well be prototypical for the deck to bow upwards slightly. This was known as 'hogging', and was designed to counteract any tendency to sagging under load. CJI.

It would be so much better if human nature were not what it actually is - there is an infinite list of things that would make the world a better place, IF ONLY everyone played nicely. However, we live in the real world where, in so many instances, a minority spoils it for the rest. Being of a pragmatic nature, I think it is wise to go into things with eyes wide open! CJI.

I don't contest any of that - I was merely pointing out that, despite reassurances given on some sites, they cannot prevent downloading / saving of material. I feel that this basic fact should be published as widely as possible, so that persons uploading copyright material do not have unrealistic expectations as to the security of their images, etc. CJI.

For silver SHELL BP tankers, see Sheet BL15 at the Cambridge Custom Transfers website. You'll also find sheets covering other renditions of the ex-Air Ministry tank wagons John Isherwood, Cambridge Custom Transfers.

The hoppers are, as such things go, quite light and free-running. Nonetheless, I am very impressed - this model will certainly handle anything that the prototype did. CJI.

Nearly there with my version of this - just the transfers to add. Having fitted Hornby Dublo / Peco Simplex couplers, I ran it in the sidings for the first time today. Virtually silent; very smooth running; and quite up to a rake of eleven Oxford ICI bogie hoppers plus a brakevan. Nice one, Hornby! CJI.

Lacking in bass, tinny? What do I know, a determined DC Luddite?!? CJI.

Are you able to be more precise about how the HD DELTIC will be more 'accurater' - or is this just Hornby's publicity bluster? CJI.

'Fraid not - it had arrived by the time that I'd scoffed my school dinner, and hadn't moved by the time that the whistle sounded for afternoon lessons. Sorry, John Isherwood.

I take it that you use a hearing aid - which can be switched off ?! CJI.

If you can run to it, get a Black Beetle. They ARE still available - directly from the producer in Oz. (Must check to see if I have one in stock for the Park Royal)! John Isherwood.

Mike, You build it, I'll do the transfers! I saw 'HAWK' one lunchtime, at the end of our school playing field - on one of its very rare mainline excursions from Brush at Loughborough. I'd never seen so many men in white coats in one place! John Isherwood.

You're probably correct, as far as the 306 is concerned. However, MTK dmus were quite common on the exhibition circuit before there was anything RTR, apart from the Tri-ang Metro-cammel and the Trix Trans-pennine. I built the kit for a BRCW dmu during that period - apart from concerns about fitting whitemetal end to the aluminium bodyshell, they were / are quite simple to assemble and, with a little refinement, surprisingly accurate. Just don't go for the MTK power bogie option. WHEN my MTK Park Royal twin set works its way to the top of the kit pile, I'll post a thread here. CJI.

In most cases of PO subjects, surely an overall grey undercoat would be popular - enabling purchasers to produce their own bespoke / fictional liveries? CJI.

Pretty much - the cab was adapted, but I think that the long and short bonnet panels were new construction. It would seem a ripe project for someone to design a 3D printed replacement body to fit the Heljan body. CJI.