drmditch

Please excuse a question from one who knows little of photography. When you say 'standard windows software', which version of Windows do you mean? For many years I have found the photo editor that came with Windows 7 very useful. It allowed/allows re-sizing, brightening, changing contrast and other useful operations. Unfortunately, with the removal of support from W7, and the age and gradual decline of my trusty laptop, I have had to 'upgrade' to a box running Windows 10, and the standard tools on that (as far as I can see) are nowhere as useful. I have found some other software which in theory does allow some of what I want, but it is not as easy to use. So, having 'isolated' my W7 laptop from any web connection, I tend to transfer pictures using a usb 'stick', edit on W7, and then bring them back to a the W10 box. While 'wittering' on the same subject, I always try to reduce any pictures I post on-line to something in the order of 150kb, so as to avoid taking up too much space on the servers. What do other people do?

Am I allowed multiple choices? No.1 - Leamside line (old main line. County Durham) No.2 - Stainmore No.3 - Waverley Route.

After frequent requests, the Gaunless Bridge should be moving much nearer to 'home', at Locomotion, Shildon this year.

It's more than a 'movement' - it's being built!

I've posted about this On another thread. I write from the perspective of being a volunteer at the 'Locomotion' museum in Shildon. Yes, Locomotion No.1 has been on display in Darlington since 1857 (North Road/Bank Top/'Head of Steam'). However, Shildon was the engineering centre of the original 1825 railway. There is a lot of educational and cultural benefit that could be brought out from the current level of interest The public debate on this issue has, as seems to have become regrettably normal in 'Brexit Britain' been extremely politicised, ill-informed, and abusive. It has reached the level of rape threats being made. However, whatever your loyalties or interests in this matter, please do all you can to reduce the horrific language currently being used against my colleagues in SMG/Railway Museum/Locomotion. (Also,if ever we reach post-Covid times, may I suggest a visit to Locomotion? We try to be friendly to all our visitors, and are happy to encourage interest in the exhibits at all levels of detail.)

Why should an NER T1 (LNER Q5) be seen as odd? Very useful 0-8-0 and direct precursor to the T2 (Q6). For that why should an NER X (LNER T1) be 'odd' either? Very effective hump-shunting 4-8-0T.

There is one. No.1275, previously in York, but may be moving to Locomotion.

Right. A Z (C7) is the most glaring omission so I'll go with that. If in a post-covid world it is ever possible to complete another new build, a V (C6) as a two cylinder machine might be simpler and (reportedly) a better hill climber. (But an original V please and not a V09). This is not to say that an S3 (B16) wouldn't be lovely as well!

I write from a different perspective, being a volunteer at the 'Locomotion' in Shildon. Yes, Locomotion No.1 has been on display in Darlington since 1857 (North Road/Bank Top/'Head of Steam'). However, Shildon was the engineering centre of the original 1825 railway. There is a lot of educational and cultural benefit that could be brought out from the current level of interest The public debate on this issue has, as seems to have become regrettably normal in 'Brexit Britain' been extremely politicised, ill-informed, and abusive. It has reached the level of rape threats being made. The only reason I post this here is to appeal to people, who like yourself have higher standards, to attempt to reduce some of this horrific language. I have monitored some of the product of MPs, Councillors, Mayors, (and even it is rumoured the Prime Minister), some (not all) of the Facebook content, and some discussion with friends in Darlington. The following might amuse you. Locomotion is not Rocket, and did not take part in the Rainhill Trials Locomotion was not built in Darlington Locomotive Works (the later were constructed in the early 1850s.) Locomotion was, of course, built in Newcastle. It is not in 'original condition' (what surviving locomotive ever is.) : replaced wheels, boiler at least twice, 'much broke' in 1839. It has never been owned or 'gifted to' Darlington Borough Council. (It's ownership is clear, S&D, NER, (it was leased for a while to one of the Pease companies, but reverted to the S&D on termination of the lease), LNER, BTC and thus to the National Collection now in the stewardship of the SMG. It us currently on loan to DBC, and the agreed period of loan expires this year.) There is also of course much more mis-information to be corrected about the S&D. Despite the name, it was really the Whitton Park (SW of Bishop Auckland) to Stockton Railway. Darlington (in 1825) was effectively bypassed to the north, although much of the investment came from there, and from Yarm. Locomotion was placed on the rails at Heighington. That evening it hauled the S&D Committee (never 'Directors' for the S&D) from Shildon to Darlington Depot, using one of the passenger coaches named 'Experiment'. The following day it hauled the justly celebrated opening train from Shildon to Stockton. Those were (sorry Boris) almost certainly the only times it hauled what could be called a passenger train. There is much more about Locomotion and Shildon and the S&D which is of interest. Head of Steam has very good displays on this. I have a small project to go through the S&D Acts of Parliament - upon which I might ask Mr Edwardian for comment. However, whatever your loyalties or interests in this matter, please do all you can to reduce the horrific language currently being used against my colleagues in SMG/Railway Museum/Locomotion.

Midlothian please.

Re: Whitewashing coal. In addition to security, isn't there also a point in that coal deteriorates in sunlight, so whitewash, by reflecting some light, gives the coal some protection? Saves having to fire a normal grate with dust?

'Big Bertha' ?

Re: Computing. The first computer I had anything to do with was an English Electric KDF 9. It took up quite a large room. One had to feed it punched tape (or possibly cards - but perhaps the cards came later!) That as in the early 1970s. There was a time in the 1980s when I did know how computers worked. My professional view in the 1980s and 90s was that computing and software tools should be designed to assist people, and not in any way to limit or attempt to control them. Well that didn't last did it? Now I spend as little time as possible dealing with computers/'phones etc. Just, unfortunately, needing to wrestle with Windows 10. Otherwise I will have to throw away a perfectly functional tablet computer with 30gb of storage (and I used to run whole factories on 12gb), because the said W10 doesn't clear down or manage it's space properly. I'm much better spending the time working with practical tools on my railway. Perhaps it would be simpler to give in and purchase a new tablet - preferably not running W10. Meanwhile, if any railway line needs inspecting soon, I am working on this, It will be in post-grouping livery, but very much (1903) a pre-grouping vehicle.

As long as everybody remembers the RNLI crews are (mostly) voluntary. And they are the ones who go out when everybody else is trying to get in. Somewhere to help perhaps?

Thank you for showing us. (Even if you do make my own modelling seem utterly inadequate!) As I think others have already asked, is there any chance of you setting up a thread to show us more?

Yes, and we at Locomotion are going to miss No.251. I hope all you people around Doncaster will give her a proper welcome as soon as you can. What a shame we haven't got an NER Atlantic. That's one of the locomotives I keep hoping someone will find somewhere! Perhaps hidden away in an isolated shed of one of our former railway routes......

Indeed, that is one of the first items on television that I can remember watching. I little amusing story:- One of our visitors at Locomotion (in the long remembered days when we could have visitors) complained that the air-smoothed casing wasn't smooth enough, and what had the Railway Museum done to it? And then of course there is the often quoted and possibly apocryphal De Gaul story. (And I did recently discover a possible another aspect of that.) I hope all our engines aren't getting bored with no-one coming to see them!

Is it only collecting current form the rear driving wheels?

None-the-less, a very interesting display. Thank you. Spent far too long admiring your railway. I did like the actual wheels-on-the-rail sounds which, for me, were much better than any electronic simulations.

Re: Sand Hutton Light Railway. Yes, that was the picture. Sorry the arrangement is to large for you. Perhaps, if most mineral traffic was from the NG to the SG you could just have two lines, with the NG one raised. Re: Track. Have sent PM Re: Layout. Do you not need a 'safety point' (NER Terminology) at the LH end of your SG loop? Re: Other layouts. I am using an NER 'Preceeding Place' based on Ilderton on the Alnwick and Cornhill line. I couldn't find an on-line picture, but can thoroughly recommend 'A History of North Eastern Railway Signalling' edited by Neil Mackay, published by NERA. It's a splendid book for browsing and developing ideas. It has a whole section of different track and signalling layouts.

This question may be irrelevant, but what type of 'broad gauge' track were/are you using? Because it's just possible that I may have some spare.......

Had you thought at all about the lovely two-level exchange siding at Warthill on the Sand Hutton Light Railway? There is a picture No.119 in Ken Hoole's 'North Eastern Branchlines'. (Sorry, couldn't find an accessible on-line version).

Is it acceptable to follow a Hunt class locomotive if the centre big end heat detector is filled with aniseed rather than oil of violets? Then at least any hounds in the following train can have a drag race!

Why. if 'Northumberland' was an acceptable name for a Shire, was none ever named for 'County Durham', where they were all built?

Re: Temperature for model railways. The first time I saw 'Grantham' it was at Barrow Hill Roundhouse. It was difficult to stay watching for too long it was so cold. I think I came down with 'flu afterwards.