PhilJ W

Evening all from Estuary-Land. I had a wasp nest a few years ago, in the brickwork below the bathroom window. They were obviously nesting in the cavity wall. Fortunately I had very few if any in the house so I left them alone. Although wasps will not nest in the same place two years running as soon as they had decamped the nest I had the minute hole they used blocked. Wasps and bees despite their similarities are completely different insects. Bees are vegetarian whereas wasps are carnivores, genetically, the closest insect to the wasp is the ant. Even their stings are different, the wasps is acidic and the bees are alkaline. This is why someone who will suffer a reaction from a wasp sting will often not be affected in any similar way by a bee sting.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Not a lot to report this morning. Normally it would be bin day today but due to the bank holiday its not until tomorrow, will have to remember to put them out. I forgot about the filler when I went to B&Q's on Tuesday but not to worry as there's a few other things I may need so I'm writing out a list, I can also check out the offcuts department for any more bargains. Thats it for now, be back later.

Goodnight all.

Another thread needing that GROAN! button.

The second part of the article has been added and I have shared it to my Facebook page. Indeed as you surmised Tony it was horse operated but a bit of modellers licence is all that will be required to install mechanical power. As an aside with mechanical power in mind McEwan-Pratt had their factory making small petrol locomotives not that far away at Wickford. In fact the factory still exists and is still in use making double glazing and conservatories.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. It looks as if GDB is intent on squandering his hard won brownie points, or is it that they have a very short shelf life. The plasterer called yesterday about the shed ceiling, I accepted his offer and a date has been set for early May so the painting has been put off until after its done. I tested the plywood I had cut yesterday and its a very tight fit, so tight in fact that I will probably have to break out the sander once the walls are painted. The narrow gauge railway at Upminster I mentioned last night I have put onto my Facebook page, it would make a great layout in 009 or O16.5, as the author pointed out it was half standard gauge (2' 4"). Thats it for now, be back later.

As I've mentioned previoudly I moderate for some local history groups on Facebook. One chap has been posting about brick and tile works in the locality and as it turns out one of them had its own narrow gauge railway connected to Upminster station where there was an exchange siding. It was quite a complicated little system, serving the brick and tile works as well as delivering finished products to the main line and collecting coal. The line existed from the 1890's to about 1930.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Had a good shopping trip today and purchased the plywood that I needed. In fact I now have more than I need as I purchased an 8' by 4' sheet (244 X 122 cm). I thought that it was a bit more cost wise than I expected until I read the label which said 'outdoor quality' not that it was that much more expensive. I had it cut to my measurments and even after cutting there was a fair chunk left over, so much that I had to have it cut into three equal sized pieces to fit it into the car. While I was there I espied some offcuts for sale. A 2 metre length of 34X34 mm timber that was a reject because it was supposed to be 2.4 metres for £1, this would be ideal for the shelf supports. And a piece of 18 mm MDF 45 X 39 cm for 20p. I'm not sure what the MDF can be used for but I'll find something, even if its as the base for a diorama. I don't intend to remove the base and end of the box, just fix the new end inside of the existing end and the base will be fixed underneath.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A bit late this morning, I blame the postman being a bit early. He delivered a magazine I subscribe to and the next 'World of Stobart' model so they have occupied the last hour or so. Although I pinned up the the hardboard ceiling of the shed it has started to sag again, I half expected it would so now it will have to be replaced. Fortunately I have some plasterboard but only enough to do about two thirds of the ceiling, I will need a piece about 85 X 85 cm hopefully the plasterer will be able to find a suitable piece. Talking of places to keep tools, I have a wooden box that started life as a desk drawer, I 'recovered' it when the desk was being broken up about 30 years ago. Its not a normal drawer but a double height one for hanging files. It is all wood and had two brass handles on the front which was decorated to look like a pair of conventional drawers, hence the two handles. I removed the lower handle and fixed it to the back for carrying it. the only slight problem was the front and sides of the drawer are solid wood, the front about an inch thick and the sides about a quarter of an inch. The sides and back are of very flimsy plywood however. To make it more useful I am going to fit a 12 mm ply 'dummy' back inside the existing back screwed and glued to the sides and then fix a new base underneath.

Goodnight all.

And when they forced the Germans back they not only recovered some of the equipment they also captured some German equipment.

The Tower models plastic kits of London trams can still be found on e-bay. They make the E1, E3 and HR2 versions, all in 00 scale. IIRC motorising kits were/are also available.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A bit grey this morning with a bit of wetness predicted but as I'm only venturing out for newspapers and a loaf of bread its no problem. Just a bit of work to do preparing the shelving and storage for the shed. I have three lengths of 'rescue' plywood that will make ideal shelves, by luck they are all the same width (20cm) and one piece is exactly the right length (1 metre) to fit in the space between the wall and a buttress, the other two pieces will have to be shortened. Thats it for now, be back later.

Goodnight all.

Perhaps Aditi would like to try her hand at this recipe >> http://www.foodsofengland.co.uk/kitchels.htm

But the asbestos was a problem. IIRC they were buried in an old pit because of the asbestos.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. The back seems to have eased off and I had a reasonably good night but its still a bit 'delicate' so I'll be taking things easy for today. I opened the pot of filler to find that it was one solid lump and of course being Easter Sunday a replacement cannot be obtained. Unlikely tomorrow either as I have no intention of going near B&Q's or any similar emporium on a bank holiday Monday. I am going to do a bit more measuring up for the shelves for which I need to have cut, I've already got most of the measurements but just to make sure that they are right before I order. Commiserations and congratulations where neccessary, be back later.

Goodnight all.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. The back was feeling a lot better until just now when I filled the washing machine and put it on. Another couple of paracetamols should ease things a bit. AndyB, I'd be tempted to call the fire brigade claiming the bonfire was out of control, they will certainly put it out and leave it too wet to relight.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Any further work on my shed is on hold for the time being. I now have the most painful backache but despite that I managed to get a few hours sleep last night. Michael, my condolences, thats a very shabby way to treat employees, I hope you can take them to the cleaners.

Goodnight all.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Shed cleared and the walls brushed down/cleaned read for painting, which won't start now until the multitude of holes have been filled, and there's a lot of them. I lifted the chipboard floor before I started, just as well the amount of muck created, enough to fill a rubble sack. I have painted a test patch to see if the emulsion is o.k., it seems to be after a good stir. As well as the filling I have a few more holes to drill to attach some more shelving/storage units.

Or an 0-6-0?

There's nothing new in energy recovery systems, this used a 'Dynamotor', in 1913 >> http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/misc/railcars.htm#daimler_railcar

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Not so early riser this morning though I did wake up at 6, checked the time so went back to bed to awaken after 8. Still more work to do in the shed before I start painting, brushing down the walls finds more holes to fill, I might even have to get more filler. The sagging (hardboard?) ceiling has been dealt with, just a few strategically placed pins and nails. The floor needs a bit of tidying up but is not to bad as the chipboard offcuts I placed over the concrete floor many years ago are still in good condition. Also before I start painting I need to drill a few holes for the additional shelves and storage. Now I'd better get on with it, be back later.