PhilJ W

I always thought it was a very attractive livery, pity it was not adopted.

The steering wheels on many of Oxford's models seem to be badly attached. Fortunately they can be in most cases dismantled to correct the error.

The CMP trucks were made by both Ford and Chevrolet, the only things in common were the cabs and bodies. The fuel tanks of the short wheelbase models were mounted on the left side partially underneath the cab. on the longer wheelbase models the fuel tank was further back with only about 6 inches below the cab. In photographs there appears to be a variation in size and on the Ford it is further below the bodywork. On some special bodies the fuel tank was mounted transversely behind the cab. Some had a fuel tank on the right hand side mostly Fords. The main way to differentiate between Chevrolet and Ford vehicles was the radiator mesh and the differential housings, the Chevrolet having a diamond mesh grill and banjo housings, the Ford had a rectangular mesh and split housings.

The Vauxhall Velox/Cresta pick up was made in Australia so it probably is genuine as some have been re-imported.

An elderly gentleman of my acquaintance about 30 years ago learnt to drive on a car steered by a tiller.

It started at 99p, someone was eager to get it.

People have got bigger in the last 100 years. This has even created problems for the London Tube lines were the rolling stock is now more cramped despite being of a 'standard' size. This has led to the seats being placed longitudinally instead of across the car. This does not apply to the sub surface stock as that is of similar size to mainline stock.

A model BRUFF from the likes of Oxford would be good. There is a page for 'wants' on Facebook, you just have to post a photograph and see how many 'likes' you get.

Cararama do one in 1/72 scale and HO scale.

Yes it is a Goggomobile, notorious for rust! The car is not a Reliant Kitten, I have recently sold my Reliant Kitten van and it is nothing like it.

There is a late model Bond in the background of the Messerschmidt photo of a similar colour, but I don't think its the same car. The wheels look very Mini like so it could possibly be a kit car.

Its not a Bond or Reliant as neither had those vents in the bottom corner of the windows. I was wondering if it was an early Japanese or perhaps German micro-car. Another possibility is an Innocenti mini.

Can anyone identify the green car to the right of the Peel?

Def. an Austin 7, the Morris Minor 8 chassis extended out at the back to accomodate a luggage rack (optional extra?).

"Add a touch of realism to your layout." Not like that I won't.

These posts are quite common, there are/were plenty to be seen all over the ex LNER lines. During the 80's many of the EMU's working on the GE lines out of Liverpool Street that were equipped with Gresley bogies sported axle box covers impressed with LNER in similar style.

At one time a learner could ride any size of bike. The 250 cc regulation came into force in 1962 or '63, my brother who was 66 this year was one of the first to be affected by the change.

The OJF registrations were issued in May 1956.

Electric vehicles such as milk floats and trolleybuses had long lives and were rebuilt as many as four or five times. Right into the 1990's my local dairy operated milk floats with what many assumed were 'cherished' registrations when they were the originals dating from the 40's and 50's, they had all received two or three new/updated bodies over their lifetime. Some of Bradford's trolleybuses had three bodies during their lifetime.

The best thing about cars in Malta is they don't rust. The hot dry climate does not give rust a chance to take hold.

A book you might find useful, 'Trains of Cuba' by Adolf Hungry Wolf published by Canadian Caboose Press ISBN 0-920698-46-8

This is at Quainton >> http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=10007

Unlucky for the spider? (second pic)

Try finding a copy of 'The Railways and Tramways of Hong Kong' by Wilfred F. Simms (ISBN 0 9528881 5 7). This covers the post steam era but describes the locomotives in some detail and also has some pretty good drawings of the same. A lot of the railways stock was of Australian manufacture.

Surely the brakes are fail-safe? if air pressure is lost the brakes should come on not off. As for the volatility of the oil it is not the oil itself but the fumes given off that is the problem, this in the past has resulted in the loss of one or two large oil carriers.