Robert Shrives

I suspect the De Detrich stock was readily available as a current design with aircon, accessible spaces for users with physical disabilities and power doors for the folk who cannot swing big doors. The EU funding of the coaches to upgrade the service was very welcome but I guess timescale prevented any UK design as by then not much in the way of loco hauled designs available in the UK as a new build ( still the same today!) The ICR sort of fleet still in the young designers minds for an IC dmu operation so loco haul won out - even with the higher costs involved. The Mk 2 fleet with wrap round doors have been reasonably passenger friendly - the large door good but heavy and not power operated and with an added on door lock system and no internal door handle might seem good but 30 years of service showed the lack of strength in the ends, leaky roof domes and roof water tank along with no strong corner member all make for an end date with the gas axe. From usual sources 1999 does seem to have been the last year. For 1969 introduced vehicles that is a good innings given all that happened to them over the years. Robert

A number of traders offer classes in DCC and of course U tube can be a good place to enjoy information. Certainly a club if available will help. Sound is a marmite thing for locos but background ambient sounds work better along with fadeable sounds and mute is always good option. Loco speaks despite all the good words will give an effect but whether it is "real" is much in the ear of the beholder! Tiny speakers to me cannot replicate the base rumble of big engines, steam engines need to be driven with a full suite of sounds and timing. Seeing a loco moving loco on 4 wagons approaching a crossover sounding like a 9F with 1000tons uphill misses the effect required by a country mile, but layouts not big enough to allow human intervention with sound and driving loco, know doubt all programmable in future versions but I find life too short. I suspect DCC and on board power with RC will develop in the smaller scales but I think ( enter Luddite mode!) that part of the fun of the hobby is building stuff and not plug and play of the modern iteration of the hobby I see developing. I am sure others find such gear an technical breath of fresh air and improving the hobby and I am more than happy to be left behind !! Robert

Double Wow and crossed spanners for top notch work you make my work look bin worthy! It is inspiring and keep an eye out for Grahame Hedges in UK N modelling , like you he can take card and with a cut to two create wonders. Robert

Great piece of work, the roof really makes the model and shows the care taken. I look forward to seeing the layout develop, thanks for sharing. Robert

While a dinosaur in much I have read about layering which is a technique that requires plenty of computer time and taking a whole set of photos of the same scene with slightly differing focus points. I had a quick look on google search and apps a plenty but it might as well be martian to me. Robert

Great tutorial , quite right about sound boarding on layouts with noise transmission, often negating the use of cork. thanks Robert

I guess it broadens search engine enthusiasm to catch more fish. Robert

It is amazing how viaducts striding across the land can inspire. I imagine the local population saw them as a version of a machine from mars - the world would never be the same. Also perhaps a sign of a gateway to a new world. While impressive more so was the shots from the shore showing the rock armour trying to stop erosion with line almost on the edge. Alone it should inspire a layout set in halcyon times! I will have to save up/ turn off the lights to get more wagons .. Hopefully after the coaches and these wagons come through the manufacturing processes funds will allow the beets to come up the list a bit. Robert

Keep going .... £10 a chassis .... and you get a sale. Robert

Cheers, that had crossed my mind but thought they will all sell as ballasts now if it was £50 .... Robert

In other news will the chassis ever be made as a bodyless spares option? - Might be useful for other kits robert

Looking good deed done for one pack and end of train special. Dry bread and no heating for rest of Feb... Robert

Brilliant work , sharp as ever ! I really ought to take up another hobby !! It does show how the older models with care can scrub up really well- in the right hands. robert

Provinical Wagons do a great model as well - I have 12 or so but I guess there are some who an rtr model is just that bit easier to finish. The kit has as few parts as can be imagined - body, chassis , buffers and some bracing along with brake gear to add to taste ! I can just see the 20` skeletal chassis set for 21mm use but with 16mm gauge wheelsets would fit many uses - tanks, beets, older weedkiller train along with containers but sure the good gents in IRM towers will have seen the same. Robert

I really look forward to a double beet wagon from IRM as sure to be popular as would retooled chassis for the early 4 wheel wagons to allow future owners to have 21mm options easily enough - thought prompted by the in works shot of the beet wagons and the one by the wall on "bricks" a lovely pic of tidy shop at Limerick I guess. Robert

I guess the bogies could be reused but the skeletal bodies might well beyond help - with age or perhaps too short for 45 footers or even 53 footers. I wonder ( easy with other folks money) if preserving some so a historic freight could be made up at some time in the future to show how CIE used to run freights - some "fallen Flag" containers on them as well.. Robert

http://www.stanegaterestorations.co.uk/ If any folk are interested in how little can be rebuilt in to a working vehicle. Vested interest as it is my sisters business! Robert

George, message sent regards Robert

Hi, Yes other industries offer skills and knowledge. A big problem was that BJ and his immediate circle of "advsiors" did not seem to know of the differing track gauge. Not the first time as during the buildup to to Privatisation it was noted that the Ffestiniog Railway was going to run through trains Porthmadog to Llandudno jn. as part of a micro franchise idea. The snigger from some North Wales MPs might have given the game away ! Let alone the tricky flexible bit required to overcome the fractured plates of the earth surface- a crack that runs up the Irish sea , and is most visible as the join between the parts of Scotland along the Caledonian canal. A bit more than a sliding rail joiner or Triang converter track could cope with. Nothing to serious of course... Robert

Sir, So true with £900K quoted in press for the Boorish link to NI from Scotland conslutant fees - it must be a good report with plenty of colour hand drawn cartoons and simple sums on hand made south Kent paper with a nicely stitched Labybird books cover for that amount of small change.... I guess the consultants were able to enjoy several working meetings ( parties? ! ) on the catering allowance whilst obviously ensuring compliance with COVID rules... ho hum. On topic I really hope the outcomes allows for seats that are designed for the enlarged frames so obvious when you walk down a city street. Sadly the abuse trains get having adjustable seats is a no go and while I like face to face and tables the current fad to always put feet on seats - might be that the under 30s have massive medical issues that mean feet need to be raised but not all disabilities are visible. Then airline seating will be the likely outcome with reduced face to face/ tables other than perhaps is a business coach or a reserveable family space that is unlocked by train crew- compartments they used to be called ! Have a reasonable day regardless. Robert

Worse here in UK with seemingly government inspired austerity interiors on "800" series Inter city project trains - described as at best planks with a cloth covering - too narrow too hard and too upright. It resulted in the Railway Standards and Safety Board (RSSB) to launch inquiry into comfort standards it seems it was not even considered at Privatisation. Unsurprisingly they took a MK3 as datum and it was still on top of everything with the Voyager 220/221 seat coming close. No new urban seat got anywhere near and it resulted in a standard being discussed - no doubt it will be ignored. Only light at end of a long tunnel was the 800s for Lumo have better seats for its 5 sets on the East coast budget operation, there by debunking the transport departments weak assertion that the IEP/ IET seats were like that to meet safety standards and could not be changed. It would seem from a European point of view the same penny pinching abuse of passengers is now of concern to its administrations. ho hum ... I wonder what outcomes came from it. Robert

Jim Allwood coined "SABLE" Stock Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy..... which sums up all of our collections I suspect. Robert.

I think the other gauge to get is a 21mm gauge button gauge - aimed at placing say in a point blade area to ensure gauge as blades thin. I have some stainless steel hair grips of ebay that are good for holding rails as well. Hopefully 3D bases and plug chairs or so printed that rails slide in will help those not too happy with soldering - that skill does open up so much. Robert

good to know as I would have been tempted but being a bit naughty, this sale looks like a way of suggesting an rtr project to break out shortly... gets coat ( well it is cold ! ) Robert

Hi Re comments on joggling of stockrails check out the many and varied comments on the point building topics on RM Web - generally it is supported and in 2mm essential as the rail does need to offer a smooth flow for the flange. Having just that bit more meat in the rail allowed by joggle/ set in the stock rail does allow the blade to be a bit thicker and thus more robust at the blade tip and gives more material to affix the tiebar - I think the fine trax idea of a plate that holds the blade and stock in vertical alignment with a pin solder to it that can rotate in the tiebar bar is a sublime idea removing all the risks of detached blade from tiebar when the fine soldered joint gives up. Robert