Darius43

You mention this often and contemporary photos show them. That said I’m afraid that I’m not prepared to go over these models with a hammer and centre punch. Cheers Darius

MPDs DCC fitted, tested and boxed ready for “running in” on the Middlemark layout this coming weekend. Also boxed something for them to pull along… Cheers Darius

Modified Freightliner Flat couplings on test on the layout this morning - works successfully so far Cheers Darius

Complete formation in action this morning Cheers Darius

The Mk III coaches are the new tooling and are very nice. With each coach you get a pack with alternative magnetic and fixed bar “buckeye” couplings as replacements for the NEM tension locks fitted to the coach. Cheers Darius

Just arrived Cheers Darius

Today we extracted some mothballed stock and gave it a runaround. Smor… Cheers Darius

I remember seeing them flying out of RAF Valley in the 1970s - family holidays in Anglesey. Also saw the restored one flying at airshows before it was finally grounded. Cheers Darius

1:48 scale Vulcan B2 brought down from atop the wardrobe for a thorough dusting and some repairs. Aeroclub vacform and mixed media kit built nearly 30 years ago. Cheers Darius

The main problem I have experienced with Hunt Couplings is that they are made from a very brittle and inflexible plastic. They are easy to snap when very little force is applied - especially the NEM “prongs” - which can be awkward. That and the magnets aren’t strong enough. Cheers Darius

A few years ago I modified a series of Hornby BR Freightliner FFA and FGA flat wagons and containers - improving the bogies and underframe details and adding new Hunt magnetic couplings. So far I have modified 15 wagons. Last week we tried running a 10 wagon formation on the “new” continuous loop on the shed layout. Even with new metal wheels and brass bearings the train is still draggy such that the magnetic force of the couplers is overcome and they separate - at about half train length. To solve this I am replacing the Hunt couplings with fixed bar couplings made from black plasticard. Cheers Darius

More fun today in the shed. The Hornby rebuilt W1 is on the limit of what it can pull. Work on the scenic side of things will recommence in a week or so. Right now we are enjoying continuous running for the first time in almost 5 years. Cheers Darius

Bridge now working Cheers DariuS

They look great Robert. Just need a Jeep at each end. Cheers Darius

Launch restored. Cheers Darius

Thanks for that Broithe. Hadn’t seen that picture. The photos I used in 1980 were ones my Great Uncle had. Amazing that the same boat is pictured in your reference. Cheers Darius

My Great Uncle served on RAF Air Sea Rescue boats during WW2 - based at Kirkcudbright in Scotland. About the same time as I made the bungalow model for my Grandparents, I scratch built a model of his Air Sea Rescue boat for him based on two photographs that I found. After he passed away the model returned to me but it has suffered some damage… The model was scratch built using balsa, cardboard, Perspex sheet and fuse wire. The fuse wire rigging and main mast are pretty much U/S so these have been removed. Replacements will be made using a wooden cocktail stick (as per the original) and fishing line. Cheers Darius

Removable “bridge” across the shed door - track laying completed. This is the bridge for the lower scenic double track circuit. A second bridge will be required for the upper scenic circuit. The intention is for the bridge sections to be the “switch” that powers the bridge tracks and 2m of track by either side of the bridge opening. That way no trains can approach the “chasm” if the bridge is not in place. Cheers Darius

I my opinion the Marklin 16V AC system is somewhat limiting in what you can run and what sort of track you can run it on. Reverse loops are not an issue electronically though. On the whole I prefer 2 rail DC/DCC. This is compared to the 1980s Marklin system. I think they now have a sort of DCC system with decoders and sound. Cheers Darius

Phew!!! Cheers Darius

Got the text message this morning that DHL would deliver my ILG parcel to me between 12.09 and 13.09. 13.30 came round with no delivery so I checked the tracking link only to find out that it had been delivered at 12.01 to someone called Alina, who had signed for it. Fortunately the delivery person had taken a brilliantly composed photo of the handover… From the geometry of the walls and the colour of the carpet I was able to deduce that the delivery address was in my building and I was able to identify it as flat number 8 from the doormat. I live in flat number 12 - two floors up. I have had deliveries that had been “ left in reception” (= by the lift doors on the ground floor) but never had a delivery where the guy got half way up to my floor and then stopped. Fortunately the occupant was still at home and she handed over the parcel to me after I rang the door - whether she intended to bring it round later is open to conjecture but I am choosing to think she would have. In any event DHL should check the numeracy of their deliverers - I know it’s a crap and poorly paid job so i can’t get too steamed about this even though the parcel contains TPE Mk5s. Thank goodness for that photo!!! Cheers Darius

Completed. Cheers Darius

We just missed each other. I never played sports at Ben Madigan - we were bussed to the playing fields at Roughfort to play hockey. Shorty Long was the coach. Cheers Darius

I also went to Belfast Royal Academy - was there from 1978 to 1983. Used to get the No. 3, 5 or 45 bus down the Antrim Road. Coming home we could also get the No. 2 or 6 if we spotted them at the top of Duncairn Gardens and ran fast enough… Cheers Darius

You are exceedingly warm with upper Antrim Road… Cheers Darius