Large Scale Central

IP Engineering Questions

General Discussion
#21
cale nelson said:
...and use only little European style engines...cale
Dear Mr Nelson - please do not make the mistake of confusing British locomotives with 'European-style engines'.

They are quite different in so many ways that I could not even begin to tell you what they were.

Suffice it to say that 2 foot gauge predominates here in UK, but on mainland Europe, a place we usually go only to fight wars, it is comparatively rare. European locos are therefore a good deal larger than those found here.

As for being called ‘European’, I think you’ll find that most British people would rather pour boiling mercury poured into their own eyes, or grind open their throat with a blunt spoon than agree with you.

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

#22

Terry,
true ‘British’ spirit? You accept becoming a member of the EU for the ‘benefits’ and yet you refuse the standardised currency and the flag of the Union. True revolutionary spirit! This is what the world is missing today, a country hell-bent on colonisation to conquer the far off third world countries and make them prosper for the good of their inhabitants, not to just line their pockets with oil-dollars. Bring back the monachy and the adventurous privateers and the world will be wholesome again.

#23

Hmmmmm… I don’t think I’ve ever met a Brit that had any desire to have any part in the EU. They feel they were sold out by their self serving greedy politicians. But maybe TAC feels differently…but I doubt it.

#24
Terry A de C Foley said:
.....................................................

As for being called ‘European’, I think you’ll find that most British people would rather pour boiling mercury poured into their own eyes, or grind open their throat with a blunt spoon than agree with you.

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS


Terry,

From what I hear and read that feeling is quite mutual. :wink: :lol: :wink:

I’m telling you that “CBC Radio Overnight” is a very fine institution. Funny, too, come to think of it. Generally runs from 01:00; first there’s an hour from Radio Netherlands, followed by Sweden and Australia with a half hour each. The Radio South Africa, followed by the Brits (BBC). Next is Germany, then Poland (half hour each).
Unfortunately our CBC guys in BC treat us to a special morning show that starts a 05:00; that means missing Russia and Radio Central Europe.

Our Oz friends will like the bit about ABC having a full hour on the weekend from 05:00 on. Perfect occasion to tune my ears to some very different accents, like the ranchers out in Western QL or the market gardener in Tasmania.

#25

…or the sounds of old growth trees being logged (as in destroyed) in Tasmania for wood chips.

Not even something constructive like finished wood products. Such as housing or furniture.
Just the wanton destruction of native animal habitat. The same native animals that are rapidly disappearing from the Tasmanian wilderness.

Gunns didn’t like the enquiry into the effects on the environment of the latest skulduggery in which they are involved. So they forced the Tasmanian Government to stop the enquiry so they could carry on unfettered destroying the fast diminishing forests.

#26

Tony,
soon Tasmania will be extinct. Firstly, the Aboriginals (killed off by whiteman’s diseases, predominantly). Then the valuable native hardwoods, then the Tassie tiger. Now the Tassie devil has a high mortality rate with 90% suffering from tumours. The way Gunns are stripping everything, the famous map of Tassie will be no longer. The only ‘positive’ note is that Gunns will employ a few hundred people in their area. Starting to sound like a doomed toy empire in Germany sacrificed to employ a few, but for what ultimate cost. Businessmen and politicians make more noise than a few wild animals in the remaining old growth forest.

#27

Terry, From what I hear and read that feeling is quite mutual. :wink: :lol: :wink:

Dear Herr Muller and Mr Brien - please remember that the British have been visiting the continent since the early part of the 14th century in order to wage wars, and only stopped, perhaps on a temporary basis, in the middle of the last century. And colonialism, Mr Brien, is something outside not only my time-scale, but also that of any of my family, unless you count the southern Swedish genes that gave my otherwise Irish father his blonde hair and blue eyes. As an Australian, YOU qualify as a colonist, but that can hardly be blamed on me.

As far as going to Europe is concerned, my family have paid a higher price than most for such adventurous behaviour. My grandfather [KIA 21 June 1917], and two uncles [died in the air together 22/23 October 1944] went there and never came back. I spent eight years of my 33 years service in the Army in Germany, including three years ‘behind the front lines’ in the British Military Mission in East Germany. We brought back many memories from Germany, but in payment left our son back there in Rheindahlen Military Cemetery.

I personally am about as British as anybody with an Irish father and half-French/half Irish jewish mother can be. I was born here, and that’s about it.

I care not the square root of SFA about Europe or the Europeans who inhabit it, and care even less what they think about me. I have enough to concern myself about with my 92-year old and rapidly disintegrating mother, and my 26-year old severely-disabled daughter and HER daughter to occupy my mind about what other folks, including those on this toy-train forum, think of me and mine.

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

#28

Terry,
I would definately have to say that 200 years of British rule or Commonwealth membership, has instilled in the Australian population a sense of humour, something obviously lacking in the mother country. Therefore, I must assume that it is the environment that one lives in that enables an individual to develop a sense of humour to be able to tolerate the harsh conditions and not one’s family tree.

     As a multi-cultural country,  we have learned, more or less, to be a tolerant country, accepting that maybe those from other countries may or may not have deleloped a sense of humour the equal of our own.  


     
     An instrumental part of our education system was learning the history of the 'mother' country,  with particular highlight on the monarchy and the political system that prevailed in the history of England.  Suprisingly,  the glorious history education ceased at the point that England was no longer relevant in world affairs.  This was about the timeframe when Australia had the gall to place more emphasis on our own protection and security and recalled the troops to our own shores and to stop propping up the mother country.
#29
Terry A de C Foley said:
Terry, From what I hear and read that feeling is quite mutual. ;) :lol: ;)

Dear Herr Muller and Mr Brien - please remember that the British have been visiting the continent since the early part of the 14th century in order to wage wars, and only stopped, perhaps on a temporary basis, in the middle of the last century.

…


My, my Terry,

Yeah sure, it was about time they stopped! :lol:

From what I hear, see and read they do enjoy themselves much more if they go there for holidays instead. It’s also a lot easier on the landscape, the people and the general well-being of everyone.
That’s the way it was on the “100 hours of RhB” trip in 1989, hordes of … errr I mean quite a few Brits along for that multi-day event. You couldn’t miss them. :slight_smile: :wink: :slight_smile:

But getting back to trains … you know some of the Brit stuff is kinda cute. But there are a few peculiarities that are ingenious; like the staff block system. It’s like passing the buck but with ultimate security, you gotta love it! Guaranteed not to have any head-ons. Better than some of that modern signalling stuff!

#30
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
[But getting back to trains ....... you know some of the Brit stuff is kinda cute. But there are a few peculiarities that are ingenious; like the staff block system. It's like passing the buck but with ultimate security, you gotta love it! Guaranteed not to have any head-ons. Better than some of that modern signalling stuff!
I 'spose I need not point out that 'staff & token' signalling is only used on narrow gauge 'fun' lines, and not the main-line 220kph electric trains that trundle up and down the country.

Try to ‘catch the token’ as one of those babies whistles by is likely to leave only smokin’ boots on the platform…

And of course, if your RhB was to try and run at those speeds, the train would be in Hungary or Botswana before it could stop…

I also have it on good authority that the ‘100 hours on the Rhb’ was more in the nature of compulsory community service in lieu of a prison sentence for many of the Brits who had to attend it at their own [great] expense. But then, of course, since I am well-know to lack even the merest inkling of comprehension of a sense of humour, my pal who went may have been pulling my leg.

However, a few years later, after shooting at the annual Feldschiessen in Thun, where I was forced into admitting that I had actually enjoyed myself for an entire week in Europe, I had to remind myself that the Swiss were one of the few nations in Europe with whom the British had never been at war, and derived some small measure of comfort from that. I might even have had a bit of a giggle about it, as I transported myself, my three rifles, three handguns and some forty medals back to grey old UK.

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

#31

Terry,
quote: “But then, of course, since I am well-know to lack even the merest inkling of comprehension of a sense of humour, my pal who went may have been pulling my leg.”

     Of course a true indication of possessing a sense of humour,  is to actually know when someone is pulling your leg.
#32
Tim Brien said:
Terry, quote: "But then, of course, since I am well-know to lack even the merest inkling of comprehension of a sense of humour, my pal who went may have been pulling my leg." 
     Of course a true indication of possessing a sense of humour,  is to actually know when someone is pulling your leg.</blockquote>

Dear Mr Brien, since we have established beyond any doubt that I am a humourless old fart, can we move the thread back onto little trains, and leave the personal remarks for another time and place?

Thank you in advance -

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

#33

Terry,
quote: “…since we have established beyond any doubt that I am a humourless old fart,…”. I was not aware that this had been established but of course I will take your word on it.

#34
Terry A de C Foley said:
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
[But getting back to trains ....... you know some of the Brit stuff is kinda cute. But there are a few peculiarities that are ingenious; like the staff block system. It's like passing the buck but with ultimate security, you gotta love it! Guaranteed not to have any head-ons. Better than some of that modern signalling stuff!
I 'spose I need not point out that 'staff & token' signalling is only used on narrow gauge 'fun' lines, and not the main-line 220kph electric trains that trundle up and down the country.

Try to ‘catch the token’ as one of those babies whistles by is likely to leave only smokin’ boots on the platform…

And of course, if your RhB was to try and run at those speeds, the train would be in Hungary or Botswana before it could stop…

I also have it on good authority that the ‘100 hours on the Rhb’ was more in the nature of compulsory community service in lieu of a prison sentence for many of the Brits who had to attend it at their own [great] expense. But then, of course, since I am well-know to lack even the merest inkling of comprehension of a sense of humour, my pal who went may have been pulling my leg.

However, a few years later, after shooting at the annual Feldschiessen in Thun, where I was forced into admitting that I had actually enjoyed myself for an entire week in Europe, I had to remind myself that the Swiss were one of the few nations in Europe with whom the British had never been at war, and derived some small measure of comfort from that. I might even have had a bit of a giggle about it, as I transported myself, my three rifles, three handguns and some forty medals back to grey old UK.

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS


Terry,

I’ve heard about wearing hairshirts, but considering “100 hours of RhB” as compulsory community service … :lol: :lol: … that was money very well spent, I’d say! :wink: :slight_smile: Now I heard - they were at a different hotel - that some of those “delinquents” had a bit of a problem with the food. I don’t blame them, I had the same sensation when in the UK or being served “true Brit fare” over here. Calls for plenty of liquids!

Can’t comment on the Feldschiessen since I never attended one, nor likely ever will … unless they make it a mandatory “free” feature when entering Switzerland.
But my equal half has gone to a few of the crossbow championships in CH, she always comes home with medals. She has a cabinet full of medals and trinkets from the crossbow competitions.

Oh I know that the “pass the Buck” signalling is restricted to the quaint little trundle operations. Still consider that safer than some of the HS lines, takes a lot less maintenance.
Probably requires younger personnel, too; wouldn’t want to have some “old fart” wandering around at the next station:
“Blimey, where did I put that staff?”
“Come, come, mate! It’s in your back pocket!”
“Right you are. There she is! It’s not like the good old days, is it?!?”
“…”

:wink: :slight_smile:

#35

Now, I live on a British Island, that is not part of the UK and not in the EU. We have our own government. I don’t feel the need to go conquer other nations…or slag off their inhabitants. What is it with you guys over there? Prefer personal attack to trains? Fine, go run for political office.

This is nothing to do with IP engineering. Or trains. You lot need to chill, badly.

Neil.

#36

Neil,

It all started with an innocent mix-up: mistaking Brit engine features for European ones. And there she went …

BTW some of the stuff that came out of SLM could, as far as austerity was concerned, pass for “close to Brit”.

#37

well since it appears that I can’t use the correct term to describe the “little engines” from Sodor…I better stick to USA NG Steam (early 1900’s, and some diesels)…

sorry if I offended…In the Government Established Schools over here…we were taught anything East of RI and West of the USSR was “European”…go figure

#38
cale nelson said:
well since it appears that I can't use the correct term to describe the "little engines" from Sodor....I better stick to USA NG Steam (early 1900's, and some diesels)....

sorry if I offended…In the Government Established Schools over here…we were taught anything East of RI and West of the USSR was “European”…go figure


Cale,

Forget it!

That general geography is still correct, besides there are quite a few engines on the “Continent” (as opposed to “those” islands) which have features that are very similar. And the biggest difference: they don’t look North American! Except some of the French stuff that was imported after the war. :wink: :slight_smile:

#39
cale nelson said:
well since it appears that I can't use the correct term to describe the "little engines" from Sodor....I better stick to USA NG Steam (early 1900's, and some diesels)....

sorry if I offended…In the Government Established Schools over here…we were taught anything East of RI and West of the USSR was “European”…go figure


Well said Cale.

I think that’s at the root of the problem, and without getting personal, to me it is a strangely US thing - I have visited a lot of countries over the years, and they tended to have a broader view of the ‘rest of the world’ than many Americans. I presume this is a result of the educational system, rather than any personal attitude Railroads/ways are a broad church, there’s room for everyone…we don’t want to end up with in-fighting, as demonstrated by certain religous facts…do we??? well, I don’t anyway. I like em all. Large, small, US, Brit, Mongolian…free lance…so how about folk displaying a little tolerance in our hobby? It doesn’t hurt, and it’s free.

Neil.

#40

Neil, I know you have a couple cute lil buggers trundling around your layout. How about a few pix…:slight_smile: