My son Martyn rang me from work today and asked if I would like to go to the model railway shop in Princes Risborough , as he had some time off owing . Well , yes , sez I , better than sat sitt’n here a modellin’ when the sun’s shinin’.
So , off we toddled , and after an interesting short 30 mile journey watching how spring was springing in the countryside , all green shoots and promise , and the realisation that I had survived another winter , we arrived .
There in the shop waiting for me was a HEIDI by LGB , and Martyn was buying it for me . Woweee!!!
What a lovely surprise , I know he likes trains as well , but , hey , nice one .
The loco is well detailed and mine came digital fitted but no sound , I do that myself . You can take that however you like . But I do not sit on it chuffing if that’s what you think . As Martyn has gone back to work , I have not had chance to run it , but just looking at it and thinking how fortunate I am is sufficient for the moment .
Whilst in the shop , I saw their first off K1 Garratt in 1/19–or 16mm , whichever you prefer . What a lovely model it is , it will be sold in kit form to 32(correct) or 45 mm (not quite correct , but convenient ) gauge and will be well worth the money which was a provisional £750 (x 1.7 for greenies ) .It has just about everything on it ,I know the loco quite well , and they have certainly done it justice . I have ordered one , and will get it in May this year . It really looks the business. Made from a combination of resin cast–really good quality crisp castings , too --and metal for the valve gears-4 sets . Slaters scale wheels (well , nearly ) and so on . Worth a serious look ,I can tell you .
I also saw the first off tooling proofs of a standard gauge , LGB scale ,GWR Matchbox tank engine ,the ubiquitous general purpose loco from the thirties , used right up to end of steam . A delightful loco , it is being made as the main item in a set which also contains a brake van , 5 plank open , lowmac , and van (I am not sure about the latter , it may not be in the set ), but whatever , the castings are really very high quality , The detail is crisp , and there is no sign of warp on the very large lumps . As you can imagine , it is resin and metal , quite delightful . A lot of construction is bolted instead of the more common glue .
Both the above are electric powered .
I have to say I have no connection with Garden Railways at Princes Risborough , except for being a very satisfied customer ,and today , a particularly lucky one .
If you are all very good little boys , I may review my models for you as I make them . Or I may just sit in the corner and covet them , selfishly . I have to tell you , I have problems doing photos
The problem I have with photos is twofold .
1 —I am as thick as two short planks , and when someone shows me how to post photos , it goes in one ear behind the glassy eyed look and meeting nothing , comes out the other .
2—I cannot easily get money to the US, Pay Pal can’t be trusted , I have had one successful transaction with them , and several not . So , especially after my account was attacked , I have no truck with it . Anyway , why do people in the USA not take credit cards ? Is it expensive ?
All this means I can’t get photos on the site , which is a shame , I have some nice models to show -well , I think they are . As I made a lot of them , that sounds braggardly , but you will never know at this rate .
Back to the model table , chains rattling .
Mike
Congratulation Mike on a great son and a great engine. Do your best to enjoy both.
Looks like you have not only a fine locomotive but something even better…a caring son! Congratulations Mike!
We ARE going to have to see about getting you “illustrated” so we can view some of your models. Why this is like reading a book without pictures. It should never “a’ bin rit”! hehe!
Damn! Does he want to adopt another father??? I can’t get anyone in the family to purchase locomotives…
Photos on this board are easy.
Do you know how to put them into a website?
Just copy the URL here and it’s automatic.
Credit cards.
Don’t get me started.
Too late.
The bastards charge an additional 3 percent to do an international transaction fee, so it bites.
However, what are you trying to pay?
Bob?
International Money Order tied to the leg of a pidgeon works.
Or, if you’re really set on doing a card, let’s figure the costs involved, I can run your card, mail Bob a check, and get you set up.
Money orders work, Ive had no problems with them…
Dave ,
That’s very kind of you . Now be careful you don’t spoil your claim to curmudgeonliness --how’s that for a word ? I shall contact you by email and sort out the details .
Thanks a million , Dave . I must remember not to knock submarines with my Jezebel any more .
Mike
Meanwhile , back at the ranch,
I have HEIDI on the rolling road . It is running on d.c. from a lab power supply , which I stole some time ago when I thought I was being made redundant . I wasn’t , but I kept it on principle .
Anyway , the power supply has current (I ) and Voltage ( V ) monitoring on it . It is very interesting to watch the loco circuit regulating I according to V , and also the loco regulating I when a load is put on it . So all this electronic theory stuff works in practice then . The loco is running very sweetly , no bumps and grinds , so I have left it running in while I tackle my DRGW MOW stuff . Which prompted me to post a bit of useless information that I have not seen posted before . Bear with me .
There is this company called K&S Metals . Their display boxes are usually on display in any half decent model shop . I never leave a model shop without picking up a few bits of stuff from the box , on the grounds that you never know when it might come in useful . Notwithstanding my thieving piratical tendencies joked about above , I do pay for it .
So , it was with some pleasure that I discovered that the little bolts on Accucraft couplers and a swine to get at with a normal tube spanner can be easily manipulated with a piece of the Hex Brass Tube , 4mm a/f outside , 3mma/f inside . The beauty of this is the access when in tight spaces , as on the couplers where the four longitudinal bolts are up against the coupler body . The reason I need to access this is to take the innards out and stuff them neatly into the Hartford draw boxes , the Hartford boxes being more scaly than the Accucraft ones .
OK , that’s my useless tip , beat that .
ps I also make long reach drills out of the K&S Brass Rod , simply by cutting across it with a pair of cutters that leave a sharp screwdriver type end . This , if dressed lightly with a file , to make the sides of the "bit " more pointy , makes a super long drill for getting into hard places . Don’t knock it , try it . Then you can laugh .
Mike M
Mike,
Congrats on your acquisition.
About the photo stuff; it sounds like between TOC and Bob you have the hosting part just about worked out. If not, I have quite a bit of web space and can offer a free loan of some in exchange for seeing your pictures.
I’m also willing to help with the posting part. One of my specialties is helping technologically challenged people to understand and use technology. I do so with small simple words, lots of pictures and examples. Not because I think folks are stupid, but because that’s what works for me when I need to figure something out.
JR
Jon ,
A man with sympathy . Very kind of you , I do not feel the least put out at someone offering to help , I may be a bit stupid at some things , but when you are into as many drugs as I , it’s surprising I know where to get up in the mornings . Where was I ? . Oh , yes , Jon , I shall be in touch directly via email . You’re a star .
Mike M
Mike Morgan said:If I don't respond immediately, fear not, a reply will come. I still work for a living and can't always break to do what I want (posting from work now). Lately, when I get home I've been consumed by my indoor railway re-alignment project - but I'm happy to take a few moments from that to help.
Oh , yes , Jon , I shall be in touch directly via email . You're a star . Mike M
JR
OKAY MORGAN… you in deep stuff now… all these new toys…and you have not sent ME any pictures… you done it now dud…e… i’m gonna send one of clays gators to chomp on yer darned wheels… 
Mo–reece , purleese ,
Y’all know I cain’t do pikchers like you send me , an’ I did try sendin’ one of mah loco at the quarry , that beein’ the only thang with bits stuck out the front , as you like . Strang an’ all . Now you get down to yo’ blueberries , yuh heah ? ‘fore them vines git to ‘em .
Yo’ fren’ Mahk from Engerlayund