Graskie

Sorry, 2toederic. I did initially put up information for you but immediately realised I had not included the picture of said coach from Tri-ang's number 2 catalogue 1956. I quickly did an edit, including the picture, but it was then held for modification. It should appear sometime.

The coach you refer to appeared in Triang Railways 2nd catalogue 1956, 2 toes. I'm attaching a picture of it. As you can see, its running number is S17035 and item number R.22. It cost 8s 3d then, compared to your 20p. Yes, with the original type of Tri-ang couplings. I believe the metal axle rods you refer to had rounded end and I did manage to convert that type of wheel to insulated metal ones. I bought some small metal caps that you could fit into the plastic axle boxes to reduce wear on them. Hope this helps.

/media/tinymce_upload/2c2368fea73daa524e492b4cf17bb6e7.JPG I'm attaching a picture I took of my recently acquired new loco, the opposition's Standard Class 3MT tank loco standing on my layout. It came fitted with a Youchoos (Zimo) sound decoder with 21 different functions (and 784 CVs!), firebox and directional operating lamps, plus crew, and a separate decoder for smoke. It's not smoking in my picture, though, as you can see. A real little stunner and fantastic runner.

Single or multi-lane shed, Rob?

I just love your correct use of the subjunctive mood in "were," Fishy, rather than "was". Top marks! Unfortunately that will not help to mend your bike wheel, though. What mood will you use for that?

Could you perhaps sort that with a wheel gauge, Fishy?

I had to buy him off, though, PP. You didn't know that, did you? I don't suppose he passed anything on to you either, did he?

And I thought you were a steel ruler afficionado, WTD. Mine was really £6.56 plus p&p from the same place. No regrets, it's probably better than your cheaper version.

/media/tinymce_upload/b7c50d50d8c4a7690839fbffcf6ebdfd.JPG Just look at what I recently managed to fabricate from a small piece of one of my gold bars! I hope I've gauged it right. I used this for the first time the other evening and it's great. It beats the old cold common steel ruler, being much quicker to use and saving eye strain. Its round edges tapering inwards make it extremely easy to work it into the inside of wheels and, for some reason, it is a real pleasure to use. You can gently ease wheels wider apart (which seems to be the more usual adjustment required) or, presumably, press any wheels which happen to be too wide apart onto it.

That layout looks splendid, BM. Oh to have that much space, although I can't get anywhere as near to finishing my smaller layout after starting it up 20 years ago!

Just finished testing my recently acquired Late BR crest Class D11/2 4-4-0 62677 "Edie Ochiltree". It has been specially fitted with directional working lamps, firebox glow, separate smoke decoder, footplate crew and fabulous sound.

Wow! Very entertaining and well built, MB. What on earth will your new layout look like with all that extra room you mention? You'll be able to stand in the middle with it all going round the walls then, as I do with mine in a slightly smaller room than the one you have. I just loved that busy and varied station. Sounds as well. Camera a bit wobbly and I notice a lot of traffic seems to go by your house, but, yes, well done. Can't wait to see your bigger layout.

Have you considered extending your layout through a self-made hole in the wall into another room, N0ddie? I'm sure your wife could be talked round to that sort of ingenuity.

Where are you, WTD? You're really wanted on this one!

Fantastic, RAF. Actually in this area we do say things like "air kid".

Do you mean what we English would pronounce as "Hour's Rock," AC?

One clever way of reducing our population, I suppose, if some find they can't afford to come back.

A pair of hearing aids fitted today, all the better to hear my sound locos with! Crikey, this keyboard doesn't half clack when I press the keys.

Oh dear, Fishy. I soon lose you, don't I? My previous guess of the sides being 6" by 6" is what most people would regard as square. For your benefit alone, I should have said it turns out from LC's picture to be more rectangular in those dimensions than square. As for my gold, I certainly wouldn't pare the ingots down and leave even you the scrap bits. It's mine, I tell you, it's all mine!!! (maniacal laugh).

That's the one I remember, LC. Thanks for the picture. Its all quite a bit more rectangular than I described.

Good for you, Thomas.

It gets better and better, PJ. Although my layout is slightly bigger, I wish I could progress at half the rate you have yours. Well done! Keep it up.

I can't get anywhere using that link, 81F. I do, however, remember the enormous black plastic Tri-ang battery controller Rovex/Tri-ang came out with and which one of our friends had for his Jinty goods set in the mid 50's. It was very tall (9"?) and about 6" on each side, with the control lever on top. Does that sound like the one you're talking about, TA?

/media/tinymce_upload/P1020028.JPG Received and fully tested yesterday, a super little lightly weathered L&Y 2-4-2T fitted with great sound, directional lights, flickering fire, cab light and crew.

I think WTD will see red at the mention of one of your items, SoT.