Caledonian Railway Association Forum

I remember seeing her from the top deck of a tram. I have a feeling there was some doubt about whether there was sufficient clearance for the two vehicles to pass each other. Can anyone remember? I'm sure she had a bow collector then. There was no problem with the trolleybuses, of course. Whispering...

Tony Some years ago you kindly sent me several 45' underframe etches which you were hoping to get back from John. I still have a couple left which I'd be happy to donate to a good cause. It'll be a day or two before I can get to a post office, but I'll let you know when it's underway. Allan F

There was a drawing by John Boyle which described it as a fish or fowl van (which I presume is what you have). But I've read somewhere that these vehicles (or these sort of vehicles) were used for milk traffic as well, being well ventilated. Also that they were used for empty casks, being light and ...

Well there were variations on the theme, but certainly both the CR and the NBR had Villa tickets. They were effectively first class season tickets issued to people who built new villas within a certain distance of the line, usually with certain conditions about the number of people (including servan...

These are excellent mouldings --- I presume Simon has had new moulds made from the original masters, which were of a very high standard. I understood the original moulds had become too worn. I finished about a dozen of them, and the work involved is not five minutes worth: it involved: Hoops for end...

That sounds like a sound inference. What got to me was that I would almost swear it was one of John Boyle's etches, and I was trying to think where he got the original details, Which was largely at the Archives in Birmingham. At base we'll never know for sure until somebody finds a drawing or photog...

Sorry, I did mean the right hand side of the groom's compartment. But if I can't trust what I say, what hope do you have?

Allan F (isolated, vulnerable, and wool gathering)

The extra window at the right hand end isn't in the photograph on p193. Apart from these two facts the etch is identical to the dia 9 horsebox (I have one)
Allan F

This image is currently circulating on the HMRS forum for identification. Apart from the fact that it's Drummond panelling, I don't know, Though I'd bet that it's a John Boyle etching. Any suggestions?

Allan F

I would suggest that the window is metal (iron or steel?) When would iron framed windows appear? I don't recall seeing that kind of window on any railway building.

Allan F

I'm with Jim P on this. It would be an unusual model to have on the layout, but I can't just couple behind a Jumbo, as I can do with the directors' saloon. I've never dealt with a 3D printed model so I was curious.

Allan F

I came upon this advert in the back pages of the "Toddler", but when I tried the website I got a warning "THIS SITE IS DANGEROUS. DO NOT ENTER".

Does anybody know anything about it?

Allan F

I find it useful to think how the original builders worked --- they didn't have fancy equipment, and much of their work must have been "cut to fit" I think an article on working with plasticard --- indeed on building the houses --- would be a great asset to TTL The last really profound article on th...

I do admire the precision of your work here; it will be a most eye catching structure when finished. The complex wee angles around the windows are well caught --- these little things are individually unnoticeable, but make such a difference to the visual character of the building. My brain is tying ...

A good model is a good model, and will be admired as such. Accuracy to prototype is only one aspect of it.
But it can be very irritating to the builder, nevertheless!

Allan F

I think the air cylinder was by the rear buffer beam; and you can just get a glimpde of the top corner of the cab ---- if you're quick!

Allan F

CRA6/2/9 is the reference, but the drawings are not individually listed. However when we originally got them I did a listing which I've managed to find, and I attach here CRA6-2-9 IRISH AUCTION.xlsx I don't think this list is in the archive, and Jim Summers, if you're listening(!) may like to incorp...

Your completed cottage is well realised. I particularly liked the finish of the stonework, which well achieves that slightly softened reddish look of the red sandstone. You know that we acquired a significant number of original drawings of various minor buildings along the route. These were acquired...

Thanks, Angus. I figured it was something like that. It was an issue that hadn't occurred to me until I read a series of postings in another place regarding raised bosses on model loco driving wheels. I knew about the dished wheels on Cardean, though. I wonder if dished driving wheels were used anyw...

This question floated into my mind as a result of a discussion in another place regarding axle lengths and thickened bosses on driving wheels. The 903 (Cardean) class were fitted with leading coupled heels which were dished outwards in the centre to enable longer driving journals. Since the intermed...

I have an impression -- I may have heard it somewhere -- that the wagons to be seen in coal merchants' windows were publicity models made by some model making firm, and that they were all the same design. The livery, of course, was applied for each company, but again, may have been indicative (to lo...

I was able to acquire several rods for Jumbos on Sunday from Dave at his stall in Perth. A nice chat too...……

Allan F

Point w I think one of MacIntoshesell made, Mike, but I think MacIntosh would have been quietly sceptical of MacDonald's wilder flights of fancy. But he wouldn't have said so. I think one of Macintoshes skills was his ability to get on with people at all levels of society despite his own humble back...

Norman Doran MacDonald was an Edinburgh advocate who had a large interest in transport matters, particularly cars and steam locomotives. He appears to have formed a close relationship with, particularly, J F Macintosh. He was from 1899 to 1904 chairman of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, and appe...

I have a photograph (about1879) of a platform trolley arranged to carry Carriage lamps, presumably accompanied by an agile porter to throw the lamps to his colleague on the carriage roof. This was on the NBR (at Dundee Tay Bridge). Has anyone any knowledge of a similar practice on the CR? It wouldn'...