O - O 4 O 4 U - U C + (2)

Its a bit like old Gaffer Dribbledrip whose workshop and yard was kept clean by a well-used yard brush. "I've 'ad ee for yon forty years," he announced proudly, "and ee's only 'ad three new 'andles and four new brush 'eads."

But we rush on ahead of ourselves. fbb's April 1st quiz referred to the Hornby model based very loosely on a tank loco used at the Dowlais Iron Works at Merthyr Tydfil.

Like every other 0-4-0 from the Triang/Hornby stable, this rather ugly little tank loco has appeared in a wide range of liveries.

The original had inside cylinders ("hidden" between the loco's main frames) so the bog-standard 0-4-0 chassis would be ideal.

fbb was therefore not at all surprised to find an on-line article explaining how one noble modeller sought to turn the crude and inaccurate model into something that was more like the original.

Firstly, bits has to be removed from the main body moulding because the boiler and the smokebox were both too long, having been extended by Triang's designers to fit the standard 0-4-0 chassis.

Then the smokebox front and the buffer beams have been sliced from the original.

Next our keen constructor added some detail in the cab ...

... most of which cannot easily be seen from a normal viewing distance, but such is dedication.

Our Mr Keen also build a brand new chassis with the correct sized wheels, new connecting rods and a replacement motor.

Brake arms (in black) and some yellow lining around the main frames completed the job below the footplate. Of course, new buffer beams, buffers and a refettled smokebox front were needed as well.

And here is the finished model awaiting handrails, nameplate and numbers; plus, fbb assumes, some more yellow lining.

Only the chopped about body shell remains of the original. Impressive work indeed but fbb does wonder whether most (any) modellers would really notice the difference unless the old and new were laid side by side.

But that is what modelling is all about - developing skills and interests to produce something that inspires and entertains.

A bit like writing a daily blog!

600 Livery Launch

A short while back, fbb reported that the slickly named First Bus in South East and Central Scotland had extended their service 600 (Edinburgh Airport and Livingston) further west to Whitburn and increased frequency to every 30 minutes from every hour.

On Friday last there was a formal launch of the new branding ...

... which slightly bamboozled fbb. (It is easy to do, these days!).

What, he thought, is RGH?

Of course; fbb is a real turnip-head!

And the route number 600? Edinburgh's Airport Flyer has ling since been the 100. It was joined at the airport by the tram and service 35.

When fbb popped in to the airport a few years ago, he chose the 35 as it charged the Edinburgh City flat fare, not the Airport rip-off premium charged on 100 and (later) tram. Now the 35 has morphed into the 300 and been joined by a 200 and a 400 - all being local City routes extended at as premium to the airport.

A clunky diagram shows all five routes.

Citylink runs from Glasgow direct to the airport ...

... but doesn't show a route number.

Stagecoach Fife runs in every 20 minutes from Halbeath Park and Ride (Dunfermline) ...

... and Ferrytoll Park and Ride (north end of Forth Bridge) as route 747 ...

... following the "tradition" of numbering airport routes after Boeing aircraft.

So why did First choose 600?

Dowlais Shunter P.S.
Hattons of Widnes have one on offer second hand for a tenner plus £4 postage.

That is the cheapest loco fbb has ever seen on the Hattons site.

Who would run a bus service?
fbb doesn't normally report on road accidents because it seems insensitive, especially if people have lost their lives. In this case Roy from Sheffield reported on the significant effect on bus services in the Tinsley and Meadowhall area.

The crash happened on Friday at about 08:15
on the northbound carriageway near Tinsley

The crash happened between a lorry, a van and a car

Two men died at the scene as a result of their injuries

A 39-year-old man from Hull has been arrested
on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving

Police are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage

The crash caused major knock-on delays on the M1,
surrounding roads and bus services

The carriageway finally opened again at about
18:00 on Friday evening

Roy snapped a 65 from Meadowhall to Buxton running 45 minutes late ...

... and an X17 from Barnsley via Meadowhall to Sheffield, Chesterfield and Matlock running 50 minutes late.

But a grim tale of delay befell this outward 208 to Dinnington ...

It was on time when photographed but reports suggest that it arrived in Dinnington three hours late having spent most of that time stationary at Tinsley.

Whilst huge, huge sympathy goes out to those in the accident and clearing up, you do sometimes wonder whether post prang investigation (with roads closed) is really necessary, bearing in mind the obvious consequences to everyone else trying to complete their journeys.

 Next Bus Route? What Bus Route blog : Monday 10th July