At approx 1500 fbb finished the bulk of the First Bus updates for GoTimetable. Two long working days (sign on at 0545, sign off when the instant insanity sets in) have been a challenge but, at least, the revised timetables will be in place in time for enquirers to check their journeys from Sunday onwards. fbb will write about some of the big developments in due course.
Yet again, the old man is reminded of a phrase in a German text book which fbb was called upon to use when doing some supply teaching.
Es macht dein hirnsubstanz im wackelpudding.
So today, just a brief look at the third tank, another model which fbb has added to his collection.
But we need a reminder of what tank wagons used to be like before they grew very large and very long.
They were small and short. The TEA wagon (above) has no chassis; its strength lies in the long tube to which important stuff like bogies and brakes are bolted or welded.
The old version had a wooden chassis which carried the wheels and a rudimentary handbrake.
The guard would have a wheel activated brake in his van and the steam engine would have brakes. But once in motion the wagons themselves would be brake-less.
Driving an "unfitted" (not fitted with power brakes) train was a huge skill shared with the guard, especially when going downhill, when a heavy train could accelerate and push the loco in the bum and off the track. Trains might well stop at the top of the hill and the guard would walk along his train "pinning down"t brakes before the descent.
They would have to be "unpinned" at the bottom. Unfitted freight trains were not the fastest on the network!
But go back and look at the actual tank.
Because the only way in and out of the tank was at the top, and because bolts and early-style welds could leak, the tank was literally a large tin car resting on the chassis.
It was held from bouncing up and down by two straps screwed tight, running over the tank and secured at the bottom.
The diagonal wire ropes were to prevent the tank from sliding forwards or backwards. Remember, the tank would be filled with a lot of liquid which would slosh about as the train accelerated and decelerated.
Oxford Diecast, based, as its name suggests, near to Swansea, has diverified from making a huge range of metal cars, lorries and the like ...
... into OO gauge railways, locos and rolling stock.
One of its annouced products was a tank wagon, an fbb must have. After being "in preparation" for ages, it has just appeared and a truly exquisite model it is.
It came, from Rails of Sheffield, in a shiny plastic wrapper ...
... which wrapped a long cardboard box.
Inside the box were some mega bubbles and some standard (for popping-fun time) bubble wrap.
And inside the bubble wrap was ...
... a box; within which was a large and complex piece of plastic and protectional stuff.
Having found his way through the challenge of the access puzzle, fbb was able to examine his purchase, having first displayed it against the original outer box.
Hey ho - another swathe of rain forest suffers death by chainsaw!
But the model is probably the most "accurate' tank wagon in fbb's collection. The strapping is astoundingly fine (click on the pictures for enlargements) ...
... so fbb must try to avoid pinging the wagon off the layout and onto the paving slabs. The lettering is barely legible via the watery and elderly ocular facilities of the old bloke ...
... but revealed by the techo-peepers in el cbubbo's phone. And, although difficult to photograph, the brake gear is all in place.
Amazing. Priced at £21.95 on Oxford's web site, it was discounted by Rails of Sheffield which in part mitigated the postage costs.
They've got another one "in production". Better give the piggy bank a rattle.
For comparison look at a Hornby Dublo Model made right up to the middle sixties.
Something like that would have cost you 2/6 (12½ pence) in 1939 which would inflate to £8.26 today.
Who says today's model railways are not expensive!
From The Twittersphere
Stagecoach offers on-board catering?
Sadly not.
Today's likely destination might be on an 80 or 81.
Because the only way in and out of the tank was at the top, and because bolts and early-style welds could leak, the tank was literally a large tin car resting on the chassis.
It was held from bouncing up and down by two straps screwed tight, running over the tank and secured at the bottom.
Oxford Diecast, based, as its name suggests, near to Swansea, has diverified from making a huge range of metal cars, lorries and the like ...
One of its annouced products was a tank wagon, an fbb must have. After being "in preparation" for ages, it has just appeared and a truly exquisite model it is.
It came, from Rails of Sheffield, in a shiny plastic wrapper ...
But the model is probably the most "accurate' tank wagon in fbb's collection. The strapping is astoundingly fine (click on the pictures for enlargements) ...
They've got another one "in production". Better give the piggy bank a rattle.
For comparison look at a Hornby Dublo Model made right up to the middle sixties.
Who says today's model railways are not expensive!
From The Twittersphere
Stagecoach offers on-board catering?
Today's likely destination might be on an 80 or 81.
Next "It's All On Line" blog : Friday 28th August
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