Riddles

Of course the problem all these revelations have created is that few adults will now wish to become involved with voluntary youth organisations. Many, if not most, of the UK heritage railways have junior sections to encourage young people to become actively involved in railway restoration and operation. It's safer not to put yourself in a position where you could be unjustly accused of wrongdoing. It's already happened at a railway I have volunteered at, but not to me I hasten to add.

Googling Fast Grab shows more than one maker. Could you let us have more details please? I think someone else suggested another product called Gorilla Glue. Anyone fancy doing a Which type comparison test?

I believe that the 8 car units were only on the Western Region but all the present releases have Midland numbering. It's not just the numbers that need changing either. Sorry if I sound like a rivet counter. I'm not really.

With our smallish 8 panel system (2kWp) which we have had installed for 12 months, we don't actually submit the details of the amount we haven't used. It is just estimated at 50% of the generation, which I think is very generous. The system cost us £9,495 and has paid us back £1,853 tax free, in the first year. Better than money in the bank.

Thank you for that. Does 50/50 sound right for the waterproof PVA / water mix?

I am planning on using a mixture of waterproof PVA and water (50/50?) dribbled on to the real granite chippings, possibly "misting" the dry ballast first from a fine spray of water and a drop of washing up liquid. When it has all dried I would then pour or paint on some floor polish as recommended by others. Is 50/50 WPVA and water about right and is pre-wetting unnecessary? I thought a mist spray first would help the WPVA and water soak in more easily and stop it washing the ballast away. I'm always interested in learning from other peoples experiences. Riddles

If I was installing catenary I would seriously consider using the new Dapol items.They do look fairly strong and easily replaceable. Please see http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/2145_1_105446720.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Also shown on Hattons site. Dave

In the past I have been able to source obsolete parts from http://www.eastkentmodels.co.uk/ Ask for their parts lists from ekmodels@hotmail.com or phone them on 01227 770777 (0930-1730 Monday-Saturday) or by fax to 01227 272787. They may be able to suggest an alternative part which will fit. Riddles

It is very useful stuff but I've found that it doesn't always go where you think you are squirting it, and when it starts expanding the direction it takes is unpredictable. Note that it should be painted if used outdoors.

There are several lady railway modellers! Jennifer Kirk ( Jennyemily667 ) is just one. She was once considering a garden extension to her indoor layout but I don't think she developed it. She posts a lot of videos on YouTube. One example is at I can think of at least 4 other female modellers but I can't name them. My wife is quite hands-on and knowledgeable about model railways. Riddles

I presume you are referring to the Somerset & Dorset 7F, in which case I have to say it is one of the easiest locos to fit with sound as Bachmann appear to have designed it with this in mind. I bought my ESU Loksound version 3.5 decoder (21 pin) from Digitrains and it fitted easily in the tender. There are locating pins moulded in to show where the speaker is fitted. I fitted mine almost 18 months ago so I can't remember which speaker I used but it was not the round one supplied by Loksound. Digitrains are now also supplying Zimo sound decoders which are a little less expensive and just as good or better. They are very helpful but do not offer a fitting service. Riddles

There are two Pullman cars at the Spotgate Inn in Staffordshire. Details of "Ursula" and "Car 75" can be found at http://www.spotgateinn.co.uk/the-pullman-cars/ . Externally the coaches are showing their age but internally the ambience is good and the food is excellent and good value. The main website is at http://www.spotgateinn.co.uk/ Riddles

The weights on some of those Lima steam locos were made of an alloy which contained a lot of impurities and over the years swell up and distort. I had exactly the same problem with a Lima Crab but after I had filed the weight back to its original size it worked fine. Riddles

Actually, if you do decide to go for a "WYE" it would be much easier to wire up with DCC than DC. Just completely isolate one joining track (both rails at each end - four insulated joiners) and connect it to a Reverse Loop Module. The Hornby version, R8238, costs £29 at Hattons but most DCC Systems have their own versions. If you drive a loco on to this section chimney first, the module automatically sets the polarity of the track and changes it over when it rejoins the conflicting section. This happens instantly without the complications of any switches. I'm not planning on leaving the module outside when not running but a couple of 2 pin plug and sockets would soon connect it up. Riddles

One big disappointment I had was with the BachmannJubilee "Kolhapur". I was fairly happy with the sound but what annoyed me was that they had programmed it so that the hooter ALWAYS blew by itself whenever the loco was started to move. I know that a driver should always sound the whistle before moving off but that is something that I can do myself with Function 2. I phoned South West Digital, who make Bachmann's sound projects, and they said that it would be quite expensive to remove the unwanted feature. I can't remember the exact figure but I think it was between £25 and £45. In the end I took the loco to Olivias Trains in Sheffield and they loaded their own project for £10. I have to say that I am impressed with the three Howes sound chips I bought although they are expensive. Last week I saw and heard Digitrains A4 which was also wired to a Seuthe smoke generator and this had a very impressive Gresley chime whistle sound. They only sell the parts but don't fit them.

Sorry, "Deltic" is NOT a contraction of "Diesel" and "Electric". It refers to the design of the the engine(power unit not loco) . The cylinders are divided in three banks set in a triangle like the Greek letter Delta. The term Deltic (meaning in the form of the Greek letter Delta) is used to refer to both the Deltic E.130 opposed-piston high-speed diesel engine and the locomotives produced by English Electric using these engines, including their demonstrator locomotive named DELTIC and the production version for British Railways, who designated these as (TOPS) Class 55. A Deltic is a Class 55 or the single prototype. Nothing else is a Deltic even if they might look a bit similar. The sound of a Deltic at full throttle is magic.