Trade Titfield Thunderbolt News
- Thread starter Simon
- Start date
Dog Star
Western Thunderer
Interesting, I live near to Basingstoke and I consider that a trip to Bath is worth the effort. Which is your local bookshop?
regards, Graham
Simon
Flying Squad
Hi Simon
I've been knocking around WT for a while but the penny has only just dropped that you run Titfield Thunderbolt (duh!)
Last year I was doing some research for a (since shelved) 2mm project and needed details of Banbury's old shed. After a lot of googling it looked like what I needed might be in a Great Western Journal, after some more searching I found your website and duly ordered #3 (1992).
It turned up promptly and had exactly what I needed, but the thing that really bowled me over was your hand-written note on the postcard, included with a mere £6 order!
I thought you might be interested to know that I keep that postcard in my laptop bag as an example to show colleagues and other small business owners how it is possible to combine traditional, personal customer service with the impersonal and sterile world of internet transactions. It just takes some creative thinking and, most importantly, a vendor who cares. They are always very impressed.
Hope the shop is going well, keep up the good work!
Jon
Gosh, I'm really touched, thank you very much for your kind comments Jon.
I do try(!) and am in the relatively luxurious position (as my own boss in the Titfield endeavour) of doing what I want, which includes hopefully spreading the joy of this hobby and interest one way and another.
As far as being "clocked" on WT goes, I find that quite pleasing. I think I effectively first "met" Cynric through his ordering something from me (quite likely a Great Western Journal) and he subsequently introduced me to WT and I joined in.
Cynric was (very typically of him) generous to me in terms of mentioning my business on WT, hence this thread and its position in the forum. I think he was quite a "booky" person and liked the shop for that reason, but whatever the motivation I and my bookish activities could not have been made more welcome here. As an aside I still miss Cynric and his input a hell of a lot, in common with a lot of other people in the hobby with whom he shared his company and enthusiasms, it just doesn't seem credible that he isn't still with us.
Going back to the bookshop, I am a member of WT because of the modelling and company rather than any other reason, and so I moderate my "Titfield" input, occasionally going a bit over the top but (hopefully) generally running it at a fairly non intrusive level.
Anyway, thanks again for your post - very much appreciated here.
Simon
S
SteveO
Guest
Likewise with Jon, a happy customer here too. I use my postcard as a bookmark, which saves me from opening bills and using the envelopes!
I've often wondered what happened to Cynric's projects and commissions (while trying not to dwell on the massive void he left in the lives of his family and friends). Does anyone know?
I've often wondered what happened to Cynric's projects and commissions (while trying not to dwell on the massive void he left in the lives of his family and friends). Does anyone know?
David Taylor
Western Thunderer
Yes, I'm pretty sure I got a postcard with my last order too. Thought it was a nice touch.
I'm a "book" person too, and I envy your enterprise in setting up a business which combines trains and a bookshop. Can't think of much better
I'm a "book" person too, and I envy your enterprise in setting up a business which combines trains and a bookshop. Can't think of much better
David Taylor
Western Thunderer
David Taylor
Western Thunderer
Arrived yesterday
I have to say the MSWJR vol 2, locos, book is a brilliant example of a book useful to modellers. So many books, including "Locos worth modelling", and "Locos I have known", only include side drawings, completely missing the point a modeller needs to know what the front and back of the tender and loco look like. I guess these older books catered to people who would have motors sticking into their cabs or whatever, but it is frustrating. Drawings of the frames and valvegear would be nice but even I know that's asking a bit much.
The MSWJR book has drawings which must have been done or comissioned by someone who actually builds things as they have a lot of details others miss out. Along with tons of words and pictures about each set of locos. One of the best books I've bought.
On the other hand I'm not sure what to think of Geoff Holt's "Locomotive Modelling" yet. I guess much of the stuff I was hoping for is coming in vol2, but vol1 seems pretty lightweight except for a very useful chapter on valve gear. I was quite disappointed to basically read "I get my platework cut on a pantograph mill, my wheels machined for me, my rods milled by a supplier, ...". No question Geoff's work is first rate but as a book about building locos it doesn't seem that great. Nice pictures, but I think a compilation of his past articles would probably have made a better read. I'd argue anyone that hasn't bought it should just wait for vol2.
Regards,
David.
S
Simon Dunkley
Guest
Ouch!
And coming from someone of your calibre, Dave, that's a fairly damning critique. One to avoid, or at least, to seriously consider picking up and leafing through before buying, rather than buying because of the name of the author and the reputation of the publisher.
Dog Star
Western Thunderer
Whilst not sure of the reason(s) why, I had a less than encouraging experience of reading vol.1... maybe I was looking for education or information, irrespective I felt that the book was less than inspirational. A good idea to show the different approaches of kit-built and scratch-built modelling of one prototype.
regards, Graham
regards, Graham
David Taylor
Western Thunderer
I didn't see much about building either loco... the only things I can recall after having leafed through a few times looking for things of interest are:
1. Geoff's scratch-built frames have flat tops as opposed to the profiled tops of the kit frames. This was interesting to me because I thought his scratch-built fames would also have the correct contour. If he can get away with it, maybe we can too
2. The expansion links in the valve gear he's using are solid with just a hole at one end for the "die block". That would be a damned sight easier to scratch build than a proper slotted one. Never occured to me.
3. A good description of valve gear, including Joy's and slip eccentrics. I guess he needed to know those for his LNWR model, but it can't hurt the rest of us. Particularly if we need to build some Joy gear as I am trying to do
I think it got it mostly right based upon those posts on RMWeb and deciding what the various links had to look like due to what else they had to clear, but it is nice to see some good drawings of it.I'm not sorry I bought it because I'd be left wondering what was in it, but I really expected something better. Especially for the price. When combined with vol2 it's going to be a very expensive book, and not really better than the Guy Williams one.
I still don't think I could recommend it as a "must buy" unless you just want it because you like scratchbuilding and want to encourage the publishing of books about it! I feel a bit bad about that because it was such a highly anticipated book from such a great modeller, from a publisher worth supporting.
One other point re valve gear. I'm reading Martin Evan's book about building miniature locomotives, and it also has excellect info on the different types. Not surprising as they need to work properly for live steam
But it explains a few more details even about Stephenson's gear.Regards,
David.
Simon
Flying Squad
Brief update while I'm still in "da shop", having been drinking tea with a pleasant succession of visitors and also drawing Larkrail parking maps.
Possible the "hit book" of the moment is this:
A pretty stonking collection of photographs as per the title, some of them have been seen before but many not, amongst which are some real gems. These include a sequence taken at Somerton by Mike Jose during engineering work in March 1965, featuring an unidentified class 22 with discs and small yellow warning panels which has had the connecting doors at one end replaced with those from an all green ended example, which I am guessing will make it identifiable to those who know about these locos in detail.
Lots of good DMU shots include a lovely Limpley Stoke view by John Beckett and some great Bridport Branch views of 122 units in green with small yellow panels, plus some good "odd liveried examples. Some very good ex GWR railcar shots too. Eras covered just up to HST, predominantly pre blue, but still lots of the blue stuff for those that like it.
One odd thing, the book has a rather distinctive "pong"
which as a confirmed book sniffer I find quite hard to take, although it won't stop me adding this to my own collection.
On the magazine front just in is Bob Barlow's latest which has an utterly lovely retrospective article on Iain Rice's Tregarrick - plus a superb sugar cane line and a beautiful 1/32 scale "lightbox" model of a mill.
I don't think it gets much better!
Simon
Possible the "hit book" of the moment is this:
A pretty stonking collection of photographs as per the title, some of them have been seen before but many not, amongst which are some real gems. These include a sequence taken at Somerton by Mike Jose during engineering work in March 1965, featuring an unidentified class 22 with discs and small yellow warning panels which has had the connecting doors at one end replaced with those from an all green ended example, which I am guessing will make it identifiable to those who know about these locos in detail.
Lots of good DMU shots include a lovely Limpley Stoke view by John Beckett and some great Bridport Branch views of 122 units in green with small yellow panels, plus some good "odd liveried examples. Some very good ex GWR railcar shots too. Eras covered just up to HST, predominantly pre blue, but still lots of the blue stuff for those that like it.
One odd thing, the book has a rather distinctive "pong"
which as a confirmed book sniffer I find quite hard to take, although it won't stop me adding this to my own collection.On the magazine front just in is Bob Barlow's latest which has an utterly lovely retrospective article on Iain Rice's Tregarrick - plus a superb sugar cane line and a beautiful 1/32 scale "lightbox" model of a mill.
I don't think it gets much better!
Simon
.
Captain Kernow
Western Thunderer
The pong is endurable, and the photographic contents are superb. Mind you, I rather like the musty odour of old books as well, depending on just how musty, mind...
taliesin
Western Thunderer
Hi Simon, does your fantasy about Bulleid Pacifics revolve around phoning Andrew P? Cheers RobI have had a phone call from the author regarding the "pong", he is quite put out by it.
However I'm currently having vivid Bulleid Pacific fantasies so am not quite so engrossed in the dieselly stuff as usual
Simon
about to go out and do battle with another C10