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Weekend Varuety 2

November 4, 2024 0Likes

 The Big Lemon Squeezed!

It would appear that the Brighton operator, famed for its community work and environmental principles, is in trouble.

Apparently the company is short of vehicles “due to problems with a supplier“.

The local press has outlined the situation and the current interim solution.

A shortfall of £400,000 in their tender business looks like a deeper problem with some challenging financial issues for what is a relatively small company.

Is it churlish to suggest that “problems with a supplier” might be caused by Big Lemon struggling to pay its bills?
Councillor Trevor Muten …

… has explained more.

The news of a retendering exercise in January 2025 does not bode well for the troubled Big Lemon.

Passengers Squeezed?

Britains only double deck train was designed by Oliver Bulleid for the Southern Railway to overcome crowding on the London commuter network. It wasn’t really double deck, it was overlapping cramped mini-decks.

It was a failure because, although the design squeezed in a few more seated passengers, there was less room for a crush load with standees and it was harder to get people in and out!

The oddity finally rotted away and a preservation project stalled.

But soon, if you can take out a second mortgage, you will be able to buy a four car set in OO gauge from KR models.

Maybe apply for that mortgage soon as the top of the range version (DCC fitted and with sound) is somewhat pricey – approaching £500 for four carriages. Very OUCH!

fbb would quite like to save up for one coach for his layout, without sound or electronic control; but KR are not offering single vehicles.
 
Less of a Squeeze on the Budget?
How about a two car version of a Merseyside electric unit? To be fair, it is not as accurate as some modellers might want …

… it is unpowered and will not fit on OO gauge track. Also you have to build it yourself.

It might be a nice project to while away the dark winter evenings, or even the cold dark winter evenings after Rache has snaffled your winter fuel allowance!

City Brix also produces a London Underground train of similar inaccuracy …

… plus, rather spookily, a model of the late QE2.

Thankfully, she is not naked, but wearing a white satin gown.

The Merseytravel version is of an older class 508, now superseded …

… and the price for such realism?

£14.99 – well it’s cheaper than  Southern double deck unit!

Squeezed Balance Sheet?
Bus companies seem to be falling over themselves to buy odd disconnected bits of the bus industry. Is this because the bus business is now much more unstable because of the onslaught (rather a slow onslaught at the moment) of franchising? Or maybe bus operators need to diversify to counteract the effect of Government Policy squeezing their bottom line from all other directions.
Here are a couple from First Bus:-
A posh coach operator in London …

… with some very nice motors …

… including posh little ones.

Also recently announced by First is the purchase of a more widespread group of operators.

The parcel includes 145 coaches.

Lakeside Coaches with depots at Ellesmere, Shrewsbury and Wem …
… Merediths are based in Malpas …

… and A T Brown in Telford.

All three seem to have well-kempt fleets.
The plan is that their identity will be retained; First’s ownership will be well hidden from public gaze.
Journey Times Squeezed
In Japan.
This nation was a pioneer of High Speed train and later Very High Speed trains. Recently announced is a project to bring …

… unbelievably High Speed trains running at 314 mph.

Such a pity that the front end looks like a duck-billed platypus!

Clearance Squeezed!
At long, long last the carriage shed and the engine shed from the once outdoor layout have been installed at Peterville.

The effect is much improved by some terraforming.

Two problems have emerged from fbb’s bodging. 

The bulky bolts that give strength and integrity to the walls of the carriage shed stick out too far and foul the main lines. Nothing can pass; they just stop with an unpleasant CLONK.

Hmmm?
On the old layout they were well away from track and trains.
The other problem is that the ballast is too dark. fbb was hoping it would lighten up as the gunge dried. It hasn’t.
Puzzle Picture
Obviously …

… it is described as:-

For the benefit of the company offering this treat, Christmas Trees are GREEN, and their “shape” includes a good number of branches.

Observany readers may be able to spot the difference!

 Next Reading Birthday blog : Tues 5th Nov 
Categories: CamCab