It seems the law of the web says you must post pictures of all the "top bargainz" you buy at a show. No idea who came up with this, probably an N gauge modeller as they seem especially keen on it, but who am I to buck the system?
A Hornby "Lord Westwood". I've fancied adding one of these to the collection for a long while. Basically, this is a GWR Hall in a lairy ficticious livery with the Hornby phone number on the tender. It drives the Great Wobbly fans mad - and that is as good as any reason to want one.
Released in 1974 and only in the catalgue for two years, these things normally command premium prices. I'm not paying £65+ no matter how much it annoys the GWR maffia. I will pay £15 though, especially for a model in such terrific condition.
Well, I say terrific, the price takes into account the motor doesn't work. Worse, the steam sound is diconnected too. The later should be an easy fix, and I'm sure I can source a working X04 motor from somewhere too. Locomotives of this era might be light on detail, but you can usually rebuild them.
Both "Lord Westwood" and this giraffe car came from the second-hand stall, and both cost the same price. It turned out that there were no less than three cars on the stand, and I doubt I got the best one. Compared to the model my friend Earl gave me just before Christmas, this is tatty and I probably paid over the odds, but then there is the fun of buying a giraffe car at Ally Pally, so I can live with this. The repairs will be something to blog anyway.
A few weeks ago, I realised that I don't own a hand-operated drill. Well, for £3, now I do. To be honest, I bought this one because it looks fantastic, but the jaws close tightly enough for a sub-1mm drill bit, so it's going to be useful. And if it isn't well, who cares when it looks like this!
Finally, one that will take a bit of research. A Model Power controller. This dinky unit has an odd conrol - the greem lever on the bottom. That was the selling point, well, that and it was only a fiver. I can be curious for that money. If it works, I dream of fitting the thing to a test track as it wouldn't take up much space.
And that's it. I know many would have spent far more, but then my life is well-stocked with toy trains so I don't really need any more. All of these sort of meet William Morris's instruction "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” so I suppose this is all right.
Did Triang do a blue'un to go with it? I know that the real one really p*sses off a mate of mine who's a copper topped fan....
ReplyDeleteSadly not. Anyway, there WERE blue copper-topped locos!
ReplyDeletePhil, I think that “Model Power” is (or was) US-based, and the control lever (“throttle”?) was a feature of their range. It must be a small unit, as rated at 5.5 VA you are not going to get many Amps out of it, e.g., around 500 milliamps at 10 volts DC. Good enough to control more efficient motors such as Mashimas.
ReplyDeleteI covet your hand drill (if it runs true), and I can see this helping to speed up hole-making in sheet materials!
I had a feeling that Model Power were American, and I will check that the input voltage isn't their feeble 110V!
ReplyDeleteLiking Lord Westy, it would go well with the matching Polly/Nellie, the one with the big shiny dome numbered 25550.
ReplyDeleteMy weekend show purchase (apart from a load of tools) was an 'ornby Van Houtan's Cocoa van, in tasteful brown, with the rubbish chassis where the brakes are in line with the wheels but oh so chunky, and wobbly wheels.
Hi Phil
ReplyDeleteLike that drill and one I missed but got some good 'bits' myself. I would have enjoyed a natter but you were well and truly engaged/giving an interview :)
Duncan - There was a lot of chat on Saturday! Sorry to miss you.
ReplyDelete