Glasgow haul

 

I am getting better at not spending money too randomly at toy train shows. However, I can't really spend three days in a hall full of stuff, and not come away with at least one item. 

So, purchase number one is a Hornby R135 "Callard & Bowser" van. For a fiver, I picked up a properly Scottish souvenier. It's a bit of fun. Best of all, it's empty, because I don't like butterscotch.

Produced in 1983, in a run of 4000, it's one of Hornby's made up liveries. This has no place on a srious layout, but who says we always need to be serious? 

To be honest, that was very nearly it. Honour was satisfied. I had a new toy. And then I was perusing a stand at the back of the hall on Saturday afternoon, and spotted this. 

Curious, I asked the stallholder what loco it came from - an 09 diesel apparently. Hence the top speed of 30mph, and redline at 27.5. 

"How much?" I asked, expecting a price in three figures. £25. I snapped his hand off. 

Reader, the lesson is, put price labels on things. This wasn't hidden on the stand, but after nearly two days, it was still there! I suspect everyone thought it would be far more expensive. 

It's a lovely thing, or at least I think it is. Solidly made, with a bit of weight, there is something about railwayana that appeals to me, and I think it's the quality of construction as much as anything. That, and I wonder what life it has had before coming into my posession. 

But, what to do with this lovely lump? 

On the back are a pair of electrical terminals. Put a 9v battery on them, and the needle moves to 15mph. Could I wire it into a control panel in some way? Hmmm....