Meccano Magazine February 1952
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Transcript of Meccano Magazine February 1952
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THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
Dumper TruckNo. 562
8/8
Massey- Harris ManureSpreader No. 27c
4/9
Ford "Fordor"No. 139a
Sedan
MotocartNo. 27g
5/3
Observation CoachNo. 2?f3/11
Articulated LorryNo. 521
7/5
Riley SaloonNo. 40a2/11
Disc-HarrowNo. 27h
2/9
Refuse WagoNo. 2Sv Rover 75 SaloonNo. 140b
3/9
Coventry ClimaxLift Truck No.
8/1
Fork14c
Austin "Atlantic" ConvertibleNo. 140a
3/11
FodenWPrices include Purchase Tax
Diesel 8-whn No, 5019/11
Keep the wheels turning. Tyres for Dinkyyour dealer
can be obtained from
MAD I N ENGLAND B Y MECCANO LIMITED
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE i
Guy VanNo. 514
7/9
Hudson"Commodore" Sedan
No. 139b3/*
Austin WagonNo, 30]2/11
Dai ler AmbulanNo. 30h
3/5
Comet Wagon with HingedTailboard No. 532
7/9
Land RoverNo. 27d
4/8
Triumph '1800' SaloonNo. 40b
Austin TaxiNo. 40h3/10
Breakdown LorryNo.
Estate CarNo. 27f
3/5
Bedford End TipperNo. 25m
5,11
Foden Flat Truck withNo. 50511/4
Fordson "Thames' 1No. 30r2/11
Flat Truck
4*
Prices include Purchase Tax
Keep the wheels turning. Tyres for Dinky Toys can be obtained fromyour dealer
MADE I N E GLAND Y MECCANO LIMITED
-
11 THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
This railway station is one of thtnumerous models that can 6e madewith the No. 3 BAYKO Set.
ASK YOURDEALER FORDETAILS OF
"":-Uiii
tk4 0\uu+LtJi rl&ottc
Made from richly coloured, high-grade plastic material, BAYKO isbeautifully finished, easily cleaned
PRICES:No. .. 15/
BUILDINGandtreatment
survive years of hard
No, iNo. 2No. 3No. 4
22/637/659/.tie/*
No. OxNo. 1x * is/-No. 2x .. 22/6No. 3x , , 60/-
PLIMPTON ENGINEERING Co. Ltd.GIBRALTAR ROW, LIVERPOOL 3
FOR EXPORT ONLYWhat disappointments we had for fiveor sue years Everything good, everyth i n g Llesirabl c ^'iiiy abroad in
exchange for dollars.
Iiit now uTfiilnhl
TO IOUL A hanJ'builr scale model goods
Railway Set. * 11-11-0
I, The most perfect passenger, mainline Railway, built by experts, andi\ ile light to look at. Powerful, strongan d economiical. ** * 24-3-0
Illustrated brochure on request
Export enquiries Invited
LEEDS MODEL CO.LTD.30, DEWSBURY ROAD, LEEDS
ENGLAND
There is only one "Plasticine*made solelyby Harbutt's Plasticine Ltd. You will find'Plasticine' invaluable for adding the touchcf realism to your models. For prototypes4 mock ups* and other uses there Is no more
practical medium than
Sefe Manufacturer* RE GO.
HARBUTT'S PLASTICINE LIMITEDBATHAMPTON, BATH, SOMERSET
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE *in*mMfM/f//M^^^
HEAD for SUCCESS with
'.
:i
Smart, clean, well groomed hairputs heart into a , makeshim feel on top of the world.That's why men of achievementtake good care to use Brylcreem.They know that where personalappearance counts only the bestwill doand the best is Brylcreem.It's the perfect hairdressing.Brylcreem comes in easy-dip,easy-grip tubs 1/8, 2/6, and 4 ;6or handy tubes 2, 6.
Brylcreem your hairSv.
royds 71/3'J
ANOTHER #VI,*>. SMASH HIT^
O'M.S.' GNAT
A SEMI-SCALE RUBBER-POWERED MODELASTOUNDING VALUECOMPLETE KIT OF PARTSSpecial Features of Kit< Plastic prop.
Many parts p re-cut toshapeMoulded plastic wheelsPacked in box with attrac-
tive three-colour label
6'9 Postage6d.Span -Length[Weight
201512
in.
in.
A Model Expert andBeginner wilt be
Proud to Own.TRADE SUPPUED
PRICE LIST: 2d
THE MODEL SHOP3a, RIDLEY PLACE. NORTHUMBERLAND ST,NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE 1 Telephone: 22Q16
His training over at
THEPRINCE OFWALESSEA TRAINING
SCHOOLhe Ie begins life in theMerchant Navy.
Ii your ambition is to be a sailor, an intensiveTraining course of four months duration atone of the finest establishments of its kindin the United Kingdom will equip you withthe knowledge and opportunity to fulfilthat ambition.
\
Enquiries {ram applicants between the ag< of 15years H month* and 17 shuuid he addr^y^d:
m
Goneral Secretary;BRITISH SAILORS' SOCIETY
680, Commercial Rd*, London E.14, [Tel. East 4191)* u A
-
IV THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
S.E.L Motors make working models work!Every product a real engineering
Moc/ci makers and owners ofconstructional kit* like S.E.L.
power units and accessories
for the extra realism they give
to all hinds of models.
{Top kit) S.E.L. STEAM LAUNCH UNIT. Light-weight prcci$ion*bui]tpower unit for model-boat builders. Very powerful, 1 5/6 inc, tax.
(On richf) S.E.L. ELECTRIC MOTOR 1267. 4/6 volt d,e. motor speciallydesigned for use in model boats and with constructional outfits. Highnowcr with low consumption. Adjustable brushes 30/- inc. tax.
KJiik-f'O S.E.L. TRAFFIC LIGHTS 725 and ELECTRIC RAILWAY SIGNAL.With correct light sequence. The Railway Signal has a remote controlswitch. Powered
_
by 4-volt flashlamp battery concealed in base.Traffic Lights, 276 inc. tax. Railway Signal, 32/6 inc. tax.From all good dealers. postcard for illustrated List to
(Associated Company: SIGNALLING EQUIPMENT LTD)MERIT HOUSE, POTTERS BAR, MIDDLESEX
DYSON 8 TON TRAILERIS/6
FODEN F.G. LORRY
partsstandardisedreplaceable.
They come to you readyassembled, easily dismantled.
FODEN TIPPER LORRY65/-
Ask your usual dealer.If any difficulty write to: ABBEY-CORINTHIAN GAMES CO.. London S.W.1
THE NEWONDER ELEMENTALL GAS LIGHTERSfor
Ga! this new arid improved gas liflhlerelement lo-dayt ll will outlast all others.Works on 1.5 v. or 7,5 v. battery. Current
consumption ts negligible And dry-celts last
up to ten times as long with JET-VITAthe
new wonder element. A six months writtenguarantee is given with each element.
It vour dca\-:T cannot supply sind P.O.l{9d.. savins his name and address tot
OFFER OF A
Sole Conccssi
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE v
We do not supply directso visit yourlocal Tri-ang Toy stockist and see thewonderful range of Tri-ang MINICClockwork scale models and novelties
now available.
ines ros.' Merton
London S.W.I9ENCLAND
#
-
VI THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
You'll love the tti*t
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE vii
i
. , . and be sure of thefinest selection ofspares, accessories andequipment, including afull range of 4i Hal ford""Raleigh"r andRobin Hood 1 Cycles
a Hal ford'sbranch in every
town.
I I
Lj I
-
HEAD OFFICE239 CORPORATION STREET
BIRMINGHAM 4.
YOU
Ul
can
thi
WITH
MORTAR
It enables you to build Garages, Houses, RailwayStations. Signal Boxes, or from your own imagination.AH railway models will fit 'O' gauge scale. Buildingscan be permanent, or dismantled by merely soaking
in water and the bricks used again and again.
BR1CKPLAYER KITS AT 28/6 AND 52/6 AREAVAILABLE FROM GOOD TOYSHOPS, HOBBY
SHOPS AND DEPARTMENTAL STORES
No,100101102111112114115
8107
ACCESSORY PACKSContents
*Full-size Bricks72 A-Bricks
*
10052 5-Bricks andGable and Peak BricksCapping and Roof Tiling . .Concrete RoofingBag of Brickplayer CementRoofing Cement2 Bay Windows with 31 Splay Bricks
*
*
*
4
m
*
* -
Price3/-
!:2/62/61/3
3/9
METALF1
WINDOWF3 F4
71d. 5d.F2
6 r.d.
AND DOOR FRAMESF6 F8 F104d, 6d. 7Jd.8ld. . .. .
8108 "Sheets of Glazing, 1 J in. x 6 in. (Plastic) 1Jd.
tf four dealer cannot supply, write (or address of neareststockist to:
J. W. SPEAR & SONS LTD.DEPT. M ENFIELD MIDDLESEX
BRANCHES IN ENGLAND. SCOTLAND AND WALES I
I
-
m T *
viu THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
MODELNote the "SAFETY MODEL" transfer on the seat tube
!
Light but sturdily built 18 in. frame. Black and chromium. Wheels 24 in. Dunlop tyres. Chromium-plated,
upturned handlebar. Roller lever brakes. Price 10.10,0plus 2,9.0 Tax. (Colour finish extra boy's Windsor Red,girl's Green.)
Ifyou're really going to enjoy your cycling
Ifyou*d like a free catalogue* write toB.S.A. CYCLES LTD., 31 4 Armoury Road, Birmingham, 11
\
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Next Month: "EUROPE'S HIGHEST RAILWAY." By B. Llewellyn
Editorial Office
Binns RoadLiverpool 13
England
Vol. XXXVII
No. 2February 1952
With
itor
Ancient and Modern Wonders
*
The "Saint Germain'*
World's Tallest Statueby Arthur Nettle ton
Hal lade Track Recorder .
.
by D. Stewart Curries, GXMech.E.
69
7 ,i
76
Air News, 70- Books to Read, 63* Club andBranch News, 84, Competitions Page, 93.Fireside Fun, 95. From Our Readers, 92. H.R.C.Pages, 85-7. Model-Building Made Easy, 80.Model Building Contest Results, 81. Among theModel-Builders, 78. New Meccano Model, 82.Of General Interest, 74. Photography, 75.Railway Notes, 64. Stamp 89. 91.
*
-
50 THE MECCANO MAGAZINEi
ShiiningThe World's
Canadian ArchAluminium Highway Bridge
oNIC of the most remarkable hvdro-elcctric power stations in the world is The surroundings of Arvida are of greatnatural heautv. and the shore of the riverthat at Shipshaw, in Quebec. Canada. opposite the power station is intended towhich makes use of the waters of the be developed as a landscape park area.
Because of this careful thought was givento the appeararn e of the proposed
This stream pours downto join the
Saguenay Iliver.from the forested highlandsSt. Lawrence about 150 miles below the
e.
city of Quebec. In rsthe
courses could beaccommodated in the one place. So in
'Outward Bound" boys launch the ship's boat.
universities; and many have never beenthough the1950 a second centre, the Outward Bound away from home before,
Mountain School, was established at majority have been earning a living for aEskdale, Cumberland. Others are beingplanned for the future, as the Trust'sfunds permit, until there are sufficientschools in different parts of the countryto meet the demand.Both schools are run on the same lines attached to these groups
,md with the same basic purpose, which activities throughout the course.
year or two.When a fresh group of boys arrives at
Aberdovey, they are divided into teams,which are known here by the nauticalterm of "watches," and they remain
for all theirSoon
is to develop the character of every boywho attends a course and promote a sense
him.of manliness and responsibility inThrough self-discipline, teamwork and may be just aadventure, and some
after arrival, the Chief Officer appointsa leader and vice-leader from among theboys themselves. But this appointment
one, for after
hardship a few days the teams may decide
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 53
But the greatest seaadventure of thecourse is a three-day
Cardigan Baycruise inin the "Warspite Th wvessel is a navalauxiliary ketchtons, charteredOutward Boundbv the Marine Societv.Each watch in turn
On trek across the mountain* of Wates, including Cader Idris, 2,927 ft. high.Boys of the "Outward Bound" Sea School complete their course with a
35-mile expedition, undertaken in all kinds of weather.
differentlv, and arc entitled to do so.Each day with a short run,
physical training and a cold shower, choppy sea.winter and summer alike. That showermay at first be a shock to those whoare not used to it at home, but very few
forms a crew, and undera Master Mariner theboys
-get plenty offirst-rate experience ofthe open sea and a realchance to practise what
have learnt aboutart of sailing,
navigation and generalseamanship. The baycan often be very roughthe trip is certainly no
easure cruise for those not used to aand windv,
athletics inare a most essential
groundscourse.
_
to the phvsical build-upmind it by the third morning. At of each boy and preparing him for the more
contributing
breakfast, as at all the other meals, staffand boys sit together, all taking part inconversation on a basis
severe trials ahead. What matters most
equality. In this andprinciple of communityestablished.
completiwavs the
r
quickly
Roughly half the training at Aberdoveyis concerned with the various branchesof seamanship. The other half is devoted
from athleticsran
seafaring
to landto mountain climbing.Although the sea school is not
for boys who wish to take upas a careersome of them do afterwards,neverthelessthe sea and the navigationof craft upon it are excellent means ofdeveloping just those qualities of manhoodthat are sought in the Outward Boundaims. Against the sea, as against themountains, a bov can measure his own
and fitness, and steadily gainconfidence in his physical and spiritualpowers. Courage, initiative and resourceare just as important as physical
strength
in the challengestrength
of Nature,whether on land or at sea.
Routine instruction is given by experts ingeneral ropecraft, knotting and splicing, andthere is daily rowing and sailing practice inthe estuary. Then, after a few days, eachwatch is able to take outalone with the officer intheir progress from the shore.
sailing cutterscharge watching
Mountain School training includes (he fundamental*nf rock climbing. Here the instructor is seen taking
the lead in the climb.
-
54 THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
s
in any sport, whether it be jumping or Expeditions to the fells may bejavelin throwing, is not that the individual undertaken at the shortest notice, andshould compete for honours against hisfellows, but that he should strive hard to
all kinds of difficult or unexpectedexercises are devised in order to test
improve his ownhe can duringas
rmance as muchfour weeks' stay.
individual endurance and
Much time is devoted also to
courage.Sometimes there are midnight rock assaults,or perhaps an early morning parade on a
cross-country hiking and running, mountain summit in the neighbourhood.w and
map and compasswork . The re eu 1arunday expeditions
over the Merioneth-shire hills are a greatfeature of thetraining. Eachex peditiolonger and
n isharder
than theone, in preparationfor the supremeeffort of endurance
a 30-35 mile trekover difficultcountry that has tobe accomplished inone day.This fin
expeditiona 1
#
ismade in almost anysort of weather andthe conditions makethe going toughindeed in places.
Aboard the 90-ton ketch "Warspite" during a three-day cruise in the Irish Sea,Boys of the school act as crew.
Th route includes Rescue work is one of the most importantmountains up to about 3,000 ft. in height, features of the course, and full-scalewith really hard climbing over jagged rocks rehearsals with equipment are undertakenon the higher srange ft
of the Cader Idris regularly, so that there is always a teamto answer a real emergency calltime,unities for boating practice a re
At llskdale the emphasis of the trainingis put on mountain climbing. The mountainschool lies among the western foothills provided by the lake within the school
Lake District, with such famous grounds and the estuary of the river Eskas Sea fell and Great Gable only a not far awav. and bovs have the use of
miles distant. The Warden and his both kayaks Canadian canoes.start of instructors are all keenmountaineers, and boys have
connection with this boat work there isinstruction in swinimiug and life-saving,
at the school only a couple of weeks the construe tion of rafts, bridges, and soon.thev have become reasonably skilled More than 8,000 boys have now passedin the sport, even though many of them through courses at the two Outward
Bound Schools. Many of them camehave never a mountain beforeRight from the time it was opened ill-prepared physically for training of such
insignificantthe school has maintained an official a tough character, yet anmountain rescue team composed of boys number have failed to complete the course.and instructors alike. This has already All who have succeeded have returnedbeen in action on a number of occasions. to their and homes completely fit,Mountaineering in the widest sense of invigorated, and with a new and more
the word is introduced to the boys at purposeful outlook on life.EskdaJe. It includes a good deal more Not the least important results ofthan the actual climbing, with such a Outward Bound training are the firmvariety of subjects as map and compass friendships that are made between boysreading, fell walking, the use of mountain ot quite different social groups, and quiteequipment, meteorology and natural history, often different races.
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 55
Giant Road Trailer'THE 120-ton traiUT shown above was There are four sluat ,i\ks to each b-ipe.A built by Cranes (Dereham) Ltd. for each axle l>eing carried by a pair of wheels,Robert Wynu and Sons Ltd., Newport, and they are pivoted on the centre. Above
the centre of each axle is a hydraulic ramthat can be used to raise or lower the
heavy haulage salready been many
remarkable feats of transport. A notable load in order to pass over humped bridgesone was the haulage to the docks, on its or to clear overhead b ridges* This hydraulicway to India, of the 2-8-2 locomotive suspension can also be used to tilt thebuilt by the North British LocomotiveCompany for the Indian Government, thatthroughout last summer was shown at the
vehicle if this is necessary to provclearance or balance for the load.The giant trailer has steering
South Bank Festival site. It was taken arrangements in the rear as well as in frontthere by Wynn's, and could be moved by and can be turned round within its, own
It can even be moved sideways,crab-like, for the axles of the bogies can beturned through a right angle.
length.road only on this new trailer because ofits length of 47 ft, 6 in.The trailer has two eight-wheeled* bogies,
each carrying a swan-neck, and the two Loading very heavy objects on theunits so formed are connected by the trailer is an int resting performance. Themain frame. The swan-necks have shovel usual procedure is to lower the frame to themouth lower ends, in which the ends ofthe main frame are supported. The sidemembers of the frame arc coupled by the frame,flanged tubular crossmembers, as are the swan-
ground and to detach the swan-necks withtheir bogies. The load is then hoisted on
CContinued on page 94)
The trailer can boaltered in order to makeit suitable for loads old i tferent wid Ih s . A variet
y
of frames is available, andthe swan-necks can bemoved to various positionsto give overall widths from4 ft. (> in. to a maximumof 15 ft. 6 in. To allow forthis there are six sets oftubu I ar cross membe rs
,
which either singly or inCombination give the End view of the Wynn nailer seen in the illustration at the head of the page.various widths of frame. Photographs by courtesy of Cranes (Dereham) Ltd.
-
56 THE MECCANO MAG
Wight Railways To-dayBy R. A H Weight
ARATHEK fascinating, detached section Between Brading and Sandown thereof the S.K some 58 miles are two tracks again for 1J miles. Apartof railway in the Isle of W'i.^ht. Passengers from the short stretches already mentioned,from the mainland arriving at Ryde find all the island railways consist of singlea fully-equipped, four-platform station track with passing loops at various stations.
out half a mile out over the sea. The Five different systetns of single-line workingtrains traverse a double line along the in use ensure operation and control[Her, wpromenad'
electric tramway and a the signalling, though the general principleside, call at nade is all the same.
Near Sandown good views occur of thecoast and cliffs. Now comes a climb to
Road. At this station there is a small Shanklin, another very popular resort,locomotive and carriage works on one side, Then, on sharply-rising grades the routeand an engine shed on the other, together curves inland to Wroxall and so reaches
go through a short tunnel, andshortly afterwards reach Ryde, St. John's
with sidings and stores Ventnor through a narrow tunnel threeIn the country not far beyond, at quarters of a mile long that pierces the
Smallhrook junction. ;isingli
toline
line l'ocs off westwardr-Newport. The mainto Ventnor, which
Thehead
illustrationof the
at thefrom
carries the heaviest traffic,continuesbecome
South, havingsingle line also.
page, irom aholograph by D. L. Bradley,
shows a Freshwater train atYarmouth, 1,0. W.. hauled by
No. 29 Alverstonc,"
towering, chalky downlandsrising steeply from the sea.
In the little seaside townof Ventnor there are twostations,
1edgeshigh up on
When Small hrool SignalBox is in winter,
* about a mile apart.On a recent visit, travellingfrom the less frequented,one. Ventnor West, in a
the two tracks are operated as separate two-coach local push-and-pull train tosingle lines thence to St. John's Road. Merstone, I enjoyed from high ground aI iere there are signal posts on a gantry, glorious View of the English Channel andto one or other of which semaphore arms the underclifl before turning inland to theapprofixed.
to the current Working are centre of the island amid lovely country.From Merstone a Sandown branch train
is St... equipment
At
the Brading- Bembrid^e branchWharf,
landed bv means ofHelens
bwhere heavy of four coaches took me to Newport, the
is shore railway headquarters and commercialer . ines
.
Bernbridge a short, movablesection of track enables engines to transferto the running-round line within confined different routes. The one
centre, where I arrived in time to see oneof the busy spells, with trains serving
Yarmouthforand Freshwater, in the west of the island.
*
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 57
has to push outt>ackwards to clear thejunction beforeproceed ing past II1Cback of the station.At the south end arctwo parallel single lineson a swing bridgecarried over theof the Medina river.One of the illustrationsshews the bridge openfor the passage of amotor coaster going tounload near by.The line to Cowes
runs close to the river,serving wharves wheremost of the coal forall
anduses is unloadedtrans to
No. 19 "Osborne" ready to leave Newport with a passenger train. Note theWestinghouse brake pump and reservoir. Photograph by D. L. Bradley.
railway wagons as required. No ordinary approaching Kyde from Newport, via thefreight or merchandise is conveyed pretty Wootton route.nowadays apart from coal and railway In summer there are ordinarily threestores, but there are considerable handlings trains an hour each way at Ryde stations,of parcels, mails, passengers luggage, etc., but this is increased to five at the
when more thanr
by passenger train in connection with the Head onpaddle steamers or new motor ships 2,000 passengers per hour may be conveyed,crossing frequently from the mainland. In winter services are slightly reduced.My circular tour was completed on Throughout the year most trains are
timed on a regular-interval A highstandard of punctuality is maintained inspite of the large proportion of single
are a
line, numerous gradients and curves, andthe fairly frequent stops, for theregood many counnice gardens.
All the
stations, often with
locomotives havef r
forsome years been of the small 0-4-4T "02"i lass, designed about 60 year- ago for theL.S.W.R. with 4 ft. 10 in. driving wheels.They are Nos. \V 1
4
a separate scriesfrom other S,R, engines the prefix letter
:ing their Isle of Wight posting.Formerh all were painted ^reen; somestill are, though British Railwayswith lining is to be standard. They runchimney or bunker first, as required.
effectively a maximum of sixbogie coaches on the main Yentnor route,or four on most other services. They haveenlarged bunkers and some carry sirenwhistles, Nos. W35-6 can workand-pull" trains.There are also four ex-L.B.S.C.R
f * push-
liEl tt0-6-OTs Nos, WI-4, painted black andmainly used for coal trains or shunting.
A special swing bridge at Newport with its movingection open to clear the mast and derrick of a small
cargo vessel. Photograph by C. Howland.
This makes 27 engines in all, of which 16are normally shedded at Newport (7 IE),and 11 at Ryde (71 Fj. All the enginescarrywell maintained.
geogra Inland names, and are
-
53 THE MECCANO MAGAZINEH
urope/
First Crackerew Process in Oil Refining
A CAT-CRACKER has nothing to do with such as vaseline and even paraffin wax.l\ cats, and indeed the only-cracked with it, or rather in it, are
Yet they are all there, and extractingthem from the crude oil and refining them
alive. They are just molecules, built up is to-day one of the most gigantic industriesof atoms of carbon and hydrogen and in the world.known therefore as hydrocarbons. A The beginning of all this dates back tocat-cracker is part of a modem oil refinery the drilling of the first oil well nearly 100in which compounds of this kind, of which years ago by Colonel Drake at Titusville,the oil chiefly consists, are broken down Pennsylvania, in the United States. Thisinto simpler and lighter combinations of was long before the days of motor cars,
but even at that time there were demandsfor the riches hidden in the oil, notablyfor kerosene, or paraffin, which was
carbon and hydrogen atoms, as part of theprocess of producing high-grade petrol.The first cat-cracker to be built in
Europe was completed last year at Pernis, largely used for heating and lightingRotterdam, in Holland, and others arenow either under construction or in began.
purposes, and it was then that refiningNow of course petrol, at first an
operation at refineries in Great Britain. encumbrance because it could not be usedThe Pernis cat-cracker is seen in colour as a lighting or heating oil, has becomeon the cover of this issue, and a general the product, and fuel oil also hasview of this part of the Pernis Refinery is outstrippedshown in the illustration on this pageThe name given to this refining unit
is what has been calleda portmanteau word, thatis one made by fusingtwo words together aftershortening one or bothof them. In this instanceone of the two words is
which meansthat breaks up
heavy hydrocarbons intolighter and simpler ones,as already explained. The
The earliest refining was carried out byto vaporise the oil, withsimply heating
acat" iscatalvtic
t f
It indthat the cracking is carriedon with the aid of asubstance that itself isot reallymeh
nged,ceed
butm
ing the kSuch a substance
The cat-cracker at the Pernis Refinery. The rectangular structure isand the fractionating column is on its right. Onthe 196 ft. chimney stack of the furnace.
catalyst regenerator,left te
thethe
easier.is called a catalyst.Now let us see how
came
into "use. The oil thatcomes out of thein any of the oil-bearingregions of the world is a sluggish liquid arrangements for condensing the vapoursthat may be greenish, black or brown, andis occasionally almost colourless. It isdifficult to imagine that in it we have has a definite boiling point, which we
-
- all know as 100 deg. Centigrade or 212 deg.
A pure substance like water, whichconsists of a single chemical com
the liquids that we know as petrol andparaffin, both of which flow readily andeasily, or that it yields other products
Fahrenheit. Crude oil is a mixture of manychemical individuals, however, and has
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 59
off in the lower sections of the column,while the lighter products pass successivelyhigher up before becoming liquids. At theend of the scale of products is a gas, whichis carried away at the top of thefractionating column.
It was soon discovered that heating thecrude oil to a temperature higher thanthat needed for distilling it produced agreater proportion of illuminating oil andpetrol. The reason for this is that thegreater heat broke up, or "cracked/* theheavier compounds in it, as explained atthe beginning of this article.The earliest cracking plants employed
as it
in oilcracking,this method, and thermal
is called, became a key processrefineries. But just before thea rival, a very efficient one
war camevva^
brought into use just in time to produceenormous quantities of aviation fuel ofhigh rjuality for the Allied air Forces.
In this new process the oil vapour ispassed through a bed of a suitable earth,which acts as the catalyst and breaks uptheand
vapourfuel oil
m thermal cracking
into gas, petrol, lighting oilat a lower temperature than
The new method has
Ions
The ^^^^^I^^J^^nt^at^Pernis, which has the further advantage that it gives betterproducts, while in addition the catalysttakes up the carbon that is formed when
no single boiling point. When it is heated the oil is heated. The earth becomes lessthe first vapours that are produced arethose of the simplest and
active, but it can readily be regeneratedlightest by burning off the deposit of carbon, and
hydrocarbons. As the temperature rises put to use againheavier compounds that have progressivelyhigher boiling are successivelychanged into vapour, and so on. Thesefractions of the oil arecondensed separately to give
We are indebted to The Shell Petroleum Company forthe photograph on xthich this month's cover is based^and for the information given in this article andillustrations on these pages.
the
petrol, paraffin
,
fuel oiland other products of thiskind.Because it separates the
hydrocarbons in the oilinto fractions this distillingprocess is called fractionationand is now continuous. Theheating is carried out in atube-still heater, in whichthe oil flows through atubular coil in a heatingchamber, and the actualseparation is made byleading the vapours intowhat is called a fractionatingcolumn. This is a metalcylinder with bafile platesin which the vapours coolas they rise up it. Theheavier compounds cool andcondense first and are tapped
A mala road through the Pernis Refinery, with overhead piping for steamsupplies, and product pipelines at ground level.
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60 THE MECCANO MAGAZINEa.
ParachutesBy John W. R. Taylor
PARAC I-hundreds
Chine- hired professional acrobats to
started a- aago
joke manywhen rich
and usefulness is as fascinating ;\* anyother section of aviation history.The first person to foresee a really
Monies with the aid of practical use for parachutes was the greatItalian artist Leonardo da Vinci, who
jump fromlarge umbrellas, as a prelude to theafter-dinner entertainment of their guests.Hut parachutes are far from a joke to-day.
was also a great scien and engineerand designed the first helicopters
During the last war they saved tens oi aeroplanes, army tanks and submarinesairmen some 500 yt irs ago- But it was not until
the first
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THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 61
.
The tail parachute brake of the Martin XB-51 jet bomber reduces the landing speed, enabling the aircraft totouch down on comparatively small airfields. Photograph by courtesy of the Glenn L. Martin Co., LLS.A.
to account for the popularity of of ensuring that a pilot's parachute wouldopen without getting entangled with histhe demonstrations, but had the opposite
effect on the popularity of the parachute aeroplane. The basic design of parachutesin 100 years, andamon? balloonists. had chan little
In fact, as late as the 1914-18 war, they were still pulled open by a cord'chutes were still so unreliable that it was attached lightly to the balloon basketnot considered worthwhile issuing them or aeroplane. What was needed was ato Allied pilots on the Western Front, parachute that could beThey were, however,
by ato officers pilot when he was well clear of his 'plane;
who went up as observers in baskets but nobody seemed able to suggest a wayslung under kite balloons. As a result, of doing this. Nobody, that is, exceptwhen a fighter pilot shot down a kite a young American named Leslie Irvin.balloon he often watched its occupantfloat down toparachute, knowing that if his ownaeroplane were set on fire he would haveno such means of escape.
at the end of a hand at parachuting,Although only 24, Irvin was an old
having gained his
to
nist's licence at 16, graduatedand then becomejumping
a stunt man for Universal Films, with thechief difficulty was to find a way colourful nickname of Ski Hi Irvin. In
ives of the U.S.1919, beforeGovernment, he jumped from an aeroplane
a new-type packwhich he opened after dropping for severalseconds by pulling a "rip-cord'* to releasea small parachute, which in turn pulledout the main 28 ft. canopy.
His free-fall 'chute was adopted atonce by the U,S, Government, and in1925 by the R.A.F. To-day Irvin parachutesof the same basic design are in regularservice in 42 countries, and have beenused millions of times in training and on
ons; yet no undamaged IrvinChute has ever failed to open when
required.There are other famous makes of
the BritishG.Q., American Pioneer and the remarkableribbon-chute perfected by German
J -it- 1 weenscientists in World War IIthem they are doing a variety of jobsfar beyond the wildest dreamsor
old Andre Garnerin
,
The chief aim is still to get people down
Army vehicle "dropped** from a transport aircraft inflight being brought down safely by parachutes.
from greatfor
its in one piece; but evencompara simple task there
are several different types of 'chute. For
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62 THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
example, a fighter pilot has little room Surprisingly heavy loads can be deliveredto spare in his cramped cockpit, so to in this way, ranging from Jeeps andsave space his parachute pack is designed field guns to 9.J- ton bulldozers. Usuallyfor use also as a seat cushion. Despite such heavy equipment is lashed to aits small size it can contain a rubber dinghy platform which can be pushed out of the
on rollers, and theand survival kit as well as the 24 ft. dia.silk
aircraft during flightA seat pack would get in parachutes are attached to this platform.
the way of a bombercrewman, who lias tobe able to move aroundduring flight; so heusually wears only theharness, to which aquick-connector chestparachute pack can beclipped rapidly in anemergency. But boththese types are nowbeing replaced by aflexible, streamlinedpack which airmen canwear on their backpermanentlyinconvenience.For the civil pilot
or passenger who wantssafety combined withcomfort there isIrvin Chairchute, whichlooks like any otheraircraft scat, but has a
U.S. from Pairchild C-119 transport aircraft.paratroops parachuting irom aPhotograph by courtesy of the Fairchild Aircraft Division, U.S.A.
quickly-attached parachute built into its To reduce the shock of landing, the baseback. And, of course, for the jet-fighter of the platform can be sprung or fitted with
cushion, and the U.S.A.F.out methods of dropping
complete with its crew, all in
pilot there is another kind of seattheejector typeto shoot him clear of hisaeroplane if things go wroner. To use ithe first jettisons his cockpit hood, then one "parcel.
down a blind over hissimultaneously fires a cartridgehim out, complete with seat, and protects
which Ribbon ichutes, in which thin stripsshoot of material alternate with thin strips of
arc being used more and morehitfhhis face from the slipstream at
speeds. At a safe distance from theattached to the
work, as they open with lessshock, and tests have shown that three
aircraft, aopens
leaves the
cheap 28-ft.
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THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 63
BOOKS TO READHere we review books of interest and of use to readers of the "M.MS* With certain exceptions
which wilt he indicated, these should he ordered through a bookseller*
'-FELLOWSHIP OF THE AIR *
l
*
By B. J, HURRBN (fliffe. Price 30/-)In the Editorial of the- September 1951 "Jlf.ilf."
tribute was paid to the Royal Aero Club on its 50thbirthday. Now the whole story of this great Clubhas been told by Lt # Cdr. B* J, Hurren In a splendidbook entitled appropriately "Fellowship of the Air**It is difficult to imagine a more thrilling subject, forthis is a story of people rather than thingsof themen who gave Britain her first wings and then wenton to establish our leadership in the skies of peaceand war. It is illustrated with SB historic photographs,many of which have never been published before.The story begins in an era when the aeroplane was
still no more than an inventor's dream and balloonssailed the skies. It gives inside accounts of suchevents as the Schneider Trophy races and greatrecord flights of the 1920s and 30s, and brings thestory right down to our own time, when the Club isdoing so much to keep alive our tradition of privateand sport Hying in an age of supersonic flight androckets.
This book will delight every boy interested inaviationand his father! So if its price is beyondyour reach, ask your local library to get it for you;it will never be on their shelves long enough to getdusty! JAV.R/T.
"MINIATURE LANDSCAPE MODELLING"By John H. Aiiern
(Percival Marshall and Co. Ltd, 10/6)Here is a book that provides most of the answers
to practically all the scenic problems that face theindoor miniature railway constructor. It is writtenfrom the point of view of the owner of a permanent:miniature railway system; but many of the principlescan be applied in the construction of scenic itemsfor portable layouts.The subject of baseboards and substructure is
dealt with nrst. Then follow chapters on the landscapefoundation and the scenic treatment of the "ground."Roads, waterways and trees are considered in a mannerthat shows how the author captures the elusive realismthat is so desirable for these features. The landscapeKenerally, backgrounds and lighting are consideredIn turn, and the final chapters take the reader intothe realm of ultra miniature modelling.Methods and materials bulk largely in the text,
and the many sketches and other illustrations showthe finished articles and constructional stagestheir development.
m
ByRALLIES AND TRIALS"
S* C H. Davis (Iiiffe. Price 15/-)Almost every boy at some time longs to be a racing
motorist or the driver of an express train, and eagerlyreads all he can of the lives of men who have attained
"exalted" positions. This i_ fpositions* l ms emnrai ungtherefore, will be sure of a great welcome from "Jfcjf"* 1readers who are motor racing enthusiasts* It is thework of an internationally famous racing: and trialsdriver with over 30 years 1 experience, and it aboundsin thrills and lively stories of his adventuresmishaps while taking part in the Monte Carlo Rally
He alsoTrials,oi the
the world's greatest motoring event, ne wnof his experiences in the hair-raising Alpineof the brilliant French Rally t* Gastroaomique,fun that goes with driving in the * 'Old Crocks' Race"the annual London to Brighton run for veterancars organised by the Royal Automobile Cluband ofother trials and events in which he has taken part.The book is lavishly illustrated with 32 pages of
pictures in photogravure showing sortie of the carstaking part in the trials and races, the men who drovethem, and some of the mishaps that occurred.
"ANIMALS STRANGE AND RARE"By Richard Ogle (Belt Price 12/6)
This book will delight the young nature lover whov Ults to learn about the immense variety of strangeand rare fish, reptiles, birds and animals that existtoday, some of them living links with the amazingcreatures of prehistoric times. It contains a wealthof fascinating detail about close upon 300 differentcreatures of the Earth, and in describing them intheir native haunts the author ranges from Australiaand New Zealand to Madagascar, and from the forestsof the Amazon to the mighty Himalayas.
Mr. Ogle is a talented artist as well as narrator*Nearly 100 of the creatures dealt with are illustratedby his own line drawings*
"THE A.B.C* OF BRITISH RAILWAYSLOCOMOTIVES 11
(Ian Allan Ltd. Pts. 1-4, 2/- each)uMMm % readers will welcome the appearance of
these "A.B.C." booklets, dealing with the locomotivesof four British Railway Regions. They are revia
rreeted up to Autumn 1951, and follow th
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64 THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
Railway NotesBy R. A. K Weight
New Style Uniforms for Railway Staffs
More electric main line locomotives in the 260xxseries have been completed. Additional MA8W 4-6-2at 35B. Grantham, am Nos. 60056 "Centmat % and60112 **SL Simon** moved from Doncaster.Two "Battle of Britain" 4-6-2s numbered 34076
and 34089 have been on loan to Sin t ford from theSouthern Region while the " Britannia" class p.m.down fast trains, returning with the7.30 a.m. and 5.53 pjtau from ExeterCentral to London, covering *>87 milesper day,
Locomotive Building for OverseasRailways
which art- fewer in number than on the precedingstructure, have hc$n kept to a minimum in heightin order to be as clearly visible as possible in allw it hers. The position "is south of Sunderland onthe Leeds-Newcastle main line via the coast.
New Station at Girvan, AyrshireI he station buildings at Girvan, on the way from
Glasgow and Ayr to Stranraer and the grand sceneryoi south-west Scotland, were completely destroyedby lire in 1946. Opportunity has been taken ' inrebuilding to provide whit may be regarded as amodel station of the latest type in brick and pre-eaststone construction. It has heated balls and office
cbmmodattonj a glass fronted booking office withHygiaphonr windows and adequate messing facilities,newly devised and convenient tirkiet equipment andparcels and cupboard space. Ther* are also spaciousrooms for the Stationmaster and staff.
Southern Tidings
1 have been favoured by Mr. Fred IL Smith withlogs of several first-rate runs by RuIIeid 'Pacifies11with substantial loach on the early evening West ofEngland express from Salisbury toWoking and Waterloo which callsat Andover Junction. Taking tho"Battle of Britain" trips test,No. 34052 "Lard Dowding" on acrowded, 13coach train weighingover 460 tons behind the- tender,left Salisbury 26 min. late, butrecovered 14 min in the course ofthe 83 j mile journey to Waterloo,including an average of 71 3 ni.pJuover the last 22 miles before the
Building firms in Britain continue to be busy withconstruction in compliance with rders from overseas.Among examples lately completed and shipped bythe Vulcan Foundry Ltd, were 20 powerful oil-fired,8eyL 4-fi- 2s for the haulage of heavy, fast expressesin the Argentine to and from Buenos Aires. Inassociation. wit h the English Electric Company theVulcan Works have also produced 15 heavy mixedtraffic electric locomotives pi 39UU0 h.p. for servtain Brazil; these are claimed to be the most powerfulof the kind built here. The gauge is 5 ft. 6 in,, as itis also on the Ceylon Government Railways, forwhich system Messrs* W. G. Hagnalt Ltd* constructedsix 4-8-0 engines that had to be of a specially lightweight type, with no axle load exceeding 9 tons.
Thirty Vulcan Foundry 4~Sr2s have been deliveredfor the 3 ft, 6 in. gauge Gold Coast Railway,
In the diesel -mechanical realm, an interesting8-coupled locomotive, intended for handling cotton
and general freight trains over extremely severeits in Peru, has been successfully Jested with
loads above the usual single engine limit on the L.M.R.over steep inclines in the Leeds-Guiseley area. Thebulkier wf re the HunsJet Engine Co. Ltd,
stop. The speed atBasingstoke was moderate owing^o a severe signal slowing at\\ rtiug Junction, where theBournemouth main line is joand a very fast travelling stretchbegins for up expresses.No, 34049 "Anti-A ircraft
Commafid" with 12 on, weighingabout 400 tons gross, acceleratedwell and with a clear road to theoutskirts of Woking averaged noless than 76.8 between mile posts52 and 2, with several maxima of 80
.p.h* "Merchant Navy* 1 No, 35009"Shaw SavitF with 13 on also
A B.R. Standard 4-6-2 on Southern duty. No. 70009 "Alfred the Great"speeds along with (he "Bournemouth Belle/ 1 Photograph by R. Knight
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66 THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
Making Stamps in AmericaBy M. Lorant
"HOR convenience the postage stamps of sections ofr the United
America. Representativeare listed in three scenes from 1IJ of the Parks are seen on
These are ordinary or regular the individual stamps, which were issuedgroups,series stamps, commemorativememorial stamps. The first
in denominations of lc. to 10c, inclusive.An enormous number of postage stamps
to meet thecommemorative stamps, known as the is required each yearColumbian Series, was issued in connect on requirements of the United States, thewith the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. yearly average now being in excess ofSince then practically every event ofimportance in which the Government has
19,000 million stamps, having a face valueof approximately 700,000,000 dollars.
participated by Act of Congress has been Of this quantity, not less than 15.000recognised by a special set ofpostage stamps. In additionthere have been manyto commemorate anniversariesof important historical orindustrial events associated withthe development of the wholeof the United States.The Famous Americans series
of postage stamps of 1940represents the most extensivesinglea
date.
of postage stamps ofnature authorised to
This series included 35different stamps bearingportraits of individuals whoachieved distinction in the artsand sciences. The stamps werearranged in seven groups, * ofrepresentative artists, authors,composers, educators, inventors,poets and scientists.A noteworthy series of special
postage stamps was also issuedin co-operation with theWashington
Engravingstamp. Th
the steel master die is the first step in the making of ae engraver cuts the design In soft steel, which is then
hardened.Bicentennial
anniversary and placed on saleon 1st January 1932. In this there were million are of the 1, 1|, 2 and 3-cent.12 stamps in denominations of Jc. to 10c. denomination.inclusive. The designs were modelled When it is desired to issue a new postagefrom portraits of Washington painted from stamp, either regular or commemorative,life by the outstanding artists of his time. the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and PrintingAlthough the Washington Bicentennial are asked to prepare a model. This followsstamps are classed as commemorative, such suggestions as the U.S Post Officethey largely displaced the regular issue Department may furnish, and photographstamps in these denominations during the or drawings that may be consideredperiod of celebration, which continued suitable for use as subject matter onuntil the end of that year. In addition, the stamp also are submitted. Thea set of commemorative stamped envelopes material is then placed in the hands of
a trained designer, who prepares a modelin black and white for consideration.Additional models may be called for until
was provided for this anniversary.The issue of National Parks stamps
of 1934 is unique in that it representsthe first separate series of stamps ever one is found to be satisfactory.authorised by the Department showingoutstanding scenic views
The accepted model is approved asin various indicated by the signature of the
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THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 67
Postmaster General and isreturned to the Bureau of
graving and Printing fornext step, which is the
engraving of the msThis of cutting
die.the
design in reverse into a pieceof soft steel from which,when completed, prints ofthe proposed stamp arc pulledin desired colours to bepresented to the PostmasterGeneral for final approval of thedesign and the shade of ink tobe used in the printing. Theseprints are known as die proofs.
After approval of the diethe master die isproof,
hardened by heating to atemperature of about 1,400F.in a cyanide solution from 7to 10 mm,, followed by
The design is transferred from the hardened master die to a steel roll,which itself is then hardened and used for making the stee plates
used in printing.immersion in a brine bath.The hardened master die is then placed containing 200 or 400 stamp impressionsin a transferpressure,soft steel
theroll. After
same manner as the master die.
under heavy each, depending on the sizt- of the stamp,impressed on a The operations of inking, wiping, polishing,
feeding and delivery of the impressionsare carried out by a printer and two
hardening in theis
used in transferring the design to the steel helpers. The printer polishes the plates,plates employed in the printing of the one girl feeds the press, anil anotherstamps. The plates are hardened by being removes the printed sheets. The pressesheated for about 10 min. at 1,550F. and have a capacity of approximately 4,000
sheets daily, or 1,600,000 stampsif the plates contain 400 subjects.
After being printed, theare coated with an adhesiveon acontact
gumming\v i th a
machine bvmetal roller,
which revolves in a solution ofgum Tliey are then carriedautomatically through 'anelectrical drying chamber in whichthe gum is hardened in less than30 sec. The gum is made fromdextrine, which is of vegetable
rely free fromorigin, and istaste and odour.The printed and gummed sheets
of 400 stamps are next fed througha rotary perforating machine thatperforates the sheets in onedirection and cuts them in half.Another machine of the same
A large rotary press that prints 800 stamps at each revolution.construction completes th e
immersed first in oil and then in brine
and cuts the halvesto sheets of 100 stamps each.
After rigid inspection, these sheets arePostage stamps are printed in two carefully counted and verified, and finally
different designs of printing presses, made into packages for shipment to postknown as the flat bed and rotary presses. offices throughout the United States.The flat bed printing is accomplished on There are II . i\V approximately 45,000power presses fitted with four plates post offices in operation, and all
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63 THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
shipments to them are made by officialregistered mail to obviate losses in transit.At the present time all stamps, except
For collection it is desirablepurposes,to have well-centred stamps. Perfectionm this regard is not possible, however,
a few of the denominations and due to the fact that the paper must bebicoloured issues, are printedpresses. These are equipped
rotarytw <
softened by wetting with water beforeprinting to make it more flexible and more
curved plates attached to a cylinder which easily freed, u into the800 ordinary size stamps at each
pressu relines of the steel engraving, which contain
the ink. The introduction of waterinto the paper causes it to expand,the expansion being proportional tothe amount of water added.
It is not always possi:ble tointroduce the same amount of water,so that variations in expansion occur.As the. paper is printed while inan expanded condition, the variationin expansion of the paper will bereflected in differences in the widthand length of the printed web. Tocompensate for these variations,
themeans of adjustinmechanism become necessary.
Formerly tliis adjustment wa?performed by hand. This resulted in ahigh percentage of mutilated stamps andthe necessity for placing in circulationmany poorly centred stamps. TheBureau, of Engraving and Printing hasnow developed perforating machinesin which the adjustment is controlledphoto-electrieally.
In nldtT to provide for thismarks
In this machine, used for perforating the sheets of stamps,a photo-electric cell or "electric eye" detects variationsin the width of the paper and makes adjustments to ensure
that the lines of small holes fall in the right places.
automatic control, registerare engraved on the printing platesandin
appearthe form
are scanned by
on the sheets of stampsof dashes. These dashes
cellswhich. in conjunction with a
revolution. The capacity of a rotary multiplicity of electronic tubes, activateis ! pproximately 7,800
i mpressionsof a flat-bed
plate the necessary mechanical elements thator nearly twice that control the positioning of the perforating
press and, in addition, the wheels and bars. This new method ofrotary printed stamps are gummed and perforating stamps has materially improvedready for perforating. The presses use the centering of the perforations andpaper fromso that the printing, gumming and dryingof the ink and gum are completedautomatically. The web of printed stampsis rewound to roll form at the oppositeend of the press.
The presses use the centering of theare constructed greatly reduced the number of rejected
firstGovernment postal cards wereissued on 1st May 1873. They are nowmanufactured at the Government PrintingOffice in Washington, D.C., by means of
After the printed web is thoroughly dry, high-powered, modem printing pressesfed into a special machine that with a of 250,000 completed
orates the stamps in both directions and cards per hour. Approximately 6f0n()the web to sheets of 400 subjects. tons of paper are used in printing the
Following this, these large sheets are yearly supply of more than 2,000 millionexamined and assembled in units of 100 postal cards required for postal service.sheets each, and the count is verified. These Stamncd envelopes were first issued100-sheet units are stitched in four places inthe margins on a special, four-head stitchingmachine andquarter sheets,
1853. 1 inve!opes bearing theprinted return card were
are cut to authorised by law in 1865. Thesize in which delivered. yearly issues of.stamped
average(Com. on page 94)
n
J>
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THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 69
I
ThWSaint Germain
//
LAST July a new vessel was introduced height, so that when necessary space canon the cross-channel train ferry service be used for carrying motor cars.
between Dover and Dunkirk. This wasthe twin -screw "St. Germain," built by
The St. Gertna in is required tomanoeuvre smartly when completing her
t lie Elsinorc Shipbuilding and Engineering crossings. At Dover she must proceedCo. I .td
.
,
Denmark, for the French stern first up the harbour and into a lockRailways. The vessel differs from the built for the service, inothers engaged irt the service in that she the water level can I >e adjusted. At Dunkirk
through a sea lock into theis driven by diesel engines instead ofsteam turbines.The "St, Germain'* is modern in design.
sheharbour and then moves stern first to theloading ramp. To allow for ready handling
with a well-raked stem, a low streamlined the vessel therefore has been provided withfunnel, and a superstructure with a rounded a rudder at the bow as well as one at thefront. Her length overall is 379 ft. 8 in.,her overall breadth H2 ft. 2 in.and her dead weight tonnage1,300 at her loaded draughtof 13 ft. 6 in.are of 9,WK) h.p. and giveher a speed of 18 knots.There is accommodation fora total of 500 passengers, 248of whom can be providedwith sleeping berths
Her engines
The promenade deck has agarage for 24 motor cars atthe after end, and below itis the train deck, which hasfour rail tracks arranged togive the greatest possible totallength. The two inner tracksare capable of taking thesloping cars of trains betweenGreat Britain and t h eContinent. The train deck issheathed in wood up to rail
On the train deck of the "Saint Germain/' showing its four tracks.At the head of the page is a general view of this cross-Channel dicsel-engined vessel. Photographs by courtesy of S.N.C.F. (French Railways),
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70 THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
Air Newsan investment of about 42 million.Nor is equipment Retting
By John W. R. Taylor
INeptunes" for the R.A.F, . - *
Following several weeks of intensive flyfng andground training at the Lockheed Company's airfieldin California, U.S.A., Royal Air Force crews haveflown to England the first of a baLch of iNeptune 11patrol bombers destined for Coastal Commandsoff-shore anti-submarine patrol squ idrons. The"Neptunes" are of the latest" P2V-S type, with Wrightcompound engines, additional defensive armament,a large radome under their fuselage and special largewing-tip tanks containing radar equipment, asearchlight and fuel. Similar aircraft are beingsupplied to the U.S. Navy and the Royal AustralianAir Force.
The wartimeNorden bomb-sight weighed 126 lb. and cost 1,800*whereas the K.I optical and radar sight now in useweighs almost a ton and costs nearly 93,000 installed.
First India-Built Aeroplane
India*s first home-produced aeroplane, the Hindustan-2 two-seat primary trainer, has completed it*
flight tests, and a production order for 300 has beenplaced. The prototype has a "Gipsy Major" engine,out later machines will be fitted with 158 h/p."Cirrus Majors."
Born to be Beaten
One of the U.S.A.F/s latest recruits was born justto have accidents happen to him. Known as ananthropomorphic dummy, be is not human but hasmany human characteristics. For instance, he has
collarbones, just like people, and his vinylplastic foam skin shows the effect of cuts and grazes.
* 4 And "Skyraidersfor the Navy
fi
Further evidence of theimportance attached toand-submarine* defence is
Britaintheofof
guardbased
toan advancefour carrier
Douglas "Skyraiders,"which the Royal Navywill use side-by-side withits Tireflies" until theFairey "Gannet** comesinto service.These "Skyraiders" arc
of the type AD3-W, fittedwith extensive radarsearch equipment,including a huge scannerunder their fuselage. ButDouglas have nowproduced a new AD-5"Multiplex Skyraider,"which can be transformedquickly from an anti-submarine search machineto cither an attack 'planewith a four- ton warloadof bomba, rockets andtorpedoes, a photo-reconnaissance ortarget- towin k aircraft, oreven a passenger, freight or ambulance transport.They have achieved this by redesigning the airframe
Zjm * jrfc HP Irk ..In, "*# M fe.A *\.4 ** I 1 1 / 1A
R,A.F aircrews at Lockheed airfield preparing to fly latest type P2V-5 "Neptune"bombers to England, Photograph by courtesy of Lockheed Aircraft
Corporation, U.S.A.
as a "universal chassis,variety of loads can be
trailers can
to which any one of a widealmost asattached
b'
easilyhooked on toa^ different -shaped
"mechanical horse" road vehicle.
Warning to BanditsAn * 4A lister" light aeroplane has been flown to
Singapore for use in the jungle war against Communistbandits in Malaya. Its purpose is to fly low over the
le and broadcast propaganda messages in localdialects to guerrilla bands, throughin the rear of its cabin.
"Auster" landed at Singapore minus its wings.in Britain and flown out insile
jungloudspeakers
Thehaving been dismantled
"Valetta" of R.A,F.i* Transport Command.Cost
Some in teres tin the cost ofconcerningaircraft prototypes have been published in America.The wartime XP 38 "Lightning" cost 9 per lb*of its loaded weight, and the first XF-86 "Sabre 1182 a lb. The first "Superfortress" worked out at21 a lb., whereas the new Boeing XB-52 will probablycost 90 a lb. and the next big experimental bomberafter that ai much as 140 a lb. As this bomber willweigh anything up to 150 tons it will thus represent
In fact, he has been built to correspond to themeasurements, weight distribution and anatomy of a200
-lb. man,He reports for duty at Edwards Air Force Base,
California, where he undergoes crash-impact, drop,acceleration and deceleration tests. His resultant"wounds" and broken bones show what wouldhappen to a human pilot in similar circumstances,and are helping Aem- Medical Laboratory scientists tofind ways of preventing such injuries to airmen.
Cross-Channel Cow FerryFoliowins their achievement in ferrying more than
13,0(10 vehicles across the Channel in Seven mouthslast year, Silver City Airways have completed thetask of flying 1,800 cows over the same route, fromLympne to Le Touquet. The cattle were on theirway from Ireland to Ttalv, and we p.- transportedat the rate of 300 a week for six consecutive weeks.This involved one "Freighter" full of cows taking offfor the Continent every 90 tnin. of the daylight hoursThe cattle flights were fitted in between normal
cross-Channel car ferry services which, this year, arecontinuing throughout the winter. They bear testimon
y
to the versatility of tlie Bristol "Freighter," whichcan literally carry two Rolls-Royce motor cars on oneflight and eight cows in special stalls on the nextjourney.
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{*
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 71
Perdval "Sea Prince,n a Royal Naval Communications aircraft* The "Prince" light transport has been adoptedby the R.A.F., in which it will be known as the "Pembroke/1 Photograph by courtesy of Perdval Aircraft Ltd.
Princely Progress
Following the lead of the Royal Navy, the RoyaAir Force have ordered a number of Percival "Prince**twin-engined light transports for cojimumuatttoiubfreighting, long range ferrying and air ambulanceduties. TJi^y will be known as "Pcmbrokes,"
The unrestricted cabin interior of the "Pembroke* 1permits rapid switches from one dutyThere are permanent fittings for each,
to another,so that the
aircraft's eight rearward-facing passenger seats, orstretchers for casualty evacuation, can be removedquickly and the entire cabin floor cleared for carryingfreight lashed to built-in strong points. The maincabin door is removable, so that cargo can be thrown
if necessary; andby parachute during flight, if necessary;oxygen, de-icing and night-flying equipment
is fitted.
outlull
of the future, landing in the centres of cities andtowns all over the country, in contrast to air liners,which can use only a few large, widely separatedairports.The name "Airstop" was chosen from a list of more
than 70 suggestions, ranging from "Updown" to"Rotorpodk^ but B.E.A. say that they still intendto use the name "rotor-station."
A New "Banshee"The new McDonnell F2H-2P "Banshee," illustrated
at the foot of this page, is the first U.S. Naval jetfighter produced for photographic-reconnaissance
Six different types of camera can be fittedbehind windows in its lengthened nose, and the pilot
finder that Hives him
Airstops for Helicopters
The Ministry of Civil Aviation have announcedthat helicopter passenger stations are to be knownofficially as "Airstops." The similarity to "bus stop"is intentional, as
copters will be the air 'buses
has a special view finder that gives him a clear,unobstructed view of the ground below and ahead ofthe aircraft.Based on the well-known F2H-2 "Banshee," th**
new machine bas a speed of more than 600 tn.p.b.,and has already completed successful photographicmissions at heights ranging from 50 ft, to ten miles.
Real Flying Saucers
The U.S. Army have admittedexperimenting
saucers, but not thewe all read about
months ago. Thesesaucers are disc-shapedcontainers, made of syntl ticrubber and holding five gallonsof water, petrol or other liquid.Tests have shown that they canbe thrown out of aircraft Totroops on the ground, at hi$rfa
Is and from considerable
thatwithsortseveral
theyflyingthat
Latesttighter
versionfor
of the McDonnell '-Banshee," the first U.S. Naval jetphotographic-reconnaissance duties. Photograph by courtesy
of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, U.S.A,
speheights without bursting. Onhitting the ground they simplyspread out to almost doubletheir norm -i I site, bounce backinto the air and then drop backne.ir their oriental point ofimpact*
R.A.F.'s Big Transport JobDuring the first three weeks of
recent Middle East air troopingu pi*rations, aircraft of TransportComtuaiul and the Middle EastAir Force transport wing carried10,000 soldiers and 350 vehiclesand guns to the Canal Zone, Inaddition they had to fly in allsupplies needed by the Britishforces*
-
72 THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
Th Wor Tallest StatueBy Arthur Nettleton
OK more than 65 year- the approachto New York harbour has had as its
sentinel the tallest figure in the world.
a
thenpedestal. The [ )n > was
It was on 28th 0< tuberhuge Statue of Liberty, holding
that thetorch
before the American people, whoaccepted it as a symbol offriendshipthe U.S.A.
305 ft. above the sea, was formallydedicated by 1 ' re s i d < n
t
Cleveland. Since that timeit has gained world-widerecognition as the symb 1of freedom, andhomeward-boundAmericans, as we 1
1
as
visitors from other landand immigrants arrivingto make new homes inthe United States, havebeen thrilled by the
them.colossus greeYet the story of thismonument k far from widely-known, and few beholdersaware of all the interesting pointsabout it.The idea of erecting such
figure first arose in 1873,eric Augustc Bartholdi, the
famous French sculptor, envisagedit oim of l In- Seven Wondersof the modern world. Traditionsays tha t his originalto present it to Britain, and thatit was intended to be set up atthe Port Said en trance to theSuez Canal, but th' canalauthorities failed to giveassu ranee that they would provide
between France andAmericans did indeed
the ornate whilethe people of 1-"ranee subscribed
for the statue itself.Festivities of various
- kinds were held to raisee necessary funds, and
thehave
originalthe
plan was tocomplete
monument ready fordedication >nanniversary of Americanindependence, inNot until a year later,however, did the
AmericanCongressthe
pass
aim \\
necessaryAct accethe gift,the building ofthe pedestalwas not begununtil 18S3.Meanwhile,
the creation ofthe statue wasproceeding in
Lifts and stairways within the Statue ofLiberty lead to a gallery on the gigantic
torch, almost as far above ground as the topof the Clock Tower that houses Big Ben.
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 73
slow stages in iM'iiuce. Making agigantic figure was an engineering job ofgreat magnitude, entailing carefulpreliminaries. The first step was to prepana studio model 7 ft. high, and it is saidthat M, Bartholdi's mother was enlistedto sit for this piece of sculpture.The stresses and strains to which the
fm;il statue Would ht Miibjactdd also Kailto be investigated, and the strength ofthe site on which it was to stand inAmerica tested. It was realised that sucha tall structure might be atlected by the\tlantic gales, anil that strong foundationswould be essential.A curio about work on the actual
statue is that it was made from the topdownwards, the hand bearing tin* torchbeing the first part to be constructed.
,
was readv in 1876,inThisand was taken to the U.S.A. fur theCentennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia
*in that yearThe figure is a copper shell, fashioned
n plaster moulds and braced inside with-in intricate network of iron bar amigird el's. It was made in no fewer than350 separate pans, some of them entailinas many as 9,000 measurements to enablrtingthe truck rails are 2** Strips boltai to thelower ends of the Strips 11.
The carriage is loosely mounted on itsguide rails by two s
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 83*
uie connected by 2| # Strips ThesePlates are attached by Angle Brackets
and they are
to the front and back of the hopper.Two 2Fx2A* Flexible Plates 18 bentas shown, complete the sloping base,
by an Obtuse AngleBracket and an Angle Bracket to the frontand back.The unloading chute is made from two
Flanged Sei tor Plates bolted togetherat their narrow ends and connected by1|" Strips at their wide ends. They are
-
--
uscattached to the Hates 17 byAngle Brackets, Two Double Bracketsare fixed to the lower end *>t the chute,
a slidinuand these form a guidetrapdoor formed by aA Double Bracket
and is
19.Strip 19
nu
by a Curved Strip andto an Alible Bracket
" Bolt
Fig. 3. An enlarged view of the hoist ing carriage,showing the slides and the spring catch for holding
the truck in position.
by a 3|*x2i* Flanged Plate 13. The
held by a nut on a }* Bolt. Theis screwed into a Coupling used to connecttwo 4* Rods 2n, which are mounted inDouble Bent Strips bolted to two of theGirders 7. A Bush Wheel fitted with a
_
Threaded Pin forms an operating handlefor the trap.
The sides of the coal truck are each made
Plates and tworoof is made from two 1 \k" radius Curved from two 2^x 1* Flexible Plates joined
2rx2.i"it is supported by
and two 3" Strips.*
mechanism for the
cu totwo 2h
Flexible Plates l>y Ix$* Double Anglebottom of the truck is formed
Thetwo
/ Semi -Circular Plates a to the sidesThe operating by Angle Brackets. The wheels are fixed
hoisting carriage is controlled by a Crank on \\" Rods mounted in Flat TrunnionsHandle 14, fitted with a Worm inside The truck rails are connected to thethe cabin. The Worm meshes with a carriage by Fishplates and Angle Brackets,
Pinion on an 11|" Rod 15. which is and a catch to hold the truck u. placemounted in Flanecd Plate 13 and in a is made from two (Continued on page 9-01'XT Angle Bracket boltedto Plate 6. The Rod 15carries two 1* Pulleys fixedbeh ind the carriageThe operating
tied to the lowerCords are
the Flanged Plate& ofthat
of theforms thecarriage, and each of themis passed twice round oneof the Pulleys on Rod 15.The Cords are takrnover Sleeve Pieces 16 boltedto the hopper, passed roundRod 10 and tied to DrivingBands looped through the2$"xir Flanged Plate.
Driving Bands areThestretched slightly to tensionthe Cords.The sloping base of the
hopper is next fitted. Itconsists of two 5* X 1 *Flexible Plates 17 on each
Fig. 4. The hopper seen from the front, showing Ihc Rod and SleevePieces over which the carriage hoisting cords pass.
-
84 THE MECCNO MAGAZINE
Branc News
WITH SECRETARYSMALL CLUBS AND BRANCHES
Last month I urged members of the Guild andof the H.R.C. to do their utmost to form new Clubsand Branches. 1 have already
organisationsth.it
;
ceivcd enquiries frommore interested enthusiasts, and I want to make itclear to all that they should not hold ha* k from theirefforts because they think tIj v rartnc form a Lira*-Club or Brand* at oiled. Like mostClubs mid Brandies should grow. Those mat art-most successful are built up from niaU beginmnfby the efforts of the enthusiasts who start them andof others who join in the good work.
The great idea of the form alion of a Club orBranch is that the delightsof model-building andminiature train, operationare w< nderf iilly increasedwhen the hobbies are carriedon in conjunction withothers interested in them.A group of only half a dofceafriends can have the greatestfun if they meet regularlyfor this purpose, and thosewho are thinking of makinga start on a small scalehould have no fear that
tlujy will be regarded asunimportant. In fact, ourPresident, Mr. Hornby, andmyself are specially interestedla these little friendly Clubsand Branches, which embodythe real *pirit of the Guildand of the H.R,C. in thatthe members are helpingach other to get the. utmost
their grand hobbies.Those who have already
made a start should writenow to tell me how they are
tting on, and how 1 candp them. Members who are
thinking of following theirexample also should write tome : : information, and fora copy of a special bookletthat explains what MeccanoClubs are and how they areformed and carried on".
MECCANO CLUBSRECENTLY AFFILIATED
CLUB NOTESSt, Leoxards (St. Andrews) MX.This m wly-
affiliati f Club is fallowing a full programme*, in whichMode] -building occupies the- greater part of the timeallotted to meetings;. A Hornby Railway SectionaNo is being formed and a layout is being constructed..Members were greatly interested in proa sses watchedduring a Visit to a Paper Mill Clttb roll; II. Secretary:Robert Laiug, 2, Bowling Green Terrace, St* Andrews.Fife.James Street (Exeter) MX,This Club was
affiliated late last year and has made excellent progressMembers sorted out stocks of Meccano Parts andthen "an Mode! -Building- their productions
including windmills, a baker'svan, a bridge and a crane.O t her
A photograph taken during a visit toSouthampton Docks by members of the MileEnd (Portsmouth) MX, with their Leader, Mr.A. J, Nicholson. The party travelled by water,and enjoyed excellent views of "QueenElizabeth 1 ' on her way to New York
p and ofmany other interesting vessels.
Nijmeoen (Holland) MLG.Mr. KL Hendriks, Hertogstraat 114, Nijniegcn,St. Leonards MX*Mr- W. Batchclor, 15, Brno*
Street, St. Andrews, Fife,Memoka (Holland} MX,Mr. M. Vl^ser, N.Z.
Burgwal 33, Monuikendam.James Street (Exeter) MX.Mr. M. C. Hodder.
A, Fords Road, Exeter.
RECENTLY INCORPORATED BRANCHES532Nkw Cor lege (Harrogate)S. J. ChambersNew College, H.irn - ite.533Kkdlami (Bristol) Mr. S. G. Wilis. 38Clarendon Road, Red! and, Bristol 6*534Newcastle Royal Grammar SchoolMr.G. L. Beach, Newcastle Royal Grammar School,Eskdato Terrace; Newcastle- on-Tvne 2,
meetings are bein^devoted to Talks and Debates.Club roll: 10. Secretary: B,Dart, 23, Temple Road,I xeter, Devon,H e l g r a v e Union
(Leicester) MX The ClubExhibition was a wonderfulsuccess, nearly lf000 visitorsinspecting the display. Clubmodels built by memberswere the chief attraction,and among them were amarine dockyard scene and\ handsome model villagemri railway. Models werejudged by Mr. F. S. North,President. Six Film Showswere given, all concernwith locomotives, track andsignalling. Club roll; 44.Leader and Secretary: Mr. C,S. Smith, 18f DoncasterKoad, Leicester,
BRANCH NEWSJunction Road School
(Brentwood)A splendidstart was made this Sessionwith a membership of 37.A model dockyard, including
s, ships, etc., is beingconstructed, the projectgiving ample variety andinterest to members. Clubroll: 37. Secretary: JohnClarke, 15, La Plata Grove,Brentwood, Essex.Magdalen College
School
made. On the
i
(Oxford)Twooutstanding visits have been
first members inspected the repairshop. of the O.xf'ird W.R. Motive Power Depot, wherethey enjoyed a brief footplate trip on a "Grange." Onthe second one party visited the Rugby Test Plantand Control Office, while another inspected theMotive Power Depot and Works. Secretary: M, Gibbs,Oakdrne, East Street, Headington, Oxford.New Road (South Ching*ori>)Enthusiasm
continues high. It has been decided to run largerlocomotives, .*nd to allow this curves on the trackhave been given a larger radius, while tha layoutas a whole has been re-wired* Operations on it arenow controlled from a panel above the layout, givingthe controller a Signal Box view. Secretary: Mr.K. R. White, 136, Westward Road, South Chingford,Loudon E.4,
*
-
THE MHCCANO MAGAZINE 85
HORNBY RAILWAY COMPANY
ThatSeconEngineBy the Secretary
IAM often asked by Ilornby-Dublo enthusiasts how to make
the best use of a second locomotivewhen they add to their stork ofequipment. Now two enginescannot be run satisfactorily on thesame track with one TransformerHid Controller- While the mainline remains single, one of themmust be held in a section of theline, such as a siding or loop,that can be cut oiH electricallyfrom the main circuit. This can
e of theFrom
t. done easily by making usIvoliting Rail and Switch,such simple beginnings a realisticworking system can be built upincorporating such features as theattractive station layout illustratedon this page.
In a scln rne of this kind, if independent workingon a double track main line is required, a separateTransformer and Controller is necessary for eachtrack. Then the two engines can be run at the sametime, each on its own main track.So far, so good; but what happens if we want to
join the two main tracks by means of Points*
a crossover? We cannot have the two Transformers:ind Controllers connected fcb the combined circuits;so, to pre-serve theindependentcon t r o
1
scheme, wemust have ab r c a k inthe centrerail sectionbetween the
A Homby-Dublo Station layout with crossover connections and a loopline as described on this page. The locations of the Insulating Tabs are
specially marked by the "circle and bar" Indication.
thethe
and is very simple to use. It is just slipped in betweenthe centre rail clips, as shown in the illustration at
foot of this page. There it intervenes betweencentre rail connecting clips and so makes the
necessary break.These Tabs c^n be used over and over again, as
may be necessary when layout designs are cnanThe Tabs are just the thing also for forming looplines into separate < trical sections, each controlled by
an IsolatingRail andSwitch. In
thethisIsolatingRail providerthe break
Insulating Tabs, represented by circles with diameters, on a double track layoutThe terminal rails are marked T. In the lower track h a section with an Isolating
Rail X connected to a switch.Points,Now this break is provided for in
Dublo System in two ways. In oneIsolating Rail, not connected to a Switch, is insertedbetween the ooints. This use of the rail is not
a t
endtheand
oi
the Hornby-of these an
points,always convenient, however.that its use would set the two main
One reason for this istracks further
apart than the standard Hornby-Dublo double* trackdistance. This is where the second way comes in*An Insulating Tab has recently been introducedthat has the same effect, but avoids such difiteoltic
no
loop,t h e
Tab is placed at the other end. Thediagram In the centre of this page shows a typicalarrangement of similar character on a main line.With Isolating Rails and Switches and Insulating
Tabs therefore it is easy to divide a layout so thattwo locomotives can be moved simultaneously,remembering of course that each section must hav*its own Transformer and Controller. When necessaryeach locomotive can pass to the other track withoutdifficulty, transfers being made at reduced speed.
In the railway seen in the upperillustration on this page there are two-main lines, connected by Points formingtwo crossovers, and with InsulatingTabs correctly placed to provide breaks.One of the main tracks serves theThrough Station platform, and a loopoflf the other with an Isolating Rail andSwitch at one end and a Tab at theother, serves the Island Platform,
Each main line has its own Transformerand Controllerthese are not visible in
and the L.M.S.theTan
icture, by the way-shown arriving can run round it&
when 1 he
How to place the Insulating Tab in position between the centrerail connecting clips.
train for the return journeytrain already signalled on the other mainlinn has been disposed of in an isolatedsection. While these operations are inprogress the engine and Goods BrakeVan seen waiting in the loop are isolateduntil thr* main line is dear*
-
86 THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
Using Horn ing StockTHE name rolling stock applies in of little oddments can be popped inside
general to all the vehicles that the to represent different consignments. Don'tyouthful Hornby Railway beginner is pack the goods too tight in your Vans orusually happy to consider simply as you may have trouble in unloading later!"trucks." The distinction between the# i
different types, forLoading or unloading the open vehicles
passenger and for goodsservice, usually comes alittle later in hisexperience. Tl len he
to look out forthis type or that in orderto provide some varietyin the vehicles, especiallythose for goods traffic.The varied stock
included in the Hornby201 Tank Goods or 601Goods Train Sets gives aminiature railway ownera good start. To thetank set there can beadded a Goods Brake Vanand to the other set aGoods Van or somesimilar vehicle. Loadsusually receiveattention from thebeginner and most of the
A Hornby Tank Locomotive on its way to pick up more wagons to form atrain. The Level Crossing and the siding lend realism to the scene.
can a load of some land. TheHornby goods stock now in production such as the Wagon No, 1, Lumber, Timber
or Flat Trucks is an easy matter, as it iscarried out literally by hand. Whenthere is a Coles Mobile Crane {Dinky ToysNo. 571) available, this can do good work
carrydifferent Vans, Goods, Refrigerator andMilk, have sliding doors, and the last-namedone, as bought, already has some milkcans on board. For the others, all sorts either in the yard or on the loading platform
Passenger stock is not sobut an additional
Coach No. 1 or PassengerBrake Van can always beused with advantage. Wherethere are several such Vanson the line they can formquite a realistic parcelstrain. Goods-type vehiclessometimes appear on realpassenger or parcel trains.The Goods, Refrigerator orMilk Van can be used in
way, and each candisplay the correct taillamp if it happens to run atthe rear of a passenger train.Goods trains are
completed by the HornbyGoods Brake Van, and this
A train of vans is hurried past the Signal Cabin hy a Hornby TankLocomotive. Typical rolling stock is standing in the sidings.
should carry tail lampand side lamps on thebrackets provided.
-
THE MECCANO MAGAZINE 87
4
*
Hornby-Du o Town an Country Layout
THE Homby-Dublo layout shown in If ffpu were to go, in imagination, on thethe illustrations on this page has been " Waljordian" express, you would start
in course of development for over ten from "Victoria" Station, in a train hauledyears The owner, Mr. J. S. Guthrie, of by a Homby-Dublo "Sit Nigel Gresky."Manchester, began with a single Train The first stop would be "Acton Road" a.et. At first progress was slow owing to suburban station for the citv. A far
war-time conditions, but by degrees a as this the train follows the same routegood system on a permanent baseboard as the Midland Region lines, but nowhas been built up.The layout affords continuous running
and there are, broadly, four main tracksall the way, with various loops and sidings.Each of these four main tracks has its own this the town is approached once more
crosses over a main road and comes intothe country station of "Watford" Thenthe line runs into hilly country througha tunnel and reaches " Harbourne" After
Transformer and Controller, while there and'
an* ive at Platform 3,are Isola tin Rails and Swil- hes that 4 4
allow eleven engines to be on the railwayat various points, although only four
.
.
engines can be running at once.
youVictoria"The chief Midland Region train is theRoyal Elm Express" hauled by No.
AtholL" This leaves6231 DuchessSome time ago the railway was divided "Cross Street," which is actually next to
for operating purposes into twoThe outer pair of tracks form the
regionsM
Victoria After "Acton Road" this
Region,
i
wo bv L.N.E.R. typelocomotives and* rolling stock. The innertracks are known as the "Midland Region," after roundingworked by L.M.S. engines and stock.
takes the straight track to the countrystation of "Carnforth" Then come a
andcurve the train
short tunnel and a straight length
is again at Platform 7, "Cross Street.'
Reathis
Manchester, are shown in the illustrations onlistic scenes on the Homby-Dublo layout of Mr. J. S. Guthrie,page. The upper picture shows the rail and road approach to one of the main stations; m
simple scenery makes an effective background to the line.the lower view
4
-
m THE MECCANO MAGAZINE
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