Loco - GWR 850 class saddle tank.
Coach - LMS MTU test coach.
Wagon - LNER banana brake van.

Interesting course, but feel it went in the wrong direction with the audio section.  Having touched on the Op-Amp used as a comparator, it could have then mentioned the basic logic gate in the AND / NAND / OR / NOR, especially as the first section covered the loop of sensing, processing and actuation, where logic gates with their 1's and 0's play a big part.

Loco - Falcon
Coach - Gresley full brake
Wagon - RTR Palvan

Quote from: Trainfish on Yesterday at 12:49:20 AMThe bottom line is that the work I and others do still needs to be done and they will have to use contractors to do it which will cost them more but what do I know eh?

Can you get to the top of the contractors list and then charge them more than if you were employed by them?

Loco - GWR 10XX County Class
Coach - Gresley Full Brake
Wagon - Palvan

Morning all,

For those of you who, like me, are electronic illiterates the Open University has a free online course which is well worth a visit:

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/an-introduction-electronics/content-section-0?active-tab=content-tab

Happy reading,
Nick

On Eli's first visit to Trevelver Castle, Sylvie had shared with Eli the stories of the garden's statues. Eli's voice, soft and reverent, fills the silence as she begins to tell the tale of the Loving Couple. "Long ago", she starts, her words painting a picture in the crisp winter air, "there were two souls deeply in love. Their love was so profound that it transcended time and space".

Intrigued, Giles softly urged, "Do tell, Eli". The prospect of discovering the story behind the Loving Couple statue alongside Eli fills him with calm anticipation.

She points towards the man in the statue, "He was a brave knight, known for his courage and honour. Despite his duties, he fell in love with a beautiful maiden." Her gaze then shifts to the woman, "She, a humble girl from the village, fell just as deeply in love with him".

"Their love was a beacon in those dark days, a testament to their undying commitment to each other. They promised to love and cherish each other in this life and the next". Eli's dark blue eyes shimmer with the intensity of the tale, her hands moving expressively as she narrates.

"But fate had other plans. A great war separated them, and the knight was called to fight in the service of his lord. He promised to return, and she promised to wait". Eli's voice wavers slightly, the emotion of the story evident in her tone.

"The knight never returned from the war, but the maiden never stopped waiting. Their love, though tragic, was immortalised in these statues. And so, they stand here, in the heart of the garden, their love as timeless as the garden itself".

As Eli finishes the tale of the Loving Couple, her voice softens to a whisper, the final words hanging in the crisp winter air. She squeezes Giles' hand gently, a silent acknowledgement of the power of their shared moment. Giles, his pale blue eyes following Eli's gaze, studies the marble statues. The sight of the couple, so beautifully immortalised in stone, stirs something within him. He could swear he feels the love radiating from the statues, a warmth that seems to defy the chill of the snow.

The Loving Couple, their story now told, continue to watch over the statue garden with timeless grace. Their marble faces, etched with eternal love and longing, add a layer of depth to the serene and contemplative atmosphere of the snow-clad garden. In this moment, as the tale of the Loving Couple resonates in their hearts, Eli and Giles share a connection as timeless and profound as the love story immortalised in stone before them.

"Why don't we go over there?" Eli suggests, her eyes sparkling like sapphires catching the morning sunlight, still fixed on the statue. "We can get a closer look. Maybe even contemplate their story. What do you say?"

Upon hearing Eli's suggestion, Giles quietly assents. His steady and thoughtful eyes move to rest on the statues. A soft smile graces his lips, a silent affirmation of Eli's proposal.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Eli", he responds in a measured tone. His demeanour contrasts with Eli's youthful excitement, adding a balanced dynamic to their companionship.

Eli and Giles, their gloved hands intertwined, begin their journey towards the statues. Their footsteps imprint a fresh trail in the snow. Giles, his light blue eyes reflecting the light of the waning moon, studies Eli with a calm and steady gaze full of admiration.

Loco-LNER A1/1
Wagon-Belmond British Pullman full consist

I took my wife's Motability car in for its 12 month service and a warranty repair today. Despite being a Motability car, they'd not arranged a courtesy car (thank God that my disabled wife did not take it in). Unfortunately, it was raining, so making use of my smartphone to find ways home was difficult. I have problems with my own knees and the walk to catch public transport where I knew I could find it was a struggle.

A journey that takes just 15 minutes by car took 1-1/4 hours and involved 30 minutes of walking on the way back. The time spent walking, will mean that tomorrow, my arthritic knees will be very painful and I will be pretty well immobile.

With more time to think and a computer at home to work out how to get back to the dealers, picking it up should have been easier. However, for whatever reason, the second bus diverted down another road and missed three stops out (one of which was mine), despite the bus website listing the required stop and the time it should have been there! More time lost and more walking!

  ,for us things seem to be getting better on the postal front. When ordering packages would regularly stay at Heathrow for up to 2 weeks before leaving the UK, now it is only a few days.