Nagging random questions thread...

[petercharlesfagg]

Why did the "Flying Scotsman" have 2 tenders in some pictures but only one in others?

Was it because of water or coal, did it use excessive amounts of both?

I thought that the railways had water troughs in the longer routes etc?

Peter.

[PLD]

Why did the "Flying Scotsman" have 2 tenders in some pictures but only one in others?

Was it because of water or coal, did it use excessive amounts of both?

I thought that the railways had water troughs in the longer routes etc?

Peter.

The second tender was only a preservation era addition, after water troughs (and lineside water columns) had all been removed. The first (next to the loco) was a conventional tender carrying coal and water, the second was purely a large water tank

[MikeDunn]

These days, the second tender can be found @ Southall, as it is used behind Bittern (it was sold off a while back), although chatting to one of the crew I found it that it's a right b r apparently, which is why they rarely use it anymore ...

[edwin_m]

Even into grouping days there were lower quadrant signals on the LNER but they gradually got phased out.

A couple of Midland lower quadrants lasted into the 80s.  I suspect some of the GN somersault signals may have lasted nearly as long. 

[petercharlesfagg]

Friends,
Following my purchase of scalpel blades, handles etc. it got me thinking?

How do we (as humans) dispose of such blades, hospitals must use hundreds?

I know that we (modellers etc) put them in the rubbish but they remain sharp(ish) long after we no longer need them.

Peter.

[Malc]

I wrap mine in masking tape and chuck in the rubbish

[scotsoft]

I put mine into an empty coke can then in the bin 

cheers John.

[MikeDunn]

I picked up a pack of blades that have their own disposer built in - I pop the old one in there & take a new one out ...

[petercharlesfagg]

I put mine into an empty coke can then in the bin 

cheers John.

OK but what happens to them then?  There must be thousands every week, do they put them in landfill or are they recycled?

[scotsoft]

Hospitals and doctors surgeries have a sharps box which I presume is recycled somehow 

cheers John.

[Dorsetmike]

I notice there's a bim at the local medical centre marked for nedical items, wonder if it's worth enauiring at the pharmacy or GPs if they can offer any suggestions.