I'm well aware that I'm not the first to claim the world is round.
Define "a lot".
I know what hornstays are - I said 'axle slots' which are the cut-outs into which hornstays are fitted.
Perhaps you should visit NZ and explain your method to any surving steam loco drivers - I'm sure they would be delighted to listen to you. Obviously they never heard of your method because frame fractures in service occurred.
I wasn't aware you couldn't see red!
A reflector with a fitting to hold flares?
Tough call - can one take many thousands of excellent photos without becoming a historian and/or researcher?
Not in the least, but it's the reason I'm building NZR 1:24 scale models at present. A few sheets of plasticard, some strip material, a few basic hand tools and a file box of plans books and mags on the lounge floor. That's how it's been for the last 4 months, no lathe, no milling machine, no drill press ...