Narrow Gauge North went very well and I am told they had 500 visitors and made 2000 pounds ( will pound symbols work now?), for the local hospice. It seemed for most of the day that all 500 were looking at my layout and all asking questions at the same time! Simon (with whom I couldn't have done it without - Thank You!), and I were rushed off our feet all day so I do appologise to some people who I know came to say hello but I got distracted before we could have a proper chat. At one point I even collared one unsuspecting visitor and got them to go and get sandwiches for us! We really could have done with at least one extra pair of hands which can be a problem whenthe show is so far from home so if anyone does feel like volunteering sometime please do get in touch - we will even accept recruits with flat feet!

Anyway, have been stupidly busy both before and after the show so normal service is a little slow but have found these pics of the Alco just after it's visit to the paint shop. It did perform very well at Leeds but still as the little known 0-6-0 version - really must get that sorted.

I have quite a number of little things to get sorted before the next outing to Church Stretton in April but one is bugging me a bit. I know there are forums that deal with this sort of thing and have not tackled them yet so was just wondered if anyone had any suggestions first. The biggest cause of problems at Leeds was us running trains into closed points which we really shouldn't be doing but you do tend to get a bit careless after six hours non stop! I know that one way to avoid the inevitable short is to put aan isolatinf section just before the point and switch it with the point. My problem though is that the two switches on the motors are already in use - one for the frog and one for the panel LED's. I am running the LED's of a seperate 12volt supply (they are 12v LEDs). If I were to run them from the track bus instead could I double up on the switch and make it switch a section as well. Am sure it must be possible but have not managed to work it out yet. Only thing is, though, is that I really do not want to embark on a major rewiring project at the moment as just don't have the time to get it finished. Any suggestions?