It's been a while since I posted anything about Barrow Road what with holidays and sorting out the garage not to mention helping my son move to London for a new job.

Yesterday evening I hosted an evening for several members of this illustrious community who wanted to see what progress had been made since their previous trip.

What progress? - well not a great deal on the layout although I am making some, if slow, progress with the trackwork. Last night Morgan brought the 8F, now 48079, in it's resplendent black BR livery together with the body and tender of the Crab, now 42763, for a brief home visit before going back to the works for finishing. They joined my Patriot now in it's stripped condition - should it be named 'Lady Godiva' ? - which is awaiting handover to Ian Rathbone for repainting in lined BR green.

The attached photos show the above locos and Morgans rake of converted Bachmann Mk1s together with Gerry Beales converted Bachmann Hall - 4988 Bulwell Hall - see MRJ 200 - and Morgan's superb 8F 48305.

Also on view for the first time is my recent purchase of a Bachmann Ash Plant. My orginal intention was to use this as a temporary structure pending the build of a scratchbuilt model but I'm so impressed with it - apart form the plastic elevator rails - that I may keep it after adding replacements in fabricated brass.

The photos also show most of the pointwork temporarily positioned on the layout pending completion.

4988 Bulwell Hall

Patriot plus Mk1s on the main line

48079 and Patriot

Morgan's 8F 48305

Crab 42763 now part lined

The Ash Plant