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What I can show, is a photo testing the temporary gate. Needs to move slightly to right but as a photo, it works quite nicely. For those interested about how the railway worked and it’s history, I may have some interesting posts after the weekend.

Newcastle Central station in 1985 and 1987 for today's photos. Newcastle Thurs 24th Oct 85 C7261 A quiet moment at the station. Newcastle 143025 Carlisle to Newcastle 17th Jan 87 C8184.jpg Newcastle HST up 17th Jan 87 C8187 Newcastle 43161 down and 43083 up 24th Feb 87 C8212.jpg Newcastle Class 101 54408 and 51198 10th July 87 C8640.jpg David

Goat Moaning all

I've just had a splendid day in the company of four visiting friends from the Ely Club. Thank you gentlemen for your hospitality, banter and most-generous donations to CRUK. What really made my day was the work brought along by 14-year old Jamie Rands. He built this rather nice K2 using a Graeme King resin body and tender, fitting it on top of a modified Bachmann K3 chassis. It's all his own work. As is this scratch-built O1 on a modified Hornby 8F chassis. He also brought along this 3D-printed van running on a Mike Trice chassis. Maybe the hobby's future isn't as lugubrious as I make it out to be. This self-reliant, inventive and developing youngster could teach many an old-lag modeller a great deal. Especially those who don't seem inclined to even try. I've given him a simple white metal wagon to build (he's a solderer!), and when he finishes it (and shows it to me at the Ely Show), his birthday present from me will be a D&S etched-brass ex-NBR horse box. Good on you my young friend.

Man flu here..... so I've taken to the settee, replete with quilt, various quack remedies and ploughing my way through the Das Boot series on Sky Atlantic. Joking aside, throats is like razor blades and nothing seems to alleviate it so just hope it goes soon. Best wishes all.

Having just scraped the thick off in the shower, a visit to the bathroom scales has revealed an upside to the week of lurgy - better than half a stone lighter. Which probably just means I am badly dehydrated. Can't face coffee currently as my taste buds are deranged, so it's boring water. To be fair though I haven't eaten much this week.

Morning all, If there is one thing I cannpt stand on the part of motoring cockwombles it is the brainless twerps who stop on roundabouts to let people out who are sitting at a give way line - a major hazard. I had one stop in front of me last week to let somebody cross the effin road by the roundabout exit - with me sat behind him on the roundabout which gives good odds for being tail-ended because you can't see across it and people often join it quickly to beat other traffic. Total dumbarse behaviour of the first order. And today being faux Friday I shall once again be venturing over that roundabout. Talking of which I am reminded of Whitchurch so might perhaps place Ian (Roundhouse) at the one which once had two railway stations served by two different companies (one station still being open of course). The weather out there seems not to bad and even better news is that the INR result is almost on target for the second test running so I've been given 4 weeks grace until the next test; rat poison dose remains unchanged. I'm fairly sure it was the cough lurgi which well and truly upb*ggered because the test I had in the midst of that took me to over double the number I'm supposed to be at and left me on fortnightly testing intervals; first world problems. Have a good day one and all.

Morning all from a sunny Charente. It's still a bit cool outside but 17 is promised. The woodshed part 2 awaits this morning. Hopefully it shouldn't take too long. Then it will be off to the tip with a trailer full of rubbish. Once it's all tidy then I will be able to start in splitting and sawing more logs over the next few days. However as it's warmed up we're not needing the fire burning as often. Beth is going to help where she can though her left shoulder is causing problems and I suspect my main task will be trying to stop her making it worse. A friend of hers has kindly offered to come over so the work shouldn't take too long. All being well I will be able to send the afternoon making some more joints. My workbench should start to take shape soon. Regards to all Jamie

As part of Jerry's and my bartering/horse-trading arrangement, I've been working on the water tank for Bath. Jerry kindly sent me some detailed drawings for a standard Midland panel and other information which included his sketches of the tank to be modelled. Last night I put on the first test print and here are the results. There are a couple of minor issues that I'd like to address and reprint this before it goes out to Jerry. However, I'm pretty pleased with it as a first attempt and, following all Jerry's help and advice, it is nice to be able to contribute to the layout in a small way.

Mornind. Oh be dose id fud od knot. As Dave is finding out, this is a killer lurgy that Rick as given us, electronically. Still pretty crook, although slightly better this morning......slightly. Dave's bang on about the Lempis stuff, hardly seems to make a dint in this particular strain of lurgy-itis although I usually find they help a cold. This isn't a cold, despite Mrs NHN's insistence of my just being a wuss. Really annoying as I have gone all winter with nothing worse than a sniffle, good going in the damp mildness of Fraggle Rock. The 'flu' jab probably helps. I'm annoyed at having to stay off work when things are both busy and short handed for half term, but I would be no help and just infect everyone else, I really am too ill to work. OK, end of self-pity course. It is 11c out, dryish and windy, which would be OK for a 'blow the cobwebs out' walk.

Fourteen minutes have passed, and the Talisman duly appears. All was neat and tidy when it started its journey, but then some fool left a point set against it, and Mallard came to a juddering halt. Another fool, (it can't have been the same one, surely) then failed to notice that the juddering had caused the headboard to be at a crazy angle. The management hopes that this will not detract from your viewing enjoyment.

Isn't that one of those things you play on a guitar? A bit grey and murky this morning - and the weather isn't much better either. Still lurgified and feeling 'orrible, ODing on Lemsips and anything else that promises to make you feel better instantly but to little effect. Wonder if I can get one of these compensation law firms on the case and demand payment from the manufacturers for not making me feel like a box of birds? Not much else to report really except shares in Kleenex on the rise. Have a good day awl and thoughts and prayers for the real sufferers. Dave

Good morning all, A dry start and it should be a fine and mild day with some sunny spells. Much aching of back, hip and knees continues which is why I'm up earlyish. Some walking to do today as we're off to the British Museum with Gemma who needs some photos and sketches of Egyptian stuff for a homework project. A phone call to the bank fraud department was made and many apologies given (apparently it wasn't my fault.....er, I knew that!) A call back in the afternoon from Belfast from the very helpful young lady promised that the credit had been raised and would show on my account this morning. It was and it has! My balance looks a bit healthier now. Time for more tea. Have a good one, Bob.

Grunchtime Leetings. The lurgie gave me only a short-lived cold which arrived on Christmas Eve and was clearing by New Year. It has been this wretched cough that still lingers that has been enduringly troublesome and has left me uncommonly tired. It is still hanging around but is much improved. I still have to use the inhaler at times and still have chest pain from all the coughing but am finally on the mend. Beautiful morning at the House of Fun where things were by and large running well. I was assigned a new entrant as a pre-training observer who provided good feedback for me at sign-off. There was a great conversation with a young woman just in from Oz and bound for home in New Milton. The bleary eyes and well-travelled backpack said “long-haul flight” to me and we chatted for some time about her times in and around Sydney. She doesn’t think she met anyone called Chris. I am now off to do battle with an accident in a spaghetti factory. Anyone following Waddlemarsh might understand the trauma that involves. Best wishes to all. And sundry.

Good morning everyone The sun is shining and the sky is blue, but there are a few white fluffy things floating about, currently it’s 10C with an expected high of 15C by mid afternoon. However, looking at the garden paths and the windows, we must have had some more rain overnight. Breakfast has been consumed, as has the large muggertea and orange juice, Sheila is just finishing hers and will soon be getting herself ready for her Zumba class. Once she’s gone, I’ll tidy up the kitchen and then head to the workshop. Back later

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare, A good night sleep for a change, 6 hours + another on the sofa, This hasn't helped my neck though it still very painfull. I'll take another pink one shortly... I awoke feeling very cold but an inspection of the meter said my body was lying.. Yesterdays first prize for cockwombleship goes to the black golf that stopped on a NDR roundabout to let cars in from the minor road (i was on), how it wasn't hit from behind by unsuspecting drivers I don't know... This computer now say it's going to Reset... Time to... go..

Morning All, We have another somewhat frosty morning - the temperature is down around freezing today. There isn't a lot else to report, so I guess it is time for a coffee! Have a good day everyone...

S is for the soup they always give us. H is for the hash that we all know. O is for the 'orsemeat they puts in it. V is voice of sergeants, sweet and low. E is for the end of our enlistment L is for the last day of the war. Put them all together, they spell SHOVEL; The emblem of the Royal Flying Corps. (As sung by my father, ex-RCAF.)

Did he land in the garden? Seriously, I hope you and all the others suffering this cold and subsequent viral infection recover quickly. We all had it over Christmas, so you can imagine what five sickly adults were like, especially as they were trying to cater for two sickly (grand) children. Please don't make me play with the Duplo trains again: You know how the children keeping changing the track plans. Much external clearing has been executed around the perimeter of the hippodrome. Muddy Hollow (Forward) provided welcome wading and now the twigs and branches have been evicted from the bottom of the hollow, much wallowing is now on the cards as the puncture risk has diminished. After considerable thought, the spirit of Beeching is to visit the South Horton Irrigation Tramway. However, like the L&B, it will sleep, until awoken in a new format.

I found a video that my mate Nigel (Melangoose) took of the layout at Worthing and here's a great still image from it. It's hard to imagine but that area of station takes up nearly 5 ft and there's hardly anything in it! Once I've got the benches, signs, posters, flower beds, car park markings and the rest of the fencing in, it'll really start to come together and look more like it should do.

Morning all (just). A Teutonic parcel has just arrived and needs to be opened. Meanwhile our Chris and THE TIE have departed from Australia and are now in New Zealand. As they spent the last few days in Sydney, I'm sure the tie received suitable exposure. Bill

Last time we were in Exeter was last August so no cant recall but I am sure they will look into back then. I dont use a card in restaurants or bars very often as normally use cash.

Morning All It was a success at Chez Bob's last night Her said it was the best meal I had cooked ever what did make it tasty was the Duck which was dunked into Chinese Five Spice powder mixed with corn flour then straight into the Wok, part cook the duck remove and put in warm oven then cook the veg quartered onions, bean sprouts, baby corn, crushed garlic then put the duck back in and 2 large spoons of plum sauce and give it a good mix and cook till done. she wants it again next week the food silly. Today is coach day, I had to order more Comet coach parts from Wizard Models yesterday which puts pay to any painting today with too many bits missing so I will get stuck in to other coaches waiting in the works. must get on enjoy your day Ray Blanc

I haven't got any pink ones to take so will make do with white ones for now. If it gets really bad I've got some green and yellow but they are a last resort, which reminds me I'm running rather low so must visit the medic to ask for more. Have to do this face to face as they won't prescribe them without seeing you.

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2019/02/20/sandys-chemo-day-64-of-126/

Afternoon all. Cough gone, just sneezy now. I am glad the irritation moved up rather than down. Aditi seems fully recovered so I am hopeful I will be soon too. Tony

I have been considering things we do not talk about in ER, I have come to the conclusion there are too many points to consider and I may have to traverse to a different solution.. After my corned beef sarni, I will take my brain out and will submit myself to an online "trainings" that is required,"Antitrust: Preventing Uncompetitive Practices" to someone below the pond life in the company tree,, it's really relevant.. I wonder if they told the New deputy Boss, arriving monday, about all these "trainings" Sarni consumed.. labotomy coming up..

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I too have the lurgi and have had it for the past week or so. I've been on the Lemsips fortified by a tot of Caledonian falling down water. Not so bad this morning, not having yet to resort to the Kleenex.

Mike - I know which one you refer to but sorry not near an open station by a few miles. It did have a station (halt) and remember going over the bridge where the halt used to be to and from school each day in the back of Mums car. The school backed onto the old railway line and one day we had a school walk along the recently liftet track bed so plenty of ballast ot walk over. That may be enough for you to find it! Just checked one of my credit car statement that arrived in the post and a rather large charge from a car hire company in Exeter. Never hired one in the UK and only recent one was for a lot less and a prepay for another company for our trip in the USA last xmas. Been onto the credit card company and they are looking into it but in the meantime cancelled the card. A day in today working on various items of rolling stock. Found two HO scale Geep 9's that are not required, one I think requires new gears on the axles. If so I have spares, then both can be sold.

Hope this isn't getting too boring, but I have knitted both forkfuls of spaghetti together (with not inconsiderable difficulty!) and added representations of the water valves. This pair of valves are based around a single piece of brass, which has been slit round the edges with a piercing saw. For anyone who doesn't already know but might be interested, the water comes in from the tender at the left of the picture (the pipe supplying the exhaust steam injector crosses to the far side of the loco). Spindles from the water valves will pass up through the cab floor, terminating in handles for the fireman to operate. The two pipes sticking up across the top edge of the picture bring in live steam from the manifold on top of the firebox - the valves controlling the steam supply are above the running plate. Of the three pipes that bend forwards to run behind the footplate valance, the large one brings exhaust steam (via a grease separator) and the two smaller ones carry the feed water to the clack valves near the front of the boiler. The two short pipes underneath the injectors are the overflow drains. There are a few more really small pipes that I haven't added (such as the water supply to the slacker pipe - which can only be used when the injector is running) but I think I will omit these... After all, less is more in 2mm scale! (Did I really just say that?!?) And just for a really cruel comparison, here is a photo from a similar angle of the real bits I'm trying to represent. I took this picture of Evening Star at York the summer before last, and it has taken me until now to pluck up the courage to crack on with the model...

Contrary to scurrilous rumours posted above the joints that I made were not rolled or roaches. They were mortice and tenon joints in 3" square timber and here is the evidence to prove it. I had a good afternoon in the shed hitting a chisel with a mallet and using a saw. The end result was five more tenons and 2 of 4 mortices needed to complete the third leg unit. Here's the two units I made earlier. The bench will be on that wall and here is the third one being made Two cross members done, leg no 1 well on the way and leg 2 waiting to be marked out. Before I finished Leg 1 was complete and leg 2 had it's top tenon cut and the marking out done for the mortices. I'm enjoying a bit of carpentry. Once the legs are done then they need a bottom shelf to tie them together then the top frame of 6 x 3 will go on, 12 more mortices and 6 more tenons to do. I'm now planning the layout. My plan, cunning that it is, is to put my drill press in the centre with a woodworking vice to the right and my metalworking vice on the left. I did find a second wood workers vice today so may fit both. Jamie

A pretty picture we hope the opposition don't see, cos that means they're in front of us.. Yes the big bird was up...

Hi Atso I’m currently working on some MSE signals for the Ely club’s new layout Wickham Market. They are all operational (something I’m sure Tony will be glad to hear) and will be controlled with viessmann motors. Jamie

Good evening everyone It would appear that not all the schools in the area share the same holidays, as by mid morning the pool was quite busy, plenty of young mums and their kids. Thankfully the staff opened up the kiddies pool and it alleviated the larger pool. However , there was a lane set aside for swimming only and for quite some time I had it to myself. So, despite the fact that it was busy I still managed to do 100 lengths and several single under water lengths too! Hopefully next week it will be back to normal. Well I hadn’t been home long when it started to rain! There wasn’t any forecast so it came as a bit of a surprise, but thankfully it stopped just before now took the grandkids home. As is usual when I feed the grandkids curry, nothing was left, not even a poppadum or naan bread, but I suppose I shouldn’t complain, they all have hearty appetites. Goodnight all

Been quite busy on the layout over the last month or so. I've now made some good progress on the first bit of scenery, still plenty to do but the basics are all done. It will eventually be a small car auction focusing on old bangers rather than ex fleet cars. The garage building is temporary for now, I'll be building something else to go in its place. As usual I've filmed the whole process which you can find below.

The heaving bulk of Arenig Fawr dominates the skyline, and looked stunning in the winter sun today! This will be featured on the back scene in due course! Some photos from Penmaenpool today too, before operating the model version on Saturday!

Beautiful day here. A nice shirt sleeved walk on the beach in the sun. Repairs are happening on the sea wall and on the cliffs above with 3 orange clad workers dangling on bits of string whilst fixing netting to the cliff.

Scenics well under way and I’ve started ballasting.

BIN day, BINs already serviced! So, "RECORD SMASHED" according to the local rag. Indeed, yesterday we got around 9" of snow (mileage varies between 8-11" depending on locale) and we beat the 1962 standing record for February snowfall by 5+ inches! Those complaining about no snow in January better blqqdy well get out there and enjoy it now In other news, Long Island client ramping up changes/additions to "everything" as the auditors plow their way through the mess books. Nowt much else to report, choir practice tonight will get me out of the house but not much else will! -11 and cloudy as I struggled to find the paper in the snow banks expecting to reach -4 for the high. Carry on...

A Juno it trying very hard to dislodge the few remaining leaves of our oak trees. One is so grateful it isn't a Chinook.

Yes, it means the murky depths of humour.

One more picture looking south, again from a slightly more comfortable viewpoint. Both the West Riding and the Scotch goods are shown in the WTT as passing PN at 4.49pm, so one had to give way, and it must have been the goods. Some of the photos I've seen show an A4 headed train on the main though, and that wouldn't be the West Riding. The Afernoon Talisman was next on the Down, some fourteen minutes later, which I think must mean that the West Riding must have passed the goods on Stoke bank on those occasions. Today, it is all happening at the station. Now, both trains have gone, though the goods will go only a short distance before stop and examine in Westwood sidings. The slow is clear for another WD to bring more empties, this time originating at New Southgate. The D11 has also begun its journey to Grimsby, and will have precedence as we revert to two track main line. These two photos make the signalling arrangements a bit clearer.

Evening all, Attended a former colleague's funeral today - a mix of sadness and a celebration of someone's life well led. Among many other achievements, her contribution to military aviation medicine ("Ut secure volent" ) was celebrated and remembered by remaining colleagues; albeit we're a dwindling number now. And our labs, long gone, are now under a housing estate.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Picked up my Euro-lottery winnings today, £4:40, so I'm going to spend spend spend. Didn't notice any bin wagons dawn chorus this morning but the bags have gone so they must have been in stealth mode. Dinner to get ready so I'll be back later.

During the what I suppose was Gulf War 2, two or three Chinooks used to fly near our house each week before heading south across the Thames. On one occasion they were lower and nearer the house. I was talking to a neighbour, looking at the helicopters and lots of stuff fell off the shelves in his garage.

Wishing all ERs suffering with various lurgies a swift recovery. I thought we were here due to start getting the warmer weather today, but it hasn’t materialised. Today has been breezy, cool and a little damp. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I have done a detailed car inspection in advance of its MOT tomorrow, so am hoping that it passes OK. Then part of the afternoon has been spent working out wiring diagrams for the first of my two layout control panels. This panel is the one that will allow switching between DC and DCC, and also control of a shunting yard by either its dedicated controller, or by either of the two main circuits. The diagram is now down on paper, and will hopefully convert easily to the actual panel.

Surprise surprise Wizard Models order was on the door mat this AM it's allowed me to get on as planned. If you want a good read check out the DJM 92 thread it looks like some one has been pee'd off by Mr. Jones still the chap doesn't do himself any favours. laters G.J. Collett

Well, I didn't get the job (PA to NHS Deputy director), but I did get some really good feedback and considering I always dread interviews, it was nice to hear that I interviewed very well on this occasion. The job went to another candidate with more experience in the end, but I'm not too disheartened.