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Photos on the Newcastle to Carlisle line in the 1980s this afternoon. Wylam 143021 Berwick to Carlisle 5th March 88 C9324.jpg Dilston crossing 143023 Hexham to Newcastle 1st Aug 87 C8718.jpg Dilston crossing east of 4771 Green Arrow Hexham to Darlington via the coast 5th July 87 C8626.jpg Hexham goods shed 9th March 85 C6729 Hexham 4771 Green Arrow l e from Darlington to Hexham Darlington Bank Top 100 anniversary 5th July 87 C8607.jpg David

Another shiny A4 tonight, Wild Swan has the Down Norseman. Apparently the headboard was hardly ever used, which is good, as I haven't got one. Now and then I take photos of unfinished areas, to give me an idea as to how to finish them off. This area is very much work in progress, but I think it can be turned into a good feature.

I think convention says that the hole in the hood faces forward. Morning all.

Gales heavy rain and golf are not a good mix, but its a competition, so I have to go. I thnk the worst bit is the temperature. 6c, and "feels like 2" at the end of April. Before I go and put all my thermal gear on, here is another view of lovely Wild Swan, a few yards further on its way to Tyne Commission Quay. If I turn the camera 180 degrees from last night's other picture, we get this. Unfinished again, obviously, but a promising view, which needed some brightness toning down.

Good evening everyone This morning’s tussle between the dark clouds and the blue skies, was unfortunately won by the dark clouds. Resulting in rain for most of the day, albeit lightly for the most part. Our shopping trip to the Trafford Centre this morning was quite costly, Sheila came home with a couple of new blouses. I suppose it could have been worse, she was looking for a bottle of perfume, but luckily unfortunately they hadn’t got the one she wanted, thankfully she refused to buy anything else, despite the best efforts of the sales assistant! Earlier on this evening, I had a quick look on the Salford Water Sports Centre open water swimming page and was pleased to read that they are opening early this year, on the 7th May, whoopee doo, can’t wait! Vickie and Ian dropped off Ava, Evie and Max just after 7:00, they stopped for a few minutes and had a quick chat before heading home to drop the off the car. They will then be heading into Manchester for the rest of the evening, having got a table booked somewhere for 9:00. Charlie works in Manchester and will finish work around 12:00 tonight, so they are hoping to meet up with him when he’s finished for a quick drink, before they head for home. However, knowing them, I suspect them, they’ll be having more than one quick drink! When they’d gone, they had a quick drink and a bite of supper then it was upstairs for a bath. Just before they went upstairs, Max asked me “what time they will be going to bed tonight?” “What time do you normally go to bed at home”, I asked him. “About 11:00 or sometimes 12:00” he replied! “You’ll be in bed here a lot earlier than that here pal!” I said, thinking to myself, nice try sunshine! They were all in bed before 8:30 and when I looked in on Max, just before 9:00 to say goodnight, he was fast asleep. The girls were asleep about 30 minutes later. Goodnight all

Two AY pics of 5975, soon to be rebuilt (I won't say 'modified'), on a Plymouth-bound stopper. John C.

A valuable piece of building land has been sold to the ACME ENGINEERING Co makers of the Brasted Ballaster, Rocket Riveter and the Corrugator Mk1. Ground works will start soon. All the best Adrian.

Nescot visited and as usual an enjoyable show. This was helped by the company of Bob81C and his mate Steve and also brief chats with BillB, ChrisF and Dave Searle. As suspected I was tempted and came away with a book on oil tank wagons and two O gauge open wagons obtained for a bargain price. All in all an excellent morning out. Even The Boss hardly raised an eyebrow at my purchases, I think she realises that it would be like talking to the wall. Now for some Rugby.

Evening all. Almost early morning! Today has passed without significant drama and included what has become a fairly regular trip to meet SWMBO from work and enjoy a couple of drinks to celebrate Friday. On this occasion we were joined by one of her team (and a good friend) who is one of those folk who seem to bring rays of sunshine where ever they go. I received a succession of messages from Neighbour (Upstairs) who has clearly not had a good week and ended it in tears; had we been closer to home a muggertee might have been in order though knowing her she prefers to shut herself away and sleep it off when upset. With a minor local event in Taunton on Sunday I doubt we shall have the opportunity to catch up through the weekend but you never know your luck. Speaking of which. The wetter forecast is both dire and bolical. High winds threaten to affect transport tomorrow but I shall persevere. I only have to reach the Town of Tone after all. How hard can that be? Answers on a postcard, please, after the storm has passed! I may not be able to log in over the weekend depending upon the availability of intertubes, recharging of batteries etc. I'll drop by when I next can. I believe a number of us may be assembling for the same event in which case I shall see you there. For the rest I shall see you here when I can. Sleep well.

At the start of Andy's photoshoot he had a good mooch round the layout, looking for angles and taking shots of various bits of the railway environment, before ever a train had left the fiddleyard. It was only after about 25 minutes that I fired up the Prodigy, after we'd both agreed that the punters would probably want to see some trains. Here are a few station shots. (More trains to follow!) The W.I. member in the brown suit is no longer rocking back on her heels with impatience but observing due decorum with her weight firmly over her centre of gravity. I hardly look at a picture of the layout without finding something to correct, however small. I do love those Timber Tracks station building kits. John C.

An Edwardian version of the bus on the bridge.

Good morning one and all A flying visit today and none tomorrow as I am off to Nescot and Staplegrove respectively. Shall I have breakfast at St Pancras or Victoria? Tough one, that. A couple of news items may be of interest. One is that I’m back in Bylines, but there cannot be much left in the stockpile and I need to get writing again. When, though?! The other is that my first ever hoodie has arrived. I must find out if there is any etiquette involved in wearing such things before I launch it on an unsuspecting world. That may be on Wednesday, when I will be with understanding friends! Best wishes to all Chris

Two things: Laptops have been known to fight back. Or they get their friends (for example phone, TV remote, power drill, say) to do it for them

Collected SWMBO's car from the garage yesterday for the loss of a severe number of modelling tokens but at least its warning system has stopped complaining. Next will be new tyres as two of the present ones are down to 3.5 mm of tread so I'll have to keep an eye on them. And I've just had a complete set on my Passat. Cars eh? As an added bonus SWMBO and I appear to have developed colds which were probably imported from Derbyshire by one of the grandchildren. At least they don't seem as bad as the recent attacks of lurgy, just bl***y annoying really. Today is starting with gales and rain in North Salopshire with a forecast of more gales and rain followed by gales and rain. At the moment I'm trying to ignore it all with muggercoffee but the market calls. Chin up, as they say in Swaziland, full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes! With sympathies for all those who may have to cancel cricket matches etc. and envy of them that get to attend modelling events today - have yourselves a good time and go home lighter in pocket but greater in spirit. Bye for now. Dave

Good morning all, Today is S(Shed)-Day -3 Rather a dull, breezy and fresh start and hopefully it will stay dry but there is a chance of showers. Up at 6.00, don't know why. Perhaps it's the excitement of the impending visit to Nescot later. Looking forward to seeing some of you there. Watched a rather poor error strewn game of rugby last night with Sale eventually beating Bath 6-3. The last time they met at least they scored tries in a 7-7 draw! Two games being televised today but I'll have to record the earlier one as I suspect I'll still be at Nescot when it starts. Not expecting to spend much money there today but I always say that and then something catches my eye. Have a good one, I.M. Pulsebuyer

Ha! and I say again Ha! In fact HaHa! I am but a mere amateur in the spending stakes compared to you old friend although I must admit that today, for once, you were very restrained. You must try harder. In other news son Steve visited this afternoon and informed me that he is on the case and is tracking down a good laptop deal for me. It can't come soon enough because my current machine is upsetting me to the extent that I may cause it GBH before long.

Again GDB ceases to amaze me with his spending It was a good show all the gang enjoyed it and yes I spent a few coppers on a wagon kit. Good luck to Bill he exited the canteen with a spillage on the front of him I hope he gets that mess off his shirt. Off to watch some snooker or fall asleep whatever comes first. enjoy the rest of it I.M. Crackered

Morning, had my brekkie earlier, now I am on a 5 percent or less sugar diet(failed my MOT last year, not dealing with sugar/glucose as well as I might), but I am allowed some "proper" honey, so this stuff comes in it's comb in a tin, very nice it is too. Only downer is I am now finding little bits of what is now un honeyed wax between my teeth, a bit like chewing a candle...……………………...yuk

Mooring again, Snooze button worked.. Ben the Border Collie got me up, our patrol showed no rain so far and a breezy but cloudless sky. In 5 minutes I'm going to get started on the shed roof. I Intend to keep going till either it's too windy or the rain arrives. If that's just a short time I'll move into the garage to do some trimming of wood, while most of the boards for the tin shed floor were cut to size some need trimming due to things like going round the sliding door rails, which are also angled vertically.. If I get a lot done I might return to the house and start studying a package of two, wheeled objects that currently are in a post 1923 colour scheme . There were a class of 6 of these and I now have: 1 built complete, 1 chassisless built, 1kit, plus two donor chassis still in their donors. I hope to take them to the MRC next week for testing before building /repainting commences.. Opps I forgot to post the above 3 hours ago,, Centre roof beam fitted, during which it clouded over. The wind came up further and it's already blowing 36. Not the conditions for waving sheets of steel in the air. So the floorboards were trimmed and fitted. 18 are now in place, 8 to go of which the orange shed will cut 6 and I'll have to tailor the other two. Three left over pieces were cut to form bases for the equipment trolleys for the workshop, when BQ cut the remaining floor boards the next week, they can cut the left overs more to size. That will give me tops and bottoms for 4 trolleys. The intermediate shelves in the trolleys will be made from more left overs. So I need to buy some supporting beams for the corners, and the thin ply skin turning each trolley into a cupboard. We're about the take Ben out before the rain gets really heavy.. Bye for now

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Opened my e-mails this morning to find one purportedly coming from Virgin Media claiming that my service payment had failed and that if I didn't re-submit my bank details my service would be discontinued, I immediately smelt a rat, a long dead and very smelly one. So I put it in the spam folder and contacted Virgin Media who confirmed it was phishing. Blowing a hooley with horizontal rain at the moment. Soon be on my way to the Romford exhibition, be back later.

Morning All I'm joining GDB for a day of retail therapy I might even look at some layouts and ignore him about not spending he has taken up my mantle on that score. Steve will be here shortly I better get ready. Enjoy your day L. M Starvros.

Ey up! Chuckinitdarn (as it has done for some of the night). If I have to travel to call the game off I get half of the usual expenses. The match today is on a pitch which has a slope from one side to the other. This makes it difficult to stop the water crossing it. Hopefully sense will prevail...but in Yorkshire, with cricket related matters, there is no chance of that. Have as good a day as you can everyone. Baz

To process takes a computer, to totally bu****r up the programme takes a human. Morning Awl, 6 hours solid sleep so far. As far as I know, no rain or high winds yet. Snooze button time...

Bleat Wharf, April 1959....... Bath's 43875 worries a couple of minerals.. ( Rule 1 applies to 43875) Rob

Storm Hannah has departed and we have a lovely evening, in fact, apart from 2 showers this afternoon it has been quite sunny today.

Recently I discovered the Milwaukee Road "Olympian Hiawatha" (Seattle/Chicago) ran within six miles of here. I'd know about that bit of track for many years but I never realized it was part of the main line. It's still in operation today with a few freight trains a week. There's still evidence of a turning triangle at Manito in Washington - probably for turning the banking locomotives.

Two V60 locomotives on my limestone plant diorama Shunting in the limestone plant by Jörn Pachl, auf Flickr

I've been building locos, solely now, for about three years. So to take a short break from the locos I have been working on a new North Eastern signal bridge. This structure stood at Hessle East, just outside Hull, until the late 1960's, though the slotted posts and lower quadrants were replaced by upper quadrants in the early 1950's. As with all of my signal models, I make a detailed 4 mm drawing of the structure, with all relevant detail incorporated on the drawing, as the basis for construction. These drawings are scaled from photographs, using known dimensions (arm length, distance between 'crosses' on the lattice posts, depth of the lattice girder, etc), and also referring to an 1895 copy of the McKenzie & Holland (the company producing these lattice structures) catalogue. By this means it is possible to progressively build up the dimensions of the overall structure quite accurately. One of the photographs shows a 4mm drawing of another structure - located at Barlby near Selby - which will be modelled one day! This drawing I made in 2017, from a photograph. The construction follows my standard approach with a completely scratch built lattice girder between MSE posts. The lattice girder cross members are 1.0 mm brass 'L' angle with formed curves using tiny slots, cut with a number 6.0 (the smallest cut size) blade in a jewellers piercing saw, into one leg of the 'L' at 1.0 mm intervals. A typical curve may involve making 35 - 40 such cuts each 1.0 mm from the last, after which the curve is formed and then filled with solder to restore the integrity of the 'L' angle. The vertical and diagonal struts are pieces of .8 mm x .005" nickel silver strip, each cut to fit the location. This sounds like a very long process but the whole of this lattice girder was built in two days on a purpose built jig made from multiple layers of cardboard. The three dimensional jig, which is made from multiple layers of cardboard mounted on an MDF base, took a couple of days to build, largely to allow the PVA, glueing the various layers of card, to set - and there are up to twelve layers to achieve the correct depth. Parts of the jig are painted black, simply to assist in seeing the separation of the vertical struts, which is only 0.8 mm. Only the horizontal and vertical struts are assembled in the jig. The diagonal sruts are assembled when the structure is out of the jig. The posts have been 'edged' on each corner with 0.8 mm brass angle. The dolls are made from four sides of .030" plasticard with a 0.9 mm brass rod inside each of the assembled dolls, up to the slotted section, to prevent any warping or distortion. The arms are MSE with a double thickness of etch for the spectacle plates, the two thicknesses spaced .005" apart to allow for coloured plastic to be inserted for the spectacle glasses. On this model, as these North Eastern signal arms were painted, then the model arms are also painted rather than using the thin coloured film which I use on the upper quadrant arms. The painting of the white stripes and black chevrons did involve some tricky masking but seems to have worked out ok. Then the arms were lightly weathered prior to assembling into the dolls. The handrails are held onto the decking by tiny pieces of 1/32" brass tube representing the prototype castings which performed this function. Most signal models seem to drill the handrail stanchions directly into the decking, which is not correct for these North Eastern gantries and bridges. The balance levers are also slotted, approximating to prototype practice. I did also follow prototype practice in the shape and profile of the operating rods between the balance levers and the arms. Some care was taken to ensure that the arms move very freely, as the operating rods are only 0.3 mm wire and the lower quadrant arms are pushed off rather than pulled off as with upper quadrant arms. The ideal is for gravity to take over when the arms are pushed off but gravity doesn't scale too readily, so some assistance needs to be provided! The handrail stanchions are, again, made from 0.3 mm brass wire and are glued into the 1/32" decking castings with a simple jig ensuring that they are all at a consistent height. Before the handrail is fitted all stanchions will be adjusted to ensure they are vertical. Few things mar a signal model more than handrails not vertical and/or horizontal. Still a lot to do on this but it is starting to take shape. Cheers Mike

I have to work a lot with HMRC being the alcohol business. Can be very trying.

Would have thought that if HMRC were interested in you to the extent that a warrant was imminent the first you would know would be wen they arrived on your doorstep

Morning has broken - well one of next door’s fence panels is broken and I thought I lived where hurricanes hardly happened! As per Brian W above, grandkids can be wonderful when they are well exercised, fed and watered. I expect that also applies to those with canine dependents. Last evening listened to sporadic rain lashing study window and Falcons attempting to prolong their Gallagher Premiership survival but the gods (well, Saints) didn’t smile upon them. The closeness of that league this season has vindicated the imposition of the salary cap, even if it hasn’t fully filtered through yet. F1 set to record, CBA to manage my days just to watch it live anymore. Very unlikely to make any progress on Kingzance today as I have to visit my rather good Romanian dentist before attending a village quiz this evening and no, the tooth puller isn’t in Bucharest but in Northamptonshire. A good day / night / weekend to all who have important events scheduled and may your wallets live to fight another day / show / SWMBO shopping experience.

My problem with 1980s comedy was that most of it wasn't actually funny.

Here's an AY photo of a down parcels train headed by 6801 'Aylburton Grange'. I like the way Andy's managed to get at least half of this fairly long train in shot. One of my favourite trains (but Andy's made them all look like my favourite trains). This does date the scene to the end of the 1930s in that 6801 seems to have received its replacement copper capped chimney in lieu of the cast iron job with which it was first outshopped. John C.

25083 passes through Princes St. Gardens, Edinburgh with a Freightliner rake in the late 70s...

Had a little play around with the camera on the layout this evening. 7414 has stopped at Cwm Prysor with the 5.35pm Bala-Blaenau service. The weather is on the turn, the wind is picking up and the Guard, James Roberts is impatient they start away as soon as possible. The station house really helps to balance the look of the layout.

We have returned from Enfield . Aditi’s sister had asked me last week to look at MiL's laptop. It had refused to update since a year ago. I wasn’t planning to do anything else while we were there so set everything going while I had lunch. Then after that all worked it did a virus check (while I had tea). Not a lot happening tonight. There will be a trip to Leigh tomorrow to collect some stuff I ordered. Also today I had the recall letter for my car from Land Rover. It needs a software update to keep CO2 emissions within tolerance. Tony

They have been known to gang up on you too.

Having come to a stand with the building of the Alan Gibson 517 Class (why, when customers hand over a model to be built do they need to empty the contents of the box, then hand it over with some vital parts missing? I'm sure this is not a source problem), I've turned my attention to building the replacement Comet chassis for the Bachmann B1 I showed some little time ago. Though this an excellent 'fix', it isn't a cheap option for replacing the legions of failing split-chassis B1s. I bought the complete set of frames/motion at the York Show and that comes out at over £35.00. Double that for the motor/gearbox (Canon/Comet - a superb combination) and with Markits drivers now at over £6.00 per wheel, plus axles, crankpins, carrying wheels and what have you, and it's well beyond £100.00. This is the eighth Bachmann/Palitoy/Replica B1 which I've applied this treatment to. All now work far better than with the guts they had originally, especially after all available interior space has been packed with lead. Are the most-recent Bachmann B1 chassis available separately? If so, they probably won't be over £100.00. Still, it's my solution, and the old B1 body really isn't that bad, especially in a 'layout' setting. I wonder what Mr. Carter would have thought of this.

Good morning everyone Whilst browsing on my ipad, I was suddenly thrown off the interweb! So I've reverted to my phone. Grandkids up just before 9:00 which was brilliant, they've now been fed and watered. So once Sheila has got herself ready, Max and I are off to spend a few hours in the workshop, I'm sure we'll find something to do in there! As for phishing and scam phone calls. I never reply or click on any link in an email unless I'm expecting it. I don't answer any phone call if I don't recognise the number. If they don't leave a message, I don't reply, simples. Enjoy the rest of the day, back later

I'm bringing this, just the loco. B

I assumed it probably wasn’t as it near a Low Line sign (a walk through the arches in the area) - first ones I have spotted- but it made me smile. Flatiron square seems to have a lot of bars and eateries- how the area has changed!

Is it me or is there a certain way that you spotted that "Bulleid" had been changed to "Bulleid"?

Hi Tricky, Nothing amiss, I keep looking in from time to time, but other duties are taking my eye away from the WB a little, as well as a son leaving home for another part of the country, it's been a busy few months. Coupled to the fact that I'm not keen on the new format of RMWeb, I've sort of been posting elsewhere quite a bit. Maybe a couple of pictures of some of the bits I've been up to eh? A couple of Accurascale HUO Hoppers............ A Dapol Brakevan converted to a RF branded Air Braked CAR........ Another Dapol Brakevan converted to a Bauxite one with yellow Air Braked panels. Both brakevans have had Railtec transfers added as well as Slaters Oleo buffers and additional bufferbeam pipework. Yes I know they don't have roller bearing axleboxes as there was only so far I could go practicably. Another couple of pictures below as well. Apparently not, I'm only allowed 10mb of photographs unless I subscribe to Goldiness!!! So that's yer lot I';m affraid. Jinty

Sorted (front coach Stu)

The only people to fail their duty of care to this child were the parents. They were the ones who failed to teach her that sitting on a railway line is dangerous and stupid. I am sorry if that sounds harsh

I cannot understand some peoples negativity towards these models. Yes there budget. No they aren't super detailed Models but they also don't pretend to be as they are aimed at the lower end of the market and so cannot be compared in the same league as the others. Yes there is a missing door, Missing side step, Smaller roof grille wrong cabside windows, wrong light clusters, a Chassis that's to wide due to old Lima pancake Motor and a Fuel tank that's to big, but does my son care ? Not one bit as it looks like a Class 66 runs beautifully and can pull a fair amount. IF these things bother you the simple answer is don't buy them! At the end of the day Hornby are in business to make money and if this helps them to survive and keep their staff in Jobs, who are we to complain. Personally I think Hornby made the right decision in producing these at an affordable price and if the hardcore haters don't like it they don't have to buy it. No one is forcing you. One of the problem I and maybe a lot of other people have is the lack of disposable income. On the run up to Christmas I wasn't even sure I was gonna have a Job. A situation a lot of people are still in. So the options are less. If I can get two Loco's for the price of one that's what I'm going to do as it makes financial sense. When I purchased my Bachmann 66's I never paid more than £56 for them until me Wifey bought me the Kernow/Bachmann DRS/Freightliner one for £74 as it was on offer. Having a 5 year old boy who loves trains and 66's in particular I can get something we both enjoy and I don't have to worry about loosing details either. Its a win win situation. Apologies if this sounds like a rant, it's not meant to be. As an aside the ability to purchase some chassis's would allow us to modify to low emission versions with a bit of work the should come off ok. Have a look at James Makin's conversion of the original Bachmann 66 for some inspiration. Happy Modelling all Cheers Trailrage PS here you go https://www.wellsgreen-tmd.co.uk/demuupdate46.htm

I plan to have these with me, ready for inspection:

A bit later than usual today as I had a visit from irishswissernie (Ernie Brack) this afternoon. Today's photos are (I think) the very last I have of Clapham Junction. As they are the last ones they are also the least good (in terms of photographic quality). I hope they are still enjoyable. The first four were taken on a day out in London, I think I'd travelled there on a WBHS (Whitley Bay Horticultural Society) special from Cramlington with some friends. The last photo was taken just before I flew to Zurich to spend a month in Switzerland to ride on trains and take photos. Clapham Junction Class 455 5909 down 21st Nov 87 C9263.jpg Clapham Junction 73118 Gatwick to Victoria 21st Nov 87 C9267.jpg Clapham Junction Class 421 1717 up pass 21st Nov 87 C9270.jpg Clapham Junction Class 423 3016 up 21st Nov 87 C9276.jpg Clapham Junction Class 442 2404 27th July 88 C9567.jpg David