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Evening all. Or rather good morning as it is now 00.43 o'clock. 24.43 in Melbourne's possibly unique system whereby a shift which began before midnight but continues after is shown as though the hour does not revert to 00:00 at midnight and simply keeps going. Thus if one signs on at 18.30 for an eight-hour shift the finish time is 26.30. Such times are shown in all internal and operational documents but not on public timetables - those still use the 12-hour system Australia-wide. Another rather wet day has passed Upon the Hill of Strawberries. I wasn't planning on venturing forth anyway as the agenda was well filled. In the event a very poor night's sleep (or possibly a good night's lack of it) meant I was slow starting and had to shake off a persistent headache. We were woken at 2am by Neighbours (Upstairs) returning from their Student Union bar. Feet on stairs were louder than they might have been and voices were definitely so. Then there was coming and going up and down the stairs and in and out of the upstairs flats quite frequently until 4.30am. Having managed to doze off at one point I was promptly woken again by the sounds of baby-making practice from above. Not of itself unduly intrusive but when sleep is already broken and the brain probably half awake anyway ..... An email was sent off to the property manager during the morning for information as the tenancies contain a clause stating that no noise may be made between 11pm and 7am which disturbs other tenants. I specifically asked that no action be taken for now as I can talk to the people concerned over coming days. But it's on file in case the disturbance becomes a regular thing. Having got over the night what was left of the day had to be devoted to Domestic Engineering. Our dinner guests, a Scots / Australian couple, duly arrived having flown in from Nice. Yours Truly managed to produce four starters, four mains, breads, chutneys and desserts all of which were much enjoyed. Most of the dishes were cooked from scratch though I will admit to using a couple of jars of sauce; I can't make a curry base as good as they can! SWMBO had asked that I dress for dinner on this occasion so I did. I trust this doesn't give anyone nightmares! Sleep well. Or as well as your circumstances allow. Night all.

Say hi for us!

The steam loco at Leipzig Hbf is (unless it's been changed over) a BR52 Kriegslok built in 1943 - seen here in 2003 on my 'grand tour whilst I was en-route from Dresden to Jenbach The DMU is - according to Wiki but it checks out generally with other info an SVT137 diesel electric set which was one of the four sub- series of designs which drew on the original SVT 877 'Flying Hamburger' design but with a number of modifications and various differences between the four sub-groups. This particular unit went to DR post-war and remained in use until 1975 after which it was preserved and restored to its original 1930s livery. G'night all.

Here's a pic of the railcar: and something more modern on an adjacent platform: ….and a pic of two ERs taken by another ER: Pics of the other museum items must be on the original smart media card.... if I can find it..... Keith

Hi all. I've heard that people want an update on the Whelkmen. Well, as I am sure will come as no surprise they are abed today and not plying the briny surf in their colourful coracles, whilst the lighthouse at Carshalton-sur-Mer sits idle and unoccupied, due to high winds and predicted bad weather. Nowadays it is only active in fine weather. Today is the feast day of Saint Len of Fairclough, when his followers remain in their beds until lunchtime, emerging only to progress in file to Wetherspoons and then enact the ceremony of Signing On, in which small Giro cheques are distributed to devotees. It doesn't make a lot of difference, really, as the leader of the Whelkmen prorogued all whelking some weeks ago and now, even though the UK Whelking Council has decreed that they should return to work, someone has lost the keys to the coracle sheds. As for your captive chimpanzee, I've had to give up the modelling due to arthritis in my hands, close-focus eyesight, lack of space and time (continuumly), and being in France a lot whilst I still can. In fact I've got a few bits and pieces I would part with for Euros, including a metal guillotine which I paid £150 for and used once... I was also a bit crook (diabetes ran out of control) and got a bit black dog for a few months - family stuff, the state of the UK and so on. Now I've got back into film photography, having bought several Nikons (FE, FM, FE2, EMx3, F90x (2)) and a load of lenses. I now have the optical equivalent of a grey siding. I'm enjoying it a lot, and if anyone is interested I'll point you at my Flickr and Instagram accounts. It takes up less room, and I can manage the technical side much more easily. I'm completely out of step with the ER stories, so sorry if I'm missing anything important. Will post again unless I receive howls of 'No'.

The Heart of Midlothian is the morning's featured train, with Dominion of Canada at the head. The classic view coming through from Crescent Bridge first. followed by a rather distant look under the roof.

Ey up! Lots of work building wooden structures and laying two strip of nickel silver held apart by plastic chairs done yesterday. Mor on the Barnbow East thread later. For reasons best known to others I do like Lavazza coffee. Unfortunately i cant find the Gold packet (d'ora?) But the red version is nice. Today sees a bit more work in the loft. I need to attach wires to the strips of nickel silver and build a box for switches. Have as good a day as you can! Very positive thoughts to all who ail..now eheres Dom??? Carpe Diem! Baz Ps Chrisf stop dirhering and getonwithit regarding RMWeb on your phone.

Hi Guys, best wishes and condolences as needed after a fairly long absence. Too much I think to catch up, but have lost track of John and Sandy although have noticed on this page that Debs is thankfully back. Quite a summer plus one way and another with a son and family move that wasn't an option being told 2 days before that it was the wrong one so having to restock plus another child sleepover etc. and being reminded not to pack anything as the team would only unpack it under their insurance . - completed just before the rain came... the contracted removal team arrived, saw what was needed, showed their paperwork - just load and carry - great news! ... they rang their own company and a stoke of luck because another lorry was on site and they had turned up to load and were not expected so they were asked to come and assist. Seven and a half hours later in one way or another six of us had packed and emergency arrangements made to sleep on the floor. The removal men turned up on time in the new place but where was the key person? A while later a car appeared and recognised my son and they had a chat eventually leading to "Why are you here?" - "Waiting for a key" that led to looking down a list ... here it is see you later. As you can imaging not seeing the house before and with chaotic packing it took some time just to get the bits out but there was hope - "Stuff stuff in the garage" if we have no idea. This sort of thing may be familiar to some of you. The complications - a turbulent pregnancy, a baby due some time after the move came early, the car broke down in the hospital car park (the AA were fantastic in attendance and help) but the part to enable a gear to be selected had to specifically come from France because there were none in UK, not long after water was running down an upstairs light and it turns out a tile was missing- fortunately sorted immediately ... well a few days later and there is still problem with a continuous water flow in a loo cistern , apparently not urgent in spite a gallons of water running to waste. There were some periods without internet activity and with a mobile that only allows calls and texts, not even photographs not much external contact. To be honest I did not miss it because there was so much else to do as also there has been since coming home. My own computer is now apparently too old and an email takes forever e.g. 96 characters took nearly three minutes to appear and if I spot a mistake and go back the rest of what I was typing goes into that 'error correction' space - a nightmare. Now to why I have finally managed to take the plunge to get back into Early Risers: I have received a request from our local Children's Ward at Burton DHC (UH of Dand B NHS FT to give the full initials). 'This year we would like to decorate our Children's Ward with a theme of the Polar Express ... I was really hoping that we would be able to find a willing club that could help us produce a magical train track running through a Christmas Tree (artificial tree in stock) with a train that runs from top to bottom' I have copied this to our club members but would welcome any help/advice/procurement/loan on the provision and working of a helix. PMs would be welcome. Many thanks, cheers, Peter

The photos today were taken at Chester le Street and near Bradbury in 1992 and 1993 respectively. Both locations are on the ECML between Darlington and Newcastle. Chester le Street 37683 up cement 27th Oct 92 C18085.jpg Chester le Street 158779 Newcastle to Liverpool 27th Oct 92 C18087.jpg Bradbury 159022 and ano and 159009 Rosyth to Salisbury being delivered to NSE 8th May 93 C18531.jpg Bradbury 43098 down 8th May 93 C18534.jpg Bradbury 158803 Liverpool to Newcastle 8th May 93 C18535.jpg David

Good morning from Chester. A pleasant trip form Euston to Liverpool yesterday afternoon but the roadworks around the Mersey tunnel mouth made our trip to the Ship and Mitre longer than usual. Nice to be in that pub when its not wedged but even at 4pm it was starting ot get busy. We decided to catch the service form Lime Street to Chester via the reopened Halton curve. Its cheaper (particularly in peak hours) than the Merseyrail service from Central and also has a WC onboard. Busy but not full even for a peak hour service so was another pleasant trip. Plenty more beers in Chester including a new brewery tap for us. Today North Wales then the loco hauled to Manchester. All a bit different than the previous plan to be in Central Europe

Morning all from the Charente. Beth is doi g well and we are gradually working out what she can and can't do. Movi g on crutches is causing other problems due to sciatica in her good leg. Various mobility aids have been dug out of storage and we are worki g out which can fit through which door. The problem of getting i to the shower was solved with a high stool. It's all good fun. Yesterday the builder cracked on and got a lot of the blockwork done on the en suite. At some point we will have to change bedrooms while the doorway is cut and sorted. Anyway i've got to go back to the hospital to pay our bills today other tasks will be completed no doubt. Regards to all. Jamie

A'noon. Some virtual support needed around ER's today, hang in there guys. Great to see Smithy too, but I do see him elsewhere. Bike club was a bit tedious today, my usual companions are all away in different directions so conversation was with folk I don't know so well, and I know why.....sigh. A trip to the big city to get MRJ was successful, then an afternoon doing what we mustn't mention was also successful, more frog juicers wired and tested. Trackwork 80% complete now.

POETS, and I'm ready! Still very tired from the bronchitis and struggling to make a days worth of work happen. Yesterday I did manage to get to choir rehearsal, sat in the back and managed to hang in there for 50%, then departed. We sing Sunday! Tomorrow we're hoping/planning to put carpet squares (dreaded but an easy thing to put down) in the old house basement in preparation for the Mrs taking appropriate photos and getting a rental listing placed, the rest of the house is all wood floors that don't need anything doing to them... Probably be very draining, but Trevor is coming to help - yay kids Still Autumnal here, 13 getting the newspaper, expecting rain off and on and a high of 18. Have a good start to your weekends everyone.

Funnily enough those problems we t back to 1908 when the Midland 6 600v system was switched on. There was of course no ban on steam working. The first recorded accudent inolving a fireman dates back to 1908. He climbed into the tender of his loco at Green Ayre to trim the coal. He didn't watch where he was and his head earthed the contact wire. Like any good northener he was wearing his flat at and also his Ulster with the collar turned up. Equally fortunately it was persisting down (it was in Lancashire) so the aerth oath was via the sodden at, bis coat and tben his boots, into the coal. He woke up in hospital the next morning with a headache and a 2" diameter hole in the sole of one boot, otherwise he was none the worse. A very lucky chap. Jamie

Greetings all from a cloudy LBG, although the sun is coming out as I type. Last might saw a few beers and a curry with spreadsheet king, to find out how he is getting on in his new job. Still majoring on spreadsheets, although working on simplifying the ones he has inherited. Funny that, we are working on simplifying the ones he left us. Still he is being paid more, so good luck to him! Mrs Lurker is having a nightmare at work - the school, which has an autism provision, has had an influx of unsupported, unfunded children with varying special needs and behaviour problems (ie children who won't do as they are told and think it is ok to answer back, age 4, or just to finish their conversation when asked to be quiet). Throw in a bad back caused by trying to lift a 6 year old child on to a changing mat, and I think that the ends of various people's tethers are being approached rapidly. I have never roasted coffee; indeed an ex-colleague who moved to Colombia (his wife is from there) and who owns a coffee plantation has produced his first crop - not enough to sell but when he ws back in the office he presented various people with beans. On my list of things to do is order a cheap coffee grinder on Amazon so I can try them! One of our subsidiaries does mail order green coffee in 65lb bags, in the US. They are called Genuine Origin. No idea whether they are any good but some of the coffees sound nice. We don't get any of our own coffee in this office, we get somebody else's. Even the packaged sugar comes from a business we sold a year ago!

Morning all. Aditi is going to Brentwood to get her hair cut. I am going shopping.Our plans for the weekend have changed. My cousin and her husband were coming to stay but have had to postpone. Aditi was then planning to go to Enfield to see her Mum but thought perhaps all the Enfield relatives might like to come here for lunch on Sunday. Tony

Nice work above John - Keeping in line with the "down under" contributions to this site. I have attached a a further update to my earlier posting of Harry Galls cottage, now including the little shop that the Galls ran until the early sixties - to my knowledge. The shop is a faithful representation of what was there including all the signage which I have created. There is still some more to come including more signage, a gate to the right of the shop and a stone wall. The photo is taken from inside the northern entry to the St Erth goods yard.

Morning All Creative writing first, then fangmeister, as I have broken a tooth. Generic greetings are, of course, on offer. Regards to All Stewart

Mooring Awl, Your Kilt Critic Hare, Eventually I got about 6.5 hour sleep, it was slow starting due to a pain in the neck, take that litterally please.. Then when I woke up I found myself screwed up into a ball, and it was quite painfull straightening myself out.. I got a phone call from my Sailing Compatriot yesterday, he finally made a home run and escaped Hospital around 16:00. So he's a lot happier. They've issued him with a gutter walker. But if he needs to borrow a wheel chair his parents will have to book one out from the Red Cross. Ben the Border Collie was happy this morning and the patrol was carried out without incident.. I'm measuring 10G Ohm resistors today.. lots of them, the major systems appear to be having a problem with them, So, I'm measuring each one in two different way to see whats going on, putting the results into a spread sheet. then the boss can interprete later... Each 10G takes around 20 minutes to settle so i'll be internetting a lot in the waiting times. Sadly I've had to turn down a semi formal sailing club Dinner where I would have been wearing, Argyll jacket, Black Stewart 8 Yard Kilt, Red Socks with Mustard Cross hatching on the Cuff, polished Oxford Shoes. with a Yeoman Class tie ( similar to the MCC Tie). Why? it the same day as http://broadlandmodelrailwayclub.co.uk/2019-exhibition/ and we'll Still be at Aylsham after the show laying out 100+ chairs and a stage for the Church service the next morning . Time too... Take the next measurement..

Good morning one and all In what should not have been an idle moment yesterday I worked out how to connect RMweb to my mobile phone. In the depths of the laptop I came across an e-mail to myself, sent when I last changed my password. That magic combination of symbols is worryingly memorable. As you know, Bill set up a Prague bureau for the duration of our stay and lo, we were in touch with the outside world. Although he encouraged me to contribute to the despatches, and although I quite enjoyed being a special correspondent for a few minutes, it is not something I wish to do with any degree of regularity. I am saying this here and now because on past form I will succumb to the lure purely because I can and the slope facing me looks rather slippery. It is just as well that there is no icon to tap, or whatever it is you do to icons, because that really would make the process too easy. Today I need to assemble the contents of an overnight bag to see me through my stay in Aylesbury. Scaleforum is at Stoke Mandible stadium tomorrow and Sunday. There must be worse reasons than that to go to Aylesbury. Until Monday, best wishes to all Chris

Unless he wants to test all his smoke alarms he better warn his neighbours and do it outside. Roasting the beans generates a lot of smoke, particularly for espresso. The aroma is quite pleasant and it travels a long way.

Oi! Ewe lot! We're not all twp ewe know............ I've not really progressed with Lambstone as work has got in the way...........once again. I hope to get the track down this weekend and that might be it for a while. The following two weekends in October have been taken over by work with additional late/night shifts coming in on the first two week ends in October. With Mutton at Taunton Railex on the last weekend, a relaxed approach to October has gone a tad t!ts up with a few jobs looking likely to remain outstanding on Mutton. Looking back though, I made the right decision to pull Bleat Wharf out of the Cardiff show on the third weekend but this will still be busy as No1 son is 16 and this will be the priority for the weekend. Here's a shot of Mutton to keep things ticking over. Top shot taken by Neil (Anotheran of the parish ) at the Midland Small Layout Showcase in June. Rob.

Reminds me of my time in Japan (more than 20 years ago) when a UK rugby team visited Japan and played a number of games. Got tickets for one of the matches in Tokyo which turned out to be quite interesting. The UK guys were certainly the bigger but once the smaller and more agile Japanese guys got hold of the ball they run like the klappers darting in and out avoiding their opponents. It was great watching them. Things have changed since then. Younger Japanese guys are now much taller and bigger than they were when I first arrived in Japan back in the mid-1970s. All can be down to McDonalds, they opened their first store in Tokyo on the Ginza just before I arrived, and that was the start of the younger Japanese eating hamburgers and other western foods. Enjoy your visit to Japan. Its a different place to here and, initially, I hated the place but I ended up living there for 18 years so it can't be that bad!! Keith

Good morning everyone Your northwest correspondent booking in. The day started out as bright and sunny, but it’s now chuckinitdarn, I’ll shortly be off to visit the butchers where I’ll pick up the weekly meat rations. No pastie today as once I’ve returned and had muggertea No2 we’re off to Derbyshire for the day, we’ll meet up with some friends for lunch then find something to do until we sit down at our favourite pub for tea. Enjoy your day, back later.

Tartan..........Having lived and worked in Scotland.......and played in 2 pipe bands I have no excuse any more for 'not getting it right'. It's surprising how often I see the wrong hose, or ghillie brogues etc...... Does that make me a tartan counter? Sporran spotter? Ghillie brogue gricer? As usual.....Answers on a post card to.....

Good morning all, We have some blue sky along with some cloud and the sun is trying to make an appearance. Showers, possibly heavy and thundery, are forecast. Back to normal here so tea has been taken up to Her Bossness who has already written out her shopping list for today's trek to Sainsbury's. Bet she hasn't made a note of the wine I'll be getting as they're doing one of their regular 25% off of 6 bottle offers. Also need beer... Later on I feel I should visit The Shed and make a start on track planning or at least clear the tops of the boards so I can do that. "He keeps saying that" I hear you say. I agree and it's time I got a round tuit. We'll see. Have a good one. D.Ithering of Sutton.

Good evening everyone I took delivery of our new freezer this morning, I’d bee given a slot of between 11:02 and 13:02 and it arrived just after 11:25. They brought it to the door on a 2 wheel trolley, but apparently they aren’t allowed to bring these through the house, so had to carry the freezer in instead. As they unpacked it outside the front door, I hastily removed the temporary ramp that I’d installed over the cellar stairs. Once they’d left, I put the kettle on (it didn’t suit me) and read the operation manual, honestly! Whilst waiting for the freezer, I ordered a pair of heavy duty drawer runners, which should arrive early next week. I then went back downstairs and continue working on the final stair riser and the under stairs drawer. As the final large item has now been brought down the stairs, I fitted the main upright, the handrail and all the spindles to the stairs. Below are a couple of photos of the finished staircase. It all looks a lot different to what it did earlier in the year. After dinner it was more of the same until I packed up just before 4 o’clock. I then had another muggertea which was followed by a spot of eyelid inspection. After tea I went swimming in Salford Quays, the water is starting to cool down again, the temperature tonight was just under 17C, but it’s getting dark quite early now, but I managed to get a mile completed in 33 minutes again. Once home, I hung my wetsuit up in the cellar to dry and then poured myself a bottle of Doombar. Goodnight all.

Afternoon to most. Lots of muddling done today by my colleague. I have now got a lot of things to do. Lots of rain..then sun..then rain..then sunny all day here. Sorry to hear about your artheritis Smiffy.. let me know where your pictures are please. Flippin Whelkmen are about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I am rationing the ones I have...wonder when they will return to the whelkbeds?? Peter, sorry can't provide local help good luck with the layout! Tea eaten and now..time to do some playing testing of the new fiddle yard. Baz

As a general rule steam traction was not banned from overhead electrified lines on BR - hence steam locos acquiring overhead warning 'flashes' and the reminder 'fence' appearing on some ex-GWR tenders. However on the WCML electrification clearances were reduced as the scheme progressed southwards with the contact wire reportedly lowered from its clearances matching a 13ft 6" loading gauge to clearances matching a 13ft 1" loading gauge. Basically this applied south of Nuneaton according to one source (and that agrees with what I had in the back of my mind as I was fairly sure it was Nuneaton). Accordingly various ex LMS classes were banned (although the ban I think applied south of Crewe - probably for operational reasons) from working under the lower contact wire and had a yellow diagonal stripe applied to the cabside from September/October 1964. BR Standards were not affected by the ban but something lurks in the back of my mind that some LMR or ScR allocated A3s acquired a yellow stripe as well. Not all engines in the banned classes acquired the yellow stripe and some were withdrawn in later years without ever having carried it. Steam working south of Crewe was reportedly officially completely banned from 02 January 1965. As far as I know, apart from the new Woodhead Tunnel, those were the only restrictions/bans placed on steam locos working under 25kv or 1,500vdc catenary anywhere on BR and there had been no ban on steam working under the LBSCR 6,600vac overhead either. And of course steam engines still regularly work specials over various overhead electrified lines on NR's network. The biggest problem with regular and frequent steam working under the wires was smoke causing carbon build up on the insulators. This was why in many cases, particularly on the south end of the WCML, new insulators were bagged prior to commissioning and also why regular possessions were used to allow insulator cleaning in the areas, such as Crewe, which suffered really badly from this problem and now, G'day one and all. The showery weather remains but little else to report although my wardrobe, or at least the shirts and jackets, have thios morning had a 'going over' so two bagfuls of 'stuff' are off to the charity collecting bins in Tesco's car park. Have a good day one and all.

So far so good. Got the wine . Got the beer. Got some brandy. Bought Herself a bottle of Taittinger and a new handbag to go with some other presents for her birthday on Sunday. Got some Brownie points. I was thinking of washing the car as it's filthy after 600 odd miles in the past few days but it's now pouring with rain so that can go on the back burner. Nearly time for lunch and after that I will make a decision about Shed visiting. S.T. lIldithering.

At least Bill should be OK in Birmingham this weekend, nice and clear accent there. No need for translator.

Morning All overcast here Up late this morning I slept well through the night put a thicker duvet in the cover yesterday and was warmer this morning also I came home from a night out in a very good mood I was more relaxed and fell asleep when the head hit the pillow. Today is food day a quick whiz around Horrorsons don't need much as I will going to dinner Sunday with my friend . WW3 kicked off again yesterday slapped #rse still thinks she talk to me like a bit of dirt I went out and left her to it. Must get on enjoy your day F.O.Odbier

Morning All, It is another damp morning today. We had rain overnight and it is still showery. Yesterday we had our annual team event - which was quite a pleasant day out. There isn't a lot else to report, so I guess it is time for a coffee! Have a good day everyone...

Someone's turned The fire hose on, I can't see the end of the garden.. We've got lumpy electric as well. Ben is worried, I'm packing a bag.. He doesn't like that.. He'll be more unhappy in half an hour as I head to the MRC. Ooh Ben's even more unhappy, Thor is hitting his anvil.. I won't be muddling much tonight, but I need to find out instructions for our assembly at the club next Friday for loading up with tables, notices, banners and all the stuff needs for our show.. I've got the trailer.... Bye for now..

I have been looking up some Japanese phrases and words prior to my trip next week.

Movement..... Express passing through with a couple of new coaches with painted roofs. They are not totally complete as they need an application of some powders and graphite dust rubbed on. Then all sealed with matt varnish Here are a handful of pictures that I took to see what they looked like

I have a vinyl album by Mike Neville and George North from Look North on Larn yersel Geordie. Very edduccatssional ! I also have me Passport and Newkie Brown Tot up book somewhere! No mention of the Singing Hinnie plant though!. And, of course it is not as geteel as us lads from the coastal pit villages... baz

Imagine having to stand on the top of a Stanier 4000 g tender to refill it with water from a platform crane.

Oi you've got your Sporroan on Skew wif.. Strictly speaking with a Prince Charlie jacket the sporran should be Silver cantled. Cornish national tartan (what a surprise), but the tie apears not to be as it hasn't got the red strip. Prince Charlie jacket and waist coat, should only be worn after 18:00. Socks White..... Arrgh.. that's a hire company colour incorrectly worn for weddings, Socks should be something in Keeping with the kilt, probably a mustard colour(since i cant find yellow) or maybe pick up on the blue or red... Something like this might work... PS very smart..

And here's a classic b&w shot from Ivor Peterborough.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Just had a very enjoyable evening at SEERS. Members slide and film show starting off with Leipzig trams. The narrator visited the city in January this year and included in his pics the last Tatras in service as wellas the very latest stock. Of particular interest to me was that in the local rail terminus one platform is used for storing museum stock. There was a steam locomotive, type unknown as it was not possible to take a photograph. An electric locomotive that appeared to date from the 1920's and best of all no less than the Flying Hamburger railcar. Hopefully Dom can fill in the details when he's next here on ER's. Earlier this evening the speaker on my computer was getting very crackly and faint but it seems to be OK now.

Asking for help makes you much more intelligent than any idiot, complete or otherwise! By doing so, it: 1. shows you have realised that you can not achieve what you wanted to do 2. demonstrates that you have the guts to ask for help 3. usually gets you to a solution faster and gains you a bit more respect and self confidence! Just a thought!

He's in the Civil Service Motor Museum at Bourton-on-the-Water. quite a good museum if you're ever in that area.

Well - I've got RMweb on my phone but not Wheeltappers, hence no ERs! Clearly I will need to ask for help and no doubt feel a complete idiot in the process - no change there then. It will have to wait until I return from S4um. Thank you for your encouragement, Barry. At the moment I am far from convinced that I am doing the right thing. Chris [sent from my laptop, naturally]

Planning a 400+ mile drive tomorrow.. Since the little chefs have gone, it's route by big supermarket, as their fuel is cheaper than motorways, they have cafes and they have " facilities". There is a list of enroute stops on the desk, what I don't know is, is there somewhere suitable for Ben..

Maybe that is where you get your bad taste in shirts.

As far as I know it was the potential for flashovers and many classes had big yellow diagonal stripes on the cab sides to remind crews that they couldn't work under the wires. Eventually some experiments were done to determine a safe distance and allowable clearances were reduced. However it appears that the documentation from those tests can't be found and that is causing some problems in the modern world. Jamie

No copper capped chimney on that then Mike. It has a overhead electric warning flash on the smokebox door which reminded me of a question: Why did BR ban steam under the wires? Was it because of the danger to crews getting too close to the HT conductors, steam causing "flash-overs", or something else?

I must go back to Beamish. Great place to visit. Last time I went I did a bit of clippie mat work for the museum "demonstrator" ..she was well unimpressed! They do talk strange though.. not like us pit yacker lads from the coast! Time for some sleep..goodnight all! Baz

Nothing in this direction..... Absolutely nothing this way either Not a train in sight......