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I don't think we've had any photos on the Nottingham to Lincoln line for a long time, so here are some at Lowdham and one at Sneinton Junction, in Nottingham. Sneinton Junction view east Nov 78 J6348 Lowdham Class 116 Nottingham to Lincoln 9th June 89 C11973.jpg Lowdham 2 Class 31 down oil tanks April 90 J10766.jpg Lowdham 47223 up oil tanks April 90 J10767 Lowdham view towards Nottingham 10th April 90 C14280.jpg David

What could be better than two pictures of immaculate Grand Parade? How about three? then we have another bonus, as the 5.35 Newcastle, Grantham's top duty, in entrusted to their own freshly outshopped A3, Prince of Wales. Sogginess update. More heavy rain, no daylight, golf course closed until further notice. I am in danger of becoming stir crazy. At least I live on top of a hill, and so escape the terrible time some people are having.

Just back from 10 days in Bala, Wales, so lots of catching up to do. I hope there is nothing of a serious nature that I've missed. Anyway, Bala Lake on the 3rd Nov and some pics from yesterday around Bala,

Morning all from a still rather dark part of The Charente, which us still 150 klicks from Ikea. The house us warm. I have rejuvanated the fire and await a) the nurse, b) the builder and c) a call summoning me to the Gendarmarie. Joan and Beth both seem to be still asleep. Regards to all. Jamie

As reported above (by Baz) I attended Newcastle show today and had a good bit natter with Baz . . . Even managed to see all the exhibits . . .all to a very good standard. I didn't see our Manx representatives . . . . and I spent nowt but the entrance fee.. AH DIVN'T like driving in Newcastle. Baz . .you still missed Toronto. Goodnight all . . .Sleep well. John edited for spelling.

MOANING... Well, so much for an optimistic post Saturday!! Things went downhill shortly after that. Two trips to the local hardware store to source a couple of pipe plugs - even giving the inside diameter of the pipe, first trip netted me the wrong size items, return and get ones that fit. OK, so that's the hiccup of the day I though... THEN, deciding that I'm on a roll, was going to fix the dripping faucet in the bathroom - all together now, recite "The gasman cometh"... Discover shutoffs for the water to the bathroom faucet have been apparently attacked by some crazed person, and damaged beyond recognition, and don't work at all! Shut off water to entire house. Faucet dismantled and taken to hardware store, informed it was way too old to have any CHANCE of sourcing the replacement internals, recommendation, install NEW faucet - RIGHT says I. Source two new shutoffs, and back home. Install shutoffs - with a LOT of colourful language trying to remove the old ones - eventually managed, with several skinned knuckles and a bash on the head. At least the water can be returned to the rest of the house. We're now into this quick project by about an hour and change! Now the water is back on off to the big box shop to get a new faucet - Mrs determines the one "we" like. Looks nice. Tally ho. New supply lines in place, faucet installed, and voila.... wait a minute, it's LEAKING from the main body, it's... shudder... DEFECTIVE! REMOVE and return said item, choose A DIFFERENT product, return home, battle with said new item for a while and FINALLY installed and no leaking. The above shot pretty much 5+ hours and all other "projects' were shelved as I repaired to the living room for dinner and a glass bottle of wine! Sunday I was too achy to do much of anything having spend all Saturday scrabbling around on my back, hands and knees, so took it easy! <PHEW> Working to day will be a pleasure We had about an inch of snow yesterday, that's mostly blown away and it's now COLD -10 sunny with a stiff breeze getting the paper, supposed to be a high of only -7 then down to -15 overnight - a little brisk! Right - wonder if I can find another "quick" project to undertake...

"Luxury!"

Morning, Jamie. Keep warm and give Beth and Joan a supportive E.R's hug on our behalf, please.

Slow Road - with potholes. https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2019/11/11/slow-road/

Mooring Awl. Inner Temple Hare, 1119/699, Oooh less than 700 working days left... A good nights sleep, 6 + 1.5 in bed, plus another 1 half dozing on the sofa. It's Chuckingitdarn out there, however I had to venture out to collect another bag of coal from the pile. Ben the "You must be Joking" Collie, just watched from the Door way, and later refused even to come down the corridor to see me out.. It will be interesting to see how much rain has come under the marquee, some parts of the ground around the boat are covered in old tarpaulins, to inhibit weed growth , I suspect some trimming back will be required to stop them funnelling rain water under the marquee. I'm glad the marquee is up looking at this weeks forecast. Tonight I'll visit the big orange shed to pick up a mattock, trenches for the digging of (aka the new from raised bed foundations) and a load of sand bags, marquee for the keep on the ground with.. I've got one label left that indicates to the users I'll be taking that equipment next week, so that means I'll have to spend another couple of hours working out the schedule for the next 3 months.. Time to ...wander down to the lab and put that last label up for next week.

Good evening everyone The sun has been shining all day, but the temperature has been quite low, however, that didn’t matter as I’ve been inside all day. However, it I’d start to rain around 8 o’clock this evening, but it isn’t very heavy, yet! Today has been pretty much like yesterday, a couple of loads of washing have been done and several more MERG kits have been built. 4 single servo control modules and 7 laser train on track indicator modules. Below is a DCC train on track indicator Below is a single servo actuator, the 3 small ‘pots’ are used to set the rotation speed, start and stop positions. Below is a Laser train on track indicator Goodnight all

Most of us have had that facility moved indoors nowadays.

As we seem to have started talking foreign je suis hors combat and so is ma nouvelle locomotive. Visited Le Cabanon and fitted a decoder. Ran it in forwards for 10 minutes to start with and it went fine. Put in in reverse and it was OK for a couple of minutes and then it stopped dead. Wheels seem locked but motor still whirring so a return to supplier is called for. Whilst bending over the layout something went in my back and I can now hardly move and in a fair bit of pain. Ibuprofen and Tramadol have been deployed. Off-Piste P!ssed I am.

The sun's out here! I've been outside working as I can make a bigger mess on the driveway that I can in the garage. Daughter and grandchildren decamped yesterday and returned to Reading. Life is rapidly returning to normal, which means I can leave all sorts lying around without fear of them being hidden, despoiled or broken.

Wet and miserable here, and the weather's not much better. The house is a chaotic mess as the decorator is doing the hall, staircase and study, which seems to have involved virtually every part of the premises, so I'm trying to keep out of the way in the workshop - well, it makes sense to me even though SWMBO doesn't really see it that way. Anyhow, she's having a lie down at the moment as her damaged coccyx is giving her trouble, not helped by the fact that we both still have the lurgy, albeit fading now. Best I go back to where I won't disturb anyone..... With thoughts for those suffering in any way. Dave

Aditi is back from the appointment with the new (very nice) nurse. All is well. Nurse even suggested something to see on today’s walk! Tony

Good morning all, Dry at the moment after a fair bit of overnight rain. It should be a mainly dry and pleasant day with the chance of the odd shower depending on which forecast is correct. We had a great day at Nicki's yesterday but I ate too much. Couldn't help myself as she cooked a lovely roast dinner. Not sure what I'm doing today but it is possible that the building at the end of the garden will be visited. Have a good one, Bob.

Morning all from a damp place just below the North Downs Sun now trying to break through the clouds. We had a good day on Saturday at the Epping show with the layout. Possible its last show as no more invites at present but not bad at around 40 in its 13 years. ChrisF - they had bread pudding and my other half tells me it was rather good but me not a fan of it. Just one loco failure, my Bachmann Shay which is my oldest HO steam loco and recently had its bevel gears replaced along with a speaker upgrade. It ran fine most of the day then just stopped. SO yesterday had it apart and the motor requires replacing so ordering one from Bachmann USA. unfortunately it only comes with part of the chassis and no doubt will get clobbered with international shipping together with duty and RM charge which will make it quite pricey. Back in the shed soon to carry on working on more rolling stock of various scales. Jamie - looks like you had a good day yesterday and all the best for you Beth etc.

Good morning one and all It will be quite a busy week once more. I aim to finish my seasonal greetings cards by the end of the week because I will have the opportunity to hand some of them to their lucky recipients. Tomorrow I will be with Poorly Pal and we will visit the Hitchin chapter of the Royal Corps of Train Spotters in the evening. On Thursday my mate Mike and I will travel to the magnificent Union Chapel in Islington for a concert by June Tabor and the Oyster Band. I wonder if a new CD is involved? On Friday night there are drinks with the LGBT group in the local ‘Spoons and with any luck someone else will turn up! I must not stay long as I am to drive to Portsmouth the next day for one of the top end one day shows and dinner with an old friend in Weybridge on the way back. Some time during the week I need to take an hour or so out for a blood test. My next appointment with Professor Oncologist falls just before I leave for the Christmas and New Year Swiss trip and I’m trying not to think about it. I have been reading the Rough Guide to Ireland in odd moments. Sooner rather than later I will need to book accommodation in Dublin for my visit at the end of June. This is not going to be cheap so for the time being at least my crazy ideas for train trips must be put on hold. While I am in Switzerland I hope to have a few words in a few ears just in case one of my fellow travellers fancies something a bit different. There are times when I am envious of those who have ready access to travelling companions. Do I mean jealous? Perhaps I do. Best wishes to all Chris

Afternoon all, Up with has been duly caught. After the Cenotaph ceremony yesterday the cars were dully remarshalled to allow the big one out and we set off for Goring (the one not by the sea) to meet our possible new residents. The first part of the initiative test was to find the correct front door out of five, having done that the next task was to negotiate the seemingly impressive barking and enthusiastic charges (at the knees) of a very excited collie cross who was seemingly called Barney but in fact it later transpired was actually called Barnsley - a very friendly chap once he got to know you after being suitably fussed and cuddled. The next stage was to venture down the garden to the place where the cats were kept to meet a very friendly mum cat called Poppy and her extremely shy offspring Charlie. Friends were duly made )mainly with Poppu y, Charlie being extremely shy) and the transfer of cats and accoutrements to the car followed completion of the necessary paperwork (in triplicate - without any carbon paper. On arrival home a brief exploration was followed by Poppy retreating behind the tumble drier leaving her offspring trying (not very well) to hide behind the ironing board. but a bit more exploration resulted in both diving into the storage area under the stairs from which poppy eventually emerged to do some friend making but Charlie stayed therre until hunger drove him out - very shy fellah although he is 10 years old and he came out and scuttled ack twice when frightened by various things before hunger won and he headed off to the kitchen for some chicken and cat food. I shut the living room door to stop them going back into hiding and they headed upstairs - Poppy spending a b good part of the night under the Good Doctor's bed while Charlie spent most of the night on top of our bed being suitably friendly. This morning after breakfast they both made their way back into d hiding and although Charlie hasn't emerged Poppy has been out and about over the past few hours exploring and seeking addition to her considerable body weight. No doubt they will both gradually settle in once they get used to us and the house. As for a central meeting location this sign might point the way although there isn't very much when you follow the way it indicates down a single track road - More logical perhaps could be either Birmingham, Derby (?The Midland Hotel - any other possible venues?) or York (the NRM rent out meeting rooms but they are not cheap). Maybe something like a village hall )near a pi ub_ or a pub with a suitable room readily accessible by both public transport or by road or even a railway preservation site somewhere accessible like this sort of thing )again it costs!) - https://www.svr.co.uk/RestaurantCar_Charters.aspx

Rail's were true to their word and covered my postage to and from Sheffield on my faulty assembled wagon. Here it is on it's return in my rake of mixed vans etc.

Greetings all from LBG where it is cold outside but I can see a bit of blue sky in amongst the clouds. The weekend was busy - a trip to Cambridgeshire through the morning fog and the dreadful roadworks on the A14 and then back in the heavy rain. Brands Hatch was ... cold. We enjoyed the racing although we didn't get to see much of the new Brabham in the Britcar endurance as it broke down after 15 laps, having been more than a second a lap quicker than all the other cars. I was reminded of Top Gear when challenge was to win an endurance race with a car that they had modified not knowing the type of racing. Clarkson had modified his car so that it went very fast for a lap and then overheated completely. The minis were very entertaining, and the C1 endurance race ended with a crash right in front of us - not serious but cars were everywhere.... Best wishes to all who are suffering in body and mind.

.............

Morning, It is rather carp here. It was persisting down when I shuffled to relieve pressure during the darkness but is no longer doing that. CowboysRUs performing the dance of the dragged loading shovels along their roadways and still no roofs on the nearest apartment blocks destined for ownership under some sort of affordable scheme, at this rate they will only be suitable for goldfish. SWMBO is off to meet a pal at Milton Keynes whilst I will attempt to get my head de-BoJo’d. Brian’s little track occupancy detectors look interesting, could they have another purpose? One doesn’t want to incur the wrath of the awl seeing awl wielder! Like ChrisF, it is a moderately busy week ahead for me. Apart from de-thatching, ferrying kids and a Sports Club Redevelopment Group meeting and cribbage tomorrow, friends (yes, I do have a few) here on Wednesday and Thursday, grandkid and dog sitting Friday and a different friend her on Sunday into Monday - so much for any refrain from alcohol or losing weight before piling it on again at the back end of December. Somehow in that period I suspect that I will be required to erect a Swedish wardrobe and fit tight against the wall in eldest grandson’s bedroom, a task complicated by it necessitating the removal of a section of skirting board to allow the bedroom door to open and close.

Morning All As usual, generic greetings are on offer to the ailing and the celebrating. Not so long since I posted, so not a lot to comment on. 4 hour stint at LASAR this morning, so need to get Lily walked and the fire set, and some breakfast, so probably back tomorrow. Meantime, and for the guitarists and music lovers, here's my (and my late dad's) all time favourite song which I found on YouTube, performed by a most brilliant young lady guitarist called Gabriella Quevedo I think I'm in love - talented, AND pretty. She's now 22, and hails from Sweden. Regards to All Stewart

I was watching TV this evening when something caught my eye. A movie trailer was presented for the movie "Harriet" about Harriet Tubman - the famous "conductor" on the underground railroad (helping free slaves from the Confederate States during the US Civil War). During the trailer there was a nighttime scene of a train. It did not look very 19th century American to me. Anyone know where this was filmed or what was filmed? (I'm getting a Dean Goods vibe from this.) This was a photograph from my TV with a maximum aperture on my 'phone. Screen-grabbing the same scene from the longer official trailer at 1:01 has a murkier version of the same scene. The previous US administration had planned to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. The current administration seems to have halted this plan, and for now, Andrew Jackson remains. No women or minorities are represented on US paper currency.

Morning All, I seem to have come down with a cold! Oh well - such is life at this time of the year. The temperature is hovering at around 4°C this morning. Have a good day everyone...

Me: "Look I can now fit all my trains into just one box" SWMBO: "Stop calling our house a box"

Morning. Given our disparate locations, my I suggest a village in County Durham - No Place. Really....exists. I wouldn't have known Mr Two Sugars as I have no image, but he hadn't turned up when we spoke to Baz. Donk's non-appearance was due to the fact he stayed home, he gets seasick and it is going to be a bumpy journey home looking at the wind forecast. It wasn't too good coming out either, so he chickened (donkeyed?) out. Dr Station Cat would have been gutted, Baz seemed pretty disappointed too. My overriding feeling of Newcastle show as several good layouts ruined by the complete absence of weathering on the stock. Rosedale Depots was nice though, and Chapel was to a good even standard, setting an example in fact. About that Lanky Mallet though....couldn't find it in my Locospotters book.

It's the sole surviving 2251 'Collett Goods', 3205 complete with a Collett 3000g tender. Did somone say 'Awl clear' just now?

R u suggesting he dunny go there Debs?

Back to work tomorrow. G'night y'awl

Evening all. The house is quiet. I can hear Joan snoring gently upstairs, the fire is going well. It's been a very good day. I got away about 10am, had a very pleasant hour on the station at La Rochelle, where I quietly watched what trains there were, ate a nice croque monsieur and read a book. Then off to the airport to collect Joan and by 14.00 was at the hospital to pick up Beth who has been released. They decided that the abscess was too deep to drain surgically without major risk so she had been sent home with lots of antibiotics and should be back there to have the thing drained under local on Thursday. She and Joan are both in very good spirits. They were both very tired, Joan had got up at 05.00 to be driven from Staffs to Stanstead. She has already been to their house twice. She can't do much until the results of the autopsy are known on Tuesday. Tomorrow we have to wait in till I get a call to go into the Gendarmerie to give a statement. I may or may not get to the village remembrance day event. Over here the 11th is a public holiday and each commune holds it's own event. Just to prove that I actually did see some trains here's a TGV Atlantique at La Rochelle. This series is being withdrawn quite rapidly. Regards to all and thanks again for the virtual support. I have also had a lot of supportive comments on a post I did on the retired West Yorks Police site. Though one ex colleague has asked why I didn't fill in the Form 49 myself and save the Gendarmes the trouble. Jamie

My mother used to comment that Aditi and I seemed to talk non stop. Matthew,”complained” his Mum commented on French geography non stop from Coquelles to the Alps (except when singing along to ABBA tapes or CD). We are going out for a pub lunch tomorrow with some old friends. I think we will probably be the last customers in the restaurant! Tony

A year ahead is way to far for me to commit to anything, but I know one thing, SWMBO would rather stay home and play with a Collie... The sand bags and a mattock were bought with the remaining money on the prepayment card,. The sandbags are now holding the marquee down. I've asked the hippy to find the sand bags we've already got, and place them round the rest of the marquee in similar situations. The day has not been that good for me, the aches and pains of the weekends work have been particularly painful. Everytime I sat for any period my joints were locking up. Shifting the sandbags was not fun. Very shortly I'm heading for an early night with some Amber liquid...

Any idea which railway company it is from...? Can't be a Grate West Tern engine. It hasn't got pannier tanks or is a 4-6-0...…………...

Afternoon All or is it evening ???? Another 4 page catch up today. Bloody cold out outside I managed to walk the dog, he didn't want to go too far in his new muzzle kept trying to rip it off with his paws/claws, I swear he's got bigger since last Thursday his food is high protein stuff with fish he devours it in micro seconds he had 1/2 a portion of chips as well he got his nose into my lunch bless him it the trouble with him he's taller than the dinning room table. Back there tomorrow then lunch with youngest daughter and SiL then back to the dogs house for dinner with eldest daughter and SiL in the evening a take-a-way from Ying Yongs. Spose I'd better start thinking about tea instead of dinner tonight. N.Eedfood

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Weather as reported by Tony and chilly with it. On the trailer freeze it at 1:01. You are cruel posting that pic. Still not as good as mums bread pudding. My mum used to make bread pudding using brown bread and including an entire tin of Tate & Lyles black treacle.

Good morning. We have had rain, sunny spells, cloudy and sunny again so far. Aditi has gone for her annual diabetic review. This is with a new diabetic review nurse. I have no idea why Aditi seemed a bit anxious. She didn’t want me to drive her there! I thought she was back but it was just the window cleaner. I suspect the gulls and pigeons are already forming up to splatter the clean glass. Tony

Good morning everyone It’s raining again, what a surprise! It has been on and off all night apparently, thankfully it didn’t wake me! Today is set to be a repeat of the weekend, ie, more kit building and washing etc along with Sheila’s continued eye care. The risk of infection will be greatly reduced after the next weekend but the drops will still have to be administered for a further 2 weeks. She is still on 2 different sets of eye drops, 1 - 4 times daily and 1 - 3 times daily. The 4 times daily one will stop at 4 weeks, but the 3 times daily will continue for a further 4 weeks, 8 weeks in total. I’m hoping to be able to get on with some of the DIY projects next week. Enjoy the day if if you can, back later.

Ey up! Off totake the van back. See you later Baz

The Friday evening Catterick camp leave train. Doncaster have to find a loco to take it the rest of the way to KX. What have we got? How about this, fresh out of Plant. Well worth another look.

If they'd enjoy coming; having partners along too, would be really nice (esp. from my talkative perspective).

Meanwhile stock required for Shap readied..Other stock moved around, Railway room hoovered then...tax calculations..oh Frabjoy..not! Baz

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Went to collect my other computer after lunch, and ended up bying another computer. Its second hand but refubished and I'm now awaiting for it to be fitted with a new battery. The existing battery was OK but a bit tired so I opted for a new one. The new computer is even more powerful than my present one hence the need for a new battery as the old battery was only good for one hour, the new one should be good for three.

The Brunswick close to Derby station has separate rooms i believe that can be booked. certainly excellent beer.

PM about to be sent about Shay spare parts! My MRC has a Shay which has problems with the bevel gears. Complete change from yesterday, as it is wild, wet and windy. I don’t think I will be venturing too far today. Morning so far spent painting door frames in the hall. At long last, I can see the end of this marathon task in sight!

Evening all, busy day in Perth and a long and late drive back, it was trying to snow on the way back, 2 degrees and falling, had a nice day with the grandkids and SWMBO had a nice day out being spoilt by the daughter in Auld Reekie. My old rugby teamhad a good win at Sutton & Epsom (seems to be in the news on here today), the less said about the Tigers the better...……………. G'night all

Evening! Back home, layout back in club rooms ..van will be returned very early tomorrow. Nice to meet Two Sugars and Mr & Mrs NHN. But no Donk....never mind... Nice meal in an Italian pub restaurant over the road from our Campanile Hotel in Washington last night. As it happens California is not far from The Q...... In discussions with Two Sugars today I forgot about Canada, no mention of Philedelphia, and Kirkstall in Australia plus Newcastle. .. Time to have a sleep.. Baz