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I am sitting in the A&E waiting room in the hospital at La Ferté Bernard. We arrived an hour ago, and Alison has gone off to be assessed. Her last visit here was when she miscarried in September. This time the symptoms are more complicated. I had a distressed text from her on Friday afternoon, saying she’d just come out of skool - more on that anon - but couldn’t drive her car, due to chest pains and other aches and pains. I offered a rescue, but she eventually got home, having done a minimalist shop. Yesterday, Saturday, things were dire, so I drove to her place expecting to take her to A&E then, but she declined. This morning she realised it was fruitless, so here we are. Since early November she has been teaching English, in lieu of a lady on medical leave. She is not trained to teach, has not had a job in 17 years. She holds two degrees, one of them a Masters, though, so the skool were delighted to have her - and she’s Scots. Some of her teaching is in a school for less-than-stellar kids. It is tough going and unfamiliar. Her tendancy towards stress is showing, and that may be the problem here. The rest of her teaching is Adult Education at a Uni-sponsored course in Le Mans. It’s just Wednesday mornings, but takes most of the day with travel etc. If she needs treatment and a hospital stay, things get a bit difficult all round. She has three sons, 17,14,10, who aren’t exactly used to doing much round the house. On Thursday she is due to drive me to the station to start my month in UK for Christmas. She looks after the cats twice a day in my absence. I was already apprehensive that trains would not be running etc due to the strikes here, but now even leaving home looks difficult. Sherry is being supportive but will feel very let-down! Let’s hope they find a pinched nerve or similar and all is well again for Alison!

This morning's photos were taken at Butterley in the late 70s and early 80s. Butterley 673 May 78 J6090 Butterley Barclay Stanton No24 and BR Class 5 73129 Caprotti valve gear May 78 J6092.jpg Butterley 3FT 16440 May 78 J6100 Butterley 4F 44027 Jan 80 J6759 Butterley MR 2-4-0 158A April 80 J6850 Butterley D4 Aug 82 J7728 David

Well the SDR photo of 6412 was popular so I thought I'd do my own version featuring 6417 and an etched Fox head board. Season's Greetings !

Good morning one and all I've had a bit of a lie-in this morning after a long day yesterday. Virgin West Coast was beginning to collapse as I reached MK Central. It is remarkable how one signalling glitch can have such widespread effects. In the event I was eight late into Piccadilly. There were interesting travelling companions from Stoke who made short work of a bottle of vodka on their way to Liverpool. Next to me was a Leyton Orient fan in plain clothes who was at Bedford beer festival on the Friday night. On the way back the train bit was unremarkable if a tad noisy as far as Stockport but the X5 bus gave me as near a white knuckle ride as I have ever had. I saw lots of people at the show. Brian and Dave have already owned up and there was the annual cuppa with Jonathan David, not AFAIK an RMwebber but an acquaintance of long standing. The brothers Rolley were in fine form and Alex Wiggoforgold presided happily over his little bit of Cambridgeshire. I may have met Signal Engineer but could not remember who he was! Pasty, chips and beans was a a more attractive proposition for lunch than the sandwiches I took with me. Gentle readers with long memories will recall that some time ago I mislaid some etches. I am pleased to announce that I have now obtained replacements, some of which came in handy for Ralph Robertson to use on his demo stand. The kindness that he has shown me throughout this silly business has been way over and above what anyone might have foreseen. It is a privilege to deal with such a gentleman. Best wishes to all Chris

More roof shots this morning, as Walter K Whigham advances and slows for a five minute stop.

Ey up! 7.5 hours sleep..now need coffee before breakfast then day 2 of the show. We are short staffed so this could be a long day! Make the best use of your time here on Planet Earth today! Positive thoughts to all who ail! Baz

As I now know it is best to get checked out. The diagnostic tests available now and treatments seem fantastic compared to even a few years ago. When I mentioned to my GP about feeling breathless I wasn’t really surprised at having a damaged lung but the heart defect wasn’t expected. The consultant said the pain I described (while on holiday) could well have been a heart attack. So definitely better to let an expert decide! Tony

Now you've got us ALL WORRIED.

German Germs rampant. However there are things that 'need' doing, I feel today may be exhausting. A bit of good news, I bought some raffle tickets last weekend in support of a fundraiser for MIND (a cause close to my heart) held at one of the village pubs. Seems that I've won the ideal prize (for me at least) - a brewery tour; what makes it even more special is that I don't normally 'win' anything Have a good 'un, whatever the day may bing for you.

Hmmm, that sounds familiar.... Well, ' morning all from red dragon land. Up at 5 yesterday for Mancunian land Christmas Show but there were no sitting-down-on-the-job white metal figures found just a few plastic standing folk on one stand which I do not need. Disappointed. However, we did bump into George of this parish and also had lengthy chats with a few exhibitors/traders we have got to know over the years. Enjoyed some layouts too. At the end of the afternoon I dragged up some courage and ventured to enquire about building your own trees. Very impressed. Only missed one friendly face as he was always engaged with someone else - quite normal at this sort of event, of course. Time to get off to play tr**ns. Take care _________ Best wishes Polly

Well, as the one-legged pirate said, "That's a matter of a pinion." Arrr.

Got to Manchester with Crimson Rambler after more than an hour on the most unimaginably crowded train with the guard announcing at each stop, "Please move down the aisle so that other passengers can board the train." How the hell do you move down an aisle where people are packed closer than sardines? Maybe putting more than two coaches on a train that is invariably crowded even when it is made up of three coaches would help?? Anyway, finally got to the show and as we walked in, the first person I saw was Chrisf so the first fifteen minutes or so were occupied chatting to him. We then met several other friends and spent a pleasant afternoon chinwagging and even looking at some layouts before heading back to Piccadilly and another crammed two coach Transport for Wales special. Once back in North Hipposhire we ate in a local pub and have just rounded off the day with a generous libation of Scottish happy juice. All in all a good day despite the transport. Have a good night everyone. Dave

For this evening we return to Radcliffe on Trent, this time mostly by the river, just across the Trent from Rectory Junction. One of the photos is taken from Cliff Walk in Radcliffe on Trent and shows the Trent in flood. The locations where the other photos near the river were taken from were underwater when that one was taken. Radcliffe on Trent Class 37 westbound freight 25th Feb 77 C3227.jpg Radcliffe on Trent Class 114 Grantham to Nottingham April 78 J5997.jpg Radcliffe on Trent Class 114 Grantham to Nottingham Aug 78 C4096.jpg Radcliffe on Trent 56070 empties to Cotgrave April 80 J6838.jpg Radcliffe on Trent 156429 Harwich to Liverpool 10th April 90 C14276.jpg David

A'noon. My support to those in need once more - be careful out there. Yesterday did produce a new welding ring, as Ian would say, so I am once again slightly out of the doghouse. Overnight was wild here, blowing a hoolie and rain lashing the windows like a hosepipe job in a cheesy movie. Only an inch of rain in the gauge this morning but it is sheltered by the house in a westerly, the rain was most likely horizontal. Dry this morning (outside) and still very windy. Spent an hour or two fitting new solar spotlights to the waiting room, will have to await darkness to assess success rate. Now inside with Miss Marple on the telly, as we are both cream crackered due to poor sleep last night - see 'rain' above. Dave H, was that rather splendid 'Midland Yankee' (Schenectady mogul) in MRJ years ago your work? An inspirational moment for me- just had a recall of the builders name being perhaps yours. Or similar....or not at all and I am having a grey moment. Whoever built it, it is an absolute cracker.

It was a dark and stormy night, when Ben the desperate Collie, decided to venture out. In horizontal rain, he ventured far down the garden accompanied by his servant . He then turned and ran back to the house leaving his servant to get wet... Mooring Awl, inner Temple Hare , A Reasonable nights sleep, Just a couple of wake up and roll overs. The stove has been loaded up and I'm trying to persuade it to wake from its slumbers. One bruise from yesterday's confinement inside the hull is making itself felt this morning. Further thoughts and minor changes to the design of the toolbox have gone on in the brain. Mostly because as you build you find things you hadn't thought of. Leaving to pick up my sailing compatriot in an hour and three quarters, I will go via the MRC as I forgot to measure two items which must be included in the box. The main item being the bottle of plastic glue that is my preferred sticky, this comes with its own hypodermic needle syringe. It's that bottle that defines the exact depth of the top tray. Ben the border Collie has just crept up stairs to reassure himself SWMBO is up there.. He's now just charged back down again being happy. Muggacoffee 1 has been consumed, Time for breaky.

Good evening everyone The Manchester Show was attended and many modelling tokens were exchanged, but no models were purchased, mainly replacement craft knife blades as well as a few modelling bits and pieces. Chrisf was encountered on couple of occasions, but if any other ERs were there, I didn’t meet them. However, as I have no idea what they look like, I could very well have been stood next to, or even spoke to them unwittingly. Tomorrow will see me assisting in tidying up the living and dining rooms ready for the putting up of the festive tree and other decorations. Goodnight all

Non-stop in the NB household over the past few weeks. There is much going on with wife's work that cannot be elaborated upon, apart from saying that Mrs NB has been requiring much moral support and we are both looking forward to a Christmas day that doesn't involve work for the first time since I met her some 30+ years ago............. Work for me tomorrow and it's most unusual that I'm counting down the days (9 to go) for a much needed break other than a weekend. Ice hockey is planned for Sunday night with Junior NB. It's the "Teddy Toss" - when Blackburn score the first goal, fans are invited to throw a teddy bear/soft toy onto the ice to be collected and later passed onto the local hospital children's ward. Junior will be tasked with sourcing a suitable present. Have a good Sunday folks. Catch up later. Cheers, Mick

Afternoon all, Sorry to hear about Alison OD - hope it isn't anything serious. Apologies Baz but as I explained to Red Leader after receiving 'the call' it really was a journey too far/too darned awkward. Big event here today is that Poppy actually went out for the first time this morning - not for long but she carried out an extensive check when she came back in to ensure that she was in the right house before vanishing upstairs. I doubt she'll venture out again today as 'occasional rain showers' are now, hmm, showering occasionally. The Good Doctor did the Tesco visit so now apart from having something to cook for lunch I have got a number of sudoku puzzles to keep me occupied. The latest political leaflet to make its way through our letterbox has gone in the same direction as all the others we've received - the South Oxfordshire waste paper recycling pile will probably grow another few feet higher shortly and could probably achieve officially ratified mountain status by the end of this week if the political wastepaper blitz continues. Enjoy the rest of your day one and all.

Good moaning from a very wet piece of The Charente. A good evening was had and I even spent a pleasant half hour sorting out some boxes that Bill Bishop had passed me in London. The contents have now been entered up on my database and numbered. I have even udentified some sheets of transfers that will be useful. Beth seems to be settling in to her tasks and I am sure she will get this insulin business sorted. We have been to the market and met our usual group of friends. I've just spent a bit of time in the shed sorting out the parts that have come with the sink. A plan is starting to gel in my mind. I will continue with this today once I have get the 'tree' downstairs. It appears that I am excused further duties in the decoration tasks if I make more progress in the utility room. Regards to all. Jamie

At last the two plate girder bridges that needed building for Ewer Street are finished, and I can come out of the very tight corner for a breather, if Mrs W Station will be so good as to lever me out. My usual construction for the bridges has been used, that is greyboard and plasicard rivets, I hope the pictures show the construction method. Now I am going to breath in and hope that I am out for lunch time. All the best Adrian.

Good morning all, A very wet and windy night here and it's still quite breezy but there is some blue sky and sunshine. More showers, possibly heavy and blustery, to come. Today I will be mainly putting "stuff" in the loft. I have been instructed to be careful - as if I wouldn't, "Careful" is my middle name! Watched Quins snatch defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday. Recorded all the other games but having seen the results probably won't watch them. Sale v Exeter might be today's choice. Have a good one, Bob.

Look, it's not my problem if people keep setting them up.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Sorted most of todays acquisitions, only the Oxford trucks to be sorted but that can wait until tomorrow. Like Baz I'm feeling a bit frazzled so its goodnight all.

Afternoon all from a very wet and windy Hill of Strawberries. The foulness of the weather down west has now arrived on our doorstep. We set forth after breakfast for Waitrose followed by a trip through the Christmas Market in town. Never a big event but it's there so we go. Not really Christmassy either but whatever. The stallholders were having trouble with the gusty wind at 11 this morning. They might have abandoned by now. Rails of hand-made clothing were blown down every few minutes. Tablecloths were threatening to become airborne scattering everything arrayed on top to the four winds. The Twickenham Gin stall suffered a catastrophe - just as we approached a gust of wind took several bottles off the counter and caused them to come into contact with the cobbled surface of the road. Breakage ensued. Gin was lost. A stallholder was heard sucking his lips and muttering as he cleared up. We went our separate ways after coffee in order for me to visit the garden centre (an unlikely venue) in order to procure cat food. It's cheaper and they stock a larger range than the farm shop in town. SWMBO did her round of the charity shops. I returned with the cart of purchases from various points; she returned with ivy clipped from the railway arches and which now forms a wreath on the front door brightened with illuminated Christmas mushrooms. Yes, you read that correctly. Mushrooms. Just as there were lobsters at the birth of Jesus if "Love Actually" is to be believed so there were mushrooms growing around that stable giving rise to a seasonal decoration something over 2000 years later. Sorry to hear of Ian's difficulties and I hope all comes good. There should be no strikes this side of the Manche to be of concern unless attempting to use the LSWR route between London and Exeter. Don't. Trains are only running as far as Salisbury with a patchy offering at best beyond there to Yeovil and Exeter Central (not St. Davids) reliant upon finding route-trained guard-managers willing to stand in for their striking workforce. SWMBO has threatened to bake a cake this afternoon. I have reminded her that the kitchen is mine from 17 o'clock in order to sacrifice a portion of cow for tonight. We shall see who wins. Best wishes to one and all.

Cheers, folks. Well, it had to happen... Developed high fever in the early hours of Friday, so it’s likely I either caught pneumonia as well, or the flu, in spite of having had a jab. Lab results should be available tomorrow, but as the doxycycline I was prescribed as an immediate measure (considering Elise’s pneumonia and my likely exposure to the same bacteria) seems to be effective now, it seems to have been a sound prediction. If anything else should transpire, we can, of course, switch medication on short notice. I also had a chest X-ray done on short notice. Always a when such things happen right before the weekend as you cannot really get definitive answers quickly, except in A&E, maybe. Still quite groggy and achy and yucky, of course, and resting most of the day. Oh well. Take care of you and yours. Thinking of everyone else ailing or struggling.

I phoned my local radio station today. When the guy answered the phone he said, "Congratulations on being our 1st caller, all you have to do is answer the next question correctly to win our grand prize." "Wahoo!" I shouted in delight. "It's a Maths question," he said. "Feeling confident?" "I've got a degree in Maths and I teach it at my local school," I proudly replied. "Okay then, to win 2 VIP tickets to see Justin Bieber and to meet him back stage afterwards, what's 2+2?" "7," I replied.

Start playing I want a hippopotamus for Christmas (on YouTube) .

Yes Neil, that was, and still is, my Schenectady mogul. For a good many years it ran on Bob Essery's Dewsbury layout and Pete Kibble's Severn Mill on the exhibition circuit but it hasn't turned a wheel for at least ten years now. There is a photograph of it on the Midland Railway Company thread on this site and it is currently residing in a display cabinet in my workshop waiting for me to complete the trackwork on my Midland MPD lay*ut so it can feel the wind through its wheels again. Thanks for the complimentary words. Dave

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Ian, sorry to hear of Alisons travails, and I hope its not as serious as it sounds and it doesn't interfere with your own plans. Without you who can she turn to? I had a good sort out of the Oxford Diecast trucks that I purchased yesterday, they are all code 3's, mainly converted from Eddie Stobart models. They need a bit of fettling as some have damaged mirrors etc. but I purchased a couple of spare cabs with those features intact so its either swap the cab units or use the spare cabs as 'Christmas trees'. Thats it for now, be back later.

Morning All The sun is trying to appear. Nothing to do today apart from packing odds and ends whatever they are, slapped #rse has taken the loo roll holder and my loo rolls a quick root through all the new packing boxes found the holder it's back in the bathroom. Reg across the road started to put his Xmas lights up Friday morning the buffoon was still out in the cold 11pm last night messing with them. Coffee time enjoy your day. N.Estles

Evenin' each, Sorry to hear about Alison Ian and also Dom, get better soon. Loft ascent (and descent) successfully negotiated and no Bobs were hurt in the process. I got a bit dusty though. Sale v Exeter watched and it was a close match. A chicken casserole is in the oven and will be savoured in a while. Unfortunately I'm still on Metronidazole so can't have a glass or two of wine with it. Not sure what the evening will be bring but I certainly won't be watching dancing or jungle rubbish with The Boss. Luckily she decamps upstairs at 9.00 to watch the latter so I will try to find a film in the archives to watch. Enjoy what's left of your day.

This morning I was tasked with writing the Christmas cards: those that required posting have now been inserted into the red box that is by the pub at the end of the road. The rest will be hand delivered around the village tomorrow. This afternoon's special task seems to be getting the conservatory clean so the tree can be erected and decorated. why we can't put the tree up and then only clean what can be seen seems a lot more logical, and probably quicker. However, I know when to do as i'm told. Onto more important matters: I managed to cut some aluminium angle into strips so make the spacers I required for my track making exploits. I really ought to send a drawing up to Debs, as I'm sure she would be able to machine a set from some of her existing products: I was tempted to convert the pair I already have, but couldn't bear the thought of destroying such workmanship being subjected to my metal butchery...................... Especially on a Sunday.

Good afternoon morning The sun is shining, but the wind is picking up now, we are due a storm later this evening. We had a bit of a lie-in this morning as well as breakfast in bed and we didn’t get downstairs until after 11:30. Eyedrops were the first thing to do then muggertea No2 was next. After that it was out with the vacuum cleaner and give the hall, stairs, landings, living and dining rooms a quick going over before cleaning the windows of the French doors. Time now to get the Christmas tree out! Back later.

Morning, overcast here this morning with rain due, went to the Manchester show yesterday ( a last min decision) which I enjoyed. One individual I saw in the que was obviously planning to stay overnight there as he had a Bergen type rucksack on his back obviously containing tent etc!!! Job for today is to clear the old pc of not needed files/pics/videos etc before I migrate the data to a new pc. Enjoy your day Alan

I'm finding myself sniffling. I'm not sure if that portends. I'm also wondering if the Caesar salad mix I purchased (and ate) included some bonus e-coli. When they reappeared on the supermarket shelves I had hoped the Salinas, California-originated e-coli scare was over. Apparently it is widening. The TV news showed an aerial view of Sydney Harbour that was disturbingly orange. Hopefully these bushfires can be contained. I have a family Christmas gathering to attend tomorrow. I am to bring dessert. I "made" a mincemeat pie. When I say "made" I mean I purchased round sheets of pastry dough and a jar of mincemeat, introduced them to each other and put them both in the oven. I made a couple of other desserts as well while college football was on in the background. It's probably overkill. I had to remove an assortment of beer from the refrigerator to make room for them overnight. The beer can go back tomorrow.

That's groan-worthy.

Might it be czechmate mate?

You have a minor pinion whom does for you.

I tried. I honestly tried. I gave it my best shot but the impact was either not hard enough or at a wrong angle. Maybe a bit of both.

I never take a rucksack to shows. My valet takes care of such inconveniences.

Thank you for a reminder of a past visit years ago. I was with my grandfather and his brother, the one who was big in the City. He invited us to lunch on the terrace by the river; don't remember what we had to eat or even the occasion but very memorable. Must have been in the fifties and even then very upscale dining which I was probably too young to appreciate the experience. Brian.

The Austerity tank, described in the thread in the Cameo Layouts section and seen here in the yard at Engine Wood, in Somerset, waiting for a path north to the Vale of Radnor Light Railway, finally arrived at Capel Bethesda yard, after a journey via Bristol TM, Gloucester, Hereford (via Ross-on-Wye) and Leominster, under it's own steam: It is being loaned to the VoRLR by the South Polden Light Railway, both members of the Association of Independent Light Railways. Due to there being no further traffic up the light railway on the day it arrived at Bethesda yard, the loco was still there the following day, when 2291 arrived, light engine from Leominster, to await some traffic from the military depot at Llanddewi, at the end of the VoRLR:

Late afternoon awl,. Missions accomplished, my injured sailing friend seemed to enjoy his day trip watching sailing and even with the high winds, a dozen boats went out. The rescue boats were busy in the first two races, the third Race was abandoned as the wind came higher. Gusts of wind were showing on one of the clubs anemometers at over 35mph that's through a big tree, I couldn't see the other meter display for the anemometer out in the open for wind of this direction. . Bacon butties were enjoyed and later on.... cake. Coming back from dropping him off, a big black storm accompanying heavy rain and squally wind made the car shake. The glue bottle was measured at the MRC on the way to pick him up.... Ah.. The bottle is taller than I guessed, it's 5 3/4 inches tall. That's way too deep for a tray on top, so there will be a bottle and jar sized trench along the back, with shorter drawers beneath the tray on the front. While the above was typed another squall went through, also dinner was had, proving pork chops are available outside of Kerry's dinner plate.

Robbie wasn’t the sort of dog who attacked the post that came through our letter box. Occasionally he would sit holding it in his mouth until we retrieved it. However he seemed to take offence at one political party's leaflets. Must have used funny smelly ink or he didn’t like the colour.

Morning all. Not much happening here. We have eaten breakfast. Sunny and 11C, it may rain later. Tony

I am up......which is not to say I am awake. I can say that I am no longer used to nightshifts. I am hoping to do something today.....but am unable to say what yet. More tea required. Rob

That's one of the reasons we are no longer in CA (or NJ). Ironically the local malls are tanking now, probably because of the Internet.

The V2 looms a little larger now. and it will shortly encounter 60028, bringing in the FO version of the 8.05 Newcastle. This is a nice uncomplicated train to assemble, 8 end vestibule SKs, topped and tailed by four compartment BSKs.