Leaderboard

Totnes Castle on the Up Cornishman meets a south bound bound Mogul hauled pick up freight that has just crossed the canal at Worseter.

Friday update.. Ref the backscene I’m using Dibond sheet which is a semi flexible plastic with thin aluminium sandwiched between. Had a helpful fabricator make me up some laser cut aluminium brackets which allow the sheets to sit 50cms from the edge of the frames. The gap will allow me to build in some more scenery with fading perspective. Even without the backscene and just the plain white sheets the improvement is there to see. The sewerage works is coming on nicely. It looks a bit rough and ready here but the basics are in place. The filtration booms were an absolute sod to make, never again. Plan is to finish the sewerage works by the end of the month and quickly tie up the remaining bits inbetween.

Cathcott cottages resting peacefully back home on the layout....

Back at last, so we can have a look at the Scotch Goods, on the Down slow again today.

Mainly ex LNWR lines today. I think they are all places we haven't visited recently. Hillmorton Class 86 E3199 down April 72 J2892.jpg Hillmorton 87017 up Aug 80 J7170 Hillmorton 87013 up Aug 80 J7172.jpg Birmingham International 86221 down Oct 80 J7262.jpg Chester dmus 19th April 86 C7459.jpg Not one of my better photos. David

steve

In 1916 my grandfather got out of a trench and walked towrds some Germans. He was shot throughthe throat and ended up a prisoner. The barrage affected his hearing so he became deaf. He was marked as dead but a German Doctor saved him. He spent the rest of the war in a prisoner of war camp. On his return he didn't eat cabbage soup ever again. From his wounds it would appear he was shot from below as he arrived at a trench... He died just after I was born.... Baz

Right, I have been manipulated, and am now partaking of tea and banana. For you there is plonk looking to the North.

Here, you want a little rain?

Haven't posted any 'layout' pictures for a little while, but the 'ground cover' in the loco yard is basically finished now, although there is scope for some detailing. And the backscene is still 'work in progress'! So here's a look at some of the locos that have visited recently. First of all, 62530 has arrived off the GE section, and is stabled alongside 61139. At the end of the day, the view looking down from the bridge shows seven locos 'on shed'. 61139 is still there, and the GE Section loco by now is D5511. Behind 61139 is 60055, the Main Line link loco. On the road next to the offices, 69535 is coupled to D5640 (which is being fuelled); these two Suburban locos will move off together in the morning, to become the first 'turn over' locos in the station. The other two N2s are 'spare', and generally getting in the way. Mid way through the next day, D5511 has been replaced by 62015, and is joined by V2 60862 from the morning Peterborough Up. 69531 is still getting in the way.

His ladship returned from the cardio unit with a good report - no faults found. So maybe it was what I suspected it might have been - indigestion? I hope Phil will be third time lucky with his wheelbarrow (however if they are jig drilled .... ...... I hope they have got a new jig). Perhaps the other two could be used as raised beds for salad plants?

Polly, Does this help or are the changes in the wrong places? I have a feeling, certainly, since I came on here, that sneaking in talk of m*d*l tr**ns [Help! I can't reduce the font size!], and the like, into one's post is but a game in which many try to hide [Help! I can't strikethrough to correct!] discuss their plot with change of font size (currently missing in the Editor); strike through (currently missing); and other devices,

Good morning all, Sunny and breezy here with threats of rain to come this afternoon. It's taken me a while to catch up from yesterday morning especially after the site being down for a while. Nicki and kids visited and a great time was had by all. The good news is that Abbie has been told that her job is "almost" certainly safe. She should get final confirmation next week so fingers still being kept crossed. Steve should find out next week as well but he seems quite upbeat from conversations he's had with his director. Our house is 94 years old and I'm sure still has the original hand made clay roof tiles. (apart from a few replacements where I had a chimney stack removed last year.) We get a little bit of moss on one side but no signs of any problems or spalling. Every few years we have the ridge and hip tiles repointed but that's about it. Still not visited railway part of The Shed - serious lack of my muddling mojo continues. Have a good one, Bob.

Some from today, first bit, cement from landor st to crewe Then a road learning loco landor st to kings norton with marcus37 driving and after a few trips I got off at landor st and the loco continued to bescot iPort tomorrow

Moaning (well afternoon really!)... Drugs are great Having now started taking some prescription pain-killers, I'm somewhat less irritable than the past few days, and actually passably reasonable company according to the Mrs! Still mostly immobile, but a far better nights sleep was had, and I can move around somewhat for the basic necessities. Public holiday today as the "4th" falls on the weekend. Jemma over later to drop off Whitney as she is back out to NY again for another week of sitting waiting to be called. I'll be doing little more than crosswords, reading, checking in here and p!ssing and moaning about my plight! In the grand scheme of things not really fair to complain given what many folks are enduring. Weather continues to be mostly unbearable here in the mid-30s and intensely humid. Not being mobile enough to want to go out has its benefits for now. Carry on and count your blessings

Unfortunately I have been refused permission by higher powers for disassembly of the fan, to my great annoyance. If you’ve ever been around cicadas for any length of time, you will learn to hate the noise they make. Back September for a school trip I went to middle of deepest darkest Arkansas and slept overnight in a Thai fisherman’s hut, without mosquito net. It was a very interesting experience, but I’ve slept better on trans oceanic flights than I did then. There were about 17 of us in there, felt a bit like something out of Bridge over the river Qui, as we weren’t really fed dinner, or lunch. But we did get breakfast, sort of. The place was called Heifer Ranch, but the 3rd world simulation area has been closed now.

Ceiling fan? You mean that you are sleeping indoors? I thought the done thing to do is, after taking a few medicinal drops of your finest sipping likker, to sleep in a hammock on the mosquito netted porch while your hound dawg snoozes next to you and the cicadas provide a soothing background.... Or perhaps I’m thinking about another part of the country.... On a more serious note, as you are a whizz at all things mechanical, what about stripping down the ceiling fan and rebuilding it (if there is no smell of burning then your electrics are probably going to be okay) Cheers!

Very early morning all, As my ceiling fan decided to behave itself for a few days, I used it last night. Then at about 5 am, it began making loud popping and grinding noises, so I haven’t really slept since. So no more sleeping in peace until the fan is either fixed or a new one found. Materials were collected from hobby shop, and put to good use, but that’s enough of that. Now I’m thinking about what to eat for breakfast, beans or bacon, the age old question. stay healthy, from a very tired Douglas

As my...er...hum...name was mentioned... I have a feeling, certainly, since I came on here, that sneaking in talk of m*d*l tr**ns [Help! I can't reduce the font size!], and the like, into one's post is but a game in which many try to hide [Help! I can't strikethrough to correct!] discuss their plot with change of font size (currently missing in the Editor); strike through (currently missing); and other devices, such as advance notice: "Warning...," "Beware....;" etc., much to the enjoyment of other like minded contributors. It would be a shame to lose this aspect of ERs, discreet or otherwise, as well as that pointed out above. Do we want to extinguish tradition? Do we really want to get rid of the thrill of shed-bashing, on here? Having what may in essence be The Depot Supervisor/Overseer/Other appropriate name/term around also seemed to enhance the game, whether any mention of MR went "unnoticed," or was "caught out" or just ignored. So, I am wondering if the man who loves weathering is seeking promotion to such high office. Of course, there will have to be a regular Update on the Rules & Regs, fines, confinement., etc, etc, spelt out... Oh, dear! I think I may be touching on another issue, here...cough, cough... I had better self-isolate before I catch it!

But why just have one, when you can have T W O.

Shame on you You are forever banished to spend your days in Hamleys, with the express duty of taking care to ensure that all Bears and associated furry friends (esp. Donks, Hippos and Paddingtons) are sitting comfortably on padded shelves, not on the floor, or squashed, or piled in those dreaded wire baskets; rotating all from rear to front of shelves shall be carried out at hourly intervals to ensure a fair chance of re-homing. And sneaking off to play trains is definitly not allowed. And why, may I ask, is Big Bud looking so glum.....

I lived for awhile in that "other part of the country" and would absolutely NEVER have thought to "to sleep in a hammock on the mosquito netted porch while my hound dawg cat snoozes next to me and the cicadas provide a soothing background". Even if i had had the inclination, I-95 traffic sounds would have eliminated any soothingness. Note: the sound level increased a measurable amount when the "sound barriers" were installed.

Yep. Here he is with his good friend Big Bud the Bear.

I certainly wouldn't want to mention my muddling/trainset building attempts anywhere else on the forum but here. It's not that I'm bothered about being ridiculed by experts as I have a very thick skin and can take anything thrown at me and give some plenty back if I deem it necessary. I just don't think my efforts worthy of posting in the more serious parts of the forum and I just like the good humour and camaraderie on ERs.

Greetings again! I did look on Facebook for a message from Andy Y but it seems that Tony S is better at making it work than I am. Of late it seems to have become more and more difficult to find what you are looking for among the ads and other piffle. Doubtless there are those who look upon it as an improvement. Now then, where were we? Ah yes. The centrepiece of yesterday was always going to be the visit of the gas engineer to service my boiler. He tells me that instead of relying on the British Gas webshite to arrange appointments there is an app which I could use. Cue fear of the unknown! He also said in passing that he uses a mobile phone for many things where I would use the laptop. Watching a video? Oh yes, he said. If you hold the phone at the right distance from your nose you get the same effect as viewing it on a 40 inch screen across the room. I don't think I can cope with typing on a phone because my fingers are rather larger than what would be the keys if it were a proper keyboard. I make enough typos on here using the laptop! Unlike some people, I make little use of my mobile and I have seen for myself how such instruments can dominate ones life. The woman that I saw on a train at St Albans with a phone on each ear and braying into each one alternately made quite an impression on me all those yesrs ago and it was not a good one. This morning I went to the bank to print some statements with which to reconcile the bank account. This time there is a discrepancy of £2 which I could spend all day looking for if life were long enough. Arithmetical error is the prime suspect. I will get another statement in a couple of weeks and try to forget all about it in the meantime. There are better things to worry about, if, that is, it is ever a good idea to worry. Best wishes to all Chris

A number of years ago I was taking an early morning flight from Luton. As i walked through the metal detector, it sounded. A very angry looking member of the security staff came over waving a hand held detector and motioned me to one side. "it'll be my glasses case". I said, producing said (chrome) case from my pocket. She snatched it from me, opened it, then leaned forward and asked suspiciously "Where are your glasses, then?". I leaned forward to match her and said quietly, "I'm wearing them". She couldn't get me through the Security zone fast enough. They are everywhere.

Morning all. Andy Y posted on Facebook that the website might be down all day so I think in time for second breakfast deserves congratulations. I am off overseas, over estuarial waters to be more accurate, later this morning to our nearest “seaside” resort (Canvey Island) for a blood test. I checked that the car would start yesterday and ran the engine for 15 minutes as recommended by the AA (Automobile Association, for our American friends information). I had a pleasant chat at about 4 metres distance with the brother of a near neighbour. He had popped round to check his brother was ok but found he was on a business conference call so spoke to me instead. He is ex army, ex met police driver and now drives the school bus. I suspect there aren’t any naughty students on his bus. The arrangements for bussing in September sound interesting. Tony

Greetings one and all! Perhaps this thread should be called Elevenses ... Chris

That's because Bar's are CLOSED until tomorrow Polly.

Well, a fairly successful day. Put away the bulk load of wipes I bought (36 packs!). Found out the control boards for the signals are coming next week - hooray! Still no answer on some other lighting I've had on order / shown interest in for nearly 2 months now. Still haven't found the correct size tubs for loft storage... BUT figured I can get free delivery to the store as I'll be ordering over £30 worth. I wonder if I can use my discount from work to get a gift card and use it online. Talking of work, in for 3 days next week (out of 4 per week) so at least I'm able to do something instead of sitting at home getting a bigger waistline at home

Not last night in these parts except in a really good bug-bag. It was down to 46F which is....oh, work it out for yourself We are a good way from the nearest highway so road noise isn't problem. Unfortunately we are beside a lake and at this time of year there is a constant racket from the boats and jet skis and of course there is usually a ski tug blasting out a few hundred watts of some gawd awful "music".

Deleted

Laurence, I apologise for doubting you. Serious memory lapse on my part. I also lied as it appears I did put a (fluffy) dog in the oven. I am mortified and hang my head in shame and offer my immediate resignation from SODOFF! He is still "alive" and well and currently sitting on the window sill in the conservatory.

Oh, that’s good, last time Pinkie had to send him her bank details.

I have been informed that wheelbarrow 2/2 will be delivered between 14:38 and 15:38. Fingers crossed that it will be fault free. The 2/2 indicates that it is the second wheelbarrow from the second vendor. The men in white coats will be calling if it gets to 10/10 if not before.

The way it works is if you press any of the buttons again it switches off. It just toggles every time it gets a pulse of power. The quote I know is "All fur coat and no knickers" which is how Harrogate was described to me by a colleague who had worked there. Send me a PM Neil. Amyway good afternoon all. I have been out on my little tractor with trailer attached to collect a load of horse merde (sh1t in English). The other news is that my Volvo failed it's MOT this morning. The tyre fitter had still left me with 2 different makes on the front. I also need to polish/clean the headlamp lenses. Nothing too expensive as I have a tyre of the correct make in the shed. I also got the new relay fitted but the lights didn't come on. I hope to investigate further this afternoon. Regards to all. Jamie

Morning all from the wild (again!) west. We have had three days respite from the last gale, so the wind and rain were long overdue! I will not be venturing far today. Just finished making some strawberry jam with the produce picked yesterday. That could be the end of this year’s strawberry crop as the next three days of wind and rain won’t leave much that is fit to use. This afternoon should see more layout wiring getting done, if I can find my stock of diodes, as it is a three way point to be done, and I have a cunning plan on how best to control the point.

Rumney Models Trading Update Since mid-March we have as a family been ‘shielding’ from Coronavirus as one of us is on the NHS vulnerable list. This has meant that I have been unable to go to a post office and therefore trade normally. It was announced recently that shielding will end on the 1st August for England and 16th August for Wales. This means that in the eyes of the government we can return to a socially distanced ‘normal’. Personally, I think our current government is mostly blind when it comes to Coronavirus and hasn’t got a clue where it’s going but we have to take note of the official advice. Given our proximity to the Welsh border we will keep a close eye on what is happening in Monmouthshire and make firm decisions as a family nearer the time but, as things stand, I am planning to reopen to mail orders at the beginning of September. We have a much needed family holiday booked towards the end of August (usually taken in Cornwall but will probably be taken at home) and I have a stack of jobs to do around the house before Autumn which makes reopening earlier a little tricky; no Furlough layouts being built here it’s been wall to wall work and childcare. When I do reopen I want to be able to give a proper service rather than a piecemeal one. This could of course change if there is a significant deterioration in current situation with Coronavirus and a change in the advice given by the Welsh and English NHS. I’m sorry that I bring news of an immediate reopening but obviously the health of my family takes precedence over anything else. Justin

Have a word with 'Harlequin' (his RMweb screen name) - if you speak to him nicely he might do one for you. He produces exquisite GWR & BR WR style box diagrams, real dog's danglies stuff.

Cheers. Made it home OK. This new "normal" is weird... Thanks too to all on here who have kept me going. Mark

Yes I do, thanks. I have tried previously with Word but wasn't impressed with what I achieved, I'll look at Powerpoint. I usually try to push that to the back of my mind since I left corporate-land 6 years ago! Death by Powerpoint was popular.

I would doubt that you will be rushing to get into the pubs yet on 4th July; stay home, watch the virtual exhibition and stay safe. Spare a thought for Geoff Taylor though, the George Hotel on Penmaenpool won't be open on Saturday as it's in Wales, not that he could get there anyway as it's a lot more than five miles from home. For now he'll have to wait patiently, in model form, on the balcony for the next train to come through the idyllic waterside setting on his Penmaenpool layout, as featured in our virtual show. The tracks are long-gone outside the pub which probably has one of the best views in Britain but we will be showing you what the scene is like now within the feature.

The replacement barrow (2/2) seems to be in order, everything fits where it ought to. Now I just have to bolt it together, thats for later as its wet and windy outside now. My old wheelbarrow had rusted solid, it didn't owe anything being almost 50 years old. The first vendor I ordered the replacement from I opted for a plastic tray but looking at the tray I decided it was too flimsy. It went back as it was someone else's reject. I went to the second company and ordered an all metal one, the first one they sent had a hole drilled in the wrong place so was useless without some considerable work. To give the company their due they replaced straight away without quibble.

FREE THE SUTTON DOG!!!! No worries Bob. Has he forgiven you?

Afternoon All I tried to get here this morning, but here was not here. Not all posts have been read and rated, as I was again without broaband temporarily for a while as the engineer arrived to finalise the repair yesterday, as he did a temporary fix the other day, but overlooked telling me that - broadband appears a bit faster now. So it's generic greetings to all ERs - I for one am happy with ERs as it is with the banter and all the rest, and the occasional reference to modelling as and when. Back tomorrow, hopefully Regards to All Stewart

Yes, it was off for 11 hours necessitating a full reboot and drive scans. Not a night I wish to repeat.

Afternoon all. Back from the blood test clinic. Different arrangements from last time. They did have “maximum of three people in waiting room, only enter 5 minutes before appointment” previously. This appeared to be too complicated. It is now “wait outside until called”. Hopefully the heart clinic will be pleased on Tuesday. I quite like the bits of train modelling input on ERs as it is often described as how it fitted into someone’s day. My railway modelling is so sporadic it wouldn’t really be worth mentioning anywhere else! Tony

"Post breakfast" ERs Or " just in time for a mugadecaf" Neither trip off the tongue.. Baz

Has it got an attachment for a wheelbarrow? I might have a couple going spare.

I'm not sure that's the best vehicle for that sort of thing. It lacks much in the way of forward defenses. Smoting probably requires something more like Tiny Tym.