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Hi all, Today, we’re pleased to share the CADs for our Genesis project with you. As with other projects from Hattons, we’re providing you with the opportunity to view the full 3D CAD images, so that you can really get up close and personal with these exciting new models. As well as images, we've uploaded the complete CAD files for each type of vehicle into an online viewer. This will let you rotate the CADs and see them from any angle you wish, and no software downloads are needed! The entirety of Batch 1 is due to start arriving in stock during Q1 2021, with further models set to launch following this. Pre-order yours now! We’d love to hear your thoughts either via RMWeb or in the comments on our site. Check out the full 3D CAD images, HERE. Cheers, Dave

The story of a tree When the extension part of the layout was started in 2013 a tall, slightly odd shaped seamoss tree was planted by the backscene but a bit to far out so it cast a shadow. For many years I lived with this and would, when I remembered, photo edit out the shadow. But as the years rolled on I got more and more fed up doing this so a few days ago a tree surgeon was called in with his trusted nail scissors and work commenced. The original with the shadow (to the right of the bay platform signal) I know it doesn't look much but was annoying nevertheless. So I would phot edit it to this but I could always see it. Then after a visit from the tree surgeon a better shaped and nearly shadow free tree appeared. Much better and it begs the question.... Why hadn't I done this before?

Morning. Ooh look at me, on at this time.... iD, no pasta I'm afraid, Type 2 DM low carb diet has put paid to that. It keeps my HbA1c at good levels with no medication so it's worth persevering with, but no rice, pasta, bread, etc etc. All T2's out there should read Dr Jason Fung's 'The Diabetes Code', it is a revelation. T2 only though. Thank you all for the support, as I said to Simon last night, that is ER's best side. I have been made redundant before, at 24, which hit me like a freight train. I couldn't see a way out of the situation for along time, but it steadily improved. This time well I knew it was coming which helps, and the group that were the staff will always meet and be friends, there is also an informal railway club that meets consisting of ....us!

Someone found another picture of Enterprise, and here it is. and so we came to the very last move of another sequence. This one took 78 days to complete, 19 days longer than when under complete lockdown, but still very much shorter than previous efforts. The last train is the 7.25 from KX, which comprises a five set plus two SKs and a PMV. Another very smart A3, this time KX's Sandwich, seen running in to Platform 6.

Today is my 71st birthday, so I thought we would go back in time to when I was a young man for this afternoon's photos of the ECML in the 1970s at Swayfield. Swayfield was one of my favourite locations at the time. Since I moved to Northumberland some 40 years ago I have't been back very often, I'm not sure what it is like now, though I have seen it with the OHLE in place. It's worth studying the photos to see the changes that occured during the 1970s. Swayfield Class 55 9006 up Oct 71 J2781.jpg 08.00 Edinburgh to Kings X Swayfield Class 47 up ex pass Sept 72 C1142.jpg 11.32 Bradford to Kings X (Saturday) Swayfield Class 55 9021 down Feb 73 J3142.jpg 11.00 Kings X to Newcastle Swayfield Class 55 up 1st April 78 C3765.jpg 55004 1A11 08.25 Newcastle to Kings Cross Swayfield Class 47 up 1st April 78 C3766.jpg probably 47419 David

Do you remember that porter a while back? The one who had both hands full, and was wondering how to open the parcels office door? Well, he's still wondering. Although in fairness to him, there doesn't actually seem to be a handle. I think he may have gone to the wrong door.

Today we are offering extended stays in the Galapagos Islands and Carribean Covid Cruises.

What a morning Had a letter from Dvla got to go on a yearly medical review driving licence Got to send current one in also lost my C1 category ( up to 7.5 tonne ) i used that at work . I can have an enhanced medical but doubt would get it back yet. Also had a phone call from drs they think i am diabetic due to a blood test last week. But 3 week ago i had blood sugar test it was ok Itwould look like i am really dropping apart

100% in agreement and that is precisely how the train below was put together - nine Bachmann MkIs of the correct type, leaving me to concentrate on doing two Comet brass side overlay jobs to create the necessary full kitchen and third restaurant car (sixth and seven vehicles respectively). It's actually two coaches short of its prototypical formation but that's a sop partly to fiddle yard capacity and allowing the train to 'breath' within the landscape. My priority will always be on building the layout - the trains provide the service that is being depicted, hopefully reasonably accurately.

Thought I’d show a progress shot of the J10 rebuild..... well here she is awaiting weathering and some other detailing, with a Parkside GW Banana Van-I had finished the transfers on that as well.

For those who don't know, Andy Y had foot-long dreadlocks when he launched RMweb a dozen and more years ago. You can only pull your hair out for so long.

Morning each. A dull and cool day in North Hipposhire but since my tasks for the day are all indoors that doesn't really matter. Tomorrow we are venturing to somewhere near Banbury for a socially distanced picnic with No. 2 son, DiL and granddaughter - the first time we will have seen them apart from FaceTime since Christmas - and since the latter just loves her granddad's chocolate cake that is first on today's agenda. Then comes some mango, lime and coconut marinaded chicken, also for tomorrow, and a cauliflower cheese for tonight's dinner. As we are taking my 97 year old Dad tomorrow and since he broke his hip eighteen months ago he isn't able to walk very far I have arranged to hire a wheelchair for the day from our local chemist shop. It only costs £5 for a day's hire (plus a £50 returnable deposit) so it is remarkably good value. Commiserations for Neil over the demise of Track Shack, which gave about the best service I've ever had, but as others have said, early retirement has distinct advantages providing you can get by financially and in my experience it is surprising how much you save by not actually going to work. And a certain setup of parallel metal strips on wooden boards may well benefit from increased time available but watch out for demands from the Donk gang. Have a successful Tuesday people and keep safe. Dave

Greetings one and all! Not that this is saying much but I am feeling less worse this morning, which is just as well as I need to run a couple of errands. Then I will put my feet up. Thoughts this morning with NHN on the demise of TrackShack. Having a job and then suddenly not having one must be a bit of a crossroads, especially if you like the job. It is now more than 14 years since I was paid to go away from the Civil Service and I do not regret one day of it. Mine was an OK job but would have been much better if I had had a line manager who let me get on with it. What a difference it would have made if I had had even the faintest sensation of being valued. Bitter? Moi? Best wishes to all Chris

One for John (CB) - Longships Lighthouse from the (not quite) opposite direction back in 2015

Sorry to hear about it Neil and obviously even worse it involves close friends - that part of things has probably been far harder for you and Debs than the loss of Track Shack and the workplace friendships that went with it. However leaving a job, especially one with close working relationships, will also come as something of a change and might be a thing that you miss more than anything else when it had been a big part of your time. So adjusting to 'retirement'. is something which needs a bit of careful thought and deciding whether or not you really do want to retire or keep on doing 'something'. I 'retired', on redundancy following a bout of ill health, at the grand old age of 52 but immediately found the 'something' in the shape of some occasional consultancy work which allowed me to work restricted hours (and which clocked up my small third pension as well as keeping my brain working). You might not know it but you have obviously have skill you can use if you fancy doing something to keep your hand in and that might help you adjust to the new way of life - there could well be a market for someone who knows all about doing useful things with live steam models but only if you want to take it up. However I have observed over many years that the key to enjoying retirement is keeping the brain active and finding something to be involved with outside household and garden tasks. Whichever - I hope you will enjoy what you turn your hand to next and sorry to hear of Track Shack closing in such sad circumstances

Greetings all from the boring borough. Just a fast flying visit after a month and a bit away from most things online. I see we've had a teddy exit the pram at high velocity a while back, several missing people, bits of sheds, medical stuff, and other stories of life. Nice to see little changes. Shame about Track Shack. Hopefully Neil can find something to occupy his time and put a few coppers in his pockets. All this talk of pension, retirement, etc has me thinking. SWMBO is now on furlough until end of Oct. I highly doubt she'll ever go back. She has taken some courses but with the rampant ageism in this country it will be hard for her to find anything. My work has just dried up as of yesterday. The last big project went live over the weekend. Now I'm in thumb twiddling mode until the sales weasels manage to find another victim for us to bill. In theory I'm safe as there are loads of minions below me that would be thrown on the redundancy fire before me, but who knows. Stranger things have happened here. I'm now 11 months short of being able to draw a Canadian pension. I'd actually forgotten about it but..... throwing that amount into the pot down the road may mean chopping a few years off my original retirement at 70. Unless we sell the house and rent for life, I can't see me retiring for at least 8 more years. Oh yea, I turned 59 last month. Big whoopy do. We were supposed to be in Paris but...... Our local 'spoons had another fire over the weekend. Not me guv. Sadly it was only minor this time. The previous fire gutted the whole building and it took 18 months to rebuild. As far as I'm concerned Toxic Timmy can do one. I'd rather drink Special Brew under a bridge than set foot in a spoons again. I was in Carlisle at the time and have the monster sized bill from Brewdog to prove it. Missed the turnoff for Barnard Castle on the A66. Probably need an eye test. A good time with offspring for the first time in 6 months was had over the weekend. His lady was made redundant a couple of weeks ago. Just short of 18 months, so even allowing for leave, notice, etc she falls short of any pay. Barstewards. Also timed to save them having to pay into her pension and NI. I'll not be around as often as I've enjoyed unplugging far more this past month so will be limiting my online time. I'll just say, enjoy what is left of the day.

The models are manufactured by the original factories, Kernow/EFE owning the rights to produce and distribute to the trade. It's separate from Bachmann/Farish but utilises their marketing and distribution capabilities. The Heljan Hymek is an additional product in the mix, still manufactured by Heljan's factory but opening up the distribution to retailers who may not be Heljan stockists.

I hope you informed plod. When I was in Germany, we were living in a hiring off base when somebody took a potshot at our kitchen window, My wife who was 6 months pregnant at the time was at the sink when the window cracked, but didn't shatter. No bravery from me, and I made sure we took cover and immediately informed the RMP who in turn informed the Polizei. Since the IRA were active at the time, the incident was treated extremely seriously and within about 5 minutes, the place was crawling with police and other agencies, and the area was locked down, and people were being stopped and searched. The perpetrator was caught! A kid with an air rifle, although the rifle was subsequently found to be seriously over the legal power limit. I'm not sure what his punishment was, but it was a lot more than a slapped wrist.

As a change of subject. Just got back from A&E. I have a Deep Vein Thrombosis.

' afternoon all from red dragon land. Looks like it is drying up. Still cloudy - and dark - and a bit on the windy side. I might as well carry on here. It was sunny and quite warm, yesterday, so the G word took precedence over the M word thus I made a bit more of a dent in the forest overgrown shrubs rather than sliding numbers onto a small bit of plastic. The more I cut back, the more I can see that I will probably have to cut them down to the ground. I did this quite a few years ago and they grew back amazingly quick. I had the intention back then to dig them up but they were so well rooted I did not bother! In another area... The Rock Rose is doing well and flowers almost every day. On the other hand, others are being eaten alive... This is the only bud remaining on the Hibiscus. I hope it gets to bloom. Then, there are the culprits on the broccoli - caught in action. While doing my bike ride on the terrace, I have been watching the cabbage white butterflies settling down on the broccoli all this week. Yesterday, I took a look at the underside of the leaves... ...munching away (not so) nicely, so they were. Not much will be left of that one... Since the broccoli self seeded from next-door, I shall not worry about it! If it makes it through until flowering next spring I shall be most impressed! Fitt and Elfie taking it all in their stride. Take care and play safe. _________ Best wishes Polly

Good evening everyone Well just after I posted this morning, the heavens opened up and we had another heavy down pour, it stayed grey and dull for most of the day, until the sun came out mid afternoon. It's been a day when not a lot has actually been done, but we've not exactly been idle either. This morning's Sainsbury's grand Prix was a little bit more expensive than usual, but then they did have an offer on wine, which I took full advantage of and restocked the cellar accordingly. Sheila also spotted a few (miniature) bottles of sprits that had been reduced, so these also found they way into the shopping trolley. Apparently, they will be given as Christmas presents so various members of the family! Sheila also got birthday cards and anniversary cards for all those family members who have birthdays and/or anniversaries that fall between now and the end of the year. This was Sheila's first shopping trip since lockdown started and although her wasn't really looking forward to it, it wasn't as bad as she'd thought it would be, although she has no plans as yet as to when the next one will be, I think that she'll be less worried about it now, one more battle won then! After dinner, as I'd no real plans and it was rather late to start any DIY tasks, I continued writing the article that I intend to submit to the MERG journal. It is now complete as far as it goes, but I'll now leave it for a few days before I re-read it to see if any further amendments are required. Neil, I'm sorry to read that you and your colleagues have lost your jobs and that 'The Track Shack' is closed, a sad lose to all involved. Goodnight all

One more shot of 60039, journey over, as is move 364 of the sequence.

Perchance it waketh Meanwhile, peacefully slumbering away in a quiet corner of the model railway room, hitherto ... This is the site - and indeed most of an existing bit of railway - for the 'rest of the world'. I can usefully spend some time in this corner, bringing this back to life, without compromising the ability to set up Grantham or Shap (in exhibition configuration) at the present time. Those that have followed the story from earlier might recall this was the terminus station from my earlier loft layout, and is a condensed version of Manchester Central station. A quick reminder of it in its former life. For any who haven't seen it or the previous layout, some details here: ANYHOW This should give an idea of its context within the Carlisle scheme. The white line shows how it will be linked to the bit of the layout built so far - you can just see the end of the canopy at the extreme right hand edge of this picture - the total length to be linked will be about 20 feet I think (haven't measured it) and this WILL infringe upon the Grantham footprint. However, the idea (for now) is to build these linking boards so as they can be unmantled - this will include retaining of the facility to back a transit van part way into the building through the big sliding door (behind the red curtain) for exhibition loading / unloading purposes. And now - the result of today's 'unpacking'. You can see the full extent of the station complex - in fact, I'm seeing it for the first time like this as much of the station throat was actually hidden beneath an upper level board! A particularly large arachnid was disturbed in this process, as evidenced by the mass of cobwebs in the other boards that had been slumbering nearer to the floor. A bit of explanation, if you refer to the letters bottom left. B and C and the main running lines into and out of the station and you can trace their route into the station train shed. A is the shunting spur for the goods yard, to the left hand side of the station. There is a further goods yard board that goes in behind that I haven't set up for this shot. D is the carriage headshunt, with the possibility of having carriage sidings heading off behind where I'm standing. As you can see, the station throat is a riot of single / double slips and 3-way points because ... well ...that was what steam era station throats often looked liked! Very different from the simple ladder of points you often see on today's railway. From this angle, its condition doesn't look too bad, notwithstanding the difference in foam ballast colouring. However ... Moving a bit closer, you can see a bit more of the restoration job I've got on my hands! The foam ballast is disintegrating badly and, whilst its replacement on a piece of plain line is simple enough, this is a different prospect, even ignoring the fact that you can't get the point inlays any more. So it all needs to come up and be replaced with cork. No need for ballasting though - this is a 'rest of the world' fiddle yard in essence, although should be great fun to work it as a proper station. Talking of which, I've numbered up the platform roads to give a brief explanation of how it is all meant to work. With all points 'normal' (levers back in the frame), running lines B and C run naturally into platforms 2 and 3 and, with the scissors immediately outside, there is flexibility to arrive or depart from each. Thereafter, it gets more interesting! Arrivals are only possible into plats 1, 2 & 3 (plat 1 can be accessed by a brief length of relief line - refer to previous photo) so a shunt across is required to position stock into platform 4 which is the main departure platform for an express train; plat 5 is a corresponding bay platform for a local train. The shunt across is easier from platform 3 so that tended to be the main arrival platform for expresses. Departure is possible from all platforms so 1 and 2 tended to be used for shorter, local trains. The missing bits of track to plats 4 and 5 are shown in white lines - they ended up having to be removed to transport the thing from its previous home. This is the simple little loco yard alongside the station (as per the real Manchester Central. The lever frame is for the station throat point work and it's all still connected, either directly or via jumper cables so should be capable of being resuscitated. Of course, whilst only a handful of locos can be stabled here, in practice we need a far greater capacity as the whole point of the 'rest of the world' is that a loco arriving here is replaced by another heading back out and we might not see the arriving loco for the rest of that day. So the idea is that there will be ample storage space set out below so that locos can be stored in appropriate 'sheds' according to where they've arrived at (chiefly: Crewe (WCML South), Polmadie (WCML North), Holbeck (S&C), Newcastle (not sure which shed!), Glasgow GSWR (Corkerhill) and Workington (M&CR)). The handy spur leading off the turntable could well lead to a cassette / loco lift facility. Anyway ... as you might (possibly?) have wondered by now, there's a bit of a problem. It's all a bit too short! From buffer stops to the points at the end of the platform is a 'mere' 7' 3", just long enough to get a 4-6-0 plus seven bogies in (the longest train that ran on the old layout). But that would never do for Carlisle! The planning is all based on train lengths up to 12 coaches (and equivalent for wagons) so all of this is just temporarily positioned for now so as I can work through a few options. Plan A is to position the station three feet away from the adjacent end wall. That gives up three extra coaches, so we're up to 10 bogies - so what about the other two? Well, that three foot space allows us to mischievously install a 90 degree curve, suitably disguised - a favourite 'dodge' in station designs. This will probably be limited to plats 2, 3 & 4. But there's a problem ... How to get through the end wall! Aha - thought of that ... Ta-daa! The end screen is simply held in place by magnets. I actually did this for photography purposes but comes in jolly handy here (OK - I'll need to remove those little cross platforms at the end but fairly trivial compared to hacking in to the main train shed structure. I reminded myself of a bit of enjoyable detail modelling wot I did some years ago. Just in half-relief but I was quite pleased with it. I think the name 'Central Station' works quite well actually for a 'rest of the world' location so I think that'll stay. I need to go and measure and muse (and sleep on it) before committing to firm positioning of this in its permanent location. I might be some time ...

Not sure what you are asking but if your rodent is of the conspiracy theory sub species, don’t bother asking. The patients of my GP sister in law who have not recovered still from the after effects of a dose of Covid don’t sound as if they are enjoying life as they were before. The excess deaths over a “normal year” which seem to be a reasonable guide to what has happened are not smelly rodent statistics. Some of us are still here as we are following the medical advice to avoid other people. And surprisingly those who died can’t exactly post on social media.

Jeez, the brand's only just started today and there's a ******* wishlist! No, just no.

Ey up! I have an appointment with 22 over 60 cricketers today...a Roses match in Harrogate..the home of Bettys and Yorkshire Tea. Restrictions mean we can only take our own flask of hot water and tea bags..and I am not rich enough to visit Bettys for a Yorkshire Rascal... I seem to be able to find plenty to do during my semi retirement. I did do some paid work and have been offered more but..hey ho..I couldn't really be bothered... Time to finish my mugatea, stir Tuesday into action and getonwithit. Great to hear from Debs.. Positive thoughts to all ERs.. Baz

Mooring awl, inner Temple Hare, A good amount of sleep was had, if broken several times. My sympathies are with all the Track Shack staff, I've been made redundant / end of contract three times, and chosen to leave twice, One of those with no job waiting. Age is definitely the major factor is getting another job, each time it came up, it was harder . I've now reached the point of no return, at all but 63, and sufficient money coming in for the must pays, it was a choice to come back to work after furlough. SWMBO was on insurance payments for 25 years after becoming unable to work, She's now on a very small RAF Pension, until her basic state pension comes in in 4 years. I'm still working, but my RAF pension has started too, and that's being banked to form the retirement nest egg. I'm finding it hard to get the enthusiasm to go to work for the next 2 and a little bit years. As for SWMBOs list, today is to take her to hospital for routine checks, unfortunately the appointment in in the middle of the day, so no major work can be carried out. I'm intending to do a little filling on the hull, and to put the seat in to measure up for the steering gear positions and for the main sheet traveller. That done, 4 holes will be required in the cockpit combing to mount the rails ( round Stainless, not cupronickel bullhead) . SWMBO is going to make some seat cushions for me, the foam needs cutting to size, then she can make them at her leisure. All the above can be split into little tasks pre and post the trip to the metropolis. That reminds me, I need to programme in the post code of the hospital, as its in an area of Norwich I don't know well. Ben was the surprised Collie, as I took him on patrol early between typing this, it's quite chilly out there, some of the nettles are showing a white sheen with the appearance of frost, but I'm not touching it to fit find out. Clear blue skies and windless means you can smell the Hunnysuckle twenty feet from the plants. Breakfast and a Muggacoffee shortly, Time to enter the post code in the navigator.

And the basically finished field and embankment. Lots of detail yet to add such as grates and drain covers in the road, couple of street lights in the adjoining road, bit more fence and lots of mud and puddles.Going back to the new frames on the left and the view from here shows just how far away the trains will be spotted appearing under the bridge. As I mentioned the two lower tracks join the two higher tracks at the same level around 10m further on.. The backscene will curve past this bridge and join with the bridge on the right at the end. What to fill in the middle? I might even extend the river

Afternoon folks once again thanks for the interest. Had a few days up at Dent again watching the Staycation Express rumbling past every couple hours. Great to see the large logo 47 ‘Galloway Princess’ & the green 37 at each end.. Anyway this week Tim Horn kindly delivered another batch of (very complicated) frames to form the first part of the Huddersfield line on two levels. As many will know the dive under line & the two tracks above it eventually meet at Heaton Lodge South junction half a mile further on. Believe it or not I’m actually short of space so I plan to bring the road bridge at Heaton Lodge South junction forward a touch - this also being the third and final scenic break. That, as I envisaged, also means I will still have a hefty triangular gap where the top level Huddersfield line diverges. Its dawning on me just what a superb view this is going to provide since this superelevated curve is on a 40’ radius for 5 metres or so. However I’ve still got a lot of complicated removable scenery to make in ‘the gap’ as well as working out how to fill the rest. I’ll probably end up constructing a trolley made from aluminium square tube with castors on and build scenery on top of it. If this scenery is triangular in shape the trolley will wheel in to plug this gap. Today I’ve finished another load of static grass to cover the embankment and surrounding ground. I’ve used a heck of a load of postiche (dolls hair) here to give the impression of thick brambles which ironically totally cover the painstakingly made stone work and fences of the nearby road under bridge. view looking east of the new stretch of line..View looking west

Issue 279 is now out and I have received copies, Jerry Clifford in the editorial chair for a super slightly 2mm scale orientated issue. That said it was great to see Chris Matthews highly atmospheric "Bottom Works Siding" getting a good airing in this issue - one of the best-ist Cameo entries in that Cameo thing from pre-Coronavirus days. The publication date of the next issue is given as "unknown at present" -, I can't help but feel this is a tad pessimistic and don't think we should read too much into it(!) Anyway, great to have it back!

There's a story that the driver and passengers on the St Ives Branch train once got a view, by the dunes at Porth Kidney on the opposite side to the golf course, of a cast and crew making a pron film.

Picked this up prior to being told that I did not have permission etc. Neil and Fraggle Rock - Sorry to hear about the owners wife and sorry to see that (from ER) a very good and popular model railway shop has had to close. Hope your 'proper' retirement now goes well and that you are not 'defeated'. May find other 'new' things as I will now try to read from where the cut off came.

Almost forgot, the shelves for the new shed have dried out without warping so I hope to install them sometime today. Then to make a start on the old shed (dismantling) but before I do there is the brambles at the side and behind the shed to be dealt with.

Just caught up with the last few pages, and learned about Trackshack. My sympathies to NHN, and the others affected. Normal service has been resumed on the weather front here today, with wind and rain. At least the water butt I recently fitted to a downpipe is filling quickly though. The day will be spent sorting out paperwork, and I might get an hour or so on the layout.

Legal ownership for the respective models was with the factories in China rather than DJM but please don't start debate on that fact and its repercussions in this topic - it's for elsewhere.

Unlikely, they tried to sneakily downgrade all Calibration technicians a 3 or 4 years ago. They have an opinion anyone of a low grade can be replaced easily...

You know it's an essential job (are you the only one that knows how to do it?) but do the grown-ups know? Alternatively, can you bang out now? They might just throw wads at you for the last two years to keep you; alternatively there could be an opportunity as a Contractor, with rates accordingly ;)

Only the washing and cooking? Only the washing and cooking? Flamin’ Ada, you got off lightly. Hasn’t Mrs NHN yet realised there is a whole wonderful world of “shelves to put up“, “small electrical repairs“, “A little light gardening“ or “some minor paintwork to freshen up” to introduce you to? TOP TIP: Washing - you only need to do three loads: whites, coloureds and woolens. Apart from woolens (30*C) a 60*C wash cycle will take care of most of your washing needs. Cooking - If you don’t want to go down the whole “Masterchef“ route (a pleasurable hobby in its own right) then pasta is your friend. Once you have one or two simple, yet enjoyable, sauces under your belt then it is childsplay to keep SWMBO adequately fed (p.s. I have created a simple recipe for Angel hair pasta [albesi] with a lemon cream sauce which everyone really enjoys. If you want the recipe, send me a PM and I’ll scribble out the recipe for you) Good God, man. They look like a most disreputable bunch. Quite frankly, I’ve always had my doubts about Donk and now I see the company he is keeping my suspicions have been confirmed. The big bruiser on the right in the blue sweatshirt looks like one of those nutters who would “kill with a big smile“. And as for the one on the left – I can well imagine him gloating as 007 is strapped onto the conveyor belt that will take Bond to his doom.... I know that I self identify as a MOG (misanthropic old git), but there is a lot to be said for the pleasure of one’s own company. In many ways, I feel sorry for those who absolutely have to be with other people and/or who are most uncomfortable with quiet and silence. There is certainly something about the monastic life which is appealing, Unfortunately a monk must take a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience. And at my age the poverty thing is really not my bag I need my little luxuries (having said that, pre-reformation monks lived very well indeed) Certainly luck (or, perhaps more accurately, your genes) has a role, but never underestimate the effect of a good psychological attitude (which you have - by the lorry load). It can make difference between a minor ailment made crippling or a major ailment made “manageable“ When I was made redundant the second time, Mrs iD was very insistent about me becoming “self-employed“, something I had never been in favour of. Anyway, to make a long story short, a few years on and my little consultancy is doing adequately well with jobs coming in for myself and Mrs iD (who is a partner in my company). Our networks slowly but surely turned up job opportunities. I am now fairly happy with things. The company may not be earning enough to afford a corporate jet, but a company bicycle is a distinct possibility A much used business cliché is “thinking outside the box“ and in my case, my first engagement was for work that had nothing to do with my science background and experience, but tapped into my creative background (theatre and radio). Certainly, having a reliable income stream from one’s partner does help one bridge the gaps between jobs when things are starting up. Doing occasional consultancy work, as Mike pointed out, has many benefits (most of which, I would argue, non-financial)

Some night shots of a busy Edinburgh Waverley...

There are times when I can see the appeal of BR unlined black. About half way through decorating the No. 252 was one such occasion. However bit by bit it all came together. The final result is a bit bright, but the brass does tend to develop a patina of its own over time. As ever close photos show errors the eye misses and it needs some builders plates as well. A few pics ; Originally built as goods engines in 1878 the class were rebuilt as mixed traffic in the early 1900s, westinghouse fitted and repainted in lined blue. Last members of the second lot were withdrawn in 1932. A bit of video of 252 in a variety of mixed traffic roles. I found that to be a challenging build, but the end result is a bit of a character and a rather nippy wee engine.

Evening from a pleasantly warm part of the far south east corner where my period of self-isolation has entered its second week. Kent & Canterbury Hospital were on the ball today phoning to ask me if I still wanted my biopsy next Tuesday and, once I had said yes, they bombarded me with a number of Covid-19 related questions. Once I had answered all the questions to their satisfaction we moved to discuss the Covid-19 swab which has to be done next Saturday for which I was given a choice of one of three locations - Canterbury, Margate or Ashford. Chose the William Harvey Hospital at Ashford as its only a short hop on the M20. We agreed on a time and was then told that after arriving at hospital I should enter the hospital car park, look for a big white tent and present myself in my car at 9:57am also being told that I should not, at any time, leave my car. After having the swab I'll probably return home via the A20 (as its a more pleasant drive than the M20) and then return home for the rest of my period of self-isolation... As I haven't used my car for a couple of weeks have just put the battery on trickle charge. Wouldn't want to jump into the car on Saturday and find that I had a flat battery. Keith

Not that I'm aware of but I'd say number/livery/weathering permutations are different from previous offerings. Not much wrong with the Hymek; I've always felt it's about their best model.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. In case I missed them condolences to Neil and to Trackshack. I take it that there wasn't any chance of one of the staff or even an outsider taking it over as a going concern. I wanted to take redundancy, and it was offered a few years before I did go. The only reason I didn't was that I was not high enough on the hit list. Instead we all had to re-apply for our jobs and the two who were pushed out of the door made it obvious that it was a put up job. Redundancy was hard to come by as the senior managers had it all worked out in their favour. Senior management was top heavy anyway and it was announced that some senior posts were to be done away with. The incumbents due to their salaries collected a big wodge of redundancy/lump sum and other payments and retirement in their mid 50's. A few months later 'new' senior posts were created that were the same as the 'redundant' posts with a different job title. A couple of years later these posts would be made redundant.

Good morning everyone The overnight rain is still falling from the sky so any thought of gardening is off. I will have to think of something to do inside today, it just so happens that the turntable control panel is sat on the old computer desk in the cellar awaiting its first coat of topcoat! Oh, I wonder what I shall find to do to pass the time? I've only ever had 2 jobs since I left school, although through various sell offs, amalgamations etc, the companies names have changed dozens of times. I decided to take early retirement due to personal choice, but a close call with the BIG C and a good friend and former colleague dying from the same disease less than 4 years into his retirement really helped me to make my decision. I'll admit that I do miss SOME of the guys and gals I worked with, but I don't miss the work and all the Bu****it that went with it. Although I can work and mix well with other people very easily, I'm quite happy to be working away on my own either in the workshop or cellar. It's all about your outlook on life and a positive way of thinking always helps. Stay safe, stay sane, enjoy whatever you have planned for the day, back later

Yeah. With shock and awl tactics.

Ewer Street Depot.

Totally agree Mike, after retirement, I was offered one day a week plus Holiday cover in my local Model Shop, not only did it get me out of the house, but also put me at the fore front of Model Railway developments etc. Also having more than one hobby was a bonus. And yes it does take time to adjust, not everyone enjoys retirement, but it suits me.

A dangling participle walks into a bar. Enjoying a cocktail and chatting with the bartender, the evening passes pleasantly. A bar was walked into by the passive voice. An oxymoron walked into a bar, and the silence was deafening. Two quotation marks walk into a “bar.” A malapropism walks into a bar, looking for all intensive purposes like a wolf in cheap clothing, muttering epitaphs and casting dispersions on his magnificent other, who takes him for granite. Hyperbole totally rips into this insane bar and absolutely destroys everything. A question mark walks into a bar? A non sequitur walks into a bar. In a strong wind, even turkeys can fly. Papyrus and Comic Sans walk into a bar. The bartender says, "Get out -- we don't serve your type." A mixed metaphor walks into a bar, seeing the handwriting on the wall but hoping to nip it in the bud. A comma splice walks into a bar, it has a drink and then leaves. Three intransitive verbs walk into a bar. They sit. They converse. They depart. A synonym strolls into a tavern. At the end of the day, a cliché walks into a bar -- fresh as a daisy, cute as a button, and sharp as a tack. A run-on sentence walks into a bar it starts flirting. With a cute little sentence fragment. Falling slowly, softly falling, the chiasmus collapses to the bar floor. A figure of speech literally walks into a bar and ends up getting figuratively hammered. An allusion walks into a bar, despite the fact that alcohol is its Achilles heel. The subjunctive would have walked into a bar, had it only known. A misplaced modifier walks into a bar owned a man with a glass eye named Ralph. The past, present, and future walked into a bar. It was tense. A dyslexic walks into a bra. A verb walks into a bar, sees a beautiful noun, and suggests they conjugate. The noun declines. An Oxford comma walks into a bar, where it spends the evening watching the television getting drunk and smoking cigars. A simile walks into a bar, as parched as a desert. A gerund and an infinitive walk into a bar, drinking to forget. A hyphenated word and a non-hyphenated word walk into a bar and the bartender nearly chokes on the irony.

Across the valley towards Overbrook viaduct

iD, there will be no modelling tokens! Not for a few years until my state pension kicks in too anyway. I have a fair old stock of things to build/improve/find that will keep me out of trouble for a few years. The 'honey-do' lists have already been posted, SWMBO works full time in the Big City so I have to knuckle down now and do the washing and cooking. #sigh# Donk is made up though, he likes human company, I am his minion. Here I'm his punkah-wallah! (out of sight).