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Greetings one and all Technology is getting in the way this morning. I was composing straight on to the forum in the reply box when I accepted the invitation to view a new post. Silly me. It duly appeared, but made my embryonic post disappear. Then I called up the Word file on which I make jottings and could not help noticing that the Save icon was missing. A few clicks and head scratches later it reappeared but by then I had forgotten what I had already typed. It was probably something to do with enjoying a ribeye steak with some pink wine and watching two hours of Frankie Howerd on Channel 5. All this has done nothing to stop me being anxious about the two phone calls that I expect today. Just after 4 pm Professor Oncologist is due to call with the findings of my most recent blood test translated into the PSA reading which will guide him in the treatment of my prostate cancer. It does not help my state of mind that two well-known men of my age have succumbed to it in the past few days. The Prof’s capacity to reassure the anxious patient will be put to the test, that’s for sure. Autocorrect has just generated “ordure” at the end of the last sentence. How kind of it. The other call is due at noon. It will be the conversation with someone from the hospital about a possible colonoscopy. I really don’t want to have one but I don’t want bowel cancer either. The solution is not obvious but may emerge during the telephone call. I forgot to mention that on BBC Breakfast the day before yesterday was a clip of a black rhino calf born recently at Chester Zoo. She was running about in such a cute way. Opinion was divided between the presenters as to whether the calf was scampering or gambolling. I do not often side with Naga Munchetty but I vote for gambolling. Best wishes to all Chris

Back to Scotland today with photos taken at Dalmeny in 1991 and 1995. Dalmeny 158744 Edinburgh to Kirkcaldy 5th April 91 C15719.jpg Dalmeny 150252 5th April 91 C15733.jpg Dalmeny 150260 up 7th Aug 95 C20369.jpg Dalmeny 158706 Edinburgh to Aberdeen 7th Aug 95 C20371.jpg Dalmeny 158717 Dundee to Edinburgh 7th Aug 95 C20374.jpg David

As the goods train pulls out onto the main line it meets a parcels service coming in the other direction, headed by 5000 'Launceston Castle'. John C.

Somewhere within the recent Covid-19 chaos, this happened.... Its really weird seeing my layout in a magazine, and actually looking half decent!! 2020 has been an odd year to say the least, but for me, it’s been a real tough one. As some of you already know, my Father was diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer in 2017, which was a complete shock, and a few months ago, we were informed that the treatment was no longer working. In light of this, myself and Nicky decided that we’d up sticks and move in to his house so that we can look after him. This is quite an upheaval, but one that’s a definite necessity, so the trains are currently being packed away and the garden railway is sadly no more. Oak Road is still at work, and will remain there for as long as needed, or until they need the office I’m currently being loaned. Toy trains, and real ones, have been a huge part of my life, and even more so over the last 10 years, but it’s time for them to take a back seat as I take care of more important issues. I’ll be back at some point, but for now, I want to spend time with my dad.

Last of the harbour buildings (at the moment...!) Inside the workshop which is normally in shadow. Might add someone standing there working....

The 5.52 from KX arrives, and will terminate. Regular B1 61282 in charge again.

It's been damp to very wet today. The wind was predicted to hit 80kph and it might have. We had a walk by the river to see this: Still hooked up to the transfer crane.

Many thanks for your kind comments Ray, you've got me blushing. Back to some photos. After dropping of the empties at the colliery 3775 has returned to Blakeney with a couple of full wagons, done some shunting so that everything is the correct way round and departs for Bullo.

Two mostly occupied days off. Late lie-in Saturday followed by watching of F1 qualifying. Then an immediate load up for a trip to Gisburn Forest for a spin around the blue route with Junior NB. She was trying out her new SPD fitted bike shoes (she has some for her road bike, so not entirely unfamiliar with them.) I like to keep a record of my infrequent rides via Strava and I had a couple of segments that I wanted to beat. And also encouraging Junior to set a few new PBs as well as I acted as "pacemaker" for her. We pulled into the carpark next to the car of one of my best mates (and fellow RMwebber). I had no idea he was there, but there was also a van parked next to it that belonged to my one-legged biker friend as well (his exploits have been mentioned a few months back in ERs). Junior NB and myself had a decently quick spin round the blue route (with PBs duly set [*]) and got back to the car park to encounter Lee and his single leg. He had "bailed" from the red route as he had fallen off into a bog on the higher parts of the forest trails. He was fine but didn't want to risk the mechanics of his prosthetic leg - and was just waiting for his son, my mate and his son to return from the red route. As the rain then started, we loaded up and headed for home. This was the reward for Junior's good ride. (She's easily encouraged). Bikes hosed down and put away with a quick squirt of WD40 for now. Further cleaning and proper lubrication will be carried out in the next couple of days. Then more Master golf was watched. Sunday was an "early" start of 9.30 for the F1 - quite a good race to watch as various driver fortunes unfolded. A bit of V and C to earn the brownie points (vacuuming and cleaning, not vodka and Coke). Then more Masters whilst listing a few items for the bay of E. Evening meal was a large plate of rosbif accompanied by the only decent culinary thing to make it's way west over the Pennines. Catchup of various interweb channels and the weekend will finish with watching the SpaceX launch. Phew - I'll be glad to get back to a promising to be busy 6 day work week. Have a good week folks. Cheers, Mick [*] We had both targetted one 5 minute or so section for a PB and as I glanced behind at 3 minutes in with 2 to go, she was on my wheel and enjoying the draft and threatening to set a faster time as she'd entered the section a but further back than the current gap. Up and gear and push to break the tow. I couldn't have her beating me just yet.....

It's sunny now, the chain saw has been safely wielded and the Cotoneaster is now a rather convoluted stump. A rogue bay tree has been lopped and Beth is now busy setting leaves out to dry. We are never going to need to buy Bay leaves again. Jamie

Moaning awl. First of all, best wishes to Chris and everyone else under the weather for one reason or another. As the cold symptoms didn’t disappear over the remainder of the weekend, I contacted my GP who recommended I come in for a COVID test, just to be on the safe side considering my FiL as well as Elise and Annika’s sister. Probably prudent, all things considered, but I guess I’d still think it would be a bummer if The Virus had got me now while I’m signed off, after all those lengths I had gone to try and protect myself at work in particular in the past few months. Well. Be safe, chaps!

Another view of the area and those nets. The nets I brought many years ago of the internet from a maritime site called Modelling Timbers, they appear to have closed down a while ago but luckily I brought large sheet of the stuff . Always planned to add some nets drying on Misty but could never find any decent pictures to see how they strung them up, next idea was to lay some down on the deck but guess what....could never find some decent pictures etc.etc.etc. The floats are dress making beads at 10mm centres on model boat rope, why 10mm centres I hear you ask well the grid on my cutting mat is 10mm and that made setting out very easy.....

Talking of coaches, I've just finished this ex LNER D282 gangwayed Brake, using Comet underframe, sides ends and roof, and bogies and most other bits from the MJT range. More information on how I did it over on my layout thread: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/83030-train-spotting-at-finsbury-square/page/27/#comments

While I continue scratching my head over coupling issues, here's another still life to pass the time.

Inside the goods shed at Wykeham. IMG_0777 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

Morning, rather windy out but dry, similar indoors. Poly, the lad on the left is Camping Bear, he only goes on campervan holidays with us and spends the rest of his time asleep in a cupboard tucked up with the sleeping bags, snoring. He says he is hibernating, we think he's just lazy. He was a tombola win years ago at a country fair stall for the deaf, he was chosen by a rather sweet deaf girl for us from all various the prizes available. Not sure how she decided we were suitable to be a bear parent, but she was correct. Mrs NHN signs, so communication for a while made her day. The big feller on the right is Noel, he came from the RNLI at a fundraiser, he's trouble. The blue hoodie is an RNLI top. Q, I'm afraid Donk does play the pipes, although they are electronic - he's a modern donkey. He wants to play them in Fingall's Cave, but the twice we have tried to get there the weather has beaten us. One day.... And don't forget, DCC is just two wires.

All that is the depressing truth here - if the bum-stain-in-chief and the rest of the idiot wuckfit element had a COLLECTIVE IQ greater than 3 we could actually tackle AND handle this situation. As it is, the "rights" crowd want to insist its their right to have the rest of us get sick and die because of their supposed freedoms. I'd like to have a conversation with them and their loved ones as they overwhelm the medical community here - who are doing a STELLAR JOB - when they're suffering and wondering WHY they are being airlifted from their backward communities to places equipped to handle the results of their crass stupidity! Sorry if I sound mad, but I AM. The strain on the medical community, some of whom we know personally is horrendous, and it's all because of the irresponsibility of "rights" advocates, most of whom can't comprehend true human rights even if it bit them in the bum!

Moanday... The weekend was a roller-coaster, from enjoyable to a complete sh!tshow! On a personal basis we had fun setting up outdoor lights in part to celebrate Diwali on Saturday. Our neighbors across the street are Indian, lovely couple with one high-school senior. He had to return to India suddenly due to failing health of his father, then the loss a couple of days after he got there. They usually decorate for Diwali, but she didn't have the heart to do it, all the neighbors got together and decorated all our homes for her and her family. She was very moved... Meagan our daughter-in-law (an Indian adoptee) had some excellent props and ideas so we dedicated the decorations to her also Saturday evening an extremely pleasant Zoom with our friends in Arizona. Sunday, the newspaper headlines said it all, as they have for the past several days - NOTHING about the election (thankfully) - but the US and the mid-west in particular are seeing record-breaking COVID numbers both in reported cases and deaths. We've decided to personally shelter in place again, it's simply out-of-control here, so cancelled a get together with friends, briefly exchanged some items with Jemma - outdoors, face-masked - and will once again be ordering groceries from a delivery service! Not panicking, per se, but the hospitals are getting overrun and it's senseless to take risks in our opinion given our demographic. Thanksgiving (and probably Christmas at this rate) is looking like it'll be just the Mrs and me, what fun. Zoom celebrations will be a poor second, but that's what'll keep some of the population well and alive. As for the bungldc**nts that are STILL ignoring the warnings, whilst I don't really wish them ill, if they'd JUST WAKE UP and understand it can be controlled with some joined-up-thinking, we'd all be better off. Somehow, I also managed to make a complete mess of something as simple as baking a Victoria sponge Sunday afternoon, I'm considering hiding in a closet for a while Other than that... <sigh> -4 first thing heading for +2 and sunny. Tally ho...

yesterday evening I addressed the squared off edge of the embankment to the right of the tunnel by adding over an inch of filler to reshape it.....looks quite drastic doesn’t it I trimmed back the previously done grass with scissors and then re-grassed it Sorry Bertie but static grass goes everywhere As far as the bank incline...there’s nothing I can do without compromising the goods yard area even more than I already have done with the addition of the road. It is what it is I'll probably be adding flock here and there to replicate weeds and over growth as I did on the left of the bridge

Ah, you mis-understand, my fluffy friend. The lazy bu££er won't come out, it is his choice. He's very picky about where he is seen, and that means in his personal castle cave (the campervan) mostly! There are two other bears around here also, so its not as if we don't support their lifestyles, one may be a cousin of yours in fact - Frosty.

Best wishes to Chrisf and general salutations to all. Waiting for garage to come and collect car for service/mot 75 miles since last Mot. Woke up several times in night due to various aches and pains. I am allowed to inspect the eyelids when the motor has been picked up

Chrisf, I hope that both calls go well. Your friends on ER are with you in spirit. Jamie

Good moaning from ere. It's still dark and a bit chilly outside but the woodburner is going well having been rejuvenated. Yesterday was wet and windy but I did get the trailer back into it's newly painted parking spot. Cheese was bought at the market and cakes were also bought but didn't last as they had to be tested for quality. A good video chat was had with Martin and Katie. Katie lost the last of her pair of Jack Russells last week but they still have Reggie the Cocker Spaniel. They had spent time cleaning up my late father's collection of tea spoons and an amusing interlude then ensued trying to ID the cathedral that was modelled on one of the spoon handles. A bit of cross channel googling then ensued and it was identified as Lincoln. Reggie's afternoon walk took place round the cathedral to confirm the ID. Katie has learned what a transept is as the main spotting feature was two sets of transepts. What's the collective noun for a cathedral spotter. Anyway today is planned to be chain saw day as I attack the Cottoneaster at the heart of what remains of the jungle. A buddleia is also on the hit list as it's growing too close to a wall and damaging it. Regards to all and try and stay safe. Jamie

Good morning all. That was the weekend. Welcome to Moanday. I’ll be right back after attending the House of Fun.

Good evening everyone The sun shined all day, but it did get a little windy at times, so I had to shut the workshop door, despite the door stay, it was creaking quite a bit. However, the sunshine finally gave way to rain just as it was getting dark, by that time I was inside anyway, so it didn’t matter, it finally stopped about 2 hours ago. This morning I fitted all 44 LEDs, it was during this process that I realised, that when I added the extra switch and LEDs yesterday, I didn’t have enough LED control boards, so I made to make up another one, luckily I’d made extra PCBs so it was just a case of getting the bits out of my storage box. After dinner I tested the new LED control board, once happy that it worked as it should, it was fitted and wired into the control panel with the rest of them. I then connected up the turntable rotary selector switch, but that’s as far as I got before it was time to pack up, so work will have to continue tomorrow.

Chris, The worst part of a colonoscopy is not the procedure itself (one is usually anesthetized anyway) but the preparation that you have to do preceding it. AND the vile-tasting compound that you have to drink to accomplish the preparation!

The other thing missing in pics of the new signal was the ladder. I'd removed it before installation so I could shorten it for platform mounting, then it went AWOL. I was sure I'd left it on my workbench, but just couldn't see it. A couple of days later I remembered that it was indeed on the bench, but under a huge metal weight to straighten it out! Here's the signal complete with ladder, with the lower rungs picked out in white. Those Dapol lights are a bit bright, especially when seen side-on rather than through a red or green lens. I might be better off disconnecting the signals from the accessory bus and powering them independently from a 9v transformer. A 'round tuit' job. Need to touch up the Lifecolor weathered black on the base of that signal post too. John C.

Thoughts with Chrisf and with hopes for a positive outcome. Frankly if someone was prepared to put a poo-scope where it goes I would sooner that than bowel cancer even if the choice is not enviable. Technology is frustrating. The printer, which has always had a bit of an on-off relationship with the computer via the wifi has totally spat its dummy. It works independently. The computer is working too but did have a major update (not necessarily an upgrade) to the new Mac OS "Big Sur" over the weekend. That has managed to ditch all my passwords and similar stored bits and pieces which I am having to re-enter each time I next use what ever page or site. Following the instructions provided by both Canon and the nerdwork sites I cannot for the life of me persuade the printer to identify itself to the computer and it will therefore not print as required. It appears to be no longer emitting a bluetooth signal but this is not catered for in any instructions. Turn-off-turn-on does not fix the issue. Resetting the wifi box does not fix the issue. Stumped. Bothered. Steam. Emerging. From. Ears.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Not much sleep last night due to the eczema. The sore patch is very sensitive and every time I moved it touched something. I might be going back for a touch more of eyelid inspection shortly. He can't deny very much as the scooter he was caught riding had bits from at least two stolen bikes. The same applied to the first one who had the accident. This is just word on the street of course, the plod are keeping tight lipped about it.

Morning all, It looks like it could be a nice day, so I parked my old Anglia in the Yard entrance for this shot.

I am being plagued with calls from "Olivia from Apple Support" claiming an issue with my iCloud account. (I do not own Apple products.) I had at least seven calls in two hours this (Sunday) afternoon and its been going on for days. Despite recent US Federal legislation to flag spoofed, caller ID (which does often work) this particular robo-caller does not get flagged and is relentless. The spoofed numbers are semi-random, often coming from my exchange number +1-xxx-xxx-YYYY (where six "x" digits: area code and exchange, are the same as mine), or randomly from all over the country. All of today's calls were identified as coming from the south bay area in California. The voice is clearly mechanically generated. This is a known scam.

The 45xx cruises through the branch platform with a clear road to the main line. I think the next two pics might be the first I've taken through the footbridge. I rather like them, especially the second, so they probably won't be the last. The chap on the bench with his hat in his hand seems to be taking a passing interest in 4574 behind him. The Dapol signal is a bit chunkier than the more delicate Ratio item it replaced, but you can't have everything. Now just waiting impatiently for another particular Dapol item. John C.

Who's pinched the GROAN BUTTON?

Many thanks for the kind comments. Jim, no need to worry I'm still knocking around. I stopped worrying years ago after I had my big bike accident, it changed my outlook on life. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March but I didn't mention it because it isn't a big deal to myself. My wife and children worry for me but life is to short for that. I will need to tidy up the lettering once it has dried overnight. I will try and sharpen up the ends of the letters before I varnish and weather it.

Afternoon all, And back to clearing that s*dding editor for some unknown reason, maybe that was down to a Mc upf grade as it only started after that downloaded. I trust the day is progressing ok for Chrisf - fingers remain crossed pending his report and for the outcome of Dom's test. The mouse hunt continues, with conspicuous lack of success but at least a variety of kitchen cupboards are being 'scleaned'. This latter exercise has recvealed some useful and awful surprises. The worst of these has been teh discovery of a half bottle of tcp Teachers 'whisky' we we can only conclude must at some time have been gifted to us by some other poor devil who shared my low opinion of it. The good news was there was a bottle and a half bottle of Bells although the bottle of Bombay sapphire gin was another question mark regarding its origin. The best news - as far as I was concerned - was confirmation that the stockpile of Branston baked beans with sausages stands at 10 tins - I thought there were only a couple left. This is even better news than it at first sounds as a quick dap into Waitrose this morning revealed that the only chestnut mushrooms on the shelf were quite as bad as the two packs Mrs Stationmaster bought the other day and the second of s which I consumed for lunch today. it must be very much the wrong time of year for mushroom growing in Hampshire. My town visit was in connection with an appointment with the Good Count's daughter Natasha who managed a pain free extraction of a phial of the red liquid within minutes of my entering the surgery door. i also visited WHS where I obtained the 'paper and a copy of a railway muddling magazine. The town wasn't too busy and there was a fait bit of sensible distancing and mask wearing around with the idiot quotient well below 10%. Quite a few folk around who stopped to avoid passing somebody ona narrow stretch of path and so on. Reasonable weather and no precipitation today. Enjoy the rest of your day and stay safe.

Today was a cleaning up day of items used during the kitchen refurb - including buddy next door's SDS drill; I always return borrowed items in the same or better condition than I receive them. In this case that wasn't difficult since whilst my buddy most definitely doesn't mistreat tools it has been a while since this particular item has had a wipe over with a damp cloth - and my exploits at generating dust haven't helped. The case was also full of sawdust (not my doing!), with a collection of loose screws, washers, bolts, wall plugs etc. floating around in it too. It must've taken the best part of an hour to clean properly - drill and case, with all loose dross sorted and bagged too. Hopefully he'll be impressed (and it always helps if I'm ever in need again ) Mr Toolstation delivered the order placed on saturday morning which includes the leccy back boxes and plasterboard screws I need for the next step in the great kitchen makeover - so that's my day planned for tomorrow.....

Cottoneaster or Cotoneaster? In Australia we heard this referred to as "Cotton Easter" and there was a local road "Cotoneaster Way" which was also pronounced "Cotton Easter". But I know the plant as "Co-tony-aster". No double-T. Problem identified. The wifi box will only accept a maximum of five devices. Since SWMBO has been working from home she has routinely had three running through it. My phone and computer are the other two. The printer cannot be added without removing one of the others. I could remove my phone but it would not then work indoors and only outdoors on the 4G signal. I have invested in a cable to connect printer and computer which - as it has cost me the princely sum of £3 - had better work.

Morning all. Just. Everything crossed for good outcomes for Chris.

Good morning all, Breezy and cloudy but dry out with the chance of some hazy sunshine followed by some rain. F1 watched and enjoyed and also new book read. Couldn't put in down apart from a couple of breaks to rest my eyes. I had a brief walk earlier to the baker but went no further as The Hip is protesting today. The Boss is in washing curtains mode yet again. I'm being told to keep out of the way for now but am required later to scale the loft ladder and bring down the tree and decorations as we're going early with them this year. Also on the agenda is a haircut. That won't take long. Have a good one, Bob.

My BR late green version runs extremely well at all speeds, I was able to get a smooth crawl. Dapol don't recommend a running in period for the motor, only a backward and forward test to ensure all is in order. As far as ratio is concerned all I can say is that it runs faster than the Hornby prairie at all speed settings. One benefit of Dapol's dcc ready system is that the loco will run without the tender, the tender provides additional pick up. The front wheels have a vertical spring, that moves with the side to side movement of the bogie, to keep the bogie on the track. It is fairly lightly sprung. The front buffers seem to be a push fit into the diecast buffer beam, they seem to have self locating prongs, to grip once pushed into the beam, so probably the reason why some have become loose in transit. The moulding of the depth detail inside the safety valve bonnet is the best I've seen. The paint finish and lining are excellent, with a satin finish, which is unusual for Dapol as their models tend to be more on the matt side. Overall an excellent model and bodes well for the Prairie and Manor.

It's a lovely morning so far, so I thought I'd get the old Anglia out and give it a run, here she is parked in the Yard for this photo.

Mooring Awl Inner Temple Hare , again.. The first attempt being disrupted by updates from MS via the company.. Dry cloudless sky with a distinct lack of moon, Ben the happy Collie went for a charge around the garden following trails.... I decided to risk driving toward the road closed signs, and was rewarded with an Artic coming towards me on the single track roads.. Definitely not fully closed then, once I'd extracted the car out of the field entrance, I found the hole in the road is off to one side of the 1.5 car width at that point in the road. It will be interesting later, whether the hole diggers will close the road totally, because that Artic will be one of many going down to a huge pile of sugar beet and there is no other way out of our roads for an Artic. Ah Donk proudly carrying the bagpipes in Royal Stewart Tartan.. I assume he's a Gentleman and chooses not to play them... The company had MS updates loading up as soon as I logged in, on this and the computer on my desk.. Noticed that grovelling around on the floor of the garage to brush up sawdust etcetera, is painful on the knees and back with added danger to head from work benches when trying to reach a vertical position .. Will do an online search for suitable non grovelling equipment.. As I wait for this weeks major equipment.. A email from the company says Friday is company assessment day for you to type in your own self assessment... I'll not bother telling anyone I'm off Friday.. The last time with this system, before project Olympus takes over.. This week there is increasing Panic, as the Annual Assessment by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service is due next week. They decide whether or not you are fit to calibrate to top level standards.. Most important for this place.. It means I won't see much of the boss this week.. He won't be doing his own assessments , let alone checking I've done mine.. Time for... that wander round the net..

We all know and love Donk, but I don't believe that Donk's partners in crime have been introduced? "Not my garage, dunno nuffink about it,,,,,," (despite his dabs being all over the show) Or: "I said me mate could store some bits in there for a few weeks" (the mate is known only be his first name, he doesn't know where he lives, works and has no phone number for him....)

We’re now beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the upper works of the YR tube station. The ‘plaza’ has now been paved using printed paving paper. Awkward joints were masked by letting-in individual paving slabs. The whole was given a wash of light stone to bring it together and then many different colours to produce the correct effect - it’s still not quite right and it will need pedestrian flow marks to bring it to life. PVA glue was used to seal the joint between the building and the paving otherwise any horizontal cracks look awful. Continuing with the front detailing, the entrance lamps have been made from the etches made by Jim Watt, finished with 3D printed lanterns derived from some oversize yard lamps that Richard Wilson printed. Once painted, the glazing bars were added using a fine-liner, permanent ink, black pen. This picture has appeared already on RMWeb, but I thought it worth another viewing. The surface mount miniature LED lamps (courtesy Justin Colson) are now installed: They will encourage viewers to peer into the building and see how it all joins up. It will be fun when they’re installed in the working lift car. Tim

Do please take care GDB.

Good morning everyone Dull wet and grey outside at the moment, but it looks like it could rain at any minute, so I think I’ll find some inside jobs to do today. A little bit of sorting out in the cellar and the workshop after dinner looks like the order of things today. Stay safe, stay sane, enjoy whatever you have planned for the day, back later. Brian

and how the canal and roadway ended up. There is still some detailing to do in this picture.

Two more high level views of the 9F tonight.

Evening All, Sorry to hear the news on John (Combe Barton’s ) entry, and it is really getting closer to us all. Done a bit of this and a bit of that today and quite happy with that. Even managed a bit of shed time and watched the GP and listened to the football. SWMBO is considering a supermarket run tomorrow and that may include Mil but we haven’t got a straight answer from her yet. Goodnight All, Robert