Leaderboard

Morning all. As a change from posting photos, I thought a few thoughts from Chairman Sheep. I hope to make a proper start in the next couple of weeks on Outwool so perhaps a few words to put things into context. There will always be an element of winging it in my layouts. I don't plan. I have ideas and these normally wait until I have a base board, track and buildings before they come to fruition. My layouts are not complicated. I keep it simple as this is my level. So I don't have to worry about complex electricals or tricky baseboard construction. I'm simply not built that way. That might change one day but for now, I'm okay with it. Outwool will therefore be quite simple as alluded to with my dining table mock up. Minimal buildings and scenic features. Much flat grass and flowers, drawing on things learnt so far. This view of Bleat Wharf by Andy York hints at things to come. Think J70 rather than 3F. As does this view, again of Bleat, with one of Alex,'s { Wiggers of the parish } J70s in residence on a misty morning, on the edge of time. Pretty sure Wiggers took the photo at Rmweb show, Taunton 2019 (?) and I tweaked it...I think. Here are a few protype photos. The first two are colourised by myself. Unfortunately I am unable to credit the original photographers although the colourised views have a H C Casserley ring to them. This is a view of Upwell. A lot more trackwork than Outwool will have but it provides a suggestion of the air of neglect I'm after. I am hoping my efforts will end up as a neglected version of Bleat Wharf with out the tall buildings but with tall grass, flowers and big skies... All I can do is have a go, inzzn nit, look ewe. Rob.

Some Blyth and Tyne photos this afternoon. The Avenue branch ran from Monkseaton to New Hartley allowing trains from Blyth to run to Whitley Bay. Bedlington North 26th April 86 C7515.jpg This shows the line to to Ashington, Lynemouth, Cambois and North Blyth. The line to Morpeth is behind the signal box, the junction being just south of the box. The photo was taken while taking part in a railtour, we were given permission to walk on the track and take photos. Newsham Plessey Road Level crossing 56127 and 56119 up l e Sept 92 J13483.jpg South Newsham Class 56 Ellington to Blyth Bates about to run round Nov 91 J12922.jpg After running round the train will head down the branch to Bates Pit and coal elevators. South Newsham 37190 Alcan March 91 J11778.jpg Earsdon Brier Dene Farm trackbed of Avenue branch view north 25th May 92 C16868.jpg Earsdon Brier Dene Farm trackbed of Avenue branch view south 25th May 92 C16869.jpg David

A Pannier pauses. Rob.

During my flying career I had three very near misses, any one of which could have been Dave RIP. The closest I've come to death, though, was once when Jill asked if I liked her new hair style and I said no, it looked awful. G'night everyone. Dave

We had a young lad smash into our front wall once and demolish it. My wife phoned the Police and they said did you get the Number Plate, she said yes he left it behind, I have it in my hand. The Cops got to his house before he did.

I thought, that last picture of the Earl was over 2mths old so I have just been up to the layout and taken a couple of fresh ones. As of 10mins ago. Extra weathering added especially to the motion, fire irons added (Bachmann and came with loco as accessories, I have to say they are some of the best ones I have seen - need them to sell them separately and I would buy a load...)

Now, here is my attempt at a picture we have, no doubt, taken when riding on a coach behind a steam train. We either hang out as far as we can or stick the camera out the window to get that picture of the loco. Not quite right as I feel after taking this picture I would have had to have very long arms to get this far out, plus that telegraph pole is getting closer.....!!!!! I tried some steam as well but not a fan but here it is anyway, someone might like it..... More experiments will follow....

Ey up! Despite the forecast on the BBC saying it is a nice sunny morning it is raining here in the North West Leeds Highlands. Pah! Years ago an empliyee at a Lockheed Martin missile manufacturing plant in the USA got thsecurity guard to "help" him carry an "item for display" out to his car.. needless to say it was a real, luve missile.... As it is Satursay it must be time for a day off. Once Breakfast has been eaten a bit of reading will ensue (I hope!) First off though...a mugatea needs to be drunk! Have a great Saturday! Baz

Good morning all. I have really achieved something in the world, no not the front cover of Railway Modeller, though I did that once, or indeed the front cover of Private Eye, though my son achieved that. No I featured as the "and finally" and title in John (CB)'s blog with the naming of the chicken run. I also seem to have achieved a rather large quantity of groans. Obviously the christening of the edifice needs to be marked so here is an appropriate picture of Cluckingham Palace. Still needs the wire finishing and the inner wire and door constructing. I'm rather happy that most of the timber was recycled shuttering. The gate was recycled from a friends back yard when they started building work. The remaining work will occupy a good part of today. However breakfast and then an hour chatting to the girls should start the day off well. Regards to all. Jamie

Well, unlike our talismanic host, it's not every day that I outshop a loco. Remember this? My Covid / lockdown project where I only equalled my 'record' build time of 35 days. Anyhow, it wasn't really finished at the time ... But it is now! It's even got glazing in those spectacle plates. All we need now, is a layout to run it on ...

Late one night in the '80s I was cycling in a residential back street, on the left, close to the pavement, when a car turned left out of a junction in front, taking the corner really wide and heading straight for me. I effectvely levitated off the bike and onto the pavement; the bike was still upright when the car, braking, hit the front wheel head on. The flexibility of the tyre and wheel bounced the bike out of the way of the car, which drove off. The bike was undamaged.

Good news from sis. Her tiny terrier has no broken bones after her fall down a foxhole but does have to rest for a week. As for me, I am enjoying a spot of cakebox m*d*ll*ng now it is coming along. A fair bit to go but the green stuff should come out soon. Just been listening to BBC radio 6 music festival 2021 with Cerys Matthews on BBC four. Ended now so ‘ night all and nos da. Polly

Cheers all. Where’s all this time going still, I wonder! Windy and rainy outside at the moment, or to put it differently, very much April-like. Just as well I’m safe and dry aboard my tram! Well, what else… Oven and dishwasher both required repairs, which were carried out last night. The service guy sure had a long day, I guess, after he’d been held up at a previous customer, but at least everything is back in working order. Livia had caught a bit of a cold from Annika, who in turn brought it from the kindergarten, I’m guessing. As for COVID, I understand GPs are expected to join the vaccination drive beginning 6 April. I’m hoping this will speed up things considerably, also for my family to get their jabs soon. Be safe, folks. Gotta drive…

We eat other stuff you know. Just saying...... Hi Mick, No signals, signal box or frame. All done from levers alongside the points. The grass in the permanent way will feature, as per experience gained from Sheep Dip. Hi Stewart, Yes. Worth remembering that the Wisbleat and Upwool was a very seasonal railway. So the incursion of undergrowth was inevitable I guess. Rob.

Bear returned from being jabbed - I arrived 15 minutes early to join the short queue (a good plan, as when I came out the queue was right round the building). All jabbed with the AZ vaccine; sadly no cake/sweets/lollipop was offered as a reward for Bear being very/fairly/quite/slightly just about brave(ish) - no tears were shed however, so reputation just about intact. Then a mission to Tesco (deep joy) a short walkaway, primarily to stock up with Bran Flakes (3 months' supply purchased) plus some cheapo Sultanas (= DIY Sultana Bran; cheaper than the ready-mixed variety and with real hope of finding some sultanas during brekkies too, as the chef can control the mix). Whilst there Bear came across the following article on sale for the princely sum of thirty bob, with "some" proceeds going to WWF presumably. It is possible that at least one ER'er may be en-route to the nearest store in the near future; various designs were available, with all appearing to feature drop bears: Then it was a short visit to the Decorating shop for some 4" roller sleeves, then home to disinfect today's spoils followed by giving the kitchen floor a good sponge down before buddy next door (hopefully) helps to move the washing machine and cooker back into the kitchen at long last - I've been pretty much living on ding dinners/toast/cornflakes for the best part of two weeks, so real food will be bonus. Today's din dins *may* feature a pizza - a home-made special I think, in order to protect against any risk of vaccine side-effects (a little-known fact that must be true since Bear read it on the 'net )

Well you only have yourself to blame - you should never have invited him in for coffee in the first place.

Bear's Tip Of The Day: Don't forget that there's a (plastic handled) frying pan stored in the oven. I did wonder what the strange smell was whilst the oven was warming up to pizza-cooking temperature..... RIP Frying Pan, my old and trusty friend; many a fry-up has been enjoyed together.... edit: The house smells "interesting"; I'm about to find out what the pizza tastes like (fortunately the pizza wasn't in the oven at the time.

Mornong all, Sunny, yes really (except when said object takes to hiding behind clouds. Judging by the time difference between starting the car engine and departure I suspect there was some frost about this morning when the GD set off for work. it's reassuring that Jamu ie also suffers from my 'measure twice, cut twice (or three times)' ability when wood working but Cluckingham palace does lopok rather fine and I hope teh inhabitants will appreciate it although hens do like to have nice cosy places to lay their eggs. Talking of measure twice I didn't bother to measure, except once. when cutting bricks the other day for the part circle under the slabs - I can usually manage to do that sort of cutting by eye and am please to report 100% success. Which is more than can be said for some queen closers in a bit of fortunately not usually easily seen brickwork in the back garden where I need to realign the bond as I built on top of some of my earlier brickwork when I created the steps down to the veg patch. No plans for today and i think his ladship might have been tasked with any shopping which is required - have a good day one and all.

A last look at Gayton Hall, simmering at Platform 6.

This one seems to have gone down well with my Instagram followers, so I thought I'd share it here:

You are a much braver man than I could ever be!! It is a lovely sunny morning here so far, but still bitterly cold with a strong wind. The white horses are dashing around on the sea as a result. A walk has been walked, but next I have some outside tasks to complete while it is still fine, as the rain is scheduled for later (as is the watching of some Premiership rugby this afternoon).

That unfortunately was my measuring but the shuttering came from when we put the pool base down last year. Jamie

Greetings one and all Much of the outgoing Radio Times turned out to be fiction again yesterday. Not only was a sporting event televised in peak time but at least one programme was displaced to the previous evening. There was very little online to alert viewers to this earthquake. One might have expected to find programme schedules somewhere on the BBC webshite but if there was a presence it eluded my detective skills. This is hardly the most world-shattering news but it is an unnecessary irritation. Serves me right for being too dependent on the TV, I suppose. Tody's other irritation is another "how did we do" e-mail from the bank. Earlier in the week I visited the branch to seek assistance for a problem which had occupied me and someone in the call centre for a total of almost four hours without being fully sorted. The problem was resolved swiftly and effectively. Normally such missives as that e-mail come across as an indication of corporate insecurity. Might it provide an opportunity for a mere customer of 55 years' standing to speak up for the besieged branch network and against the growing remoteness engendered by call centres? Watch this space. Best wishes to all Chris

The buyer collected his ebay purchase right on time - so fifteen quid towards a new flying pan . Still, the new hob will be an induction jobbie so the pan would most likely have been redundant anyway as it isn't compatible with such hobs. The first load of washing has just finished and now the washing machine is beeping at me to empty it. After that it's the washing up - all fun, fun, fun today...

Waiting for something to appear from the gloom of Tidenham Tunnel. The return .

A belated good day, from a sunny but 'rather' cool rock. The strong wind (daffs OK) constitutes mainly of razor blades it would seem, as Simon has noted over there to the West. We were out first thing to collect some pre ordered tomato bags, then wayyy down south to Port Erin to collect some hard to find diabetic suitable foodstuffs for me. All done, found a Costa (other local venues not open unfortunately) so had a coffee in Castletown on the way home. Time to go to the garage and measure up a building plot on the layout to see if a kind offer elsewhere on RMWeb to fill it can be agreed, my search for a suitable building photo having so far proved a failure. We're also expecting more firewood to be delivered by our friend, this will be the last load, so we will have to stack that and sheet it over. Then off out tonight for a Thai takeaway with Jayne as we celebrate being able to form a bubble with her, as she is on her own since losing Gary. The legislation has been approved - she knows this, as she is the proof reader and 'librarian' for the Attorney General here! Clever girl, she's a brain on legs.

Getting the bum off the sofa post coffee is proving a challenge

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Arthur Itis was beating his drum again this morning but a bit of moving about seems to have quietened him down. Bright and sunny this morning but still a bit windy. Still no sign of any leaks, in the heating/hot water, but I have discovered a mystery damp patch in the entrance to the utility room. What is unusual is that there are no water pipes anywhere near the damp patch which is under the head of the stairs and not near to outside walls. There's no signs of where its coming from so I'll have to keep an eye on it.

A spate of similar thefts went thru' Bear's workplace place I went to five sorry, four days a week - you'd be surprised just how many wallets went, left in jackets hanging on the backs of chairs..... Bear's assessment ("1-2-1") basically consisted of a bacon or sausage roll with the boss over the canteen sorry, restaurant; we spent 98% of the time talking about interesting stuff, followed by the last 2% getting the crap out of the way in order to tick the relevant box. I see that the Bristol Police Chief reads ER and noted Bear's advice : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-56542893 - when scrotes start shining lasers in Police Officer's eyes then a battering is justified I think. edit: No evidence of any battering was involved afaik, though no doubt stories of police heavy-handedness will arise shortly. In other news: Things Bear likes to hear (apart from "Bear, would you like a slice of cake?" ): Bear (wondering if it's near getting out of bed time yet): "Alexa, what's the time?" "It's 12-08 am" Right, Bear must get his littly furry ar5e moving - jab time in 1hr 45m.....

In the 90's I worked in an office tower in town and one lunchtime a bloke with a distinctive face tattoo and a cardboard box rocked up to reception and claimed he needed to get let in so he could check the skirting boards. Receptionist buzzes him in and he goes through all the empty offices (was lunchtime) rapping skirting boards in an official manner while stealing unattended wallets and a laptop. Leaves through reception with box full of loot. On discovery of theft there is annoyance at loss but grudging respect for his audacious plot. (We are after all descended from convicts as Jeremy Clarkson likes to continually remind us so wittily, as do the barmy army each test match ) Respect is replaced by mockery very next day when bloke with distinctive face tattoo and cardboard box, convinced he's discovered the perfect crime appears at reception and says he needs to check skirting boards. Receptionist buzzes him in then calls security.

Afternoon Awl, Planned shelf work done. Trailer, Axle bolted up tight, but my back decided to remind me not to bend over a lot. Trailer turned over, Derusted, but for one section which required more bending than my back would allow. Suspension unit fitted on side, Suspension unit only held on by two of eight bolts the other side, I ran out of washers, the other six bolts are in place but not done up. Trailer and suspension units, zinc coated. Ben the I want my walk Collie , got his way, sun warm, wind cold.. Enormous tractor ploughing attachment on front seeding attachment on back, towing a harrow behind, going up and down field.. every time it approached , Ben sat down.. I think he knows to sit to one side of lane when a car comes near. Section of flat top placed on top of chassis, marked up for attachment. More shelving painted. Bottle of red opened. Eyelid inspection shortly.

I'm finding the same these days which is not very productive when there are old motorcycles to fettle, large model aeroplanes to finish and even, dare I say it, some potential railway modelling to be done. I have it least been able to offer a friend and former colleague some advice on wiring and operating turnouts this morning and rustled up a little Arduino servo controller demo to show him just how simple it is. Perhaps his conversion to DCC++ will have to wait for another day Oh how I love an Arduino or seven ....

‘ afternoon all from red dragon land. Got up this morning, went downstairs and found I had read the clock wrong so turned my hands to some of the ‘m’ word - before breakfast time... Lunch time now. Hope I can stay awake.

I used to be involved in a small exhibition in Glasgow and once booked the small O gauge layout shown in the following pictures. If memory serves me well, it was built by a great Scottish modeller called Russ Hadwin. His chosen name for it? DREICH

Good morning everyone Late on parade today due to having a bit of lie in this morning, but it is Saturday! The sun is shining and the skies are blue, but it's quite chilly at the moment. Currently in the workshop about to start working on resiting the drive motor for the turntable, as its developed a slight judder, I think the bevel gears are too close to nesh properly. So the plan is to make an adjustable tray for the whole drive system. Stay safe, stay sane, enjoy whatever you have planned for the day, back later. Brian

Tonne bag of logs just been delivered. Know what I'm doing when I've finished the coffee

On a sunny Saturday morning, Whistler Class 40, No 40007 arrives with an Engineers Train into Bridge End Sidings at Seven Mills.

Mooring Awl, inner Temple Hare, 5 hours sleep and... No more so far. Our company this year is, yet again, this year using a new format to the personnel assessments, objectives etc. Both the boss and me just play the game, lip service only. This year the added complication, is each objective needs 3 justifications as to why it should be an objective. Some book values seem most odd, I've seen books at huge prices when not first edition, collectable, and there are new editions available much cheaper. Many of SWMBOs are short run art books, and their value seems to increase rapidly when they go out of print. There is one book I'd like about tank regiments , by B, H, Liddell-Hart, it's the only one that really mentions my grandfathers regiment. But it's never been reprinted, last time I looked it was going for in excess of £150.. So for the moment no chance. Ben the I want out Collie, has just dragged me out, cool westerly, quite breezy, clear skies, moon still up, great fried egg still sleeping. The forecast, for the weekend here, shows windy, cloudy no rain. Plans for today, Tidy the workshop, it's getting crowded with trailer bits, blanks for shelf building and offcuts. Demolish various sections of mdf into pieces, for more shelving, easier to stack out of the way, Install some shelving I made last week. Paint some blanks for the next section. Trailer, Do up the bolts for the axle, Turn the trailer up the right way, Derust the top of the trailer. Time to errr. Do nothing for another couple of hours.

Absolutely true story, a bit shaggy dog-ish. The kitchen needed renewing, and it was quite large. Son and heir was about 3 years old. We emptied all the old kitchen cupboards. This took up a lot of space. I destroyed the existing kitchen cupboards and dumped them in the back yard, leaving enough room to access the back door which coincidentally opened into the kitchen. The new units were delivered, so into the kitchen they came, and I started to drill the first hole for the first base unit to go in just by the back door. After a few seconds of the hammer drill making its first foray into the wall, in toddles son and heir and stood in front of me and under the drill that I was holding. Needless to say, I stopped drilling and was feeling very stressed when a knock came on the back door. As I moved to the right to open the door, son and heir came with me, so he was standing right in front of me, when the woman standing there with a collection box and said "I'm collecting for the children's home." I pushed son and heir towards her and said "Here you are, take him." We had to have a further conversation to stop her calling the authorities on me. Some people have no sense of humour.

Blimey - six months since previous post! That's lockdown for you. Anyhow, despite layout being packed away for over a year, I've not been entirely inactive ... Remember this? Well ... Drum roll please ... Brave yerselves ... Ta-daa!! S'finished! Agonising over an identity (honest), I had more or less settled on No.4332 ... but was continually 'bothered' by the fact that we already have Nos 4317, 4323, 4327 & 4329, all very close together number wise. Part of the joy of researching LNER locos is the apparently randomness of the numbering and I was aware of there being a batch of D2s in the 30xx series. And then I stumbled across an image of No.3050 on t'internet. And it 'matched' in terms of being a superheated loco, with correct dome / chimney combo. Symbolically, it was the last-built loco of the class so, as it is destined to be my 'last built' loco for Grantham, that sealed it. No idea whether it actually worked in the Grantham area, mind ... As referred to above, we now have five of these diminutive 4-4-0s available for service on the layout. Don't think I ever envisaged that when I started the project, nearly 15 years ago now.

The striking bus drivers at Fulwell garage did themselves few favours. Rather than entering the workplace to peacefully protest within a large open-air yard they crowded onto the public footpath and spilled into the road. Social distancing was absent; they were in groups of several to many some arm in arm. Many were smoking which is not unlawful on the street but is not permitted by drivers in uniform when at work (though it is very common despite the rules). London bus drivers seem to be a law to themselves in some respects with ages-old attitudes passed down through the generations. It required a visit by the police to remind them that, whilst they are allowed to protest at their workplace, they must abode by social distancing and must not block the public road and footpaths.

Since @Gwiwer mentioned COVID protection measures, it’s making me fume again and again and again how many of our own staff are taking a fairly lax approach to these by now. Mingling together for a smoke, often within the areas I’d usually interpret as being part of tram or bus stops, and of course not wearing masks, ah, what the hell… It’s really making me sick and tired. I can’t speak for other sectors of this company, of course, but drivers here seem to be innately rebellious for any reasons, which in this context makes for a toxic melange…

Thank you, Mr Bear. My local Tesco is not noted for class merchandise. It doesn't even sell bread pudding. Nevertheless I shall have a shufti on my next visit, early next week. Chris

Need a squad of these

Hello again from Estuary-Land. I've seen off Arthur Itis this morning only for Si Attica to join in. He has now departed but they are both hanging around. Received a package this morning from Hong Kong. It was the Diecast that I ordered before Christmas that had gone AWOL. I did ask for a refund and I have been told it has been sent so I'll check my bank statement which should arrive in the next few days to see that it has. The damp patch on the utility room floor hasn't grown any larger. I suspect it may be a spillage of some sort but what and where from is a mystery.

Excited for Monday and Tuesday... Supposed to be 18° and 21°! Makes a change from the 12° of today, but the wind will drop so understandable. Thus, saving garden jobs until then. Lots to plant and hopefully will warm the greenhouse and get these sunflowers on the go. I have a variety of giant and tall ones this year to try. Also trying to decide how long I should wait before contacting a company to see where my stuff is. They received it on the 8th or 10th... it's now the 27th. Already sent one chase email but had no response.

Good evening everyone As I was half way to the butchers this morning, it started to rain again, thankfully it wasn’t heavy, but it was still wet. Whilst I was there I bumped into my cousin, whom I’m not seen since just before Christmas. We chatted for a while and as we did so, she informed me that someone we both called Uncle Ronnie had died in January. My mum and my cousin's mum were sisters, Ronnie was their cousin, but when we were kids, he was always known as uncle. This morning I got the results from my recent invitation to join the game of Pooh sticks. I sent my sample off last week and the good news is that I was given the all clear.

Unfortunately some of them are not the sharpest knives in the drawer. One burglar we caught was identigied because his back pocket caught on the window latch as he exited the premises. His wallet gotbleft behind with his driving licence in it. Jamie