Leaderboard

Gordon’s better half has regularly kept people up to date via e-mail and has given me permission to relay her updates to you. Here is a, by necessity, brief summary of her reports over the last few days Gordon underwent his operation on Thursday as planned although it took a lot longer than envisaged and was more difficult than expected. He lost a lot of blood and they had to do transfusions but were able to do what they wanted to do and were cautiously optimistic. Because the surgery took longer than expected it is taking Gordon a lot longer to recover and on Friday they were unable to wake Gordon but this was not unexpected given the amount of anaesthetic he had had. On Saturday the aim was to get him off as much medication as possible as his little bit liver needs to be recovering rather than processing everything. He was still intubated as they did not want him using energy breathing on his own and fighting pain. It is all a fine balance to get him better. The surgeons felt that, all things considered Gordon was doing well. There has been no further update today, which has apparently been a difficult day, and it would appear that Gordon needs all the positive thoughts that we can muster.

It was the only card loco I have painted. It came to me already painted so had been around for a bit. It needed lots of tlc but, of course, I couldn’t strip it, so lots of very gentle rubbing down was called for. As I recall its bodywork was very rigid so it had been built by someone who knew what they were doing but as it was ready painted I don’t know what pretreatment it had received in the way of shellac or primers. The splashers should have polished brass beading, something else that can’t be done in card, not on this engine anyway. A proper engine - again 7mm scale but live steam and scratch built. It has a pot boiler but can run for 20 minutes on one fill. The ornate lettering is a transfer, but because of the heat, I couldn’t use transfers for the boiler bands so the lines were ruled directly on to the bands. Ian R

Hi everyone, With Deltic production now underway (and yes, still due in Q3 as per the last update!) we thought we would give you an update on the sales leader board. We done this last week with our Irish metrovick locos (which you may have seen) and it has proved a popular and handy guide to help modellers plan out their purchases. As you can see, four of the locos are completely sold out. As the purchase order has been placed with the factory we cannot increase the run. So, while others have plenty of stock still in some cases, it is only a finite amount left. Also, the ratio of DCC sound to DC/DCC ready is also fixed. Hopefully this proves to be a useful tool for anyone looking to order a Deltic and being slightly blinded by the sheer choice on hand! Cheers, Fran

Some more ECML in Northumberland photos, this time taken at Southside. Southside is between Acklington and Alnmouth. It is about one mile south of the site of Warkworth station There was a junction at Southside with a line leading to Whitle colliery, which closed in 1987. It is not visible in these photos, but was situated in front of the Class 47 in the fourth photo, the line curved sharply across the field to the left. There are no real remains of it now. Earlier photos in this thread do show it. Southside 43108 Kings X to Aberdeen Aug 86 J8673.jpg Southside 43157 KIngs X to Inverness Sept 86 J8698.jpg Southside 47559 Newcastle to AlnmouthAug 89 J10081.jpg Southside 47238 up ICI March 91 J11787.jpg Southside 60077 down empty coal 22nd July 92 C16989.jpg David

OK, back a bit more.... Need to clear the point...

Heading out of London to Westerham.

The following has been posted on the E.T. thread: Gordon’s better half has regularly kept people up to date via e-mail and has given me permission to relay her updates to you. Here is a, by necessity, brief summary of her reports over the last few days Gordon underwent his operation on Thursday as planned although it took a lot longer than envisaged and was more difficult than expected. He lost a lot of blood and they had to do transfusions but were able to do what they wanted to do and were cautiously optimistic. Because the surgery took longer than expected it is taking Gordon a lot longer to recover and on Friday they were unable to wake Gordon but this was not unexpected given the amount of anaesthetic he had had. On Saturday the aim was to get him off as much medication as possible as his little bit liver needs to be recovering rather than processing everything. He was still intubated as they did not want him using energy breathing on his own and fighting pain. It is all a fine balance to get him better. The surgeons felt that, all things considered Gordon was doing well. There has been no further update today, which has apparently been a difficult day, and it would appear that Gordon needs all the positive thoughts that we can muster.

Good moaning from the boring borough. Crabtree is sleeping one off today. Colour me tired this morn. T'was at the pub last night for a few midnight jars. (as seen on Sky News) It was fun, just 18 people, all regular customers. Proper social distancing and no other issues. At one point there was more media than drinkers. Today I shall mostly be trying to stay awake. Jealous of SWMBO as she has a week off. Grrr. Enjoy the day. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hi folks, Well, not a huge amount to report here, although I have been working away on various projects, including the fitting of interior lights to my TPO rake. Although the windows on the TPO coaches are tiny, the rake often runs in the dark and I think the suggestion of activity inside the coaches makes the fitting of lights worthwhile. I have now started working on my InterCity Swallow HST rake. This will involve the fitting of Lazerglaze glazing, Extreme Etchings window frames and interior lights. The rake has otherwise already undergone the usual WW work, including a complete respray, detailing of interiors, etc., etc. I am also planning on extending the rake by a FO, which will involve the challenge of getting it to match the coaches that have already been done as closely as possible. Other than that, now that the Princes St Gardens refresh is largely complete, I have had a few very enjoyable running sessions recently, which has been fun and a change from working on the layout. Here are some pics taken during some recent operating sessions. 37418 runs through Princes St Gardens with a Speedlink service. 47642 departs Waverley bound for Inverness... A window-hanging gricer watches D200 closely as it pulls into Platform 17 on a service from Dundee... An InterCity Swallow-liveried power car snakes its way into Waverley on a service from Aberdeen to Kings Cross... Light and shade on the north wall of the station from a low sun... Inverness-based 26038 runs through the station another Speedlink service. Fellow Railfreight-liveried 26025 in the background is awaiting its next duty as station pilot. Later that evening, various services ready themselves for departure. On the far left is the stock of a service to Inverness, next to a Glasgow Push-Pull rake. Then a couple of DMUs on local services to Fife and Glasgow (via Falkirk Grahamston), and on the far right a cross-country service which will head for Carstairs where it will be joined with the rest of the rake from Glasgow Central. Having returned from Inverness, 47642 departs once again... ...with a motley rake of Mk 1s and air-conditioned Mk 2s in tow... Cheers for now, Dave

Morning all. We are slightly to the east (from the weather radar map) of the snow moving south at the moment. It is cloudy though. I am glad I didn’t pay the extra for next working day guaranteed delivery for my replacement record player as it is arriving this afternoon anyway. I may cut my hair today, perhaps a celebration of feeling a bit better than I have been for a couple of weeks. I don’t want half a haircut so I had better put the clippers on charge. I won’t be frequenting the barbers or going shopping, my vulnerability is unchanged, I haven’t had my second vaccine dose yet. Tony

Dry and bright here in North Somerset, and a respectable temperature of +7C. I think all this cold spring weather is a taster of what we would be in for if the Gulf Stream reversed its flow mid-Atlantic and headed back for Florida; as is widely forecast by the Global Warming scientists. We would then have a climate something a kin to Iceland (the country not the supermarket). Now that would really wake the media up to the true meaning of Climate Change. Youngest son starts his new job today, although he is only swapping one zoo for another lesser known one but with better pay. He promises to pay us a visit now restrictions are eased a bit more, and so we might find out all about it presently.

Morning, from a chilly and very frosty rock, sunny though. Tank is already working on the paths, not too much more now to do, just as well as it is costing a lot of modelling vouchers, the supply of which is much depleted nowadays. We have a camper van, Fiat Ducato medium wheelbase panel van based, had it 10 years now. Very expensive to buy, but they maintain their value, and with the current boom in them due to staycation anticipation, is actually worth more than we paid for it new. Inflation aside of course. We usually go way to the UK twice a year in it for 2 weeks, and use it every two or three weeks on island to drive to a scenic spot (not hard to find here!) and have a picnic in it. She's 'Voirrey the Lorry', Voirrey (pron, Vorry) is Manx for Mary. We love having it, but it did cost an awful lot of those train vouchers. We have a long driveway so it and both cars fit end to end OK, thankfully.

This morning sees the other side of the Wolf. Off to golf soon. Back doesn't seem to be too upset at that idea. Lovely sunny but cold day. We shall see.

Afternoon all, Very importantly has anybody any news of how Gordn S got on with his surgery? Good to hear that it has happened at last and I hope the delay has not exacerbated his condition - I look forward to his return to more normal things. Today we have had our biggest snowfall of the year, getting on for =1" of the stuff although it had almost completely vanished within 2 hours of it ceasing to fall (which of course started as the GD was on her way to work but she arrived safely). Talking of the GD brings me to the recent points about Covid - her version of it was pretty mild but it takes different folk in different ways and age doesn't seem to necessarily be the deciding factor in how badly it will affect someone. i know this as she had to put a 64 year old in his body bag but I don't know the ages of the other two she had to deal with. But on the High Dependency Covid ward they has several younger people - a male in his early 30s, and two women of child bearing age who had to have C sections because they couldn't take in enough oxygen to sustain both themselves and their unborn child. Apart from that of course there are the associated problems and they are not just ICU beds. In Oxford the High Dependency Covid wards were created in the Cardiac block so reducing the amount of cardiac patient bedspace while the entire elective surgery orthopaedic department was closed for, roundly, 3 months to release staff to help man the High Dependency Covid wards while the surgeons and, particularly, the anaesthetists were redeployed onto mainly Covid related work including providing extra staff for the ICU (which all those anaesthetists were transferred to). So yet again elective orthopaedic work is delayed. On a far brighter note the chiropractor really earned his corn today and in addition to much stretching and squeezing has put a pin in my left hand to see if it will stop the immobilised thumb syndrome (which apparently even has its own medical name). Fingers are metaphorically crossed but the thumb hasn't been just in case the pin doesn't work and it stays there defying all attempts to move it The town appears to have returned to life with lots of folk about and all the retail premises I passed open for business. As the sun had appeared by then the various outdoor tables at the likes of Harrods caff and less puissant concerns looked to be doing a roaring trade in overpriced coffee and such like. Big queue of manky looking males outside the Turkish barbers but the lad had got down to another barber before 08.00 and beat the queues. There was even a queue outside the cake shop which I haven't seen previously although it has remained open throughout lockdown. I don't think our Tesco has sprouted a barber's establishment but as I haven't been in there for over a year all sorts of strange things might have happened (like reopening the bakery - that really would be strange). Finally I hope that Dave's Meccano dad is making good progress and that things are not too painful for him. Enjoy the rest of your day folks and carry on staying safe as plenty of halfwits appear not to give a toss about social distancing or wearing a mask.

Hello strangers! I haven't seen much of my dad in the last year, for obvious reasons, but it appears that he's been putting the lockdown to good use in building new motive power for Blackgill! He's supplied me with some photos of the new locos that he's been knocking-up. Maybe one day I'll be allowed to set foot over the threshold to photograph them on the layout itself... First up Worsdell A7 tank, number 69782, which was allocated to Tyne Dock shed in 1955. Next, BR Standard 3MT 77014, which was a Tyne Dock engine in 1960. A slightly out-of-focus portrait of Worsdell N9, number 69429, based at Tyne Dock from 1949 until withdrawal in 1955. I know the EM South Pelaw chaps have also got this loco on their roster! And finally, a couple of photos of NCB 41, a Kitson long-boilered pannier tank of 1893. Formerly based at Consett Iron Works, she moved to the NCB at Derwenthaugh later in life. She'll work the colliery branch on Blackgill. Here she is in real life: https://www.flickr.com/photos/trains-travel/36997381741 That's all for now! Arp

seen yet another eye doctor.. he has decided I just need to see the guys at the private eye place...he has also told me that if I have Cataract Surgery it will get rid of the problem (!) But he did say to check that I am still on the diabetic (retinal scanning) register as I should have been for a checkup... I put it down to the pandemic myself but time to try and contact the Marie Celeste! Still sunny but very cool here so far. Baz

The up Great Western TPO passes over the River Avon as it approaches Brent station in June 1947

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare, 6.5 hours sleep interrupted by several wake up and turn overs. When I first sat up, I felt a general wave of pain, throughout body.. it passed quickly, but I do feel a bit rough.. Luckily the major equipment is nothing requiring brain power until Wednesday, when all the results will be processed, I have half an hour till the next wiring change and button selection. Ben the Alarm clock Collie was on duty, he enjoyed his morning patrol, and didn't want to go back in.. We did / do have a caravan but within a year of getting here rats eat through the floor ( carpet, 1 inch ply with 1.5 inch polystyrene below that, with a plastic layer below that. They destroyed a lot of the interior, then there was a roof leak which damaged a outside wall. A retirement plan is to strip the whole assembly down to the chassis, then rebuild it into a big tear drop caravan, that will actually be much smaller and lighter than it was.. The current remains have for instance double glazed Glass windows... The intention then is to visit many places in the UK, starting with places we used to live and there a lot of them.. Time to.. Head back down the the other end of the main lab where the equipment lives..

Some afternoon delight featuring Marrington Hall.

They'd only just moved in when the first lockdown started. When they reopened after the first lockdown they were very busy but I managed to get an appointment for the following day. I'll book an appointment when I go there later today. https://www.gouldbarbers.co.uk/location/gould-barbers-pitsea/ I tried cutting my own hair once and it was a disaster and I need my ears to hang my specs on.

Here's another photo of 4680, but this time without a concerned driver stood nearby.

Last two pictures for today, Peter

The boiler and smoke box have now been soldered up but not yet fixed as I have a few bits and pieces to do that go on the footplate both under the boiler and smoke box. I must also remember to fit the step under the smoke box as it's a pain doing it later. Incidentally, rolling boilers is much easier since I bought my GW Models rolling bars!

I am reminded of the apparently true story of the WR S&T school, where the instructor explained that the advantages of colour light signals were that they could be seen more clearly through haze. One bright spark immediately asked "What about through Southall?"

Good morning everyone A bright and sunny start to the day, but there was frost on the workshop roof whilst I was sat eating breakfast, that has gone now, but I doubt the temperature has risen much more than 1C. As is the norm for me, I probably won’t bother with a coat today! As the weather is fine and tomorrow looks like we could have rain, I’ve decided to carry on with the wheelbarrow run and finish pegging it out and fitting the shuttering, I’ll carry on with the chairs tomorrow when I potentially can’t work outside. Stay safe, stay sane, enjoy whatever you have planned for the day, back later. Brian

Afternoon all, News from the Cold Front. We were all rather taken aback by the amount and duration on snowfall this morning. The Hill of Strawberries received two hours-worth while the House of Fun had a few minutes less but it came down thick and fast at first. Thick and fast enough, in fact, that the leading ends of some trains were entirely white with wiped arcs from whence the driver peered through. And it was clod. Vrey clod. Nothing settled though and by lunchtime the sun was trying its best to apologise for the earlier misdemeanour. On the Glorious Twelfth - not of August and the start of wanton termination of small creatures but of April and the re-start of public falling-down water enjoyment - you could have been mistaken for thinking there was no change to anything. Much. The current version of "morning peak" which is about 30-50% of what it once was remained the same. It was after 09.30 when the buggy-brigade relaunched their assault on the world, the suitcase-perambulators struggled to control an average of more than two items per person, the absurdly-underdressed yoof (of both sexes; attired in shorts / crop-tops / vests which seemed to be wrong in falling snow) resumed their meanderings and the place felt almost busy at times. We knew the pubs were open. At 7.10am we had our first delayed train. Persons fighting aboard the Salisbury service before it had even left Waterloo. Police removed them and it quickly became known that at least one had spent at least some of the night imbibing significant quantities of loopy-juice. But aside from the passage through our lives of a few moderately disrespectful folk, which I'm afraid is normal for a day's work, that was the extent of it. I am required to present pizza with a salad "as soon as possible" which requires minimal effort beyond leaving the computer. I had better leave the computer and minimise my effort, then.

More importantly, why does she actually need 133 T-shirts?? Not a chance... Incidentally, she is NEVER wrong...even when proved to be wrong (that's buddy's words, not Bear's). And no, she wasn't around when he said it. (The main reason she ensured she was registered as a cross-border worker (which had to be done by chrimbo I think) was to escape the 90 day max rule in every 180 days without a visa, which was as a consequence of the UK bailing out of the EU. ) Co-op raided and floor grout sealant tested - when it's dry it's undetectable - and applying it with a small brush works well, so that'll be tomorrow's job. The knees will be wrecked by the time I've finished though

A friend had a Bedford Rascal based camper. They are no longer or wider than a Fiesta. She used it as a daily driver as well as for camping trips and folk festivals.

The sun is still shining and it's warmed up a little, now 6C. Currently sat on the bench under the workshop window having a well earned muggertea.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I have had a laser printer for about ten years. It developed a fault last year that cost about £300 to repair but that included a couple of ink cartridges. An identical (rebuilt) one without ink cartridges was advertised on E-bay for £500 at the same time. Mine is a Lexmark X543, a bit more expensive than HP, even the cartridges are more expensive but are at least three times the size and can be refilled at home (if you don't mind the mess). I purchased it because I wanted to print my own transfers and downloadable models. I will have to book a haircut sometime this week. The barbers is situated in Tess Coe's at Pitsea, a tad pricey but ever so convenient.

Ey up! In anticipation of being battered by probes and lights this morning my eyes are very watery ..pah! Thick frost here this morning. Beautiful blue skies though. Mugatea already drunk.. need to stir myself and get on with sorting Monday out. Have a good day! Stay safe! Positive thoughts to all ERs especially our missing ones. Baz

Good evening everyone It’s been sunny for most of the day, but we did have a little snow during the early part of the afternoon. I did start to pack up, but it stopped, so I decided to carry on and the snow started once again. The snow was so light I decided to continue the working, by the time I’d packed up for the day, I managed to get one side of the wheelbarrow run pegged out and the shuttering installed. Ironically, once I’d packed up and come inside, the snow stopped falling, the sun shone and the clouds cleared revealing blue skies. Today’s temperature however, has remained in single figures all day, but this afternoon it reached the heady height of 7C this afternoon. Neither my first or second names are linked in anyway to previous male family members, in fact only one of my siblings, the eldest of my 2 younger brothers has a family name, his second name being that of our late father, who, like his brother and their father had no second name. My mother’s grandfather was Portuguese, but grandmother was English, in his (her grandfather’s) family there was a tradition that the first male child was given the name, Raul. This went on for at least 6 generations that I know of, my cousin ‘Raul’ finally broke with this tradition when he called his first son Eric!

Monday morning...Monday, Monday... Sunday was a flurry of various indoor chores, and some time taken to relax and read the newspaper. Today, back working again, altogether quiet overall. Started out at 3 and overcast, 9 the forecast high with some showers later.

Promptly at 14.30 I was welcomed by Dr Leroi, my dishy 30-something pharmacist, who sat me down and went through a list of questions, marking answers on a sheet I was required to countersign. She then administered the AZ dose, painlessly of course, and I sat for the mandatory 15 mins to ensure no ill-effects. During this time she spent ages entering data for my jab into an online system that obviously records every French Covid jab by date, time, type, batch, name of patient, name of provider, and countless other data, upon which France thrives. I was given an A4 certificate - and a date for my second dose, about 10 weeks. The next patient behind me was a lady at least 10 years older (I'm 72) walking very slowly with two sticks, and apologising to me for her limited mobility. That's this week's excitement over!

Local paper has an interview with a girl who spent over £400 in Primark this morning. I wonder how much it will cost to hire a van to take it home?

Greetings all from Sidcup where it is grey and colder than it looks. We went for a walk earlier and picked up a coffee. The barbers on the High Street (all three emporia) looked busy but I will take Younger Lurker up on spec later to see if the queues are not too long. it’s not very exciting for a day off but there you go. have a good day all

Greetings one and all Not for the first time, I woke this morning at 2 am and lay in bed in something approaching limbo. Radio 5Live dd not do what I wanted, which was to send me back to sleep swiftly and effectively. I do not know at what time I did drift back to sleep but slumber was too little and too late when it came. At something like the right time my bladder dictated that it was time to be out of bed and about my business. On past form it will not take me long to feel rather groggy. I will need to go out this morning because I neglected to count how many slices of bread remained before the last fodder run and it's not enough now. The upcoming presentation made good progress yesterday and is all but done. It will benefit from tweaking and fine-tuning but that can wait. So can my overdue haircut. As far as I know the salon that I patronise does not offer advance bookings. Its more resilient customers are not averse to queueing. The last time I did I arrived at 7.15 am and was third in the queue. I will leave further thought on that subject for a few more days. Recent talk of second homes prompts me to revisit a vaguely related issue. The idea of owning a camper van is one that will not go away. If I had one it could save me a bit of time and trouble when it comes to finding b&b or hotel accommodation. It could even take the place of my venerable tent when I attend a festival. The trouble is that I have nowhere to put one. The street on which I live is difficult enough when it comes to parking my modest Polo and the possibility of finding a suitable parking space in a strange town could be remote. There is no obvious answer, I feel. Oh well ... Best wishes to all Chris

The weather here was odd today. Freezing overnight (or very close) and not a cloud in the sky all day, but chillier than it looked with the bright sun relatively high in the day. It did reach about 15°C if my telephone can be believed. The thermometer on the covered patio reported around 13°C. Nice in full sun, but less nice in the shade. My back yard, which at this point really needs weed-pulling attention is in heavy shade all afternoon. While it was the sort of day that looked tempting to be outside. I watched golf instead. Warming temperatures are forecast for several days.

Evening All, Funny old day, at one point I was gardening in my tee shirt while it was snowing. A few jobs jobbed and a couple of films watched and even a bit of shed time. Goodnight, Robert

On our first day of freedom I took a trip over to the Forest. I had to visit somebody but once finished I called into Parkend for the first time in well over a year. Sadly no trains were running and I was also a little surprised to see this Parkend Colliery wagon on display on a reinstated section of the Marsh sidings. It's not a 'pukka' coal wagon and looks to be of SECR origin but it certainly makes an impact and most definitely commemorates the former industry of the area. The route of the now removed siding is across what is now a car park, across the Coleford road and in front of the cottages where the cars are parked. Even though the sidings are now long gone the place is still well worth visiting. Gerry

As far as I know maintenance is not a valid reason, only, buying, renting or letting. Several of our friends are trying to find ways to get round the regs. Jamie

Did my first Nellie bash last year, turning her into an industrial tank to go onto an Electrotren 0-6-0 The buffer beams were shot so I gave her some from an airfix J94, then gave her a maroon livery. I named her Apollo- my intention was to name the fleet after Greek Gods. Frame extensions were fitted to the base of the body for the chassis to sit between. She didn't stay pristine for very long. The varnish left all frosted so I had to apply more weathering to cover it up. She came out looking nice and workstained though

We could use Tasmania.

Makes a change from queueing to get out at closing time.

Oh for goodness sake - I have just seen people queueing for about half a mile around the car park just to get into IKEA at Eastville. Do they not realise the shop will open again tomorrow? I wouldn't queue to get into an IKEA anyway. I try to avoid the shop like the plague.

Just what is this desperation for a Pub + booze? Bear confused. Wot no Chips??

The new record deck doesn’t cause any hum. I did actually wonder with my high frequency hearing loss if I would be able to notice any other difference in audio quality. I do think I still can. We can now work through all the albums from the 1970s and 80s we never got on cd or iTunes. I can’t complain about the old Pioneer turntable. I bought it from a Comet warehouse in a sale at the end of 1974. It even spent a couple of years stored in the loft when I couldn’t get replacement drive belts. Not a problem over recent years with the “vinyl revival”. The new one doesn’t have a belt drive. Tony

Of course if you model the GWR they all look the same so you have it easy. Jamie

I've been laying a wood floor in our den - which is why I've been on RMWeb so much today.... Emperor of the North great movie, Ernest Borgnine as conductor/Bad guy? Shame really as he was a delightful man - when he saw tourists gazing at his house in Beverly Hills he would invariably go outside and invite them all in for tea. and crumpets or whatever.... and a chat. Watch it if you can. Best, Pete.