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A couple of Brake vans at Bleat Wharf. Rob.

After our walk this morning, I picked up the resistors and capacitors from our local electronics shop and after lunch made up and fitted the two RC filters. That was at about 1300 and between then and 1700... . . . . . ... the system behaved perfectly, with no freezes. That could be coincidence but for now I'll take it as a win. During that time I finished the sequence (as before, without the railbus services). There are a few minor things to put right on the spreadsheets but overall it was a successful session. To round it off I took just a couple more photos. Train 584 is the Up Royal Duchy, which on summer Saturdays is strengthened from its normal 7 coaches (4 on the model) to 12 (7 on the model). It left Penzance at 1150 and we see it here just after passing Porthmellyn Road, on time, at 1330. D816 worked down earlier on the 0035 SO sleepers. I rather like this viewpoint for Up trains and I think I'll make more use of it. Because the Pentowan branch is (or will be...) so busy with holiday expresses on summer Saturdays, there are no paths for Wheal Veronica china-clay trains and only two for St Dennis Junction, one in the early morning and the other in the evening. Here is the latter, 4247 on the 2040 St Dennis Junction to Tregissey (train 646), about to pass St Enodoc station.

A slightly different angle.

A few more photos from the Talyllyn Railway this morning. Tywyn Wharf Barclay 0-4-2ST ex Irish Turf Board awaiting rebuilding as Tom Rolt Aug 69 J1839 Tywyn Wharf No 3 Sir Haydn 1st Aug 76 C2941 Tywyn Pendre 31st Aug 69 C074 Brynglas 3 Sir Hadyn Abergynolwyn to Tywyn Aug 72 J3063 Brynglas 3 Sir Hadyn Aug 72 J3054 Brynglas 4 Edward Thomas Abergynolwyn to Tywyn Wharf Aug 72 C1088 Brynglas Aug 72 J3062 David

Riding Mill and Stocksfield on the Newcastle to Carlisle line this afternoon. Some of the photos show diverted HSTs on days when the ECML was closed between Newcastle and Edinburgh. Riding Mill 43119 Kings X to Edinburgh diverted via Carlisle April 89 J09886 Stocksfield 43046 diverted Aberdeen to Kings X March 91 J11793 Stocksfield 37070 Alcan North Blyth to Fort William March 91 J11796 Stocksfield 156451 Girvan to Newcastle "The Tyne Trader" Aug 92 J13301 Stocksfield 153317 and 143611 Middlesbrough to Carlisle Aug 92 J13304 David

37029 shunts some scrap wagons 03382 appears the day after

Squadron Leader out and about yesterday.

Although I well remember the events of 2001 and feel for the victims deeply, the date has another significance for me as my Mum died on September 11th 2017. Dave

My apologies for not replying. I am laid up at the present time, having had an argument with a kitchen chair back in July. I finished up a very poor second best, and resulted in a heavy fall on my left side. To compound matters, I managed to pull my walking frame on to my right side. It had two heavy walking sticks hooked over it, so finished up black and blue from shoulder to knee, my right arm badly cut and needing stitching and breaking two ribs.. I couldn’t get up, I seemed to have lost my strength so Olga rang for the ambulance, which whisked me off to hospital for a ten day stay. On finally getting home, the local Nurse Practitioner sent me straight back, she found I had a large amount of water sloshing around inside me. However, medication has sorted that out and having lost a stone in weight, I feel much better. I haven’t been in the railway room since July, but hope to resume activity later in the week. As far as the Kirtley goods are concerned, I can’t remember much about building them. The K’s kit was bought for me by Olga as a birthday present in 1966, and built it as instructions. The Jidenco one took me about twenty years to build. However, when I get back I will be better placed to describe their building Derek

Finished.........ish......for now..... Rob.

4658 starts south from Yelverton with a Launceston-Plymouth freight, having stopped at Yelverton to pin down brakes before the descent to Bickleigh.

A quick move round to the other side reveals the B17 to be Gayton Hall, which will be coming off here, and will be replaced by a Midland engine. If we had a poll to find the best view on PN, I reckon this one would be hard to beat.

Last couple of photos of Brake vans then.

Brake van at Sheep Dip. A study by Norman Lockhart.

Yelverton now has an up starter. This is the third attempt. I wasn't satisfied with the first two, so admitted defeat and got one made. It's servo operated from a Megapoints controller below the baseboard. It's not fixed in place yet, hence the slght lean in the photo. A reminder of where we are. Like the signal, the station name board needs fixing in place. Portrait of a pannier - 4658 - detailed Bachmann. 4658 has stopped at the down starter to pin down brakes, and now waits for the right of way. Alex

'Arrival of the empties in 1943'

Here's a few snaps from yesterday:

More centenary coach action. I'm currently working on increasing the rake length.

For those unfamiliar with the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, a sample: My favorite:

Mod roc duly applied this evening

This evening, I have managed a bit of modelling. Inspired by the ex LM&SR brake van, I dug out a Hornby BR standard jobbie, kindly donated by Grahame (BG man) of the parish. A dark wash had been applied and I stripped some of this back using my trusty fibre brushes. Then, as per S.S.O.P ( Standard Sheep Operating Procedure) weathering powders were added as was a dusting of Dark Earth from an aerosol. This is where we are. Still to do is the roof and tweaking of the underframe. Updates to follow. Rob.

I don't think I've ever shown a photo of this V2 I built in 1978 from the Bristol Models kit. Subsequently I decided that the front section of the boiler and smokebox was a bit too small in diameter, ie the opposite to the original Bachmann model. The handrails on the boiler are also a bit too low , their position being governed by the position of the superheater header covers which are a bit too low. It has Ks P2 valve gear as the Bristol Models kit came as only body and tender and a separate brass chassis with no cylinders or valve gear. The cylinders I originally fitted were modified Triang Britannia cylinders but during the 1980s I got a pair of Nucast cylinders and a Nucast chimney for it. Its fitted with a MW005 motor and Romford gears. I originally numbered it 4791 but then changed it to St Peter's School as I wanted a named loco. It looks very bare with no brakes and other finer details. It hasn't been on the layout for a long time. Next time I come across it I should give it a run! I did intend to build a better V2 so purchased the Proscale kit in 1985 - which is another story of course and its still waiting to be built! When I got the Nucast cylinders for the V2 below I also got a Nucast boiler so possibly this could be fitted to the Proscale kit? I do intend to buy a Bachmann LNER V2 so then I'll have 4791 again. But looking at the photos we've seen and as I commented on Gilbert's Peterborough North thread I expect I might need to make a few mods to it but then we are railway modellers and we like changing things - or at least I do. Apologies for the quality of the photo which was taken back in the 90s on a friend's layout. Andrew

At least last night's tennis made up a little for the lack of the cancelled Test Match visit. That ECB chief must think we came in with the fairies, telling us that the cancellation has nothing to do with the IPL. If so why are IPL teams chartering planes to fly players in as quickly as possible? The quarantine rules are a bit of a jungle depending on the state involves but the toughest in the UAE appear to require a negative PCR test within 48 hours of departure and further negative tests on arrival and day 9 of 10 days quarantine. Had the Test Match gone to five days the worst case scenario would be players missing the first two rounds of games. Nothing to do with the IPL? Jim Royle had a phrase that fits perfectly.

I heard a really confusing traffic report on Radio 2 yesterday. Firstly, the reporter said that the Tour of Britain in Scotland would lead to rolling road closures. Now, why would any railway modeller who had just bought a new engine not be able to run it in simply because some lycra-clad fools wanted a bike ride? I don't get it. Then, there were problems on the M62 because of a shed load. Round these parts (North West of England) "a shed load" simply means "a lot", as in "Did you grow many tomatoes this Summer?" "Yes, I got a shed load". So, there were traffic problems on the M62 because of a lot, but a lot of what? The reporter didn't specify. More confusion. Finally, there were tailbacks on the M6 in Staffordshire because (and I quote the reporter) "there's Elaine out" (I think that's what she said). Who is this Elaine? What does she do when she's "out" that causes tailbacks? Come to think of it I've heard traffic reports mentioning problems because of "Elaine out" on every motorway from the M20 to the M74. This woman is notorious! Something should be done. Really, the BBC traffic department needs to get its act together.

Greetings I spent about three hours at Milton Keynes Pride yesterday. But for the process of obtaining entry to the event it was a pleasant day. There must be a more co-ordinated way of searching bags than the one I encountered. Mine was searched twice. All it contained was my rainbow flag and an empty water bottle. "Shall I get rid of that for you?" "No, because I will be filling it with water and drinking from it." The queue was too slow moving for anyone who wanted to attend the poetry reading at 12 noon to have a ghost of a chance of hearing more than one poem, which is not fair on the poet but easily remedied by more astute programming. Never mind: the event was well attended and there was a good atmosphere. An ice cream stall caught my eye. Knickerbocker glory! OMG, I've not had one of those since I last visited Fortes' ice cream parlour on Barry Island. Sheer indulgence! Contrary to what has been said, there was something on TV last night other than the tennis - the Last Night of the Proms. This year "Rule Britannia" was delivered by a tenor brandishing a cricket bat. Let no-one dare complain that it's the same every year. Long may those present in the Albert Hall continue to belt out "Land of Hope and Glory" and wave their flags. There is nothing wrong with a bit of escapism. Best wishes to all Chris

Whiter Shade always brings back memories of our Youth Club helping out a member's workplace. It was a big freshen-up job. We did the job and they gave a donation to the Club. While we were working, someone had a radio on. This is the only song I remember them playing - probably because it was already, as PupCam says, a favourite. At the time I was painting office door frames. The other job I got landed with was cleaning the canteen ovens which made cleaning Mum's oven a doddle in comparison! This would have to be one of my Desert Island Discs though I can see the list getting longer and longer as the years go by! Today's drivel news will have to wait until tomorrow - THE tennis match HAD to be watched. Well done, both players. ' night all and nos da.

Some from last night, carnforth to Tebay and Shap rail milling carnforth into the station and onto the goods to change ends as was north and job done at hardendale quarry north of Shap summit ready to head back in a taxi for my car! possession again this evening near Leamington then a week of MOD, rail milling and ballast jobs

' afternoon all from red dragon land. Rain forecast soon - Single and Double Blobs of the wet stuff. I thought I would go to the Log Swing after the Double Blobs to see how high the stream waters might be. In the meantime, some more views from both sides of the farm track and stream taken yesterday. Facing upstream. Facing downstream. Across the stream looking towards the Log Swing. View over to the Log Swing from the other side of bridge. And back on the other side of the stream and the high water mark from the previous downpour is visible. Also the texture and colours of the Log Swing. Amazing the difference a few blobs of rain has had on the blackberries, too. The ripe ones far outweighed that seen (and collected) in the past few hot sunny days. More larger ones, as well. Those collected were for the freezer, but as they were so plentiful, I used some in another blackberry and apple crumble when I got back home. Note to self: I must watch my weight. I also got some M word done and carpeted the interior seat piece of the VW bus. Just a few little jobs to do now - Vote No.6 placards, sunglasses for one of the passengers (Still not sure how to this!), and (with al little help from the techno man) add an interior light. The day finished with a brilliant result in the ladies tennis. How I remember the Billie-Jean and Virginia days. My first tennis racket was a stained wooden one belonging to my Gran! I had to wait until I was in my teens before getting a more modern Dunlop one. Within a few years, I was delighting in my Wilson metal racket soon after its release to the general public. I saw it in a shop window and that was that! Looking at the game now is a whole new experience...gone are my days of dreaming and wishful thinking...replaced by not only appreciating the player's talents and opportunities but cherishing my own. Time for lunch methinks - it's getting late and still no sign of any Blobs. Take care all and play safe - tennis or otherwise! Fitt and Elfie jogging along. _________ Best wishes Polly

Back to some King action and the Cornish Riviera Limited no less. 6004 King George Third and a flavour of what should be at least six coaches modelled but in reality only four because being kit built Comet jobs the Hornby model can't cope with the weight when I add the two dining cars. The leading coach here is the brake third left hand model full kit. The second and third coaches seen are the TK's C69 diagrams and are both full kits. Not seen yet is the right handed brake third which was a bogies only job on an old Airfix centenary brake.

"A garment that reveals more than it conceals."

Completed a conversion of 65817 to the preserved example 65894. Thanks to Porcy Main for advice on removing boiler fittings, replacements from Dave Bradwell.

Went to TINGS (The International N Gauge Show) yesterday. Numbers seemed to be down on previous years but still a large queue outside at opening. And aisles between stands felt larger than usual. Less than half were wearing masks. A couple of layouts caught my eye including this tiny quarry shunting layout: There was also a 2mm fine-scale layout present:

Hey, Polybear, deeply ingrattyfellated to you for your tip that the tennis was on channel 4. So I dragged the missus out of bed where she listening to crap radio 5 commentary and plonked her down in front of the telly, and good time was had by all. Sweetness and light prevails this morning, and I’m off up the loft, whoopee! Forget about lemon drizzle cake, when you’re in Bassett you can have a proper Lardy cake, sticks to yer ribs.

Good moaning from the Charente. It's getting lighter later. Yesterday went well. Nurse Frederique came before 09.00 so I got to Surgères in good time and collected the shed kit. After lunch the chickens were mucked out. I then went to sort out the pool at the house we look after and en route found our deputy mayor togther with her son and husband, unloading stears of firewood. We wanted some so after checking the price 4 werecordered and they were delivered later in the afternoon. We now have to make room in the woodshed to stack it. However we won't need to buy any for 2 years now. The hsrvesting season is nearly over. The combines all have the big teeth fitted, instead of a cutter bar and the maize is being cut. Just the sunflowers to go. They are looking rather bedraggled and black now. Tea was eaten, a bit of shed time then some goggle box watching. I saw the last half hour of the tennis. Well worth watching. Anyway we are due to speak to young Emily this morning, then off to the market. After that there will no doubt be some woodshed tidying. Regards to all. Jamie

The second of the five vehicles which made up the Colchester c1950s breakdown train is finished, at last (!), a scratch-built GER double bolster converted to the crane match truck, 961658. The first vehicle completed was the GER 6-wheel Mess and Packing van, 961520 (D&S kit) and the next wagon, will be the other crane runner, a cut down GER Dia 17 open, 961657, also from a D&S kit. The final two vehicles are ex LD&ECR 6-wheel brake and a Cowans crane, which hopefully Hornby's takeover of Oxford Rail, won't stop its production (CAD drawings were well advanced in July), albeit no doubt there will be some ramifications! Paul

Freudian slip? Who's Emma? Good morning all and welcome to Sunnyday. The Hill of Strawberries is reasonably quiet so far and Dr. SWMBO has already set off for the G****n C****e in search of some green growy-type things. My assigned task is to remove dirt and dust from within our four walls. We are at afternoon tea with a work-friend of hers later for which I am told she intends to bake scones. I suspect that will involve me in an excursion to source cream and jam ...... BiL (English) was in the area yesterday for kick-balling purposes but of course would not consider even telling us let alone dropping round. At least his team won allowing him bragging rights. Someone quite young and clever also won a hit-balling contest meaning the news is filled with this rather than the more common gloom-and-doom stories we have become accustomed to. Hey ho. Onwards with the day.

G'Day Folks

Tonight's image shows Deltic rumbling away at Platform 2, and 60501 about to pass it on its way home with the 2.10 KX- York and Hull.

Thank you G. Glad you like it. A couple more then.

64257 on a northbound semi fast goods with a fitted head of various banana vans, applies the brakes as it leans into the down grade curve on the 8 arch stone viaduct.

The V2 is one of my favourites too, though I’ve never built one. This one has been built by Richard Spoors from the 7mm Finney kit and I finished it. Ian R

Thanks Thomas! I'm really glad people are enjoying the photos. I think I enjoy photographing the layout as much as operating it! It's 1944, and Rheneas's crew have had a tough time getting the old engine to the quarry. "Is that injector picking up now Bill?"

Out of possible interest................ A friend brought round an Alan Gibson ex-GE 2-4-2T (F6?) on Friday. It was bought from the estate of a deceased modeller (not via me), and the builder is unknown. At anything under 4' 6" radius, the carrying wheels just derailed. The cure? I put a joggle in the front frames and arranged this simple arrangement at the rear. The result? It'll now go round 2' 6" curves with ease, in both directions. Success, and a donation to CRUK.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A quick hello as shortly off out to spend some more tokens, depending upon what is on offer of course. A bear can't live by LDC alone (but he can have a darn good try).

Wow! I didn’t know that (just like most people don’t know that Switzerland has a large maritime empire…..) Captain Cynical can assure @Erichill16 the CCHQ is Not sign posted at all (and - like Area 51 - doesn’t appear on Google Earth). The CC Management Team is of two minds about keeping the public footpath open: The backroom boys in Experimental Villainy want to keep it open in order to test out all the new antipersonnel devices and booby-traps they are developing, but on the other hand there is concern about collateral damage to wildlife and innocent dogs (all our booby-traps and antipersonnel devices are geared to only react to human DNA, but even so there is a risk to innocent animals…….) All this talk about vegimite and marmite (I have an unopened jar of marmite upon which I am accepting bids) got me thinking about when I was a wee lad and I was being taught to swim at the local swimming baths. After each swimming session I would have buttered toast with Bovril – either as a hot drink or smeared on the toast itself. Do they still make Bovril? I wonder if I would enjoy it as much now as I did then…. Back later with an incredibly evil and difficult quiz. You have been warned. iD