Unicorn1

Not Another OO WR BLT layout??? The more the merrier I say. Looking forward to seeing this progressing. Les

Another photo from last Sunday at Cobham Brooklands. Also in service on the day was RM613. An interesting Routemaster in that it carries an early body which was built with non-opening front windows. The air scoops for the original ventilation system remain, but quarter drop windows have been added later. This actual body s No 198 acquired on its last overhaul in November 1983, so that explains the presence of the air scoops. Next to 613 is RF491 belonging to Timebus Travel Les (There are bus rivet-counters too you know!)

An unexpected treat today was a trip aboard FRM 1. This was the first time I'd actually managed some mileage with this unique vehicle. I sat at the back to make sure there was the sound of an AEC 570!

Hi Jules Good to see another update. The vans look good, I wonder if many of the MR ones lasted until the late fifties? If so maybe I need to get one! Regards Les

Brilliant. Although it was 42 years ago I can still hear Nos 1, 3 and 5! - I've tried to forget Jess Conrad however. Les

Another one from yesterday on the RHDR. No2 'Northern Chief' hurries across the shingle towards Dungeness station. The weather was warm - so no good steam effects unfortunately - but a nice day to out and about on the marshes.

Thanks Ian. As a kid from London I stayed at a similar camp at St Mary's Bay - just up the road from Dymchurch, I believe it was a former Army barracks. It was 1970, and for an 11 year it was great fun, especially as on the first evening I saw one of these locos running past our playing field - the seed was sown! Romney Sands has it's own station on the RHDR. Les

RHDR No1 'Green Goddess' shortly after leaving Dungeness with he 1.15 Dungeness to Hythe on 21st August 2019.

I usually phone them up - check the transfers are in stock, order and pay - all in one call. Yes the discount offers can be a bit vague, and the transfers don't arrive instantly, but I've never had any not arrive. I had an email yesterday informing me that they were changing the service provider for the website, and it would be unavailable for a couple of days. I appreciate that's not much help if you're not on their mailing list. Just my own personal experience. Les

Hi Tony Have you tried The Hobby Shop, Faversham. My local model shop, and has a good website. https://hobb-e-mail.com/index.asp They have one of the best ranges of continental stuff I know of. (I model boring old BR WR - but I often have a browse in the shop at the other stuff). No connection etc, just a regular and happy customer. Regards Les

Survey done, thanks. At least one long lived possibility in there! Les

'holy thread revival!' Mike. I was recently shown this by a friend; I agree it's amazingly well done, Les

Through MarGATE, BroadSTAIRS, and RamsGATE, then stop for a SANDWICH. Les

The Autocoach has now been paired with a 64xx, and is now a fixture on Bishopscombe. The pair leave bound for Bishopscombe Quarry with a workmans train - I doubt there were sufficient customers in reality! Crossing Canal Lane And the cliche arrives at the Quarry. I've lightly weathered the pannier, and renumbered her 6400 - a West Country loco during the layouts time frame - she now carries a Laira shed plate. The plates are from 247 Developments, great quality - and excellent service. (No connection etc...) I have some lamps and crew on order from Modelu to complete. Les

It's early morning and the branch pannier emerges from the shed at Bishopscombe to start the days work. The signalman's cauliflowers are looking good this year, the beans are also sprouting - at least on one set of canes.

Thanks for the comments. The beige is a little light, but I think the real thing would have faded by 1957-59 - I believe the crimson and cream livery for autotrailers was discontinued in 1952. The lining is actually Modelmaster's black and gold - the gold doesn't show up well in the photos. You're probably right about a 4575 being too much for one trailer - although there was an auto fitted one in the west country in the late fifties, (5511?). I think I will go for a 64xx, Les

I've had an old Airfix autocoach for years, and I've finally got round to detailing it. I wanted to alter the coach, and decided a donor vehicle would be useful - mainly for the drivers doors. A repainted example was obtained from a well known auction site for a fiver, this turned out to have detailing fitted to the under frame and cab fittings! I have a spare pair of 7' bogies, but decided to keep the 9' ones to avoid damaging the detaining - so I've already compromised a lot! So the old body was stripped ready for repainting, and adding the flush doors. The interior details were fitted. The glazing is SE Finecast. And here she is - complete with very dodgy lining! And so, after sitting in a box of odds and ends for the best part of ten years, she has new life. To quote Jules of this parish - 'the cliche arrives' I'm quite pleased with it, the colours are Frod Rosso red and Ford Sierra beige. All I need now is something appropriate to haul it - a 64xx, or maybe an auto fitted 4575? Les

Having thought for some time about detailing my old Airfix autocoach I decided to get a spare body to donate the drivers doors. I bid a fiver on a repainted one, and got it. Imagine my delight when it arrived with a fitted detail kit on the chassis! I was going to fit some 7 foot bogies to my old coach, but I think I'll keep this as is, I don't want to damage the nice fittings. So the body has now been stripped and is awaiting the new drivers doors, It'll be blood and custard - and It'll have SE Finecast glazing, I know there's better but after months of trying I've given up! Les

It will be on display in the museum by the 7th. It's not likely to go far afield for a while, as there is no know manufacturer for the trailer's tyres. Les

Also on display in the workshop at Brooklands today was the newly restored ex LT canteen trailer, with its original tractor unit, Bedford Scammel 702B. This, the only surviving example, used to be a fixture at Redhill Road, but was in a sorry state - and often full of water! The lovingly restored vehicle, especially the interior, is true testament to the skill and dedication of the volunteers at the LBPT. Les

A very enjoyable trip today on ex LT Private Hire RF19, its first outing after extensive restoration. Seen here stopped outside the former home of the LBPT in Redhill Road, now a nursing home.

Thanks for posting Roger. Fascinating read. I find these early tramways / railways captivating; I really must visit. I never knew so much of the course of the line survives. Les

Hello Dave The S&KLR photos took me back to the time when I volunteered there in the early '70s. as a member of the LCGB . Summer Sundays would normally be taken up with sanding 'something'down. One day whilst helping out in the shed at Kemsley I was asked to fetch a bucket to drain some oil from 'Triumph', I duly came back, only to be told that what I had brought was a pail, so it was no good! Funny old game eh? Regards Les

I think I'm getting the hang of things now. I may have panicked a bit earlier! I assume that the 'indexing' is still on going, as, if I go to my Profile and click on 'all activity, it says there is nothing there - yet. Likewise there is nothing in my activity streams yet. So I assume my content will appear at some time as the site updates. Les

With the new buildings in Station Road completed I decided that the old Ratio goods shed at the 'Combe could be replaced with something a bit more GWR in character. The new shed is based on Watlington goods shed, although I have made the doors solid instead of slatted - it was easier! The structure is made from plasticard and cardboard for the loading platform and the roof. Here are the basic parts, The loading platform The crane is just made from some plastic square rod, with a hole drilled centrally for the chain to pass through, the large wheel is a sanded down shirt button - there is a winding handle of the other side. The first test placement for clearance. The old shed had some lighting - which ceased to work years ago - so this one has too, and hopefully more reliable! It will be used when visitors wish to view the interior. The new shed in situ - I still have to make the office chimney and the office steps. Overall I'm pleased with the way it looks, and being narrower than the old shed it frees up more space in the yard. Next job a new weigh bridge hut and a tidy of the yard entrance. Les