Unicorn1

Another shot from the RHDR rally, ex East Kent AEC Reliance WFN513 leaving Dungeness for New Romney. 10th September 2017. Edited to include date.

Nice selection of photos Keith. I didn't know the 4RF4 coach was going to be there, so I missed a ride. I saw it heading towards Dungeness while I was going in the other direction on the B&H Bristol. I have still not travelled on one after all these years! Les

Here's another one at Dungeness It's actually in someones front garden.

Surely those telegraph poles are not far enough apart, most unrealistic! Les

A few pics from the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch rally at New Romney on Sunday. LT line up Eastbourne Corperation 72, and RM8 Maidstone & District line up A very enjoyable day, with plenty of bus rides to and from Dungeness. Les

RHDR locos No 2 and No 10 make their way across the unmistakable landscape of Dungeness with the 11:40 for Hythe on Sunday 10th September 2017, in the shadow of the nuclear power stations.

RHDR No 2 Northern Chief and No 10 Dr Syn double head the 11:40 to Hythe, shortly after departing Dungeness on Sunday 10th September 2017

RHDR No 10 'Dr Syn' takes on coal at New Romney.

Some fascinating stock there, l do like the look of the early electric units, and the trams. Always good to see how preservation is done in other countries. looks like a great place to visit. Les

Indeed, they do have the last microwaved burger served on the ECML - I kid you not. I always make a point of seeing if it's still there on all my visits. It's on display more or less in the middle of the warehouse section. Les

Some more trees, and some new angles. Pannier viewed from the lane with the morning goods. The farmer loads the morning milk churns for delivery to the station.

The branch pannier at Canal Lane Crossing with a short freight for Bishopscombe. Taken using a mirror placed on the the layout, so not all that easy to focus on the background, but it does show one of the new trees. Les

A few more trees have been 'planted' around the'Combe A couple on Canal Lane And a third at the farm - perhaps I could now call this 'Three Oaks Farm'? Some ground work to do around the bases still, and with each one I'm learning a bit more. Hope to make about three or four a week. Les

Well spotted - it is loosely based on Faringdon 'back to front'. I looked at the Faringdon plan, but haven't got enough space; unless I cut the approach curve to 24" radius and then only use small radius points. I really want something to look a little more 'railway' like this time. I suppose I could take the cattle road off of the other sidings, I'll have a play on any rail- thanks. Andrew- the rebuild might be a way off yet, but thanks for the encouragement - I will need it! Mike, thanks for the comment - your'e right the curved point does look better. Cheers, Les

I've been thinking for awhile now about building 'Bishopscombe II'. At the weekend another point motor failed - no problem I hear you say - but as the station baseboard was built on top of an existing worktop it means I only have a six inch gap to get my arms under the board from the edge. I have done a few over the years but now my patience is waning - and so are my arms! The old worktop gave amazing stability to the layout, but as I get older it's shortcomings are preventing my enjoyment of it. So at the moment I'm thinking of removing the worktop and building a traditional baseboard for the station section. Being able to get underneath the baseboard will be so much easier. With this in mind I've produced two tentative track plans. I want to create a more open feel - I now find that Bishopscombe has too much town included. I have allowed space for a road to the right of the station, and the approach track from the scenic area will be on a small embankment. I intend using Peco bullhead rail, so waiting for the turnouts to arrive should give me plenty of time to build the boards! Both plans use large radius turnouts, but the 'y's may have to be the current code 75 offerings. So before I do any more planning I'll ask the ever wise RM fraternity what they think about it! Plan 1 Plan 2 edited to mention turnout size

After some experimentation I have planted the prototype tree from the previous post on the layout. Behind it is tree '2' which was made using the same method. They look much better in proper daylight. The 'roots' area is just some DAS, which once hardened will be painted and some scenics added. Les

Ah, the thrill of riding in the converted guards compartment of a VEP, better than most amusement park rides! Les

Thanks for the comments - the wire armature took me a couple of hours to make, this one used 20 metres of wire wrapped around an 8 inch former to make a 4 - 5 inch tree. The foliage is Busch Foam Flock, this colour is their 'light green' No 7361. It costs £2.25 at my local model shop, and a little goes a long way. The only problem I've encountered is with the glue, I need to find a spray adhesive that actually 'sticks' to the painted wire better, and dries quicker. This used BluTack 'fast tak' - I had a can to hand, but 12 hours later it's still wet! Les

As I've always fancied making my own trees I have finally got round to having a go! I thought I'd share a few pictures of my first attempt at a wire tree. Now bearing in mind this is the first time I've ever tried this I'm quite pleased with it. A couple of pictures of the 'bare' tree; It's made from 1mm beading wire, which is nice and soft - and easy on the fingers! The basic shape can also be altered later. Now with it's first covering, there are still some bare branches - especially at the exrtremities - but once this coat of glue has gone off I'll do some more from different angles. The 'bark' is milliput. Photos aren't brilliant, sorry. Now I've got the bug, and more wire is on the way! Les

This is RF 530, my own bus for seven years. I used to especially enjoy taking her to the North Weald Rally because soon after coming through the Dartford Tunnel I could pick up the old 250 route to Epping. RF530 worked the 250 for a while and I have a photo taken in the 1960's of the bus at this very bus stop, the Bull at Theydon Bois. I miss the bus terribly, but she's still around - and last I heard had a class 6 ticket as well. Les

Being born in 1909 my father never passed a driving test, he was driving from about 1925! He said the Army taught him how to drive properly in WW2. His driving deteriorated quite quickly in his late eighties, and he stopped in 1999, but he would never admit that it was me or my poor mother (who had to endure the driving before surrendering to the local bus service in desperation) who made him pack up. Les

I recently needed cab steps for a Bachman 08 - emailed Bachman and received them within a week - I think they were about £5 including postage. paid using paypal. Les

I thought I would post a picture of 'Doris', my 1948 Austin Devon. I've owned her for twenty two years, and in that time she's been used for a few friends weddings, and my own wedding - when we had two Devons! Here she is a couple of weeks ago waiting to take the happy couple to the reception. I always make sure that Mrs Unicorn is following with a reserve car, but we've never needed it. Les

Nice to see the Volvo - my dad had a 1969 Volvo 144, lovely car. Les

I think this confusion should be addressed at the next meeting in the Moot Hall. Les