bigwordsmith

Sorry to be a damper folks but FYI I’m in hospital with Covid - don’t recommend it!

The perils of buying on eBay Although the price was good, I wonder if I should have been more suspicious of the delivery costs. Now how the blazes am I going to get that in my loft?

That cloud be anywhere in the UK - remember what they say - One day - Four Seasons!

Gordon For all the criticism of Social media - much of which is justified - I do believe it can be a power for good. I'm a member of several groups on Facebook. each of which provides a wealth of support to the members, many of whom feel like a large extended family. Three of these are around my lung disease one is a pet rehoming charity, several are for bikers, and one is for ex servicemen who also ride bikes. IN the last one we know we have prevented several suicides and been the catalyst for helping many get help. Here, we're a band of (mostly) old codgers who share an interest as well as a ton of life experience, and if you can't turn to mates like that, then who can you share it with? As they say int he biker groups - "we've got your back 'Bro"

I heard he was one of the good guys. Sorry to hear that news.

David I love your fishplates - I have to admit I've forgotten which track you are using, but low down and close up it's damned impressive! May I take this chance to wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year. ATB Peter

Hi Gordon - well that's a curve ball, I've been on immunosuppressants for the last 15 years die to a progressive lung condition which is becoming a bit of an embuggerabce, so I have a lt of sympathy for your position. I also have a lot of hope for you and will keep you in my prayers.

All looking really good David, an inspiration to us all. in seasonal more, may I reciprocate by your seasonal greetings? ATC&NYB peter

Round about that time, that probably would have been Liz - so there you were Phil you can honestly say you knew her before she was famous!

in April 2017 number 103 visited the Bluebell where in a very notable first she was crewed at one part of the weekend by an all female crew. Not only was this a first, but crew rostering brought three members of the same family to the footplate of "Flying Scotsman" on the final day of the Bluebell Railway's Flying Scotsman Gala Event. Liz Groome, Clive’s eldest daughter, was driving, supported by her sisters Ruth and Rebecca, acting as fireman and cleaner respectively. Meanwhile Clive was also on duty, driving S15 No. 847. A few months ago, through work, I met Gordon Owen who was GM of the railway at the time of Scotsman’s visit. It was he who also introduced the incredibly successful Deltic weekend I asked him how on Earth they managed to miss out on one of the most easily sold publicity coups of the century by not having the girls pictures blasted over the National Press. apparently they ‘didn’t want to make a fuss’ what an amazing hobby that sees driving 103 with your family as just another day in the (unpaid) Office!

I have a feeling that quoting from Clive's book could lead to some copyright issues, especially as it is only a couple years old. To ensure Gilbert isn't on the wrong side of tetchy letters from his learned friends, could I heartily recommend that everyone here buys it, if they haven't already? It's only £4.50 on Amazon and you can get your own copy from the link below. I thoroughly enjoyed it. https://www.amazon.co.uk/British-Steam-Final-Years-Extracts/dp/1522010343/ref=asc_df_1522010343/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310943444083&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15726968325167394418&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045843&hvtargid=pla-585972856259&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Thanks Andy - I've been gnawing at the question as I have about 200 locos so at £20 a pop DCC would not be a cheap option!

Serious question - do DCC controlled locos do a much better job of slow speed running than analogue, or is it just down the analogy operators being more 'progressive'?

Looks like a black refuse sack to me - talk about attention to detail!

Was that Deltic era or HST arrival? I Know they're not steam but I have a very soft spot for both!