Grampus

Definitely the star of the show for me last Saturday at Doncaster. Definitely a 'keep coming back to' layout - and I did! I particularly enjoyed the 33/1 propelling a 4TC; 50s on West of England services; and the loaded warflats and warwells, to single out just a few of the highlights. THe 442s looked extremely impressive, too. There was always something moving and the sound levels were about right, adding atmosphere but without being intrusive. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting my spotting days, back when trains were more interesting and sounded better! 🙂 Best wishes, Paul

Thank you - I have a copy of that somewhere: sounds like an expedition to the far reaches of the cupboard is called for!

Russ P - thank you: that would make sense. I can certainly imagine why train crews might feel happier with a nice, long barrier between them and a trainload of concentrated ammonia. Best wishes, Paul

Evening all. A ferryvan question if I may; well, actually, a barrier wagon question. I have just received my second Rapido van, this time 910004, the 'scruffy brown' barrier version, coded RBX (wagon number B787170); and very nice it is, too.🙂 My question is, what traffic flows required use of these barrier vans? I unconsciously assumed that it would be nuclear waste from sites various. However, a brief scan of images on Paul Bartlett's wonderful resource would suggest there were quite a few such wagons used in a barrier role. Was there that much nuclear waste moving about, or were these barrier vans used in association with other flows as well? Hoping somebody on here will be able to enlighten me, please. TVM. Best wishes, Paul

Particularly pleased with the exhibition train black-liveried version, produced for TTC Diecast. Picked one up from their stand at Doncaster show this afternoon. The detail is absolutely first-class - lovely model, and suits my modelling interest beautifully, having seen it lurking amongst the exhibition stock behind platform 1 at Salisbury on many occasions. No connection, etc, but a lovely surprise. A quick photo below - not a great picture but I thought it might be of interest. I've only just unboxed it! Happy modelling, Paul

Delighted with my late Spartans, which arrived at the weekend, thank you; now looking forward to the earlier version as well. Also another vote for the Samaritan and Sultan high-top variants, please, when you can get round to it. Great work - keep doing what you're doing! Best wishes, Paul

Just had a super day out at the DEFine Modellers Day. Some great modelling on view from some incredibly talented people. Thanks to all concerned - I shall look forward to the next one. Best wishes, Paul

Thank you for the wonderful, atmospheric pictures; looking forward to your update in the New Year, too. Happy New Year to you and yours. Best wishes, Paul

Morning all. Out for a walk yesterday afternoon whilst visiting family in the area, I came across 66752 on a freightliner in what remains of Tinsley yard. Great to see a train there but utterly unrecognisable from what had gone before. Mind you, last time I was there was on a shed visit (with a permit) on a school trip, a round-robin which took in Coalville, Tinsley and then Toton Open day, in 1979. All done in an old Transit van, with wooden bench seats in the back - it was a bit of a flog there and back from Salisbury! Huge respect, too, to the long-suffering teacher (himself an enthusiast) who drove us there and back. Oh for a Tardis and a digital camera! Happy New Year all, Paul

My favourite 'Scruffy Duff.' Had it for haulage just the once (when it was in that state, at least) - always makes me smile when I see pictures of it, whether in model form or 12" to the foot. I arrived at Waterloo early one morning, after a night shift, I'm assuming ( - can't remember that far back in detail any more!) and finding it at the head of my train home and wondering what on earth had happened to it! 🤣 Great picture and a great article in the magazine, too. Best wishes, Paul

Quote, 'Here's another, let me know when you're bored/had enough!' Ian, absolutely no danger of that! Please do keep them coming! These days I'm a long way from my spotting days in that area and really appreciate the trip down memory lane, seeing trains as I remember them. 😃 Cheers, Paul

Peter, many congratulations on the Llanbourne write-up in the January edition of Hornby Magazine. That was a welcome surprise when I was out running errands earlier today. I very much enjoyed reading about the evolution of the layout over time; and your strict adherence to a particular time and place, which places everything in context so effectively. It shouts, 'real railway.' Some fabulous photographs, too, which really show off the scale of your accomplishment. I was pleased to see also that you intend to continue to develop the layout further - I shall look forward to reading more about it in future as it evolves. Best wishes, Paul

Brilliant! Really enjoyed watching that, thank you! Looks absolutely like the railway I remember so fondly. Best wishes, Paul

Evening all. A few images of 66848 and 66849 taken at Sheffield this morning in the rain. My first chance to see a working RHTT up close and personal (as opposed to fleeting glances at a distance.) Could hardly believe the state of the two locos, but quietly amused to see the effort to at least keep the cabside numbers clean(ish). Weather was filthy too, but it all adds to the imagery. Best wishes, Paul

The Spartans look incredible. I for one would certainly be interested in obtaining a number of the earlier versions you suggested to suit my late 80s/early 90s modelling period. Any chance of Samaritan ambulance or Sultan command vehicle versions with the higher hull, please?

Well, that's brightened up the evening no end! Lovely, inspirational pictures and great to see you posting again. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes, Paul

Just a few words of thanks to the Caistorail team for a fun couple of hours spent this afternoon at the show - just what I needed. As ever, a really friendly local show with some excellent modelling to enjoy. Reflecting my own specific modelling interests, particular favourites with me were 'Horncastle' and 'Cockshute', with lots of period blue and yellow traction on the go. Some good trade support, too. Hope tomorrow, day 2, goes well too for all concerned as well. Best regards, Paul

Another jolly good read this month, thank you. I did enjoy the fascinating London Milk article and I'm looking forward to part 2, but I also liked the pictorial feature on the ex-Scottish 47s drafted in for the last years of loco-hauled Waterloo-Exeter trains; and I remember how grateful I was that the big railway was kind enough to send virtually all the remaining 47s I still needed for sight to me, rather than me having to go to them, which would have been a non-starter back then! Best wishes, Paul

Looks amazing. I marvel at your productivity...and to such a consistently high standard. 🙂

Mighty 'Thunderer' at Barrow Hill this afternoon. The position of the loco and surroundings made for difficult photography, so I went for arty - the bright purple reflection from its nearside neighbour adds an interesting cast to the picture, but good to see her looking so good. Don't recall a Fifty ever looking quite that shiny back in the day! 🙂

45060, Sherwood Forester, looking a bit sun-bleached at Barrow Hill this afternoon.

Colas-liveried 37 219 arriving at the Barrow Hill Gala event earlier today.

Brilliant - thank you. I will up that from a 'most likely' to a 'definite'. It did indeed look very smart. I only rarely get to lineside these days, so most sightings tend to be coincidental, often in that location as I go to work! Thanks all for the help. Best wishes, Paul

Thank you :-)

Evening all, I was lucky enough this morning as I drove to work to see a very shiny Cappagh blue-liveried class 60 at the head of an equally shiny set of aggregate boxes, heading East over the bridge across the Lincoln Eastern bypass. It would have made a lovely photo had I not been otherwise-engaged! Just wondered if anybody happens to know the identity of the loco, please? The train passed at about 0815 AM. Many thanks. Best wishes, Paul