Grampus

Lovely job. Actually, in an unexpected way (for me at least), the change in the backscene actually draws the eye back to the modelling - maybe it is the absence of distraction which causes me to focus closer in? In any event, I think it looks really good - mind you, blue diesels and air braked freight are always going to catch my eye; and even a VR as well to boot! What's not to like?! Best wishes, Paul

Peter, Llanbourne is always on my 'must visit' list whenever you post an update; for me, you capture the railway of that era wonderfully. It's an old saw, but true nonetheless, that railway modelling is a journey not a destination, so enjoy the ride and please keep the updates coming. Who knows, you might eventually inspire me to actually finish something myself! Best wishes, Paul

Thank you very much - much appreciated. Best wishes, Paul

Evening all, Just wondered if anybody might know the identity of a DB red class 60 I saw this morning as it passed under Pelham Bridge in Lincoln, heading west, please? I was driving over the bridge at the time, so stopping to get a better view was not an option, sadly! :-) Details as follows: time was 08:48; loco was at the head of a long train of grey, former EWS 'three beasties' liveried TEAs; train was headed west. I would be very grateful if anybody is able to tell me, please? Many thanks, Paul

Very wise - do nothing in haste. P

Such a shame to hear about your backscene problem, though I am sure you will resolve it. I really like the layout: the quality of the modelling and the amount of railway you have packed into such a small space is quite inspirational. Top drawer stuff - will look forward to seeing how you get on - feel sure it will bounce back better than ever. Best wishes, Paul

Mine arrived this morning. Absolutely delighted! Thank you for a fantastic model and for the excellent service. Very well done indeed. Looking forward to whatever future releases may follow. All the best, Paul

Evening all, trawling through some of my pictures this evening, I found this shot of preserved 'Slim', D6586. taken at the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley in August 2012. BTW, I think that's a building behind it rather than a somewhat rusty, extended exhaust, but it's a railway building, so I left well alone!

Now there's some inspiration! Cheers, Paul

Simon, thank you for the gen. I have often wondered about this myself. Looking forward to your book. Very best wishes, Paul

Funny my thread should come up again. I was enjoying reading through this new thread when I discovered it earlier this afternoon. Strangely enough, a photo of said VIX turned up awhile later in a different thread, in black with large double arrows on the doors, in a train which, IIRC had nothing to do with the Exhibition stock. Think said livery was to do with its former existence? The picture is on here somewhere, but unfortunately I know not where. Hopefully someone will remember. Update . Found it - the picture of the black ferry van with the large logos, a David Larkin picture, appears on page 2 of the 'Hornby VIX FerryVans. Detailing and the new Railtec transfers' thread. Sorry - tried to post a link but failed miserably. HTH. Best wishes, Paul

Evening all, I have posted this picture previously in the 'Class 37 photos' thread, but thought it might be of interest here given the current discussion about sheep cartoons on locos. 37231 at Bath Road, complete with sheep, circa May 1984. Perhaps of interest, I saw an advert recently for a suitable decal. If I can find the advert again I will post on here. Best wishes, Paul.

Afternoon all, just a public vote of thanks for the great service I received from the Bachmann Service Dept in the last couple of days. Having acquired a 'pre-owned' 47 which had been modified to remove the NEM pockets, I emailed Bachmann to enquire about availability of new bogie frames on Wednesday evening last week; I received a reply first thing Thursday morning and the frames themselves arrived by post today. Under normal circumstances I would say that was pretty good, but under the current conditions, plus a bank holiday weekend, I thought that was fantastic. I just need to get on and change them over now, which will probably take rather longer! Credit where it's due - great service and very much appreciated, thank you. Kind regards, Paul

I remember those too, but for the most part the PO ones I recall were rather different; rubber tired and battery-powered/assisted, otherwise the poor posties would have had to have been built like the Terminator to get them up and down the subway ramps, let alone across the road to the sorting office! Paul

Nice picture. I love the herd of platform trolleys in the shot, milling about at the top of the ramp. A bit different from the usual gathering of brutes, perhaps? Cheers, Paul

Very nice indeed. Everything seems to blend really nicely, with nothing jarring on the eyes. You have made a really nice job on the locos and the DMUs; they really look the part. Your photo-backscene works well, too (in my opinion!) in providing the appropriate context but without overpowering the scene . I will look forward to the next installment! (Your layout, not the backscene...obviously... ) Best wishes, and stay safe, Paul

Stephen, just got my mits on my copy. Thank you - looks like another excellent read, with a broad range of articles and a nice selection of photos. A wonderful distraction during these unusual days. Stay safe. Best wishes, Paul

I am hugely impressed, both at your productivity and the standards you are achieving with the MTK stuff. If I were wearing a hat, I would take it off to you! Very impressive - I shall enjoy watching your progress. Best wishes, Paul

Disappointing. A really nice finish, but the roof shape puts me off completely, so I have returned mine. Clearly we all have much bigger things to worry about currently, but let's hope for better things from the forthcoming Heljan-branded release (ref 3442) which appears to be priced similarly to the rest of the revised shaped 33/0s and a general release rather than a ltd edition. However, wise never to assume - we shall see in due course, no doubt. Stay safe everybody. Best wishes, Paul

Loved the vid of the 323; very impressive indeed. I also enjoyed the guard's whistle at the start - raised a welcome chuckle as I sit here , tapping away. Thank you. Best wishes and stay safe, Paul

Just PM'd you back :-)

Martin, many thanks. You have a PM. Paul

Martin, sorry for the late reply - didn't manage to get on here yesterday. Thanks for the kind offer. Am I correct in thinking that yours was built to EM standards? If so, is it convertible back to 00? Best wishes, Paul

I am looking for a couple of unbuilt Chivers' excellent 4mm Crab (RC445) or Lamprey (RC444 or 446) kits. Just wondered whether anybody might have a couple of redundant examples in their stash that they would be prepared to part with, please? I would just like a couple more to make up a reasonable length train, having built several previously and then left it too late to obtain any further examples direct from source. Please PM me if you can assist. Many thanks. Yours hopefully, Paul

A good show again yesterday, with lots of quality modelling. I really liked the venue: readily accessible, with plenty of easy parking; a decent-sized hall with aisles wide enough to be able to stand and enjoy the models without being trampled. All this and it's only half an hour(ish) from my house - excellent! Thank you to all concerned. I shall look forward now to the post-modernisation show in the same venue in October (17th and 18th). Best wishes, Paul