bodmin16

Hi Jack, Thanks for dropping by and taking an interest,to be honest I don't drop by this way much at the moment. Unfortunately not a lot of progress has been mad and some of the buildings are being used on a micro layout. We have had a lot of work done over the past couple of years and I now have less room in the garage and I can't erect the fiddle yards without opening the garage door, but that has made me rethink the fiddle yards as I have never been happy with them. The micro, Test Valley Sidings, is built from various cannibalised parts including a test track that has now been scrapped. One advantage of the current situation and working from home is no commit so more modelling time, one disadvantage is that the cash saved on commuting is being spent with various model shops and a certain auction site - got to keep these businesses going (at least that's the line I am spinning to my wonderful and u understanding wife). I will try to make more of an effort in future. Meanwhile a couple of pictures of Test Valley Sidings with buildings from Cliddesden tlo be going on with. Thanks again and take care.

I have found the points of view expressed here on this topic quite interesting, and thought that I would share my own feelings on the exhibition scene. Note these are purely my personal thoughts and I fully appreciate that we are all in this hobby for different reasons and fully respect that and would hope that this is reciprocal. My main impetus in railway modelling is being able to build and play trains at home, although like most others I don't have room to build large permanent layouts. I have not had a large layout at home for years however I am lucky enough to be able to erect smaller layouts on a semi permanent basis is my workshop/former garage and whilst these layouts are not designed for exhibitions they have all been easily transportable and showable in one way shape or form. I have assisted with clubs and other individuals to exhibit layouts and enjoy doing so, I also enjoy attending exhibitions although I tend to only go to 2 or 3 a year either as a visitor or exhibiting. I can't imagine building a layout purely for exhibition, that is just not my thing! There are very few large exhibition layouts that excite me other than the more permanent layouts such as Pendon etc, so if I go to shows I enjoy the smaller shows and those with more modest efforts, including skill levels. I enjoy the social side of shows and will spend all day looking, chatting and of course learning from others. I am not one for going to shows and seeing the same layouts week after week as I would rather spend some time playing at home, that said I am obviously disappointed in the current situation we find our selves, and there are a couple of shows/layouts that I was particularly looking forward to but they will wait as I'd rather we all stayed healthy. Perhaps there will be fewer shows, personally I don't think that is a bad thing, but hopefully the quality of both the shows and exhibits will be higher than ever. As I said these are only my personal feelings and thoughts so please don't shoot me, I know I have the choice as to whether I attend shows or not (and indeed exercise that choice), however fewer shows would make my decision process simpler in deciding which shows to select. I fully understand that some guys and girls want to attend shows every weekend and we all attend shows for different reasons, so I fully appreciate and respect that. Looking forward to seeing you all and some amazing new layouts out and about soon. Alan

Hi guys, I don't post very often now but I do occasionally drop by and see what's occurring in RMWeb world. If there was one post that was a certainty for me to post on it would be this. Never had any pets as a child but have more than made up for it in the way of cats in the following 40 odd years. All beautiful cats, but I will share these guys with you for now. The first is Hendricks a ginger tom - so gentle, very talkative and extremely delightful, he is 3 years old now. We got him with his sister a tiny tortoise shell, extremely pretty and an absolute heart breaker. She was most definitely a lap cat. Sadly we lost her a few weeks back and we dont really know why - no obvious trauma, injury or illness. We all miss her dreadfully even her brother, so we decided a couple of weeks ago that we would take this little fella on. This is Monty, he is 12 weeks old and 75% rag doll. Very playful and affectionate and has the loudest purr ever. We have been so lucky with all our cats they have always been such pleasant characters.

I've seen a number of AHBs with stopping and non-stopping selection but Bradford is the first that I have come across with the additional train crew activation. The others must have been further from a station or on the approach. I thought it was unusual but now you say that you have 2 at the same location. Perhaps it is not as rare as I first thought. Thanks.

I think I should have some pictures somewhere, give me a day or so please. What the plunger actually does is activate the barrier sequence for Greenland Mill AHB crossing. A proceed aspect is displayed once the barriers are down. I don't know if it is a unique set up but it is certainly unusual.

Reading mid to late 70s

So some people think it's okay to form an opinion of my home town and the area I grew up in based on full car parks at an exhibition. Take a look at the town you live in, is you precious car any safer there than in my home town? Please feel free to stay on the M3 next time you're in the area. Am not on RMweb too much these days because I don't think it's a friendly place anymore and this only supports my opinion!

Went along today, thoroughly enjoyable day and I have to say that I don't think I have had so many conversations, everybody seemed more talkative than ever. Was a great day, and we did stay pretty much all day! Didnt realise that this was extra weekend above the normal opening weekends. Don't panic normal (steam)service will be resumed next year. For the record prefer the correct trains for the period but today was fun.

Sounds like there is a position on the production team for you on series 2!

Have now watched it. Thoroughly enjoyed it will watch the rest of the series and hopefully there will be a second series. Well done to all 3 teams in yesterday's episode, you all showed the hobby in a great light. Whatever the politics they all showed great skills and imagination. My personal favourite concept was the winner of last nights heat, however being from North Hampshire I am of course rooting for the Basingstoke Bodgers.

Haven't posted on RMweb for a while but have been observing. The reason I have not participated much is because there seem to be some who do not respect what others do, and criticise for doing something different. Our hobbies are ro be enjoyed and we should be allowed to do so without being pilloried. If I want to run a 9f on a freightliner with a coach on the back as a brakevan then I will, nobody else should feel tbe need to critique, if you don't like what I am doing then look at something else. If you don't like what you see on TV then try the off button and let everybody else get on and enjoy thier hobby. The ritual of putting people down has put me off clubs and also from contributing to RMweb even, and you will put off other potential modellers. Just for one moment listen to yourselves, get over yourselves and go back to enjoying this great hobby. BTW havent watched the programme yet, so I reserve judgement. If I don't like what I see I will stop the recording just like I do about any other TV programme and will do something else instead. Which will not include moaning about it on the internet.

http://www.nrm.org.uk/aboutus/pressoffice/pressreleases/2017/august/2818-swindon

Aka "bloke looking"

Re the area now fenced is to become a car park for the allotment holders, who now access the allotments over the bridge following the closure of the foot crossing which was for their exclusive use. The area that was previously used for their parking will become part of an extension to the playing field for the adjacent primary school. You may also notice that the TSR on the down which was in situ for the crossing has now been removed.

The latter taken this afternoon and the former approx 22 months ago.

I think that the format of the show has been dated for some considerable time and no matter who presents i wouldn't watch it. There are only so many tines that you want to see some super car with smoke pouring from the tyres for no good reason, chopping cars up to make some adolescent joke and smashing up caravans can only ever be funny once and that's pushing it! And as for any programme that infers by its very nature that exceeding the speed limit on the public highway is ok, is wholly irresponsible. I have known far too many lives that have been ended prematurely or changed dramatically because of speeding or irresponsible driving.

I don't know how I have missed this thread and not seen it before, but have now read just about every post. I love your approach to modelling and all the scratch building, I just wish I was half as productive as you. I really must get my act together and try to catch up with your progress. I have taken something like 5 or 6 years to get as far as I have. Thanks for the inspiration.

Love Shakatak, seen them numerous times over the years, last time a couple of years ago, still sounding great!

http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/News/Areas/Maidenhead/Camera-installed-at-misused-Furze-Platt-level-crossing-03062015.htm

IIRC there were approx 700 drivers who were prosecuted or attended safer driving courses last year, as a result of deliberately misusing crossings. http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2014/aug/Local-resident-given-driving-ban-after-misusing-Kintbury-level-crossing/

Have you seen this one then?

Distance travelled over crossing by pedestrians and vehicles, I.e. How long does is take for users to clear the crossing. Sighting distances for passive crossings are also calculated from this and the line speed.

I believe that there was also probably an issue with trains longer than the current std 8 coach length standing over crossings when in stations.