Bernard Lamb

What is that supposed to mean? I would have thought that a model of a locomotive doing the job that it was built to do, would be anything but a cliche. With a choice of LMS. LNER and GWR coaches to haul, not to mention various pre grouping SR constituent companies, there would be a lot of interest. The modifications to RTR stock to replicate the actual conversions would be very interesting. An inspection saloon comes to mind. As for Austerities not being of much interest. Bachmann seem to have sold a few and the preserved machines seem to attract quite a bit of attention. Of even more interest would be a layout using UK stock that was left behind at Dunkirk. That should have a very wide appeal. Bernard

The problem would be making a decision as to which scale to choose. Austerities are available in either scale. If you concentrate on the passenger workings, then 00 is easier but there is very little freight stock available. If you go for freight as the main theme then H0 would be better. One day I will get round to scratch building a German flat wagon with side stakes in 00 to run on my Scottish Borders lyout. They were used for transporting weaving equipment. Bernard

I quite like the idea of a Dutch layout. Set around 1945 with Austerities hauling rakes of coaches from various UK companies. That would cause a problem with those who don't like foreign layouts. Through in an international mix of freight stock, including some of US origin and we satisfy or upset just about everybody. Bernard

The end of an era. At one time various organizations provided these facilities. There was one in Gilsland near Carlisle that was run by the Co-op. Around 1944, when I was very young and so don't remember anything about it, I was sent there with my mother to be away from the London area. There was also a Hetfordshire home on the south coast. If you paid a small subscription you were entitled to a stay there. I think that scheme closed in the 1980s. Bernard

That last photo is a familiar scene. I was searching for graves of men from the Beds and Herts a few years ago. Over to the front left I think. While the railway would make a good model would you want to include scenes like the first two photos. Sadly Germany can be discussed openly these days but much about Japan and Asia in general is still taboo. Bernard

A coloured print from a linocut, after an original drawing by John Mennie. Thailand May 1943. A photograph by me, November 2018. Not far from the location of the original drawing . It was difficult to find the exact spot. Colour certainly can vary. Bernard

You and me seem to have very similar views regarding this layout. We both appear to be trying hard to be polite.😃 I think it is a shame that such an amount of effort is let down by the lack of knowledge. There was a GDR period layout at a local show some time ago. I was collared by a very well known expert modeller of matters UK andd German and taken to meet the people behind the layout. I was asked to be open with any comments as they were willing to learn. They were very happy when I could only point out that there was too great a variety of stock and that things were a little bit too clean. Bernard

About 15 years ago the late Jacq Damen brought his layout Dreimuhlentalbahn to Warley. It won an award and also received a lot of favouable comments. There might be some footage of it on line. Jacq died a few years ago so I cannot contact him for details. The layout was, is I shoud say as the last thing I heard it had found a new home, around 50' long from memory and represents a valley with three mills. Industrial grot at its finest. The funny thing is that the viewing public admired the scenery and the running. Proof that foreign stuff can hold the attention of a UK audience.Little did they know that for the first hour at Warley I was under the basebord holding a lamp while Jacq wielded a soldering iron trying to get power to more than just one circuit of track, while the operators worked hard to keep at least some trains running. Bernard

That is one layout that does not do anything for me. Yes, the bridge is a super model. But I find the general impression rather sanitized, in respect of both scenery and stock for the period. I have probbly spent far too long in some of the more grotty parts of Germany.😃 Bernard

Not a problem these days. As far as the legal situation goes. But it can still be a sensitive topic in some quarters. I have posted photographs on the forum and never had a complaint. It depends on the situation. The Gilbert and George work did cause some comments as a lot of people were not aware of the extreme nature of it and it was a long time ago and people were more sensitive back then. Bernard

I have never seen a WW2 model of a German scene. But I have seen an art work by Gilbert and George on the subject. Days of future past. It was in Germany and a good few years ago and caused quite a stir. There was a time when UK based Swiss layouts were popular, but that was back in the period when Switzerland was a popular second home to many military types. I was allowed to run my German stock on one of these super layouts at one time, as the owner of the layout lived near to me and was a good friend of a neighbour. It was featured in the CM and very firmly fixed in place, so never exhibited. Bernard

I would go with diesel power. As rekoboy says, far more common. Bernard

Well done Simon. A very positive start. I find it mentally very satisfying just to be able to run trains up and down a simple layout. Far better than to start a major project that takes ages to get to a running stage. Bernard

Indeed. But which pressure group should get what they want? Too late now, but I do thinkthat a dual road and rail route would have been a good option. Bernard

Vey true. I tried it when it was intoduced. Twenty minutes answering the questions and then told to phone the surgery. I find it better to phone 111. As long as you answer the questions in a way that prompts a response, you will be contacted by a GP within minutes. At least talking to a real person will convey how serious the situation is and will receive the appropriate response. Bernard

All very true. But what price do you put on pacifying the local population? It might well have been quicker and cheaper to have continued the Bletchley flyover all the way to Bedford. Built at the same time as the A421 trains could have been running by now. Various vested interests seem to be doing all thay can to delay this project. Bernard

What is wrong with putting the roads under the railway rather than over it? Bernard

What I find even more frustrating, is that even with the one off code procedure, the system falls over. There seem to be banned words, a similar situation to posting such on social media. I have one company that I use on a fairly regular basis, has a name that could be associated with betting or gaming. I place an order, I pay, I get the provide phone number for a code message, I enter the code. Then the order does not go through. I have now cracked it. If I leave the items in my basket the company will inform me the next day that I have an incompleted order. I now enter my details and pay and it goes straight through. This happens however large or small the sum £7.99 last week, so it is clearly a banned word in the company name rather than a large amount that is causing the problem. Bernard

Try this one. A cafe somewhere in the mountains near the border between Argentina and Chile. Severe gales are not uncommon in the area and with a 60mph plus wind it rocked alarmingly from side to side. Bernard

The ME 262 reproduction must have been on one of its first public outings given the date. Fasinating stuff. Bernard

In my day sport was competitive. These days it can be either competitive or participational. A situation with which my brain cannot cope. The best sport that I have ever heard about. though never had a chance to take part in, was the Hungarian Pentathlon. Back in the days of the old Empire. Totally non PC these days. Bernard

I would presume, at that point, that the detonator would have been removed/isolated. Bernard

Golden syrup tins were the favouite back in my time. Stuffed with various chemicals. We did manage to clear the canal with one example. A further experiment was with iodine. Disolved in various substances it gave a powder that was very unstable. We were unable to detonate it and put it in the dustbin. Dustbin got full, somebody pushed down the contents, purple smoke everywhere accompanied by a loud ctacking sound. Unfortunately for us, somebody present knew what it was and we got a severe bollocking. Back in those days Brocks Fireworks was near Hemel, They made display fireworks as well as the domestic type. They also supplied the military type hnown as thunder flashes. I came across these while in the Army Cadets. Bernard

A nice touch. So glad it included a note on what has happened to some of the staff and that several of them have found new employment within the hobby. Bernard

Please let me know when you intend to try this out. I would love to watch what happens. I have always been curious as to just what security procedures are in place for an air attack on Downing Street.😃 Bernard