flapland

Funny I currently live at the other end of the Haverstock Hill tunnels, half way between Gospel Oak and Hampstead Heath. However my first spotting days were spent in the North West. During school lunch breaks a group of three of us used to go onto a bridge between Middleton Junction and the current Mills Hill station. The bridge had two un used decks, suspect formally used for the Co-op drinks factory. This was around 1980-3, so most days we used to see the Red Bank parcels return, occasional 313 drags to Horwich works and a range of DMU and trip workings. Loads of 25's and 40's which we took for complete granted. Sundays (had a Saturday job) would be a trip to Manchester Victoria or occasionally Piccadilly. Victoria of course had the transpennine loco hauled, whole range of first gen DMU's and if very lucky a 86 or 87 drag. Summer holidays would be perhaps a trip to Crewe, Sheffiled/Chesterfield or York. However as I had a overbearing father would be done on the quiet so were often short as I had to leave after 8:00 and be back home for 17:00

Now son, I told you not to play in the cement works. Go and get a bath before your mum see's you and we are both in trouble. Belated Happy Christmas Dave, everyone.

Thanks @MidlandRed very informative. I travel on them regularly as I live on the 24 route which went over fairly early on. I don't mind the upper deck, in fact my preference is the seat at the very back on the left hand side. I do mind the frequent need to restart the bus/computer even years after introduction. Also the ride can be very variable, not sure if thats an issue with the I assume hydraulic suspension. The occasional turrets/garbled destination announcements make me laugh.

This looks the bus is doing some time travelling. The front looks so like a Boris Bus (New Bus for Lodon)

Love C15223. The SNCF Nez Cassé design of locomotive is such a great bit of industrial design. Almost on par with the Class 43 HST. Also the DB Coaches of that era look like they would be very comfortable.

Thank you Dave for the dedication to daily posting, but please do take it easy as instructed by your GP. I am certainly happy to wait a bit longer between posts and for them to be shorter if necessary. Your health is far more important.

The quick turnarounds at Tokyo are in part reliant on Japanese attitudes to cleanliness and order. It is a sight to behold when a train arrives and everyone leaves. As soon as the last person leaves two or ao cleaners per carriage will go on board, put a small cloth gate across the doors and set to work. At the same time all the seats change direction as well. Within perhaps 4-5 mins the cleaners leave, remove the fabric gate and passengers who had been patiently queuing will board. The other factor is the Japanese travel with minimal luggage, and often use a luggage forwarding company.

I do love the AC Trains Southend pier trains. Glad I managed to ride in them once.

Can also throw in 12 IKEA Lerberg Trestle Legs 74cm high. https://www.dimensions.com/element/ikea-lerberg-trestle-leg-desks Whole lot could build a 3m x 2.5m oval, possibly a little larger.

Nudge before it gets put in the recycling. Also link to original manufacture. https://www.filcris.co.uk/category/garden/garden-railway-products

I have some used Filcris plastic boards free to re-use. They are in North London NW3 and would need to be collected as I don't drive. A full or close to full circle of 140cm wide 1100 cm radius Approx 10 m of various cut lengths of 140cm 19mm boards Approx 2m of various cut lengths of 40x40cm posts. This all made out of recycled plastic and is around 10 years old. It was used for a OO layout and may contain the odd track pin and has some stuck screws as well. 15m or so of used peco flexi track as well. All used outside and between 5 and 10 years old. Also collection only.

Nice to see a batch of photos from the month I was born. Especially like the 9f with the ICI wagons.

Remember all of Longsight being fairly easy to get around on a Sunday in 1980-2 time frame. And also Reddish being straightforward on the two visits I made. Sadly my notebooks and Ian Allens/Platform 5's are long gone. I would be 14-16 at the time.

I was going to say the same. Don't ever recall seeing that when spotting at Piccadilly or Crewe. Or in later years travelling over Hampstead Road Bridge NW1 and looking over into Euston.

Travelled over on a rail tour in March 2019 behind 70015 Oliver Cromwell. It certainly felt middle of nowhere and very strange in the snow, I think we were the only train over it all day. Also love how the wind blowing through the arches had cleared some of the snow creating such a great pattern. Dave, hope you don't mind a intruder photo on this occasion.