Ian Hargrave

And possibly inter regional passenger work to the SE section during the summer months . This introduces formations of LM&WR stock.

Both and parcels work.Well there were only three in any case. One regular diagram was the Victoria-Newhaven boat train. Scant photographic evidence available it seems. When it arrives,mine ( BR black) will be working a rake of crimson& cream Bulleids ,though similar Hornby Maunsells will be acceptable to replicate such.

Well …maybe .Best not to judge from Hornby’s IT generates images. However their livery finishes are in any case now much improved..Do I require a ToyTown Hawksworth County ? No thanks.

Likewise,I have both examples.The Hornby is the better of the two .The DJM is a gutless wonder. You & that dog of yours are slowly persuading me to order one of the EFE machines.It will probably be in BR black reminiscent of the Victoria-Newhaven boat train I saw a couple of times at Victoria in the 50’s.

It was a victim of over production which meant initially low retail /eBay prices and then competition from the much heralded DJM model which supposedly was the best ever and which subsequently turned out to be a significantly underpowered white elephant.

If they can hold it together in these storm tossed circumstances ( and that’s a big ask ),new releases over the past year even convince me that they are capable of producing a newly tooled Saint or even a Hawksworth County to a standard that matches the best. Well,despite resounding hints,no other company has stepped up to the plate. So why not Hornby ?

Though more recent models show a distinct improvement Robin.

Some years ago,Locomotion Models NRM released a new Hornby KGV in overall gloss finish which was a drastic improvement on the bog standard…er,whatever it was…. This was apparently achieved by the application of the above mentioned clear gloss varnish.

That is not rocket science to anyone who has attempted to drive in Sheffield City Centre. You use the Park & Ride and take the tram.Doncaster has better accessibility via the M1/M18 link. But not if you live in one of the more salubrious neighbourhoods on the western & south western parts of Sheffield .

Now that is an interesting hypothesis.I assume you are using Roco’sHO models as an example ? Though I’m afraid advocating tender drive on this forum is akin to heresy,especially with the accompanying traction tyres which one assumes would be necessary for the 78XXX ? I’ve been having long hard looks under bright lighting at that “awful horizontal join “ today but I regret to say that IMHO that is somewhat of an exaggeration and in no way offends.But of course that is a value judgment as must yours be. Bear in mind that this is a quite small model that requires gimlet eyes to locate details. The problem I have with this model is the drawbar connection which I personally failed to shorten due to ( a ) eyesight ( b ) arthritic fingers & ( c ) non magnetic,poorly designed screws.I’m not in any case certain that it would in any case have been a practical setting on my tracks. That said,I think this is a cracking little beast that both looks the part and performs well. Too expensive ? Can this argument prevail in the current climate and state of the economy ? The price is what it is. You don’t wish to pay ?Walk away.

I remember that day. A very young HM toured the Cynon Valley in an open top car. And a very young 11 year old was one of thousands lining the streets who greeted her royal 🇬🇧 progress .I remember my mother ( then Aberaman’s District Nurse ) remarking on how much make up she wore. We were not introduced 👎. The Royal Train was waiting at Hirwaun. Canton supplied the much bulled up motive power,according to TI published later.

Referring to the pronunciation of the place name, in my days as a young resident of the Aberdare Valley…long before the resurrection of the Welsh language…..we referred to it constantly as “Urwinn”. To this day,I have a constant battle with myself to refrain from calling it thus in the presence of my Taffia relatives.Valleys speech was ever thus..essentially lazy. Though with the passage of time,it’s been tidied up a bit.”Oright butt ? “ ( which roughly translates as ..” Is that ok my friend ? “ . Somewhere out there ,someone will have a photo of Hirwaun station’s finest hour. The Royal Train conveying our newly crowned HM Queen & Prince Phillip double headed by Castles 5080 & ? Taken 1954. The Cwmaman branch ,long disused and remembered by my grandfather,ran at the back of our house in Godreaman.It was known locally as “the line” and whilst in passenger use ( for a short while in its existence) was run by GWR steam railmotors. I occasionally walked home from Grammar School that way. My late father managed the PD Brickworks lower down the Gelli Tarw at Lwydcoed. TFW have plans to extend the new Metro service from Aberdare to “Urwinn” eventually,using the old trackbed.

And the Happiest of New Year news is from Kernow announcing the arrival at Customs of the Railmotors.

The Warships on the North to West worked through to Crewe,as opposed to Shrewsbury. A Newport stop was introduced c1965 the loco running round its train at the platform.

Further update on this. OHLE in place at Dinas with new over bridge & from Porth to Pontypridd viaducts but no further. A cursory look from our passing car while waiting at traffic lights revealed that both viaducts are a nursery for a variety of saplings growing out of the stone jointing.It’s frankly an unsightly mess and should be subject to some attention prior to OHLE installation. My brother in law told me that a tree surgeon he employed many years ago to clear some larch trees had a contract to attend to unwanted growth on both these structures.So the problem is obviously historic and it appears to have had little or no attention for some time.In posting this,I am mindful of the recent part closure of a viaduct on the ECML due to root invasion.

Work has been ongoing over the Christmas break between Llwynypia & Tonypandy.OHLE,signalling & track work appear complete to Llwynypia,including installation of impressive new pedestrian over bridge at Ystrad. Work yet to be completed at Ynyswen station. Down from Tonypandy,OHLE completion is patchy. None in evidence at Ponty station atm.

As an 81 year old this post resonates with me. I wholeheartedly agree that in the words of the film of that name the railways of the UK are at this time of the year “No Country For Old Men” …..especially with a modest suitcase for a holiday stay with relatives. Hence to spare me,my brother in law kindly came to fetch me and will take me home after Christmas. A round trip of c300 miles. Yes,I have used my Seniors Railcard several times this year but I’ve also been afflicted in so doing by last minute cancellations,strikes,work to rule and such chronic overcrowding that makes it physically hazardous for me to travel. A national disgrace.

Driver training in January……which is now just over a week away ? I think as things currently stand this is way over optimistic.

OHLE installation ongoing today South of Tonypandy and partially up down to Llwynypia station. New overbridge up at Ystrad.New signalling appears in place.

Thanks for news of this. High Level Boy.

And that time of the year comes round once again…..Hallelujah ! We’re still here🙏. Best of all greetings to Robin for this the friendliest and most sociable of all threads where we discuss and argue ( ? ) whilst viewing ANTB and its GWR heaven.. May the Stars on all your trees this Christmas be illuminated by Toplights. Happy and peaceful Christmas to you all. Ian.

Of course

And that’s a common affliction with this model.

I should add ,via YouTube..which affords a spectacularly involving experience

If those of you who love music & the arts and have access to a smart tv would care to tune in to the Concert of celebration of the Nobel prizes recently awarded on iPlayer then you will be well rewarded