HAL 'O THE WYND

In the message you haven't opened I explained my erratic behaviour health-wise. I've been very ill since late last year. A couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease . It's incurable. One-third die within a year of diagnosis, half within two years. I can't talk, can't swallow, can't walk. You can imagine being Joan's Prime Carer (for her MS) is a bit of a challenge. By all means delete this post. Don't PM me - I won't open it. Anthony (Tony to my friends)

L8r Having read some of the captions I realise they're you mates. Never mind. Nice to see the new loco in that scenery.

How the hell did I miss this thread! Excellent work. I particularly like the way you allow different eras. BTW, 'haven't read it and am unlikely do so time wise, but the images are ace! Tony.

An excellent update! I really admire your subtle loco-weathering. I've been using Humbrol Tank Grey 67 as a basis, but I've much to learn. I did start weathering some Hornby Fish Vans lately,and they aren't looking too bad - better than the glowing out-the-box white, anyway. But I really need to get to grips with my Pacifics. Your's are fine examples. Regards, Tony.

-"English Trains!" That was a brilliant video, Shaun! I'll be watching that quite a few times. Her Ladyship is upon her Early Morning Throne - 01:13 - so that makes a delightful resting place as I wait. Seeing all of your work at different angles was excellent. Only small complaint- whilst going through the village, etc; the lighting wasn't as good as it deserves. Time to start working on a pelmet, I think. Wonderful. Thanks, Tony.

I've had the same mat(?) for a while - purchased cheaply second-hand but good as new. I'm keeping it till my five-year-old grandson is a bit older. Looking forward to it! Tony.

Very realistic,but I think you've overdone the weathering. Tony.

As someone who is enjoying the use of a new Nikon bridge-camera I'm a bit relieved! It has a massive 42X zoom - which is handy for taking pictures from the other side of the model-room, but it's not Zeiss, unfortunately. I'll tell you one funny tale. I took a long distance picture, which had a fairly shallow depth-of-field, but I found a missing vacuum-pipe, hidden in a crack but visible in the photo. I am guilty of too much auto, though. I must get down to the manual use. Thanks again for all the information, Tony.

To be honest, Jock, in the long term I have no choice either. In the 60's+ era I'm trying to model, virtually all steam locos were absolutely filthy. So there we go. You certainly have my sympathy sleep-wise. My latest petty malady is described as "restless limb syndrome." Essentially, it's a combination of numbness, pins'n needles, and jumping nerves! LOL (Sorry for the ageing whining, Brian ;-) Tony.

Thanks Brian, I think we're in a similar boat. As I said, old stuff is good for practice - even buy a non-working loco on the cheap from somewhere - then you can try and fix it, too - all down to experience .I agree about the diesels. I'm busy with mine at the moment. Diesels can look very toy like out of the box. Andy's as good as it gets in this department. I'll certainly check him out - and Baz, who I'm not familiar with but is very recommended. Regards, Tony.

I'm ashamed to say it's a while since I popped by. As ever, I move on with my jaw riveted firmly to my chest. Interestingly, it is the ticket-inspection booths that really did it for me this time. I've a figure between finger and thumb, and I ponder the tiny excellence of his possible home... Hell's teeth! - an on-running degree of quality not found elsewhere - and I choose my words carefully. Regards, Tony.

Hi Jock, Oddly,my badly phrased question wasn't about the skills of weathering - although I've much to learn. I weathered the J52 that appears in my videos, way back in the seventies. I'm currently practising on two Bachmann split chassis B1s which really need working on, given the the bright connecting-rods, etc. No, the paradox is - I don't know if I really want to! LOL They are so beautiful as models. That's the paradox. I hope you did grab some sleep, Jock. I'm afraid the word has become a memory for Joan and I.We get a couple of hours at a time if we're lucky. One reason for my posting irrationality. ;-) lol Kind Regards, Tony.