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.

As usual, excellent photography. I struggle with room lighting. Can I ask what you use? Proper photographer's equipment is so expensive - but you do seem so, so perhaps I've answered my own question! Regards, Tony.

Brian - a question I'm struggling with myself- what is your view on weathering steam locos? I've two Hornby B1s and two Hornby K1s. They are exquisite, perfect performers, expertly detailed, and I'm scared stiff of weathering them! I mention them because, although they are lined, I see them as black, working engines,particularly the K1s. I don't have an issue with diesels, I need them weathered. It's all a bit of a paradox. Your views? Regards,Tony.

Looking very good! It is an advantage for those of us who create *Fantasy* layouts - as I describe mine - or Freelance, whatever, that we are able to run perfectly legitimate locos as "Specials" as we desire them. Those who insist on prototypically perfect sites and running, seem to forget that personal creativity is a vital aspect of the hobby. I sometimes tire of their elite superiority. Everything's coming on very well. Regards, Tony.

I should apologise again for the harvest of "likes", etc. Better pull my horns in. But seriously, I've a great love for blackened stonework. In my neck of the woods - Tynemouth, Newcastle Central being my central -such stonework was everywhere. In fact Heaton Junction - with it's brick retaining wall - was a north Tyne exception. So, again, it's my flavour. Looking at my own, by comparison, toy train-set, it's time I quit the easy mock-ups and got down to some disciplined creation. Thanks for the inspiration. Tony.

Hi Pete, Please forgive me for posting on your first entry before I've even had time to properly read your thread. (I only found it following your kind post on mine, minutes ago!) But I just love industrial squalor - and you seem to be heading that way. For the time being, just one more comment: As someone who learned draughtsmanship the hard way, when Rotring Pens were wonderfully cutting-edge, one of my favourite books is Jack Nelson's LNWR Portrayed. It's an absolute masterpiece, of drawings made the hard way, so wonderful it almost dragged me away from the ECML - just so I could try and build from his detailed works. My point is,I bet his book isn't far away from you at any time, yeah? I'd be surprised if the book wasn't mentioned on your topic, so put me down to speedy ignorance. I'm glad to follow. I'd be glad if my layout could develop such a flavour - given I'm modelling 60's- but I remember it all as wonderfully... squalid! LOL Regards, Tony

I really dislike Facebook, the way comments are buried means it's impossible to communicate seriously in model terms. I only use it 'cos I'm so poor at texting with my dodgy digits that the PMs are handy for family and friends - I can type a lot easier - although that can hurt like hell due to carpal-tunnel thingy. Otherwise, I only go on to support Jaz. To be honest, the MR groups she's in are not so good. Having said which, she is raising them with all the work she can show that was developed on here, so that's good for her - and them. Because I was unable to model for quite a while I took onboard the Hornby terraces you saw in that picture. This was partly stimulated by your excellent use of such products; used properly they are effective. OK, I mortar-washed mine, but that was for the squalid, industrial pollution of the 60's. They still need a lot of work, but it's enjoyable. I'm becoming more and more "diesel" - seeing even the best of steam running with no exhaust is getting to me, probably 'cos sound makes it worse - the exhaust is even more lacking. I've four sound/steam locos and I'm thinking of getting rid. Are you familiar with Shenston Road? It's one of my RMweb favourites, although - green and blue diesel - it's a bit early for you. Regards, Tony EDIT: I've just been checking out your YouTube channel in total - mine must seem pathetic to you! Still, everyone has to start somewhere.

In my frivolity I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed the video! I think I'll have to get wor lass to get me a 20 for Christmas. My 03 is an excellent mover but is a bit light for shunting long trains, and the J94 (very powerful for its size!) is a tea-kettle. They did have 20's at Blyth so I've some excuse. (Well, at least one) Having said which, my two sound-25's are brilliant shunters. And my single sound-37 is beyond excellent - and did shunt the yard at Heaton.... Decisions, Decisions... Tony.

Oops! BTW. When I said "they might not be as fine as, etc" I was talking of the different constructional materials, not the quality of the build. (blush smiley) Anyway, just as well you picked up on it, Shaun. Memo to self, when you don't know what you are talking about shut it! lol Tony.

Hello, Ron, For me this phrase sums up your modelling excellence. So many of us would have made the decision, "it'll never be seen so I'll not bother with the detail." You, obviously, gain satisfaction from knowing it is there. I gain satisfaction from your example. I'll never come even remotely close, but... Kind Regards, Tony.