Ryde-on-time

On again on BBC2 at 2.30pm today, one of those films I never tire of watching! The models look stunning

Yes, now i’ve looked further i stand corrected. Various websites are ambiguous or misleading and suggest the luxury car tax will apply retrospectively to EV cars registered after 2017 that are within their first 5 years after 2025. The government statement however says: ‘the Expensive Car Supplement exemption for electric vehicles is due to end in 2025. New zero emission cars registered on or after 1 April 2025 will therefore be liable for the expensive car supplement. The Expensive Car Supplement currently applies to cars with a list price exceeding £40,000 for 5 years’

Perhaps back dated is the wrong expression but it is unusual for an additional tax to be charged on a vehicle that has already been purchased (additional as apposed to usual yearly increases) The additional tax for cars over £40k was announced in 2015 and applied to new vehicles purchased & first registered after April 2017 so people buying such a car knew what the costs would be Very different to the position of people who have just bought an EV with a list price over £40k who will now have to pay ~£500 for the next 4 years

A couple of videos which might be of interest. Firstly a film showing locos 7 & 8 double heading a mixed passemger and freight train The second film has loco 7 on passenger and the Garratt on freight Chatting with the staff there one of the coach sets is being repainted over winter into BR blood and custard livery. Loco number 9 is due back in service next year after overhaul so the expectation is that it will be in BR black or green to match

We had a drive in this today Apparently mine has a build date of 4th November so better think about organising a home charging point!

What have Hattons said or done to rectify the situation? They are the ones with the contract with DPD and are responsible for getting the items to you

They were announced as future possibilities in the original announcement of the class 31 in this thread

Interesting to see the recent photos at Nha Trang, brought back memories of a visit there a few years ago. We were only there a couple of nights but I managed to get a video of one train SE6 Hanoi Sleeper Train at Nha Trang Railway Station, Vietnam, August 2017 https://youtu.be/9qJu2IxMSZ4

A sad day remembering someone who served their country to the end. It's nice also to remember the good stories about her life and this is a favorite

A view from the Whaddon Road bridge this morning looking west - now with 2 tracks as far as you can see

‘The Beast’ parked opposite the office this morning, lorry soon went though and a shame to not hear it run!

East West rail mentioned on the BBC website today. Good to see an article about a railway on time and on budget! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-61985220

A couple of shots taken from the Whaddon Road Bridge near Newton Longville on Saturday morning approx 11am. The train was approaching slowly from the Winslow direction, by the time I had parked up it had stopped. I returned on the bike an hour later in case they were just having a short break but there were no staff around and presumably had been bussed away

I don’t usually get the chance to take a look during the week but got in a bike ride this afternoon and got some photos. Firstly from Whaddon Road, near Newton Longville. Looking east a class 66 can be seen (not sure what it was doing as I didn’t get any closer) And looking west with a track machine (tamper) Moving to Swan’s way near Mursley looking west with track now in situ Moving to Station Road Mursley, Looking east the membrane is laid down And looking West towards then new footbridge, rail and rolls of membrane are present

A shot taken at Bletchley yesterday showing how the platform buildings for the station on the flyover are progressing.

Some more photos when out on the bike this morning. A couple looking each way from the Whaddon Road bridge And a couple from the new Salden Road bridge near Mursley (all trace of the old bridge now gone), which is as far as they’ve got fitting sleepers

A couple of shots of vans on the Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster. Used for storage ?

This was a shot taken with my iphone on Friday, I think it’s a reasonable representation of the colour, not fluorescent like some photos i have seen!

Pictures taken yesterday and as expected, demolition is in progress

A cab ride in 43066 as part of the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway diesel gala may be of interest. The train comprised 43066 a 3CEP and class 31 97205 And a video which includes 43066 in action

The new bridge for Salden Lane near Mursley is now open so last weekend from it I took a couple of photos of the more characterful old bridge which will soon be demolished I imagine?

Out and about near Mursley today on the bike so took a few photos. The bridge over Salden Lane is progressing with the tarmac laid and joining up with the existing road. Looking west: They are working on the safety railing and fencing . The old bridge is in the fore ground showing one of the cracks Looking east this time. Three photos showing the old bridge on the right and the new roadway aligned with the new bridge Then a couple of shots west of Mursley on Station Road which goes towards Swanbourne. A new footbridge is being constructed for the footpath that crosses there. Should be a good quiet spot for videoing once open!

This Ebay pre-order ad came up on my Ebay home page Gives the release date as 28/2 in Japan https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pre-Order-KATO-Narrow-gauge-KATO-PECO-OO-9-Small-England-Princess-Red-51-201A-/275172140739?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Some views taken today of the new bridge near Mursley - taken looking towards Mursley. The first photo shows the old and new bridges. The second wider angle shot shows the original road in the foreground which curved around onto the old bridge, this is now fenced off. The final shot is taken from the old bridge. Although Saturday it was a hive of activity with lots of vehicles buzzing about and workers working

The trouble with that is that Rapido allege they already have an exclusive agreement to make the Titfield models If Canal were seen to renege on that, it would affect their reputation and their negotiating position during any other future discussions - to licence any products, not just trains. Likewise, if they allow Hornby to get away with their seemingly fanciful idea that you can just slap 'Inspired by' on the box and do anything. Merchandise is big money earner for Canal and others like them