Al.

I believe that scorch marks are still there.

I remember we had that at one of the earlier show, that time the layout caught fire. 😂

Just a thousand more to go. 😁

Unfortunately, due to family circumstances, I've had to withdraw from the Bristol show. Apologies to everyone who were hoping to see the layout. We're hoping to now attend in 2025.

You said 'trees'. A single tree hardly meets expectations.

Thanks for your comments. Von Ryan's Express does feature on the layout. Having over shot the Alps, they're now making a run for the Belgium coast.

I was talking to a guy the other week who is looking to start running an 'Orient Express' style service in China. Sort of a high end 5 day package deal with across Mongolia and Northern China. 5-star on board service with cultural stops each night. He was looking at diesel hauled (DF4s?), but had not considered the appear of steam hauled for either part or all the trip and the appeal this would have to his European/American market. Maybe this is a bit of a blind spot in the Chinese culture, with no historical mid-class to exploit? The guy is back in China this week, and from the conversation, I had with him, he may be looking at what QJ's and QS's might remain might be available to for the service. I hope he can pull this venture off. It sounds appealing (he was touting for investment, so the presentation may have rose-coloured. However the investment proposal looked sound) In my view, his is aiming too high end, with his focus on the top end of the new Chinese middle class market. I think he needs to look at a tier down for the Steam Rail Enthusiast market, with slightly less pomp and a bit more steam. This one has potential.

There was a definite step change in the layouts at Keithley. Finally there was reliability and stability. I'm pleased this has continued onto the following two shows. Now that the team isn't fire fighting the layout just to keep it running, they can start looking at all the other stuff that vexed us for some many years.

That has always been the main appeal of the layout. Something is always moving on the front. I think we've manage to keep that going at almost every shows to date. Even at the one when the layout has actually caught fire.

Spoken like a seasoned operator of the layout. 🤣

And the layout isn't on fire either... 🤣

Paul wasn't happy with a couple aspects of the station sign. First, it was a bit too tall, and second, he didn't like the look of the final character. A little reworking and both fixed. The sign now reads 'Beijiao Steel Works Commuter Station 4'. Hopefully Paul will have them painted and fitted in time for Taunton.

Another cameo for Beijiao? https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107483362778706/permalink/2286993094827721/

Maybe add a half second or second delay to the second banker horn would help, along with difference horn blast durations. All helps to split the sounds up and make then a little more distinctive.

Paul would have better luck trying to herd cats...🤣

It'll be for the Banker loco horns. Sound has always been an area I've wanted to explore on this layout. Add some point clatter and flange squeal to the Industrial and Bi-Directional turnout would add a new layer onto the loco dcc sound. And maybe some background sounds of the various cameo scenes too.

What is it, and what is it meant to do?

Have you got the station and good shed signs painted and fitted yet?

Will you be adding China TV news logos to the van?

Luke, do you remember way back in 2014 in those early days of the layout build, Paul's plan was to have just a single cyclist on the Faller, forever going back and forth.

There has been issues with the Faller all the way along, but it's been so far down the priority list that none of us operators have spent much time looking at it. We've been too busy just keeping the trains moving to care what the Faller was doing. 'No cheap' solution. Maybe that's were your problem lies. You have a big exhibition layout, and you will spend the best part of a thousand pounds on a loco, but you're not spend more than pennies on the control systems to make them locos run...

You've been having problems with the IRDOTs from the beginning. None of them have worked reliably in any aspect you've applied them to. - the level crossing barriers, Faller roadway. Maybe its time to look at an alternative solution for the Faller rather then taking the 'sticky plaster' approach and introducing a fix to the problem, that will introduce a host of new problems.

Paul. You are liable for import duty of circa 4.7% on the product value and then 20% VAT. However a lot of it depends on how the seller declares the item on the Customs Declaration form, and whether HMRC has sufficient bodies to the item and apply correct duty and tax.

A reminder that Beijiao will be at the Keighley Model Railway Show this weekend - Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June 2023. Venue Woodbank Garden Centre & Nurseries Harden Road Harden Bingley BD16 1BE Opening Times Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 4.30pm Prices Adults £6.00 Children £3.00 Family £15.00 https://www.keighley-mrc.org.uk/