Les Johnson

Hi Ken, that latest factory looks fantastic. Hope my warehouse turns out half as good. ive had my brother in law print up a St Vigeans signal box nameplate for me and asked him to do one for you in OO scale. If you can email me your address I’ll post it on. Les

Thanks Ken. Where do you keep finding this space in your loft? You must have added about 3 extensions now? Ha,ha! That pic of mine was not taken in my lounge! Honest! Hope you don’t take this the wrong way but how accurate is your version of St.Vigeans box, ie. with regard to the window arrangement and flat front, as opposed to recessed brickwork? regards Les

Ken,another question if I may? What height would the multi armed signal outside the Baltic warehouse be? The two longest ladders appear to be about 27 rungs. Would they be 9” or a foot apart? Do you or any of your ‘cronies’ know? Les (great new pics btw)

Hi Ken, got the mojo back (wherever it’s been) and finally started Baltic warehouse in Dens Road(seeing as how you refused to build it for me in 7mm! Ha,ha) I’m hoping that the picture I took will transport, if that’s the right word? Still very early stages. There aren’t that many windows in the side but I was using this card as a template. I was planning to try to incorporate some interior detail, I had all bright ideas about loads of barrels and pallets and bits and bobs but I think I’ll just stick to getting the outside scribed and painted and mess about with scatter etc outside. That’ll probably take me the whole of my enforced ‘isolation’. Something to keep me occupied anyway and out of her hair! Talking of which, I hope you are all keeping well and safe up there in the north? regrds Les (ps. Looks like it’s worked???

Giles, windows on page 5, where are they from please? Also have you changed your e.mail? I'm trying to order some stairs. Is your telephone no. still the same? many thanks Les

Hi Ken, Happy New Year to you and yours. Thanks for the message. Unfortunately I’ve not done anything to my shed layout for almost a year! We are grandparents to a labradoodle, so spend 3or 4days a week looking after him. This isn’t the whole reason, I’m just being bone idle, but I must get back to it shortly. I still need to make shed ventilators (?) then I need to make some more boards and extend the layout. Ive been keeping up with you and a few others though, and your shed lineup looks very impressive. All the best Les

Absolute magic Jamie. Can't wait to see what you dou with the 'railway buildings' Les

Hi Ken , I think I've sent greetings to someone else, or its gone off into the ether, so happy Xmas and new year, Keeeeeeeep modelling! Les

Merry Xmas to you and yours Les (hope you are all well)

Another super signal box , Ken . Hope you're all well? Just a quickie, would Arbroath shed have had any 'signage' to signify it as such? Cheers Les Ps. What's Arbroath fitba team doing, running away with their league?

Best looking modelling plank I've ever seen! Looking forward to seeing it grow. All the best for Xmas and the New Year Paul. Cheers Les

more great pics Ken. Just a note to wish you and yours all the best for Xmas and the New Year Cheers Les

Two more superb buildings Ken.How do you find the time? Les

That 08 is the 'dogs'..,! Re: ballast, I'm sure loads of people have given you their 3 pennies worth, but I just use OO and N and soil! Can't wait to see track laying commence. Les

Sorry, I was trying in a polite way to ask is the curved roof the Smith Hood or the Thomas Muir? Les

Beginning to look the biz, Ken. I see someone has built Smith Hood coal shed from Arbroath in O gauge in the latest Gazette, but they've copied your Thomas Muir version?? Maybe to avoid you suing them, ha,ha? Les

Plenty of variety in Dishlandtown Street then! Hi Ken , that should be a nice little project! Keep you busy. Where did that street name originate? Do you know? Haven't done anything on my shed for months. Must get going again. Keep well Les

Looking good Paul. I must admit I prefer the green ones though. How on earth are you up at 5.30? How do you have permission from SWMBO to weather in the kitchen? I don't have a thread , maybe one day? Can I just blast back into the past once more then I'll shut up? I suppose you're too young to remember dances(whatever happened to them) with 'live' bands, at places like Litherland Town Hall, English Martyrs, St. Luke's in Crosby, Orrell Park Ballroom, not forgetting all the clubs in Liverpool. Where did it all go wrong? Ha,ha Les

Yes, some parts are great, but like everywhere Paul, some parts are grim! Better let you get back to modelling now, I've taken up enough of your time reminiscing! Just love your weathering techniques on your blues and green diesels, my steamers must be so alien to you, but each to his own. Good luck with your scratch building. Not as difficult as it seems just patience. Even built one of my 439 engines out of cardboard using kit as a template, but with cast fittings and bought in wheels.

good grief, you were about 3 minutes away from me Les

Yes, sheds all scratch-built. 5mm foam board, scribed brick walls, cardboard roof, York doors and column supports inside supporting smoke troughs (cardboard).Pits cut out and lined with plasicard. Measures 34" x 17". Still to make chimneys!Where were you in Bebington today? Les

hi Paul, I'm in Bebington at the minute. Glad you're not in the nick .........yet! Yes, I've was at West Lancs for about a year before my heart attack (ok now), but I haven't been back since. Keep meaning to make an appearance. Some great lads there. At the risk of taking over your blog, can I include a pic of my shed in progress? Hope it comes out right way up, the iPad usually twists it round for some reason??? Les

Hi Paul, now you've mentioned your age you wouldn't know them. I'm a generation older than yow! I'm still 'local-ish', on the Wirral. I've followed all your previous 'opae' (Is that the plural of opus? I should know, I did Latin, but it was half a century ago! Ha,ha.) I'm trying to model Arbroath shed in O, cause I was brought up up there, but I'll be following this with bated breath! Cheers Les

Following this with interest Paul. 'Twas my old stomping ground. Lived in Pennington, had friends who lived in Fairlie Crescent, Galsworthy, Springwell and who went to either the 'Georges' or St. Monica's. When we were old enough it was usually the Walnut or the Warbreck! Happy days. Wouldn't be surprised if you knew some of them? Les

Denton Brooks don't look like wooden stairs to me? Les