Metropolitan H

Try and find a picture of either 2120 or 2140 as modified circa 1906 for about 5 years till reversion to standard. Also see Regards Chris H

I can't add anything to the Clockwork comments, but the children are much better adapted to battery R/C etc these days. Dare I whisper "Maerklin" Gauge one locos if you want standard gauge in 1/32 or "10mm" scale as a starter - I know most of their drool over models (such as SBB/CFF Be6/8 "Krokodil" are expensive - but there are / were more reasonably priced train set types under the "Marklin Maxi" heading. If you are not too precious regarding scale, the Bachmann "G" scale "Thomas" and friends - including a Class 08 diesel shunter and a pretty good model of a GNR Stirling Single aren't excessively priced and can reliably be converted to battery R/C. Smallbrook Studio (see - https://www.smallbrookstudio.co.uk/store/G-16mm-scales-c59969051 ) do some useful bits if faces on locos offend. Regards Chris H P.S. - I and my family are happy to renounce any residuary interest in the Playmobil railway vehicles previously transferred to the custody of Nearholmer. Our Grand-Childer-Beasts (eldest is 9.5 years) have Thomas, Percy, Toby and James with a few coaches and wagons to run on my outdoor 45mm line (more G scale than "gauge 1) - but they now prefer to try and establish title to my 16mm scale live steam models of Talyllyn, Dolgoch and the Roundhouse Peckett 0-4-2T "Karen" - especially the later, as with R/C they can drive it without danger of burning themselves. CH

What I didn't say earlier is that the vast majority of the footpath / accomodation crossings are scheduled for closure with divertions to nearby "Road" crossings or a few proposed non-road bridges. See https://eastwestrail.co.uk/proposed-route/bletchley-to-bedford-2 and then follow the link to the "Route Update Report". Particularly you should read carefully from page 68 onwards taking note of the proposals for each of the 31 crossings - of various types - given in table 1 (9 pages), 16 are being closed under the latest proposals (some already have been). Regards Chris H

If you look closely at the most recent ideas for Bletchley - Bedford, things have been rather descoped! It seems that most of the road level crossings will remain, with a rather trimmed back increase in line speed. The remaining major works are re-instate double track through Fenny Stratford to Bow Brickhill and realign the final stretch into Bedford Station - and maybe provide a passing loop in each direction somewhere. Then of course the signalling will cost a lot! CH

Will the third rail - wet string - be retained into the preservation era? Regards Chris H

Very good, but do you really need two (2) units to run the proposed branch line? still think they look better in green - with smaller spolges of yellow. Regards Chris H

The 150 has become the Arriva X4, while the X60 has become the Arriva X6. The Stagecoach X6 route is completely different being the direct bus from MK through Grafton Regis and Roade to Northampton. There is also now an Arriva X5 from Aylesbury which runs south to Hemel Hempstead - it is completely UNrelated to the Stagecoach X5 from Bedford to Oxford via MK, Buckingham and Bicester. Regards Chris H

My one and only cab ride on FS was 20 + years earlier - in New England Loco yard spring 1953. Grandfather - Arthur Alexander Holmes - was a signalman at Westwood Box. He knew FS was on shed on the day he was off shift when we arrived from London - so Dad and me were immediately taken over the foot / vehicle bridge into New England Loco to meet FS and crew - friends of Grandfather (?) - who invited the three of us (plus my push-chair - folded) up into the cab for a short ride from under the coaling tower along two sides of the triangle before we got down. Perhaps thats why I have always been a railway enthusiast? Regards Chris H

My own take on a Minories inspired style terminal - with roundy-round through roads - going under the working title of "Gutter Lane" is "O" gauge Coarse Scale, is gradually growing in my 11.5 ft x 7.5 ft railway is shown below. Gutter Lane Buildings etc 1a 002.pdf It is cramped, but it gives me enjoyment - including just watching the trains go by. Regards Chris H

Bob, Look out for "Newchapel Junction" - it has its own website ( see https://www.newchapeljn.co.uk/index.htm )and is booked for the Doncaster Racecourse Show - this weeked! - and the Ally-Pally Show in mid March. Newchapel Junction is much larger than Minories or any sensible single person layout, but I can happily spend a long time watching the trains and dreaming! Regards Chris H

All I know is from the MRN and MR articles, but there is a reference in the later article to the stock on the post-war layouts being finished in LNER colours, which makes sense as the loco roster included a V2 - a personal favourite. Regards Chris H

We had a similar discussion regarding "Maybank" and the later - post WW2 - "Maycroft" about a year and a bit ago. Not only was there an early article in a 1934 issue of the Model Railway News, there was a later 5 page article by Bernard Wright (of S gauge Swanage fame) in the December 1975 issue of "Model Railways", including a picture of one of the garden sheds erected as part of the garden railway displays at the post war MRC shows. While "Maybank" was a collabrative effort by Bill Banwell and Frank Applegate, the later stood himself down from circa 1949 - after which Bill Banwell's main collabarator was Geoff Bigmore. By the way when the two lads are seen running off to watch the train pass I believe the scene to have been shot a little to the south of Chorleywood Station - which is the location of the scene in which Bill and Frank are seen measuring up the ex"Metropolitan Railway" signal box. Regards Chris H P.S. - The last showing of a "Maycroft" layout at the MRC Easter exhibition was 1966 - I visited as a teenager and still remember how good it was. CH

It took me a long time to agree this was a picture of a model - absolutely superb. Chris H

The only use we found for a loco like that was to prove the steam would clear from the tunnels properly - in 2012 - before the full celebration of LU150 in 2013. Regards Chris H

A bit too chunky to fit in the Sub-Surface areas - unless you reduce the cab height. Even the LT (ex BR) 57xx Panniers all had to have the roof edge rain strips removed to ensure clearance. All the preserved ones have had the roof edge rainstrips re-instated - the owners took the hump when we advised that we would have to cut the strips off (again), if they want to bring their "Bullock Maroon" Panniers to join in the Sub-Surface celebrations of LU150 in 2013. Regards Chris H