Spannerman

You know what they say about men with big hands ............... big gloves

I would have rather been at Warley, in fact I would have rather been anywhere than where I was! Spent the whole weekend and most of the last 2 days decorating the hall and using up the world supply of expletives, and no its not a big hall I just despise DIY! Nik

Comparisons between the Hornby and Bachmann stands do not make much sense. Whilst the men in blue may have a lot more unreleased exciting stuff to look at, so creating a bigger stir, most if not all of it has already been announced and is really a case of production finally catching up with marketing. Hornby were in a similar position a few years ago but appear now to have caught up with their backlog. Therefore the difference between the manufacturers will be if there are any forthcoming announcements Hornby are more likely to be something "New" while Bachmann will probably something already promised. I would say that personally it appears that with the sudden arrival of new management, Hornby looks to be taking stock and in a period of stasis before making next year's product announcements, hopefully they will realise the benefit of the Engine shed updates and teasers, in keeping us customers frothing. Regards Nik

If Hattons are releasing the dynamometer car at £125, i would think the Crane must be more. It certainly looks to have a multitude of small parts to assemble. Nik

There a company called Smallbrook studio which produce a resin kit of the four wheel LBSC coaches that ran on the island. These may be too early for what you are looking for but might be worth a look as stock did seem to hang around for while there. Sorry I can't post a link but try Google or ebay. Hope this helps. Regards Nik

It'll be the fell, sorry it's compulsory that some one says that at the outset of every announcement. Nik

He may be a very knowledgeable correspondent, but having read many of the MRF posts and remembering his attitude on models, producers and some within the industry on this site he doesn't really help himself. There are ways to behave in polite society, which would probably more fully realise his supposed aim of more accurate models, unfortunately his social skills leave much to be desired as he just comes over as a troll. As he's been removed from this site but acts just the same elsewhere, I can't believe it will be long before he gets removed from them. Will he eventually end up ranting at the moon about how he could have done so much better, with the gate stock he's had 6years in which to achieve it, but Kernow's appears to be the only game in town. Enough of ABS,from an avowed fanboy who's just happy to get models better than I could produce. Atb Nik

I have to agree with old dudders. I received a copy of this on Tuesday as a birthday present and think it will be an invaluable aid for any Southern modeller. A much weightier tome than I was expecting with a wealth of easily missed details. Nik

Must be time to start inventing new superlatives, I'm sure all the old ones have already been overused by now. Keep up the superb work. Nik

A bar in the train room, what a bold visionary you are! A man living the dream.

The problem with some of Hornbys previous celebration packs is the celebration has passed before the models turn up! Nik

As a southern modeller, the GWR may have just negotiated running rights! LooKing a very nice model but will wait for a few reviews first as Dapol do seem to seize defeat from the jaws of victory sometimes. At Nik

"Assemble a Pacer fleet" Raises many questions, mainly why and are they contagious! At Nik

Thanks for posting, I haven't received this email yet so will call Kernow tomorrow to sort payment. £30 is not to be sniffed at on what looks to be a quality model. Could be an expensive month if the secr bird cage stock turns up Nik

You are going to have to do something seriously wrong to reincarnate as a sparks! Speaking from personal experience. Nik

Homebase are currently selling wooden trestles for £4.99 if anyone requires legs for a layout. Look to be about 3ft high "A" frames Nik

Sorry, misunderstood the muckspreading comment. Another farmer whose land was invaded by this blight said if they liked his field so much they were welcome to stay and dug a trench across the entrance. I've always found the only thing farmers hate more than the travelling community is paying for stuff. Nik

Legendary Norfolk hospitality!

Thanks saw this today but not being technically minded sort of ignored it. Any advice on which e mail site to use? Thanks Nik

When carrying wartime black wasn't it common practice for the tender to be marked up N E, rather than LNER? Excellent model though and I think all locos look great in black. Nik

Great start and looking very professional, always good to see a Southern layout. Those baseboards look very good I'll have to investigate further. It may be the time of day, or I'm just a bit simple but what is the overall size of the layout. Keep up the great work Nik

Deleted as posted in error. Sorry

Exquisite modelling. Nik

Not a main line but I believe the curve before Reedham bridge on the Norwich lowestoft line is quite tight. It certainly sounds that way from the tortured squeeling flanges. Nik

Well I have to say that looks an absolute peach. Well done DJM. Nik