chris p bacon

By co-incedence I've just been reading "Thompson & Peppercorn" by Col H.C.B.Rogers, and in it C F Harrison confirms that Thompson had 18 A1's to choose from for rebuilding but specifically requested Great Northern. Many tried to persuade him otherwise but he would not change his mind and it was ultimately a board decision to use Great Northern. This could be read that the board agreed with Thompson, but then why employ him if you don't back his decisions. The book does also give the impression that Thompson gained credit for the B1 whilst taking very little part in its concept or design. It's an interesting read but like any book better to read several others to gain a more rounded opinion.

It may look like a massive mark up but the reality is that in the £200 difference is VAT, so the figure is nearer £160.00 then there's labour (don't forget that although an employer pays 52 weeks pay, 4 weeks of that time the employee will be on leave) then there is premises, tools, equipment (compressors & ramps) insurance, training and the list goes on, then finally at the end there is profit...oh no hang on then there's tax. Profit shouldn't be seen as an ugly word, without it there would be very few jobs about.

Looking for a Bedford St Johns pic I found this in the hard drive. I'm waiting for a reply back from someone I know in Willington, I spoke to him last week and he has a better copy of the ariel photo as well as at least one pic taken in the yard that shows the back (roadway) side of the station building.

Digging through the hard drive I found this, hopefully might be of some use to you as it's usually obscured by a DMU etc

For that briefest of moments "Last Tango in Paris" crossed my mind. Brought a tear to my eye...

Many years ago did some booking office work and whenever a blue rinse came to the window and said "Return to Eastbourne" we'd mutter "Really...are you sure about that"

We put more feeders out this time of year so in the past week or so the number of small birds has trebled. We have a feeding station in an area that should be more difficult for predators with lots of cover but yesterday a large female Sparrowhawk found it and although didn't get anything flew up and down it for some time. I have a feeling we'll see her there again in the not too distant future. Lady bacon didn't get a picture as she couldn't find the camera, if only she'd looked in the railway room.....

You must of made 2 phone calls yesterday evening then...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPMKlEwrIs8 Pm sent

Not quite, try posting something positive about Buy & Sell and you'll find where they've gone. Quite abusive email but not brave enough to put their name to them.

Here is the build thread Phil. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/100704-oo-lner-coronation-brass-kit-build-sydnope-scale-models/

I'm working on the basis that as Gismo's not posted he's stalled on the build and I'll overtake him . . . .well I might if it wasn't for those pesky 1700 slates. . or moving the boiler. . .or cutting the doorway .....or the firewall.....or the clean up.. damn....

In response to the glues changing, I do believe they have. I seem to remember talking to the chap who built Gresley Beats buildings that I was having trouble making laminates and he said that it was now the same for him and it was because of a small change in the glues formula. For clear styrene/windows there is "canopy glue" I've only used it a couple of times but seems to work ok. Coming together well

The LNER had a hairdressers and a cinema coach, who's to say they didn't have a pole dancing one ? First class + supplement of course...

Courtesy of Bill Davis (of Bedford) here is a shot of the motorail loading dock at Willington.

Just looks to be a platelayers next to the occupation crossing, I'll post other bits on your thread as I'm dragging it away from Bedford here.

All of the works listed are now housing and the 2 girls schools merged onto the DAH site in Cardington road. The St Johns area is still derelict with the trackbed as it exits Bedford complete with nothing built on it, if East West rail wanted to use it there is nothing preventing it apart from pedestrian diversions and what used to be a bridge then level crossing on Cardington road. 3.53 is a brief shot of St Johns and 4.21 one of Willington. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT1LM38VJT8 Willington is 6.45 and St Johns 7.11

This is actually 1952, but gives an idea of the industry in the area before the big warehouse shops appeared in the late 80's http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/eaw046971 http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/eaw046966 http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/eaw046969

My niece was at HS too, again was horrified at the thought of HS merging with DAH. My time was back in the 70's ....all those years ago.

The area is still open and bleak and the backdrop to the station buildings on the down (Cambridge) platform was St Leonards Avenue https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.1279777,-0.4636227,560m/data=!3m1!1e3 There were some minerals stabled on the chord around to the Midland (don't forget the flat crossing of the Bedford to Hitchin) but they were usually on the Goldington power station trip workings. I've got some pics I'll dig out that show some real grot for the OP to model. As for the girls school in Cardington road, that would be Dame Alice (now Bedford girls with the merger with High School) . . oh the tales to tell there....

But I can't see any Italian flags.

That backscene is far to posh for the St Johns area of Bedford. . . . in fact it's too posh for any of Bedford

Interesting to see you buy Whisky by the boxfull.

That's the trouble with Sat Navs

Thanks Mike, I often wonder if I'm taking too long with something but that's the sort of timescale ity would take me. Of course as you work your way through number 2,3,4,5...etc you'll get quicker......