Blandford1969

Is this set still available, or is it just the mega expensive shops looking to make a killing on the popularity of the line?

Hi Andy, Yes its Dave Bradley building Mangotsfield and he is fairly local to the site, at least I think he is as we met up on several 'digs'. I don't know about the yellow ochre, however has you got Brian Macdermont's modellers guide to the Somerset and Dorset as it has a section on the freights north of Bath and services to Bristol and the north? Kind regards Duncan

Mangotsfield is in the process of being built and he has got various photos of its construction on flickr,https://www.flickr.com/photos/65704889@N04/ and there is a group on flickr dedicated to the https://www.flickr.com/groups/1493786@N23/station. With a blatant off topic moment, the one bit of the station we still have found no evidence of (despite looking in archives, excavating the remains and talking to the Mangotsfield railway circle is what the passageway at the back of the booking hall looked like. This ran from the Gloucester to Bath platform and had a canopy over its length. What we do not know is was there a door into the Booking hall from that passageway? - the walls that have been rebuilt by sustrans have a gap which is a door width, but is it coincidence? and were there any windows? Sorry Andy, back to Bitton (I've not forgotten those other views to find)

We know next is the tank and then the T9, is there a list on what else is supposed to be coming?

The only thing that is a bit odd on mine is a curious mould line that goes round the boiler and then back up its sides. It will be easy enough to remove though. The cab has the potential for more proper pipework too. Fortunately oo leaves me with a bit more room to play with.

Managed to get the compound from the nice staff at WH Smiths in Stourbridge. Its not a bad model and has plenty of potential.

Thanks for the tip on Stourbridge, I've rung them and someone didn't want theirs so its bagged. I wanted it for the Deeley tender for a 7f and the compound to try to do 40936 with the experimental Stanier tender. The one on 1000 came off 53804 from memory. How do you mean not as good as a standard midland tender?

Do some Whsmiths have them available as my local one in Halesowen has just said its only pre order?

Stunning photos. To see so many wonderful detail photos, especially of the roadside is quite a treat. Thanks for sharing them. Kind regards Duncan

Evening, Thanks for the kind comments about the photos. I have a couple more like at 4f on a 1964 special heading, which I will see if I can dig out (forgive me if it takes some time) Really looking forward to seeing this. Is this line one of the best modelled? we have got Bath, Bitton, Warmley and Mangotsfied that is also in the course of being built. best wishes Duncan

Here are a couple more taken on the same day, which again I hope are of interest I think I may still have one of the roadside, but its not really much different to today. Kind regards Duncan

I managed to dig out the negative, which I hope is of interest. It appears that it was taken in the early 50s based on a number of the others taken at the same time. Kind regards Duncan

You can of course have a GWR railcar on a Bristol Bath service.

Firstly this looks like a really interesting layout and i'll look forward to seeing it develop. You have probably seen this one, but if not hope its of interest https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=29644579@N07&q=horrabridge Kind regards Duncan

Blimey that would have been livley, knowing what 1501 is like at 25 it must have been really hold on at 35/ 40 mph

Shame only 1501 survived, with the other 2 being donors. She will pull the back end of a house with her dustbins and as excellent acceleration. Its a darn sight eaiser to prep than a standard pannier. I am sure it would make quite a model

Wow, amazing, what a wonderful archive. The shots of Everchreech North box are brilliant. On none of my negs could you count the timbers across the walkway so your photo is so helpful. Also the shot of the front of the box is about the clearest showing the quions on the locking room window, which were different on each side. Thanks so much for sharing these wonderfull images with us all. best wishes Duncan

If anyone ever wants to knock the railways and Network Rail they should be reminded of the amazing work that has been done, not only here but elsewhere to get things done and done at quite a pace. I know others have said it, but well done to all those who worked so tirelessly to get things open again. It must have felt like a vertical curve at the begining. It also prooves where there is a will that things can be done quickly and not take forever. Many thanks as well to all those who visited the site, and, or are local keeping us up to date with the progress, what an impressive thread and one that was always worth watching. Duncan

Another stunning view, I think it might be Luib station, but I can't find a photo at the moment to back it up. Thanks for sharing it Mike Kind regards Duncan

Yet more lovley S&D scenes. If only we had a time machine to go and enjoy this line.

Cor, what super shots. Thanks for sharing them.

What a super record and lovley crisp photos.