SteveB

The real daft bit about the Cambridge (Mis)Guided Busway is that once in Cambridge where the real congestion is, the buses will have to queue with everyone else, and dodge the hundreds of suicidal cyclists (anyone who drives/walks in Cambridge will nod sagely at this point...). As for the Bristol Harbour Railway, it seems to be protected from closure. Given the tight spaces this should be interesting.... (see http://www.westofengland.org/media/168277/questions%20and%20answers%20from%20npn%20engagement%20.pdf) Steve Banfield

Well, may have been the first to put paws on one, but now looking set to be the last to add the detailing parts. By which time I will have read of all the trials involved, and be able to do it in under 4 minutes, blindfolded whilst single-handedly finding justification to run one along Shropshire's eastern coast. Given the seemingly incorrect cab roof height, perhaps it's a new hitherto undiscovered sub-class built especially for the area? Mind you, If I stopped trying to turn the Wills Engine Shed kit into a large 2 storey mill & warehouse, I may get round to seeing if it works for more than 6 inches as well... Steve

The 15's were being unpacked as I walked in, so not sure - another 5 minutes and the one being tested (now mine...) would've been packed away and I doubt I'd even have seen them. So sorry, can't help!

Cab windows - and front faces of cab over the 'bonnet tops' are in a blue-grey shade (can't vouch for the accuracy of the shade). Image below show's the paint job, but it's not the best photo I have taken (hence not originally posted. I did rush them about...) Decoder? I've only just advanced beyond Hammant & Morgan, so will defer to others on that score. As for price, shelf tag says £95, but discounted down to £75 (both prices give or take a few pence, discount is normal I believe for all locomotives). I hope your 'friend' finds this useful...

Well, I did the photographing bit. In a hurry, on a half 'finished' layout board on a shelf in a store room. But it's fairly obviously there, so it'll have to do on that score. As for the rest, maybe after I've had my beer for the evening... But it is green, it stayed on the track, and has yet to go bang, catch fire, make smoke or indeed drop oil. So it's not looking good on the accuracy front. Purists please note I even managed to find a suitable coach... Steve Banfield (and his not performing but only because I haven't got that far yet class 15)

One quick foray into K&S in Stevenage for some Plastruct, and out I come with a Heljan 15 (GYSP, to use the vernacular). Wasn't even aware they had been released, and can't see them listed with Hattons. Test run very well - slow and smooth from the box in the shop. Certainly looks a nice beast (and not a bad price). Just need to justify one reaching the Western half of the country without breaking down... Any other feedback yet? Surely I can't be one of the first? Steve Banfield

Have been lurking around for a while, I thought maybe I should introduce my own foray in the world of model railways. Whilst this is not my first layout (I have been dabbling since a child, some plenty several years ago...), I have spent a few years - and then some - in the world of 'G' scale, 16mm live steam and dabbled in the 'ride on' world. So now I have come in from the garden so to speak back to the world of 4mm. I am currently in the process of building 'Woolacott Quay', which represents a small but busy harbour and station, set during the 1950's/60's. So whilst there is still some traffic, both harbour and railway are probably nearing the end of their working lives. Operations will centre around both freight (fish, grain, and other sundry cargo) and passenger, including holiday specials. this will hopefully justify the use of a variety of stock and locomotives without seeming too contrived. I have avoided trying to place the layout in any specific location in order to allow some flexibility in stock choices for an operating session - but their is an air of the West Country/Welsh coast to to the scenic elements, and most of my stock is of a Western/Midland region bent. The idea of the layout was to pratice/hone/discover various methods of doing things, and is very much part of grander plans, once I am comfortable with the many techniques involved. I am certainly discovering things are actually a lot easier to do than first feared, and I may even yet pick up a soldering iron! I'll go into details as time goes by, but here are a couple of 'taster' images of the far from finished station section. There3 platform faces, one long one for holiday traffic, one for local services, and a third that also serves as the reversing neck (?) for the quayside sidings. The platforms are set into the side of a hill, so whilst at ground level to the front (which is assumed to be the shore/cliff line) there is a retaining wall to the rear. I am trying to scratch build as much as possible, but I am not averse to serious/partial kit bashing, and have made some use of the modern ready built Skaledale buildings. I enjoy doing my own thing, but not afraid to own up to a bit of box opening where it suits! More as when I get round to it, but hopefully these give a flavour of what I am doing...