Tim V

Empty roads, no traffic. Bank Holidays in the sun - when is the August one going to return to its proper place at the beginning of the month like in some parts? Being invited into the signalbox. Being invited onto the footplate. Do they still make sherbet fountains?

That retaining wall looks good, what's the origin? Good South Wales atmosphere.

I expect the coupling rods don't match the axle centres. Quite a simple modification, however, should we have to do this?

Burnham - the P4 model that was briefly exhibited in the late 80s Petherick - stunning Pendon - nuff said Two EM layouts and one P4, all 4mm

Have you tried the library? Inter library loan? Check your local library's catalogue.

I was invited to speak at the inaugural meeting of the Nottingham Area Group of the Scalefour society, and it bowled me over to think that all these people (21) were in one place to talk and find out about model railways. OK, it was a bit like AA, but my feeling is that groups, like Nottingham that is just starting, are an excellent way of showing that as modellers, we are not on our own. Someone out there knows the answer, and the best way to discover is to talk about it with other modellers. Someone has the answer, and sometimes the act of describing it makes the solution clear.

Yes Andrew, there is more to life than attending exhibitions.

Thanks for the comment James, but I couldn't continue it, that was the loss.

Really Andrew? Three a year at most is what I do. There is talk of three day shows again, that will eat into the annual leave.

Home and exhausted. Exhibitions take a lot out of you, especially when it's your own layout. Very little time to have a break, talking all day long. Plus assembly/breakdown takes a long time as only one person really knows how it goes together/gets taken apart.

I had occasion to look back at my old workbench, it was all Kempenfelt's fault. I was surprised how good it was, and I was reminded how annoyed I was when the change in software meant it became obsolete. Ah well, the wonders of modern technology, here today, gone tomorrow.....

You know what builders are like!

Overall I like it. If I was to be critical (well you did ask), you've mentioned relaying the siding twice within the text, once would have been sufficient. It is a great pity that the line was not preserved

With an exhibition looming, I've got the paint brush out, and been tidying up the presentation. Amazing what a lick of paint will do. Plus I've had builders in who used the garage the layout is stored in as a workshop. They created a fantastic amount of dust, a lot of which has attracted itself to the layout. I noticed that my hands got quite grubby at the Cardiff show. Hopefully this time, with fresh paint, my hands will stay cleaner.

looks a pretty iconic layout to me.....

Of course, you could put the spikes on the visible side, that would mean only half the number of holes!

Ballast Andrew? More like ash covering the sleepers in the pictures I've seen!

Have a look at http://www.coalcanal.org/ They don't intend reopening it, though anything is possible...

You know Stephen, I have looked very hard but have been unable to find collets at ME show, any suggestions as to suppliers please?

That PW hut is in fact the weigh house!

Yes Andrew I know about your ten shows with your layout, but what about the ones you went to as a punter!

Did I say "decent"! They weren't bad shows, a lot were quite good but I've decided to get out to see railways and canals, and I've ended up with a list that looks like: S4N ExpoEM Railwells Scaleforum Warley I omitted Railex, as it was very close to ExpoEM, and I haven't included the S4 AGM as I was working there! Have you seen they are converting the Gloucester - Ledbury line back into a canal!

I did a count and realised that last year all I did was go to exhibitions! It was about 14, not counting the ones I was appearing/working in. I need to get out more often! I've cut it down to six for this year, and I'm getting out and about. I've even got interested in canals, a fascinating period in history. Do you realise that there is a chance that the canal network could be fully restored, while there is little possibility that railways will be restored to their former glory.

I will put in a vote for the Unimat. I would suggest a precision vertical drill is the tool that will get the most use. A mill and a lathe both have their uses. Good lighting is essential, under certain lighting machine tools can strobe - looking like they are not moving. OK I know a lot are noisy!

So you would walk 1000+ yards in each direction out to the distant signals twice a day to light them and extinguish them?