5050

Some time ago I designed an etched layout plaque which only needs the year changing each year, the artwork basically stays the same.

Still here! (no groaning at the back😜) Getting on with various details including a very low relief bridge at the right hand end exit, 2 more locos 'finished' and a small platform for workers trains positioned above the controls. I have a set of suitable old coaches that I would like to use. Better than them sitting in a box on a shelf! I've also taken a leaf out of Ruston's book and fitted another LED light fitting from B&Q behind the fascia. This has improved the illumination no end. The original LED strip seems extremely dull on its own now! The 2 together give (to me anyway) a more natural overall effect. Still a LOT of detailing to be added. I'll try and get some fresh photos taken this next few days.

Sorry to be so long but I couldn't find it! I now have (I thought there were 3) but I must have sold 2 at our show last year. Also sorry to say that it is a dead frog one, rather a massive dead frog as well compared to a Streamline one! Good luck in your search.

I think I have some points tucked away somewhere. In boxes and (I think) unused. I'l need to trawl through my 'stash' and get back to you.

Thanks, hope we arrive early enough to get an easy space! One of our party is currently in hospital so it may only be 2! He will, however, be phoning a shopping list to me so at least 2 traders will be pleased.

Lighter fuel is freely available - especially at pound shops for a pound a tin. I use it a lot for cleaning and degreasing. Very versatile stuff ( as far as I'm concerned anyway🙂)

Has anyone tried fitting P4 wheels to one yet? I must admit I am rather tempted to get a packet of 3...........

I opened something purporting to be the S4 Forum a couple of hours ago and it looked rather dodgy. I hope there wasn't a bit of hacking going on to the detriment of anyone who did the same as me! Seems to open OK now.

Doesn't open for me I'm afraid. Hoping to be there on Sunday with 3 others.

New fiddle yard is made, similar design to the previous but a little bit longer (and still only one track). I have made it so that both boards can be fitted at either end of the main layout for home or show use. It was a bit tricky to get my head around the orientation of a couple of elements but I got there in the end. Open aspect towards the viewer each end is for home use, closed aspect for shows to conceal the fiddling. I've now made a 'to do' list for all the (relatively) small jobs that will need to be done between now and Wakefield. It's rather a long list........................... I will also need to consider fitting Dinghams (or rather their newer iteration with the wider loops) to a selection of stock and locos. TBH, I'm not looking forward to assembling them as they look rather 'fiddly'. Fitting them all to the same height also appears a bit frought. Can anyone offer any advice?

Ruston performed a lot of Nelliebashes a few years ago and there should be a thread somewhere on the site.

Those of you with a patient disposition may be pleased to learn the good news. Braynerts out of the loft, in my layout room and is up and running. Locos and stock tested and any that weren't fully OK banished to the naughty siding. There were a couple of repairs to be attended to but these were sorted without (to much.....) anguish. The bad news is that due to impending medicals, I have withdrawn from S4Crewe/North in June, S4Forum in September and Expo EM Summer/North in August. I can't at this moment in time be certain that I will be OK for them so better to cancel now than let people down at short notice. Ultimately I am hoping that I will be fully OK (not before time did I hear someone say??................) and, as a 'banker', I have offered the layout for Wakefield Show at the end of September. As it is local then very little effort to get it there and (if necessary) co-opt a couple of mercenaries to operate if I can't. Back to more positive matters I'm also considering making an additional fiddle yard for the right hand end to increase operating potential. I had already incorporated an opening in the end panel 'just in case'. Another thought is to make the 2 boards 'mirror image' so that they can swop ends depending on whether I'm operating at home or at a show. The new one may also have more than one track!! Lots of work also needed to finish the buildings, ground cover, detailing and maybe some different lighting as I'm finding the LED strips a bit wanting - especially when attempting 3-link coupling! Photos and progress reports as, if and when I actually have something to report!

Did you see this post I made a week or two back. Perhaps I should have headed it - 'Amazing Rare Film of Very Rare Model Locomotive in Action'. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/178290-footage-detectives-talking-pictures-tv-channel-82-sunday-19th-march/#comment-5126047 I have a body (of a Bl 5!) available if anyone is interested. Stripped of paint it is 'in the raw'.

I've got one mounted on a Ratio chassis for P4. Built it years ago and no idea where it came from!

Hoping to get there Sunday with a couple of mates - despite losing an hour in bed! Also given you a bump up the page!

I'm a regular viewer of this fascinating programme (which often has several old transport related film clips) and last Sunday they featured a model railway film. Probably dating from the early 50's it featured a passenger train running through some basic (by today's standards anyway!) scenery. The train appeared to be a Graham Farish Black 5 pulling a train of Farish 4-wheel coaches along with a goods train of Farish stock. I reckon it's the first time I've seen a GF Black 5 in action. the programme can be seen on the TPTV website 'Encore' section where all the episodes can be viewed.

I did something similar (but in P4). Mostly all bits from the 'scrap box'. Must get round to painting it sometime................

Sorry to say not a lot (nothing in fact!) has happened over the past 3 years. I was invited to S4 North/Crewe in June but have had to give backword due to impending medical treatments that will possibly last for 4-6 months. I've also got invites to Expo EM North in Wakefield in August and ScaleForum in High Wycombe late September. What happens with these is yet to be finalised. One major thing that has happened is that my American layout is no more . I dismantled it completely last month having sold all the stock late last year. If anyone is in the market for Streamline Code 100 track and points (at bargain prices!) then PM me!

I remember seeing it at Taunton not long after it was introduced. I've always though that the D600's were more impressive in appearance than the D800's.

I recently watched a B&W Agatha Christie with Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple ('Murder She Said'? Made 1961), set on a farm with a railway embankement as a background. Over this ran a selection of Western Region trains hauled by Castles mainly - until a D600 Warship rolled past. It happened so quickly I couldn't read the number but I reckon it's the first time I've seen one on film like that.

There were a couple of Rex/McMurdo kits for sale on a trade stand at Leeds Exhibition recently. A van and an open, both unmade and in relatively pristine boxes. I considered buying them and intended going back to the stand to do so but life got in the way.............. I think a clubmate bought them instead so they've been 'saved'.

My wife ordered a necklace for our daughter's birthday on Monday afternoon using Etsy. It arrived early Tuesday morning.

Welcome news Richard. Hope it all goes to plan!

Very sad news. Last time I saw him was at the Doncaster show, probably 2019, when we had a good natter sat down having a sandwich. I used to see him at various shows around the country, it was surprising where he turned up! He was definitely one of a kind! RIP Chris, condolences to family and close friends.