class26

I stand corrected !

Not only has that not got the car headlight there should be no radio antena (where the car headlight should be) on 114 as far as I can see. Please correct me if anyone knows different.

But Bachmann`s 114 wasn`t correct , it was devoid of the car headlight in the correct position, indeed deviod of car headlight full stop. 114 is unique in the position of the carheadlight (if I am not mistaken?)

cash has been splashed !!!

and just to point out the air / rail link at Birmingham airport is free

Or don`t fly from luton !

Today an interloper was found heading north. The stock that usually works the Kyle tourist excursions in the summer months headed north at Dingwall and is seen here waiting at Forsinard for the path onto Georgemas. As far as I know this stock never made its way up the FNL (unless anyone knowns different) but rule no 1 applies in this instance

On the news yesterday morning that many from Covid are now starting to return to work after the realisation that they need to . Covid effectively was declared "over" approx 12 months ago and you cannot use 12 months as a guide. This is a project over 120 years. If the Victorians used such logic we would not have the system we have today. I have no crystal ball but perhaps not all HS2 will get built to begin with but I suspect, as with HS1 it will eventually be built as once people see it they will want it. What we must do is find ways to go about new construction without breaking the bank , that applies to upgrades as well as new build. I travelled to London through Peterborough yesterday and the train (LNER) was full in both directions.

As you say you will be less likely to use it you are clearly against it whilst i am quoting what i always thought was the presumed wisdom. These are not my views so much as those of people who have much railway experience. A train a 200 + mph is going to reach its destination before one at 140 mph. It will be on its way back before the 140 mph train arrives. The 200 train will cover more return legs than the 140 mph train durign a single day. If only 140 mph then more trains will be needed to operate the same number of return services. Surely that is obvious ? That also means more crew and larger maintainence depots , more crew etc

It is commonly known (Ian Warmsley in M. Railways says so and his opinion is pretty sound) that you DO need more trains if you go slower otherwise you need to operate less services. Less services means less income and the business case falls down. The issue being that downgrading to 140 mph is not worth it

I don`t consider the seats in the IET`s acceptable, I am also voter but I don`t expect much will happen.

Way, way, way too late to pair it back to 140 mph and in any case it wouldn`t save much . the desing for the part 1 and 2A is all done, shovels in the ground so pair it back means redesiging it and therefore MORE cost. Also 140 mph would possibly cost more as if journeys are longer you need more trains (greater purchase cost) and larger depots to house this greater number of trains - again more cost.

Plus 37260 and 37261 PLEEEEEEEEASE In fact ALL Inverness based 37`s

Lineside fencing has started to appear . The silence is broken when 37261 makes its way light engine to Thurso after a previous failure

Well, Phil`s company is known as Sulzer Type 2`s which of course includes 26 & 27`s

That`s why i added Thurso in the first place, for the operational possibilities . I would dearly love to add Georgemas as there the operational possibilities are excellent but it is a nightmare to do properly. The Thurso branch goes off at right angles to the arrival main line which would be ok if it was at either end of the station but it`s more or less in the middle . I have spent hours and hours with old track laying it out and trying to make it work AND look right. Even the road bridge, which normally would serve as a scenic break is in the wrong place being too central. I am determined to do Georgemas but have concluded that I am going to need a larger shed than my already large shed ! As for the operation of Thurso I do have some intersting information courtesy of Mr Ben Alder. The branch it seems normally operated as "one engine in steam" but in busy times a second train could proceed from Georgemas under special arrangements using a tablet. Yes, looking forward to the new Heljan 26`s but probably more looking forward to Sutton`s Highland 24`s.

I think Mr Ben Alder of this parish is the man to shed light on this as he is the fount of all knowledge when it comes to the Far North and Thurso in particular . i don`t know how the yard and station was actually operated as the signal box was removed before the last war, perhaps one engine "in steam" but this is a case of rule no1 i`m afraid

The same train a little later entering the metropolis of Forinard and civilisation. It is then stopped to wait for the path south.

Now leaving Thurso behind and then later travelling through the wilds of the Flow Country. As before, please ignore the backscenes, they are due for replacement !

Back to Thurso. The freight arrivale has now shunted back into the siding and the adjacent train that had been waiting can now depart for Inverness

Meanwhile, back at Forsinard due to the failure of a 26 at Wick the passengers are bused to Georgemas and the Thurso portion only continues south.

Still lacking the station building a class 26 has just arrived at Thurso from Inverness with a morning freight and starts to run rounds the train

Platform now has its surface so really is waiting for the station building now !!!

last few pics for today Main platform still to gain its surface.

It``s far from finished, fencing will follow ! Platform edges also need doing.