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I seem to recall that Godfrey of Replica was approched by Kader with a view to him running the new Bachmann Branchline as MD but he declined as he wanted to keep Replica independent.

Apologies if this has been reported elsewhere. 158 856 on Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich service partially derailed and damaged after hittng a fallen tree between Thetford and East Harling yesterday evening. Track damaged. One passenger hurt but could have been much worse. This train is normally travelling at 90mph on this stretch but the driver hit the emergency brake and got the speed down but still hit the tree. News report with photos here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-68225061

I had some HD locos serviced by http://www.scalespeed.co.uk/ He rewound the armature with new wire and remag the magnet within the chassis. Made quite a difference and still running nicely. Maybe worth a try. No connection other than happy customer.

Only ever rode on one from Leeds to Halifax. An interesting experience. Some passenges foolishly brought cups of coffee on board. At least it washed the floor. Give me a Hastings DEMU any day!

The line actually ran from Great Chesterford (near Saffron Walden) to Newmarket. Some of the formation is under the A11 dual carriageway heading north from J9 of the M11. It reappears as a line of trees beside the northbound A11 past Stump Cross towards Four Went Ways. The formation there is under the slip road for Cambridge and Haverhill at the A1307 junction. After that junction the old formation is clearly visible towards Six Mile bottom, as is the former junction with the Newmarket Cambridge line. The line terminated at the lost and lamented Newmarket terminus station, It closed not long after the Newmarket Cambridge line opened, and was one of the very first railway closures. The line from Cambridge and Great Shelford met it at Pampisford, and the formation is still visible from the northbound A505 just before it meets the A11. This line went on to Linton, Haverhill and eventually to Sudbury and Marks Tey. There was a branch to Audley End off this line, near Linton, and part of the platform is still visible in the car park as Audey End station. There is pressure to reopen the Cambridge Haverhill line, but Cambridgshire CC seem to prefer a guided busway solution.

170273 and 170201 await their next turn of duty at Cambridge 3rd July 2011

171728 leaving Hastings 28th July 2007 Copyright my photo

170208 approaching Ely 13th march 2010 Copyright my photo

170208 approaches Stretham Crossing, near Ely, 25th June 2013 My image copyright

The 3D printed cabs on ebay are very good, superior to the resin Hurst ends. Britannia Pacific may be able to supply the sides for the MBLS, they do supply some parts from their range but not generally complete kits. Failing that then Worsley Works may be able to etch them for you, although not currently listed. Electra Rail (Adam Warr of this parish) does vinyl sides in several liveries for the 442, allowing you to adapt mk 3 coaches, although the doors are very different on the 442. Adam is now working for Dapol and is looking to sell or wind down Electra Rail, which may cause a problem. Loss of Electra Rail would be a blow, especially to n gauge. Sourcing mk3 3rd rail bogies may be an issue for you. Hope this helps

No connection other than a satifisfied customer, I received news that Simply Southern were closing down. A small manufacturer of mainly East Sussex wagons, including Hodgsons Pride of Sussex, Farmers Direct Dairies of Hastings, Harveys of Lewes, Russells of St Leonards West Marina and the legendary Polegate Treacle Mines. Some real liveries, some imaginary. Russell was of particlar interest as we lived by the station forecourt, although Russell had long gone by the time we arrived from Eastleigh. The details (from their email): We have all our stock on sale which must go. Sadly with the recent Passing of our mum and other circumstances after 13 years of trading Simply Southern will be closing 31st March 2023. I'm still hopeful someone will take it on as a going concern and see our brand continue. Please email me if your interested in our business. I would like to thank you all for your kind support over the years and from when my father started the family business back in 2010 operating it with my mum. Sadly they have both passed leaving it to myself. My thanks to them for the wagons they have produced over the years. Sad to see another small supplier go under.

Don't remove the magnet from the chassis or take the bolt out that connnects the parts of the magnet. These magnets must be remagnetised in the chassis or the magnet will lose its magnetism very quickly. In my experience neodymium magnets are often too powerful and increase wear on the armature bearings creating a different problem. I've had Hornby Dublo / Wrenn motors fixed by Scalespeed down in Fareham - no connection other than a happy customer. I think he is still going. There are others out there who can do a re-mag, see previous post, for example. Hope this helps.

Thank you. I had driven past it many times and suddenly realised it had gone. Moral (to myself) : read the previous post before posting!

Drove past Polhill yesterday. The restaurant is closed and surrounded by builders barriers. The coach has gone. Hopefully to somewhere where it can get some TLC. Anyone know where it went?

Alclad II brand has split from its UK producer who are based in Norfolk. The trademark agreement has reached its end. The product is now marketed under the HR Hobbies brand, still produced in Norfolk. You could also look at AK's Extreme Metal paint - the military modellers seem to really like it, and it is buffable like the old Humbrol metal paints.