Peterborough North

[great northern]

There was a bit of hazy sunshine, so I went to run trains and take pictures. First though I had to set up the stock for the early locals in the appropriate places. First one went OK, but then it was the turn of the 7.35 Doncaster, which requires two BZs in the first four vehicles. To their living accomodation I went, but they were not there. So I searched the fiddle yard, in case they'd been left there, but no luck.

 

At this point, full Corporal Jones mode kicked in. "Captain Mainwaring, someone's stolen the BZs! Don't panic!" But I did, despite the fact that obviously someone hadn't.  Finally, I noticed that a CK wasn't in its slot either, and the penny dropped. Where can't I see when surveying the layout? Please see the image immediately above. I just hadn't removed the last two locals when I finished the previous session. Stress can do very peculiar things to one's powers of concentration.

Edited March 19, 2020 by great northern
spelling

[TrevorP1]

20 hours ago, great northern said:

The nice lady is Jane Asher, who I remember as a very desirable young lady back in the 1960s, and who I have always looked at with longing, even all these years later.

 

For me it was Hayley Mills. I had a crush on her before I knew what a crush was! 

[stewartingram]

21 hours ago, Clive Mortimore said:

Hi Gilbert

 

I don't believe you took those photos, there is nothing coming out the funnels.

Fires gone out, coal shortages nowadays.

 

Stewart

[great northern]

Hermit comes into view with the 7.21 from KX, and another sequence reaches its conclusion.

 

 

Just 100 days since it started, but suddenly a totally different world. 1958 was much better, so we'll keep returning there.

 

Looking for something different, I tried this. Does it work?

 

 

It certainly shows the difference between images from a sunny day and those from one like today.

[great northern]

And so to photos I took yesterday, when I encountered once again light conditions which are at the same time very strong and not strong enough. Still I persevered, and sent our men off around the layout. The chap on Platform 2 couldn't find much going on, so he sauntered down to the loading dock and was surprised to find the pilot there, as there is plenty of work for it to be doing around this time of day. It wasn't till he studied his photo carefully after processing it that he realised why it wasn't at work.

 

 

 

More luck on the Down side, as Hermit stands after finisihing its journey from London.

 

 

[great northern]

The Glasgow- Colchester is due , and as usual brings a 52A engine, in typical condition.

 

 

I somehow altered the white balance while doing this shoot, and that made shopping problematic, which is why this is so closely cropped, and rather ragged in some places. I examined the loco closely when I took it off the layout, having seen how much dust there is on it. To the naked eye, it is almost undiscernable.

 

Waiting to relieve the A3 is March B17 61626, a proper Castle. It is another one for which I have a soft spot, as it was a regular on the boat train at Lincoln in my very early spotting days.

 

 

 

 

 

[great northern]

Off to golf today, with lots of very sensible measures in place to minimise risk, and to allow us to get our exercise and some form of social contact. Why is it then that some people completely ignore those measures, and put us in a position where we may have to close down altogether? At least some heart warming positive stories are beginning to come through, so maybe the silent and sensible majority will prevail in the end.

 

Pictures are of activity at the south end, but are mainly about light engine movements. 60070 is coming off its train, while 60506 is backing on to the stock for the 7.25 to KX.

 

I still had the white balance problem when I took these, and it seems to have taken a lot of colour out. When I tried to restore it when shopping I got some peculiar results, so they stay as they are.

 

Next we have 60506 again, but now coupled up and ready to go.

 

 

 

[great northern]

Or we would have if I had remembered to add the photograph.

 

 

[Anthony]

As this is a most uplifting thread, I thought I would just post an instance of heart-warming behaviour in these troubled times.

 

I bought a Springside Ferguson tractor off eBay and in thanking the seller, mentioned that it would give me something to do during our self-imposed isolation.  Not only did he then include another kit without charge, but he also refunded me the total postage costs.  I find this overwhelmingly kind and of course can never thank him enough, although I have tried (eBay feedback is so limited in length).  If he reads this he knows who he is, so thank you again.

 

It does more than anything else put into perspective the blithering idiots who clearly haven't got the sense they were born with and have forced the government to close down pubs and so on.

 

Keep safe and well, one and all

 

 

Anthony 

[380John]

51 minutes ago, Anthony said:

As this is a most uplifting thread, I thought I would just post an instance of heart-warming behaviour in these troubled times.

 

I bought a Springside Ferguson tractor off eBay and in thanking the seller, mentioned that it would give me something to do during our self-imposed isolation.  Not only did he then include another kit without charge, but he also refunded me the total postage costs.  I find this overwhelmingly kind and of course can never thank him enough, although I have tried (eBay feedback is so limited in length).  If he reads this he knows who he is, so thank you again.

 

It does more than anything else put into perspective the blithering idiots who clearly haven't got the sense they were born with and have forced the government to close down pubs and so on.

 

Keep safe and well, one and all

 

 

Anthony 

Amazing how the human condition works, some people trying to play supermarket sweep whilst others regardless of how they feel or turmoil they're in can show an act of kindness like that. You might not be able to eat it, but at least that model will allow you to continue as "normal" in some small part. 

 

I'm stuck at work bringing record levels of oil and gas into milford haven to keep the country going in these strange times. I have new baseboards being delivered to my home today. As long as I can get ashore for my leave this week, a bit of self isolation will do my layout the world of good if nothing else! 

 

Cheers, 

 

John 

[Tony Wright]

10 hours ago, great northern said:

Or we would have if I had remembered to add the photograph.

 

 

Glad to see 60506 is still working fine Gilbert (at 44 years of age!). 

 

Somewhere along the line it's lost one of its sandbox fillers. I wonder where?

 

Regarding keeping safe, the local police had to be called in at one supermarket this week. Fights were brewing! So, not just the threat of the virus, or starvation but the risk of physical injury.

 

Keep safe all of you.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[great northern]

2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Glad to see 60506 is still working fine Gilbert (at 44 years of age!). 

 

Somewhere along the line it's lost one of its sandbox fillers. I wonder where?

 

Regarding keeping safe, the local police had to be called in at one supermarket this week. Fights were brewing! So, not just the threat of the virus, or starvation but the risk of physical injury.

 

Keep safe all of you.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Sadly, that does not surprise me Tony. I suppose my job often showed me the worst side of people, but some are just beyond belief. I've no idea where the missing part may be, I'm afraid.

[great northern]

An unaccustomed six mile walk in the fresh air today has left me rather tired, so I will be off to bed shortly, rather than falling asleep in front of the TV, and waking at some unearthly hour. Two more views of Brancepeth Castle first though, ready to go.....

 

 

 

and on its way.

 

 

[great northern]

Departures this morning, one to London, as 60506 moves under the bridge.

 

 

And one to the north, as the Doncaster parly gets under way, stopping at several stations which will shortly be closing after over 100 years of serving the public.

 

 

[Gopher]

Stunning - I love the track in particular.  The ballasting and weathering is perfect. 

[CUTLER2579]

7 minutes ago, Gopher said:

Stunning - I love the track in particular.  The ballasting and weathering is perfect. 

 

Thank you Gopher,

I would like to take full credit for that,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But I can't. 

[great northern]

29 minutes ago, CUTLER2579 said:

 

Thank you Gopher,

I would like to take full credit for that,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But I can't. 

So would I, but I can't either.

[bigwordsmith]

Six mile walk? I struggle to do 60 yards!

 

Hope you kept your social distance!

[Tony Wright]

4 hours ago, great northern said:

So would I, but I can't either.

You can take the credit for changing the ballast colour from that of the Sahara to that of (what used to be) part of Northamptonshire.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[great northern]

57 minutes ago, bigwordsmith said:

Six mile walk? I struggle to do 60 yards!

 

Hope you kept your social distance!

Golf club regulations now demand it Peter, though there are still some idiots who ignore it. I'm very fortunate that I can still play, and so when we can play the full 18 holes it is over seven miles.  Still, I shouldn't be going on about it to someone who has the difficulties you have to contend with. Just keep staying as safe as you can Peter, a lot of people are thinking about you.

[great northern]

27 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

You can take the credit for changing the ballast colour from that of the Sahara to that of (what used to be) part of Northamptonshire.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Thanks Tony, I hadn't thought of that.

[bigwordsmith]

4 hours ago, great northern said:

Golf club regulations now demand it Peter, though there are still some idiots who ignore it. I'm very fortunate that I can still play, and so when we can play the full 18 holes it is over seven miles.  Still, I shouldn't be going on about it to someone who has the difficulties you have to contend with. Just keep staying as safe as you can Peter, a lot of people are thinking about you.

Thanks Gilbert 

 

just been whizzed into hospital- not for CV, but possible sepsis!

 

hopefully I’ll not be here long - they’re really under pressure 

[31A]

Just now, bigwordsmith said:

Thanks Gilbert 

 

just been whizzed into hospital- not for CV, but possible sepsis!

 

hopefully I’ll not be here long - they’re really under pressure 

 

Oh no, I hope that turns out OK - best wishes for a speedy recovery!!

[Mallard60022]

22 minutes ago, bigwordsmith said:

Thanks Gilbert 

 

just been whizzed into hospital- not for CV, but possible sepsis!

 

hopefully I’ll not be here long - they’re really under pressure 

Blimey Smiffy. Take care dear heart. NHS Staff are truly magnificent and they must be better appreciated after this little challenge or there will be trouble.

All the best mate and let us know when you are back home and safe. 

Phil

[great northern]

2 hours ago, bigwordsmith said:

Thanks Gilbert 

 

just been whizzed into hospital- not for CV, but possible sepsis!

 

hopefully I’ll not be here long - they’re really under pressure 

We all hope so too Peter, and we hope to hear from you soon.