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The OO scene is looking increasingly like the early 1980s. No wonder Hornby are keeping away.

Just time for one more… Modelling has basically finished for a bit now as we’re moving house later this month, something I’ve been discussing on my current RMweb blog here . Our new home won’t have any dedicated modelling space, so I’ve been looking at ideas for compact portable or micro-layouts. I recently acquired a Walthers Clayton County Lumber kit in HO that I’ve been after for a while - a set of four general purpose industrial sheds suitable for either standard gauge or narrow gauge use: It gave me an idea for a simple 4’ x 2’ HOn30 layout, that could also re-use my Pagosa Junction Flag Stop station from my previous mini-layout, and have room for the Campbells’ Community Church I’m slowly building: The addition of the long industrial spur allows for varied switching, though other than that the plan is essentially the scenic run for watching trains I’d considered as a project before the house move was confirmed (that plan was longer, at 6’). I’ll be able to set up a small portable layout In the spare room, as long as I clear it out of the way (and put it in the study) when the family come to stay. It will mean carrying baseboards up and down the stairs in our new home. With this in mind, I had my doubts as to whether a 4’ length would be wise, even if it did fit (hence the dotted lines at 3’ and 3’6”). Experience has taught me that a 4’ x 2’ sized board is just that bit too big for easy manoeuvering. 3’6” or even 3’ is quite a bit easier, I’ve found. Common sense has won out, and I’ve gone for a smaller board, one with the same 1m x 0.6m footprint I used for my first mini-layout (approx. 3’ x 2’). It’s easier to carry, and fits on a single IKEA table top without overhang - less likely to get knocked. I’m also losing my rather useful outdoor baseboard factory when we move, so with a free afternoon I’ve put together one final, entirely conventional, baseboard while I have the chance: Unfortunately, I didn’t have a piece of plywood 2’ wide (0.6m) to use, as I’d split my last one into two 12” strips for an HO Switching Layout staging baseboard. However, fortune had smiled, as that board was 86.5” long (7ft 2 1/2in). It meant I had a 48” strip and a 38.5” strip, and with 38.5” converting to 97.8cm, it was already perfect for the metric IKEA table. I considered adding a single batten along the length of the board, underneath the join between the two strips of ply (9mm), but felt the usual crosswise bracing may be less likely to sag. I’d like to paint the board so it’s not white if I have time. I’ve not weighed this board - the solid top will add a bit compared to my previous hybrid open-frame layout, but as that used thicker 12mm ply I’m saving some weight that way instead. It’s certainly easy to lift. And until I’ve moved, that’s most likely it. At least I have something to take with me to help get me started again quickly, Keith.

Oh holy sh... This remembers me to the US P2K H0 scale Diesels affair where cracked gears were common standard. In similar situations KKPMO in Poland had helped me to get out of scrape. They made custom gears according your specification. https://shop.kkpmo.com They speak English. Lutz

I don't know. Although I help John at shows, have done a number of LRM kit designs, mainly LNWR, and post information on various sites for John Redrup, I am not otherwise involved in the production and sales side of LRM (I live one hundred miles away). Hence I don't know what alterations have been made to those other etch designs John has (over sixty locos plus carriages, horseboxes, etc). Although I designed the D23, it uses the "existing" tender from the LRM range. The best thing would be to ask him direct through; londonroadmodels@btinternet.com. He is away at Scalefour Crewe this weekend so I would wait until Tuesday before doing so, to give him time to recover.

Only until the Japanese felt they needed to exert authority over Indo-China and Thailand. The Japanese de facto takeover of French colonies and Thailand greatly then facilitated naval, air and military operations against the Dutch East Indies (which they wanted for fuel) and Singapore and Malaya. The aircraft which sank the Prince of Wales and Repulse were forward-based in the Saigon area. I have wondered how History might have been different if, before or in response to the US oil embargoes in the months before the outbreak of War, the Japanese had had the sense to come to an accommodation with the Colonial Dutch for the supply of oil.

We do occasionally get gulls. But usually it's a sign that the weather is going to get bad. As for pigeons, it's only wood pigeons. The others tend to stay in the very built up areas where they get free food. These just like sitting in trees or on the fence (a bit like some politicians or football pundits I can mention, but not as boring).

Remember it well. Part of the Postman Pat children's TV craze about people with everyday jobs. Postman, builder, fireman, er lighthouse keeper. Andy

Looks good 👍

I've been using the Polycraft SG2000 PU casting resin from MBF and found it most acceptable. Demould time is 30-60 minutes although it seems to cure a lot quicker. It dries in a smooth ivory finish. Other details in pic above. And below is some of my efforts with demoulded cast viaduct sections and tothers curing in the moulds :

What ever you do dont turn on the TV. Its full of fear… you’ll not want to.. 1. Drink the water 2. Breathe on the tube 3. Buy any food 4. Spend any money 5. talk to people without a weapon 6. Open the door because its bailiffs 7. buy anything online 8. look at the weather 9. miss yet another war film 10. cringe at another reality show find a nice park, just look out for dog poop, ignore the litter, be careful with your phone and pay cash.. in fivers.

thats were i put No3 on this 4mm GWR Loco ex-Bary Rly 0-4-4T No3 built from the Dean Sidings kit running on a Hornby 14XX chassis by brian mosby, on Flickr

Think the Hull - Brighton occasionally got 31/4 haulage, that would be 4-5 Mk2 air cons to Sheffield where it joined a Leeds(?)-Brighton portion.

The caption to this photo may be helpful: "...It was one of a batch of three class 31/4’s (31409/10/17) allocated to Leeds Holbeck for predominantly passenger duties (rather than empty coaching stock) associated with working portions of East Coast expresses that divided or joined at Doncaster, such as the Hull portion of 09:10 Kings Cross to Leeds and 13:35 return, and trains going beyond Leeds to Bradford and Harrogate. These workings required an eth fitted engine following the introduction of air conditioned coaching stock in 1972. These duties ceased with the introduction in 1978 of HST’s..." Not sure if this counts according to your requirements? This is purely ECS:

I've been working through a few new new products to be added to the range over the next two weeks before I attend the Exeter show Sat 22nd and Sun 23rd June with my sales stand. One of these being 4mm scale / 00 and 7mm scale / 0 stools, suitable for a signal box or office. https://mudmagnet-models.sumupstore.com/product/7mm-scale-stools

Hi, My own 009 Alice is OK but not revelatory, and it's one of those locos you feel you can't take your eye off in case something happens. One thing which can improve them a lot (according to the Chairman of the Bala Lake Railway Society) is to remove the circuit board / DCC socket, hard wire the loco for DC and fill the resulting space with extra weight. I have not tried this myself! The Baguley is 20g or so heavier than the Hunslet and this does help I think. My one, after about 2 hours' running-in, is fine when it gets going, but it's still a bit of a temperamental starter. Best Wishes, Mat P. (Bala Lake Railway Society Secretary and Bala Model Show Organiser - 21st and 22nd Sep 2024!)

I think that most of us dream of a place like Little Muddle.

According to Longworth, the first LMR-allocated dia.99 RMBs with CW bogies were: M1817-28 in early-mid 1961 (1826 from 11/60) M1865-70 in early-mid 1962

I'm veggie (not vegan) because I don't like meat. Never did from an early age. I couldn't eat chicken, it used to make me sick but i used to eat beef, pork, venison or lamb mainly because it was expected of a meal but I was never enamoured by it. I don't like the smell of fish, so wouldn't want to eat it. I though the advantage of chicken stock was that it has little taste and can be used for anything.😁 I'm not against meat production, providing welfare standards are observed. I don't object to others eating meat apart from any environmetal issues, which also apply to some non meat production such as palm oil IMHO Human beings are no different to many species which prey on lower species, we just farm them (generally)🙂

Ooh, yes please - I need a track cleaner so I think this would work well. Will pop a PM off.

Does anyone know if there were any regular trains in the 80s blue/grey period consisting of MK2D/E/Fs that were hauled by a Class 31/4? I seem to remember seeing pictures of them in the 80s from around the Midlands area and I know that they were used on Summer Saturday trains, but I'm thinking about more regular services. To be honest I think I may be confusing their usage on ECS trains as I seem to remember Oxley (where there are carriage sidings) being mentioned. I've found this picture on Flickr of one on a Leeds to Brighton service, but I guess it may just be another Summer special service.

Another quiet day as I still feel weary and need to be not too far from a loo, but things are showing signs of settling down. I've done a little bit of shopping, looked at the garden and greenhouse and watered things in pots. Apart from that I've read, looked a few of my own photos from a few years ago and dozed. David

Not me, I ran a Mk2 Astra GTE, a proper hot hatch that also went around corners... 😆

Around Hillmorton to the south of Rugby on the WCML. Hillmorton Class 86 E3189 down April 72 J2893 Hillmorton Class 87 up June 75 J4361 Hillmorton Class 86 up June 75 J4478 Hillmorton Class 86 up June 75 J4479 Hillmorton Class 87 87001 down Royal Scot March 76 J5082 David

Thanks @Mouldy Raspberry