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Hi Folks, sorry I'm a bit late to the party, but hope these might help. Both are from the same BR booklet, Freight Transport, Equipment used by British Railways and British Road Services, Published by the British Transport Commission, my copy is a later one dated 1959. Regards Paul

Hi Folks, Have sent Chris hard copies of all the relevant pages from this post and will phone him in a few days to make sure they've arrived safely. If anyone hasn't sent him a message I'm happy to do so again in a few weeks. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, Thanks to a very helpful staff member at the nursing home, I've just had a FaceTime chat with Chris. He's looking really well and we spoke for some time about what might happen in the near future. I'm pleased to say he's talking about supported living and most important he'll be able to take his two, possibly three, small layouts with him. I told him about all the kind comments on RMweb and he was genuinely moved by all your responses. I just have to work out how to hard copy pages from RMweb so he can see what's been said. I've wished him a Happy Easter from all of us and have agreed to phone him every few days. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, Getting there at last, and thanks again to kevinlms. Chris has been moved to a nursing home for a 4 to 6 week period of convalescence, it may well be that after that time he'll be staying there. I intend to send him a card and photocopies of all the relevant messages on here as soon as possible. If anyone wants to send a personal message please PM me and I'll furnish my email details so they can be sent at the same time. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, thanks to a great idea from Kevinlms, I've phoned the police this morning and they've done a 'welfare visit'. They've advised me he's been moved to a nursing home. I hope to speak to them soon and will get back on here as soon I have something to share. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, still phoning every few days but still no answer, Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, Sorry this is late notice, but not been well last night and this morning and have had to cancel my attendance at the Sheffield Exhibition. I hope this doesn't cause too much inconvenience for anyone, if so, please accept my apologies. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, Apologies for the late posting, due to circumstances outside my control. I'll be hosting my first clinic this year for Sheffield Model Railway Enthusiasts at Birkdale School, Sheffield, S10 3DH. Dates and times are as follows; 2nd April 10-00 to 17-00 and 3rd April 10-00 to 16-30. As always the clinic consists of short design sessions to assist with either a new layout design or if you have a problems with an existing one. Sessions last between about 15 and 30 minutes and are free. I look forward to meeting anyone who needs help and I'll certainly do my best to assist. Kind regards Paul

HI Folks, I've tried and tried to contact Chris, right up to just a few moments ago but without success. I've just had a look back to when I first contacted him and it was way back in January. I wonder if any of our members, preferably someone who knows him, lives locally and who might visit. He's in Kingston, Surrey, it's too far for me, I'm in Derbyshire otherwise I'd do it. I know it's not straightforward, not to mention confidentiality and all that, but I am worried about his well being. If someone has a better idea, please say. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, Just tried again today, phoned yesterday too, still no answer from Chris. Will phone again on Saturday. kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, I've phoned Chris several times on Sunday and today without any success. Thinking of my last conversation with him he did speak of having to go into hospital from time to time and wonder if this explains his absence. Will keep trying tomorrow and will come back as soon as I have anything. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, please see my post in Other Magazines for Model Rail issue 297. Kind regards Paul.

Hi Folks, Coinciding with my article on Light Railways and Tramways etc. we have 2 copies of of the Derwent Valley Light Railway book to give away (see photo). All you have to do is answer a simple question and then follow the directions in the magazine. Hope you're successful, but if not, the book is available directly from the Railway. They're a fab hardworking and dedicated group, with modest plans that need financial support, please help if you can. Kind regards Paul

Hi again, I've kept trying to get Chris, without any success, and can only assume he's probably gone to family for the school holidays. I'll try again this weekend or early next week and feedback then. Kind regards Paul

Hi folks, I've tried to get Chris today without success. Maybe he's been out with his sons. I'll try again tomorrow. Sorry there's no news. Kind regards Paul

Hi Jordan, Many thanks for your message. Have sent him one of my books to read and hope to call him sometime this weekend. He doesn't always get to the phone easy (mobility issues) so I try to find the best times to ring him. Will message on here as soon as I've had a chat, I'll mention about you buying the loco of him, it'll jog his memory. Kindest regards Paul

I remember it well. You've done a fab job. In fairness, when I was speaking to Chris he remembered the articles which were usually track plans or a scale drawing or sometimes both, I think Hayle Wharves and Swing Bridge was the most intensive and also one of my favourites of all time. Kind regards Paul

Hi Simon, Absolutely agree, will probably give to the end of this coming week and then send the first letter. I hope to send more as the weeks roll on. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, got an article coming up later in the year and will put down some thoughts/recommendations for the uninitiated. Regards Paul

Many thanks Steve, really appreciate your support. I've sent Andy York a message and asked for his help...fingers crossed.

Hi Folks, I had a lovely long chat with Chris last night. We reminisced about Scale Model Trains and talked for some time on layouts with multiple use e.g. US/UK, changing buildings and the like for different operating sessions, we covered BR HO too. It was good to hear him speak passionately, and very modestly, about his work and that he has now drawn a line underneath any public aspect of modelling or model related issues. In his own words he feels he has reached an age where it's time to take things easy, enjoying two home layouts he's retained from earlier days. Unfortunately, like many of us of a certain age, he has little time for modern technology; void of internet, emails and the like and whilst friends have mentioned some comments on Rmweb, I suspect these have been quite limited. What I hope to do is send him a couple of my books and if anyone wants to post a message on here, I'll convert them into a hard copy and send them too. I'd like to think there's importance in recognising and thanking the stalwarts of our hobby, maybe RMweb could give several awards on a yearly basis, a bit like the film industry, starting with a lifetime achievement for Chris (come Andy York what do you think?). Kindest regards Paul

Hi Moxy, just a quick one to let you know I've had a brief chat with Chris this lunchtime, he was busy cooking so I've arranged to chat with him at length later on today. I'll let you know, and all the others on this topic, once I've had a conversation about how he is and what he's doing. Kind regards Paul

Hi Barclay, Me too, he gave me the big break and taught me such a lot. I've got contact details for him now. I've tried a couple of times to phone but there's no answer yet. I'll try over the next few days and if successful will post something here. Kind regards Paul

My most recent bookazine for Model Rail, out before Christmas, is a bit of a change from the usual, unique in fact; building up over time into an easy access one stop modelling resource for people of all skills, packed with realistic ideas, many rarely modelled, with insight into using textures and composition, there’s a good number of relevant plans too. There are easy to follow new builds; makeovers and scratch, wherever possible I’ve recycled or reused. Why mention all this now? It was always been my hope that occasional articles, on the In the Detail theme would be published in Model Rail and the first, Train Sheds, including converting a Metcalfe Barn into a Brunel overall roof is out now (Issue 296), with three more penned in for the coming year. Cut them out of the magazine and add them into the bookazine collection. My thanks to everyone for their kind comments on the bookazine, especially Bob and James . PS The first two attached photo's are self-explanatory but the third shows a screw coupling hanger alongside 70022. In all my time writing/visiting exhibitions I've never seen this modelled!

Hi Folks, I wonder if anyone can help, I'm trying to find out what happened to Editor Chris Ellis, last time I heard anything he was poorly, does anyone have contact details. Kind regards Paul