Unicorn1

RHDR locos No 3 Southern Maid and No 8 Hurricane line up at New Romney. 25th August 2008

Well, with a bit of luck this'll be the last lot of spillage I have to clear up before I get a couple of days off! Happy Christmas everyone from the 'Combe.

Hi Jules, and Happy Christmas! Great to see the auto train back, you may be right about the trapped wire - there's not a lot room in one of those! Regards, Les

One of the local farmers is taking delivery of a new bull, prompting a rare sighting of a 'beetle' at Bishopscombe. A few more detailing parts are needed for the beetle once the weathering is finished. The loco coal arrives at Bishpscombe Jnc. Shed. While the coal is unloaded the guard takes it easy.

Apologies to those who've seen this posted eleswhere......................... Z guage perhaps.

Ah, the Area Superintendent is very keen on procedure! Many a loco crew complain about the fiddleing and faffing on the Bishopscombe branch! As can been seen with this van train - lots of extra shunting required to get the un-fitted vans together at the end of the train! Similarlly this horsebox has been placed correctly, even though this down passenger service only required one coach.

A few more b&w shots, (and one colour one has crept in) this time of the once a week collection of the oil empties. 5660 runs over Canal Crossing with the brake van to collect the oil empties from Bishopscombe. The train arrives to collect the empties. The loco and brake van will reverse onto the tanks and haul them onto the run-round loop in the station. 5660 has run round the train, collected the barrier wagon, and re-joined the train ready to depart. Back at Bishopscombe Quarry the loading operator has bravely parked his motor bike under the 'leaning tower'! The camera can be cruel - I think some straightening up is required!

Driving instruction Indian style, you will need all the Good Luck you can get on these roads! Bus Driver training vehicle seen at Mapusa, India, in March this year.

Morning Moderate snow in Canterbury since 9am, but getting heavier as I type. Need to go to Ashford later - only four stops on the train - but Southeast Trains report 'severe disruption' on all lines! Better get the car out then! Oh the joy of the third rail. Take care everyone.

Hi Gruffalo, and welcome to RMWeb! Thanks for the comments, I'm glad you find the layout inspiring - and you will find many others on RMweb which will give you ideas and motivation to try things out. And if you need to know something - about any aspect of the hobby - there are many here willing to freely give advice and encouragement! (Including on things totally un-railway related!) So, time to think about your layout! Planning is important - I didn't do enough! (But really - do seek peoples opinion during the planning stage - I wish I had - especially from the track layout and operational side). Regards, Les

Hi Jeff I like a 'to do' list, I've made lots of them Seriously, I know you will stick to this, it must be the secret of your spectacular progess! Les

Hi Mike & Castle. Many thanks for the comments, they are much appreciated. I sometimes think I over do the cliches cameos, but then the layout is meant to be taken reasonably seriously by me - but still needs to keep the occasional visitor interested too. There is still more to do, and I look at the 'early' parts of the layout and think 'I must get on and re-do that' - so there is always a new challenge! Les

Hi Jules Looking good - I like the views from the station end. I think that backscene will blend in nicely, I'm sure you can 'iron out' the wrinkles! I just know that the view over the crossing will be great, looking forward to seeing it! Les

Hi Jules That last view makes the whole extention look much bigger! I can just see a 14xx and autocoach running round the curve towards the station - scope for some great scenery here me thinks. Will the LMS be delivering the ballast etc? Les

Well, some might argue that this is niether 'real' or 'model', but that's another arguement! RHDR no 14 'Captain Howey', Dungeness 31-12-2008. The effect is soley down to the large apature used, it was getting late in the day.

Once again Alan I can only admire your patience! The wires have really given the view from above the bridge extra depth.

Seen in Cyprus three years ago, not much fun for the occupents of the car, and it was left there for a week - not good for business me thinks!

Thirty nine days after the shot in post 811- the same loco heads towards Pilot Crossing, on 7th February 2009. The weather conditions have changed!

RHDR No7, 'Typhoon'. Dungeness, new years eve 2008.

Hi Alan Great pics. The pub and the lane look fantastic, I like the OB too - maybe a Western National one might turn up somewhere else! Regards

A few more 'different' angles on Bishopscombe, and one fairly standard one! 'Bryan' is seen bringing some mineral wagons into the quarry, normally there would be a loco in the way of this shot - but I cheated here! "are you alright down there?" Loading operator looks down on proceedings. I think Bryan needs a tool box - but this one may be too modern... Waiting for the off Having a rest. 2259 has the shed all to itself between branch goods duties.

Keeping up with the pet theme, here's our two cats, Angus and Rio, in a rare moment of togetherness!

Alan Belated congratulations, only just caught up with RM article. You deserve to be very pleased indeed. Regards

Pete This is all a little un-canny - I am currently on 'gardening leave', pending my almost inevitable redundancy on the 21st!, along with, you've guessed it, 8 others! It's the wierdest feeling - being at home - but still theoretically at work. The payout will be the statutory maximum, no extra for being there 21 years! Starting the job search, luckily SWMBO is very good at compsing letters etc, and keeping me focused. Regards, Les

A couple of slightly different angles not normally seen. The Quarry empties run down the bank beyond the Brewery and canal. The Quarry empties run into Bishopscombe to reverse. There is a bit of rather poor photo-shopping in the corner of the backscene ........I must get the hang of layers and the like, and do some sky things...