Unicorn1

'can I get a (insert commodity of choice)?' Yes you can, would you like one?

Very nice Duncan! Les

Mmm, hand signals. As someone who regularly drives a 1948 motor equipped with trafficators I used to use the correct hand (arm?) signals a lot to inform other road users of my intentions. However hardly any one knows what these signals mean any more, which can lead to some potentially dangerous situations. When signalling that I intend to turn left I often find the driver coming in the opposite direction will see this as an instruction for him to turn right across my path! This has happened so many times that I now don't do it if there is oncoming traffic. In fact I find that people who don't see the trafficators, or my outstretched limb probably aren't worried about signalling in general! Les

Wonderful pictures again, good to see the landscape and the detailed railway infrastructure. Just spotted the cat JF, great fun. Les

According to 'How Many Left' there are 6 1725GLS Hunters licensed at the end of 2016 and 14 on SORN - so one may come up! I loved my 1725 Hunter - but the rust loved it even more! Les edited - spelling!

A few new pictures from the 'Combe. The staff at Bishopscombe Junction Shed have been busy refurbishing some barrows, left out in the yard for the primer to dry, somewhat obscuring this shot of 5660. Some extra capacity has been borrowed from the Southern Region in the form of this Austin W. "I'm only paid to drive the lorry mate" Driver looks on as coal is loaded, the non-prototypical coal staithes have gone. A 'helicopter' shot showing the new 'horse landing' to help with the busy horse traffic. A summer visitor in the form of Dukedog 9015 shunts a horse box into the yard. Finally a cruel lose up of the new station platform. The building isn't fixed at the moment as I experiment with different details.

Hello Kevin I have to agree with the many others and say this is a wonderful layout. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the posts, and your photos are excellent. Again along with others I am impressed by your trees, one thing I have yet to attempt making myself. Looking forward to seeing more pictures and updates. Les

Good news about the Brewery - I always rated their beer, and thought the worse when they were taken over (or Meantime 'sold out' perhaps..) Les

Thanks Jules Yes. it seems that now the better weather is on the way I spend more time in the railway room. Next jobs are to do something about that old Ratio water tower, and tidy the area around the signal box; among other things! The oil depot may go, it provides different traffic, but it's hardly well placed! Les

I can hardly believe its been nearly eight months since any updates from Bishopscombe! Since last summer the station has received a new platform - the old Metcalfe one looked very tired - and as it was one of the very first things I built over six years ago, since then I have discovered many new approaches to building structures. Also the ballast was fast disappearing! It was originally glued down with diluted copydex, and this gave very good running, but the glue started to deteriorate leaving big gaps in the ballast. Re-ballasting with the track in situ wasn't easy, and the end result is not as good as I would like, however a few minutes each week tidying up is helping! I have deliberately not weathered the ballast as yet. Also I have experimented with the station engine shed area. Gone is the stone engine shed, replaced with a Prototype card kit. The road behind the old shed was hidden, so moving the shed to this road has created a bit more open space. I will stick with the Prototype kit for a while, it's been lightly weathered and has received some guttering and bargeboards, but no doors as yet. So a few new pictures; The minerals arrive at Bishopscombe to reverse, the new shed arrangement can be seen. The 'new' view across the goods yard. The pannier runs round the local Having shunted the stock into the bay the pannier moves off to the shed. In its 'new' home Some new platform details, the new benches are a bit high for some of Bishopscombe's regular travellers! The station staff have been busy putting on their usual floral display The platform is just mount board sprayed with B&Q's own brand grey primer (it's darker than Halfords), and Peco edging overlaid with wills dressed stone. Later the afternoon goods arrives. The milk tanker has evaded the works painters for a good few years, but the plywood van looks fresh after a repaint! I think the white balance in the camera was set wrong for some of these, I only noticed after they were put on the PC! Will update some more soon. Les

A chilly, damp and very overcast morning at Didcot today. D9516 in a quite timeless setting.

Well done chaps. Les

She looks right at home!

Not only do people often park on the wrong side of the road - they also leave their headlights on! A particular niggle of mine.

The bus with the Gas Producer Trailer in this photograph is ST174 - probably the most photographed one of them all. 634 gas trailers were built, to be used with ST double deckers, and 10 T type single deckers. Interestingly London transport was involved in another 'dabble' with the technology in 1952 when STL2676 was converted to run on gas as an experiment by the Ministry of Fuel and Power. The bus was 'converted' by Neil & Spencer of Leatherhead. Les

RHDR No 10, Doctor Syn, crossing the unmistakable landscape that is Dungeness in Kent

RHDR No 10, Dr Syn, nearing Dungeness with the 10:30 from Hythe, 2nd January 2017

RHDR No 10, Dr Syn, hurries round Six Mile Curve near New Romney with the 12:40 from Dungeness on 2nd January 2017

RHDR No 7 Typhoon makes an impressive start after slowing for Britannia Points on the approach to Dungeness, with the 12:10 from Hythe on Jan 2nd 2017.

Vanfit B780023 on Dungeness Beach, Kent. Get those exotic weathering powders out!

Beer crates with bottles available from Scalelink - cast individually and paint up nicely. Could be expensive you need hundreds! Les

Indeed, but they kept going for another 20 odd years - albeit with refurbishment - at Swindon IIRC. The last ones ended up as '3' CEPs, not much good on busy services as we lost a whole 2nd open! I never thought I'd miss them, but I suppose I do. Great pics as ever David. Les

Hi With regard to your Q1, Peters Spares should have the screw(s) your looking for. Just google Peters Spares and search for Q1. If your still not sure give them a call. Usual disclaimer - just a satisfied customer. All the best Les

Another great set of pics Dave. The plate wagon in J541 should be in 'prototype for everything' corner - I now feel justified putting lead strips on my flat wagons for weight - that look like this! Les

Hi Dave Looking better all the time Dave. The fencing is a good idea, and looks great too. May I ask who's posts you have used? Les