Thom

The empty coal train still needs to be detailed to early BR period and heavily weathered. The Bachmann LMS 10000 was just trundling around so I could see how it ran. Wish I could turn the cab lights off but still analog here. Overview of Hogsmeade Station area.

Added some videos on Youtube. IMG 2072 IMG 2073 IMG 2077 IMG 2079 IMG 2084 IMG 2088 IMG 2096

I have my laptop as well as my iPhone set to British English. The voice on my iPhone is also set to a British accent voice.

Hornby made it clear that locomotives would be available to buy, at a discount, I believe, for reviewers, so no mystery there.

Looks awesome!

Hmmm... I could have the main characters waiting at the entrance like they did sometimes and even once at the station. Which, by the way, was the same station used in Dad's Army for the Royal Train visit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weybourne_railway_station

Last night I decided to finally do the Hi-De-Hi cameo on Angloshire since I just finished watching the complete series from the boxed set I bought. (I now just started watching the complete 'You Rang, M'Lord' series.) I had originally thought of using a holiday camp bus like one of the ones used on the TV series but decided that was way too ambiguous. So, since they used Warner's Holiday Camp for filming I decided to recreate the entrance to Maplin's Holiday Camp. I could also add it without any major changes to what I already had. It's placement is not ideal but I think it works. I still need to redo the backscene to look like a holiday camp, but at least it is in place for now. Also, the shadow will not be there at shows. The second image is before I added the correct size sign but shows the arch pretty good. I used left over card from Metcalfe viaduct kits, glued them together before using a band saw to cut it, then separated the bottom back up and glued it that way using Loctite. I then sprayed with a stucco effect paint before painting the correct colors. Now if I could just get what looks like Christmas lights around the sign... To all you fellow modelers out there... Hi-De-Hi!

I have lots of things preordered but use a dedicated card/ bank account for such purposes. I keep a minimum amout in that account and that way I can never be charged from that account unless I transfer money into it. That way, when the seller goes to charge my card when an item comes into stock, I can see if I want to add anything to the order at that time or even cancel the order. I have also canceled orders before the item came into stock, so yes, one can always cancel a preorder at any time until they actually charge your card for it.

After not doing much for a while I recently picked up a bunch of used wagons on eBay and got a few new ones, along with some I already had, to make a mixed goods train of 30 wagons. All of my goods wagons have knuckle couplers on as well, now. As soon as I can figure out where to do it I will be uploading some videos. Some vans are not quite totally correct for my time period but I wanted them anyway. This old Triang/Hornby one that I had was one I wanted to use so I did some research and then did some chopping and detailed and weathered it. These ferry vans were introduced in 1961 so I'm pushing it by using it. One of two old Wrenn banana vans I had that I weathered. It's not up to today's standards but weathered it is passable at a distance. I knew from the beginning I wanted several banana vans in the train. The milk train is a static display and I will eventually change the V1 for a Q1. A lowmac I had and two new lowfits with old military vehicles headed to a museum or somewhere. I added the wheel chocks but still need to add cables to hold the vehicles. Thomas is now better detailed and weathered and they all have knuckle couplers. This is the Bachmann version with moving eyes. More accurate then the Hornby model, as well, especially the coaches. Sodor Mail is Hornby which is more accurate then the Bachmann model. Normally the mail van will not be attached while running. My next project is weathering a coal train for my early BR Beyer Garratt plus I still have to finish the access bridge that I built.

They are available at Rails on their web site.

I subscribed and get every issue sent to me. Ok, actually sent to my friend in Bromley since I am in the States, so I have not actually seen any of the 31 locos that I bought and I have waiting for me in the UK. All the postings have been great for me to read even though I will just be putting mine on shelves. Anyway, according to my friend who is graciously collecting them for me in his small flat, along with the 31 locos there are also 3 more that came, a Ty5 1947, a F40PH 1976 Amtrak, and a Seria 1200 1961 (Portuguese). I am told two of them area smaller scale. Does anyone know anything about these other locos and why I got them?

I spoke with the folks at 0844 472 5244 Great British Locomotives this morning and they told me there will be a total of 50 but they did not have the names of the final ones yet. Feel free to ring them to check it out.

It was great chatting with you, as well, William. I really felt like I was visiting friends this time up and had a great time in Brampton. By the way, my car died Saturday evening on my way into Toronto. (Timing belt went.) I had to stay in Toronto til Monday morning and then towed my car back to Allentown.

To answer your question, second radius is 17 1/4".

To answer your suggestions, first off I have a very limited space for cameos. Second, I went with shows and places that I felt were the most recognisable, or that I persnally liked since it is my layout, and/or that people or things were already made comercially. From Heartbeat I have Aidnsfield Arms and the garage and that is plenty for that show. I do have Del Boy's Reliant next to the garage. Thomas and Harry Potter are main themes on my layout but besides them any others are very limited, as one can tell.