great central

Yes but at least that one did work on the GC for a few weeks during the exchange trials, so not totally alien

To put that into context, I started work in 1970 as an apprentice telephone engineer, and oddly enough spent a week on a course in Brum, lodged at a B&B on the Hagley Road. My wages before deductions were £7/15/0 a week, that's £7.75 for younger readers. I earn that in about half an hour now! As an aside that B&B was where an almost pathological hatred of Tom Jones came from. Woman in charge was a huge fan and had his songs on 8 track player until she shut the bar around 02.00 most nights, right under my bedroom. Aarrgghh!!

Don't know if I should admit to this but I was given to understand there were about 3 master keys which were generally available and would open pretty much any Ford in the late 60s.Someone I used to know, had them and would often 'borrow' a car for an overnight ride around before returning it, undamaged in any way but with rather less petrol, in the early hours. I never got involved in any of this I might add, although I was a known associate at the time! Only ever had a couple of parking tickets and one speeding ticket about 6 years ago.

There's a couple on the Robin Hood line at Shirebrook north junction in the cutting and at Woodburn junction near Worksop Edit to remove dual posting

Spoilt rotten by the wife, in this house I come a poor third behind cats and, quite rightly, son. Excuse is that I can feed myself, and usually do!

There's one fairly close to the line at Peterborough, over the back of the new class 700 sidings I think. Pass it regularly but don't take that much notice to be honest.

Going back a few posts, here's my attempt at a class 114 or Derby heavyweight unit, I seem to recall reading somewhere they were nicknamed Lincoln units as most if not all were originally allocated to Lincoln depot? It's Craftsman etched sides on Lima donor vehicles, I know it's very clean but based on a photo I used while working on it, also needs destination blinds. Not the best photos but so easy to do direct from my phone rather than putting batteries in my, now somewhat ancient, digital camera then downloading the pictures afterwards

Only needs a sound chip and some decent speakers Rather like a 5inch gauge (I think) class 50 I saw some years ago. Battery powered with a couple of massive speakers on board

Regarding churches close to railways, the school I went to was originally started in rooms at the back of High Pavement chapel in Nottingham, long since moved by the time I went there though. We used to return to the chapel for a carol service every year at least. Trains were passing just outside over Weekday Cross junction. The picture from the RCTS website gives some idea how close it was, the building between church and railway being the old schoolrooms. https://www.rcts.org.uk/features/mysteryphotos/show.htm?location=Nottingham&page=2&serial=44&img=65-020-35A Regarding St Mary Le Wigford in Lincoln I walk around there regularly when I have a break in Lincoln, there are a number of old gravestones laid into the pavement outside the church, which if I recall correctly is possibly the oldest in Lincoln. Really should remember more of what I read

Totally agree, my current car is the first I have owned, as distinct from driving company cars, for any length of time which isn't from the BL/Rover stable. I tried an MG ZS and Rover 75 before buying this one but I'm afraid they didn't feel right. If a car doesn't feel right the first time I get into it I'm afraid it puts me off.

I was given to understand that all the various cities with locos named after them were offered the complete loco on withdrawal. The only one to take the option up was Birmingham, whether that was due to other costs involved or not having anywhere to put the whole loco I've no idea but Nottingham finished up with just the nameplates which were on display in the erstwhile industrial museum at Wollaton Hall. No idea where they are now but knowing Nottingham city council they've most likely sold them if they thought they could get a few quid.

Regarding the normalisation of things on the Teletubbies, is it just me that thinks they were predicting the future with windmills all over the place??

I had a Morris 1100 for my first car, 4 doors, front seats on hinges as well. And before anyone says anything it was a great car, very comfortable

My ABS light came on a few weeks ago, then went off again, only to reappear a day or two later. When the light went off the brakes juddered as if the ABS was actually working? Took the car and had it's memory read, came back as the offside front sensor. Taking the wheel off revealed the problem pretty quickly, CV joint boot had come adrift, not split, and coated the sensor in grease. Refilling the joint with grease and refitting the boot followed by a thorough cleaning of the ABS sensor sorted it. At least it saved me a jiggered CV joint

Well after my rather downbeat couple of posts something a bit more positive to share if I may? On Tuesday at the club I started work on the repairs and refurbishment of our Carstairs layout along with several other members. Actually they started last week but I didn't get there til later on. First job was to remove a bridge and try to sort out the points immediately below, something we'd never quite managed due to the bridge being a permanent fixture. Tested as much as possible by whizzing a coach over it I moved onto modifying the end where the replacement fiddle yard will connect up. First job next week is to rebuild the bridge over Strawfrank Junction but this time keeping it removable. Last night at home with the wife out for the evening I dug out a dormant project to improve a Lima class 87. The first issue is a better pantograph, I've adapted a Hornby high speed one, not overly accurate I know but given the lack of much else it'll have to do. Felt quite pleased with myself that I'd actually sat down and done something so all being well a bit more later today.

Quite a bit on 30 ft lengths as well!

An additional bit on this topic, picture taken today near Nottingham branch junction on the Nottingham route, just outside Grantham, bullhead rail with newly replaced sleepers. The chairs are dated 1956, quite likely the rail is similar vintage. When I saw staff on the track a couple of weeks back expected the rail to be replaced, but still good obviously.

Well I thought I'd found a bit of mojo over the last couple of days, put a wagon kit together at work on Saturday, the beauty of being standby. Then dug around a bit last night and came up with a Little Engines D11 I bought secondhand a couple of years ago. Had the idea to do a bit with it tonight but after falling foul of her ladyship's moods again earlier can't now be bothered, although somehow it was my fault? Done a few things around the house today that needed doing so well prepared for an evening doing something for myself, couple of words in the wrong place and back down again. So the days are getting longer and pretty much another fruitless winter for me, just want to get back to work!

Been like that best part of a year I think

The legendary club sales stand is filling up nicely, still quite a lot more to add yet

Yep, one of our group has the loco and it does get a run out at shows

Well we have three pure D&E layouts, although two only really up to sector era. The other prototype closed in 1981. For earlier times there is a grouping era Midland layout and 1950s-60s GN and Midland combined which can also be back dated to the pre group era. Also an O gauge early BR layout. Members personal layouts cover European and American interest, there's also a small American club layout, as well as O and N gauge. Think we've got most bases covered, just need more members!

Top Cat was good, but Tom and Jerry are in another league altogether

Just heard on the radio that 'Doddy' has died. RIP

Sad fact about the walkway above the river. It's designer was killed in the London tube bombing if I recall correctly. There's a plaque at one end mentions him. Had a walk round it when I was route learning.