bbishop

Proven by a photo on the show thread with a ¾ view of Chris and I presume a rear view of Mike. Bill

Thank you Dave for your potted biography. Just one word of advice. There is a lady on this thread, bearing an awl, who threatens it's use on anyone on this site who mentions railways. Luckily,Debs doesn't read below 14 point and is rather laid up at the moment. But be warned. So Bob (GDB) is at risk of the awl. The fact that he is more than capable of screwing a finger to a baseboard is an irrelevance. Bill Bill

Tim, Is that the infamous 5 wheeled tender? Bill

I think we are all numb after reading Mal's news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. At least make get through the Six Nations. Bill

Morning awl (just), Coffee is drunk black and strong, tea is drunk black and weak and ideally with lemon. Coffee is easier to procure within these constraints so is the drink of choice. Certainly first thing in the morning when I require an infusion of caffeine. On another front, my GP has acquired funding for a minor surgical procedure. Nothing serious but it's annoying and occasionally painful. Keep well all, especially Mal, Bill

Evening awl, Back from German class, with a smattering of white stuff on lawns and cars. I've ordered the servos from Steve Webb, but a wander round Clerkenwell had a count of one screw shop, two watch shops and nowhere selling metal. Everywhere is bijou restaurants and bars. Oh so different from a couple of decades ago. Off to bed shortly and hopefully still awake for the American Football. I quite enjoy the football, but baseball is totally incomprehensible. Anyway, there's cricket starting tomorrow! Keep well, Bill

Afternoon awl, I need servos and voltage regulators for my layout. In the old days, one could purchase such items in any number of emporia in Tottenham Court Road. Not any more, so I must attempt the webby thing. Wish me luck! I also need some brass rod. In the old days, one could purchase such items in any number of emporia in Clerkenwell. To save me a potential wasted journey, do any emporia still exist? Bill

Michael, I assume that you, and anyone else who is competent, will be looking for alternative employment. Bill

Morning awl, Nice to hear from Baz. Best if you ignore the idiots and stay on here. Ironing to be done then some tracklaying in the garage after I've fired up the radiators. Out this evening with HJ. Bill

It's bloody cold out in the garage. Anyway cork stuck down and three points painted Keep well all. Bill

Paul, I saw you set up on Friday and watched for about half an hour on Sunday. Very interesting layout, well operated although you seemed to have issues with your DCC system. The grey and mustard tones felt right. Maybe 99% of your audience would have had no knowledge of Chinese railways, so a powerpoint presentation would have been helpful. For example, why blue, red and black/silver trains? where are the prototypes built? etc. Then what were the buildings? I hadn't realised one was a hotel. Of course you still have a couple of buildings and a motorway to finish before your next outing. When is this? Bill

This bit: If you lose a child or vulnerable person, please tell the nearest steward and we will do our best to help you to become reunited as quickly as possible. Should we find an unaccompanied child or lost person, we will take them to the front desk area by the main entrance and look after them until the parent/guardian/carer arrives for a happy reunion. Bill

Paul, You have posted in triplicate! If it's ok with you, I'll post comments on your layout thread. Bill

Having read your Access Statement, does this mean there is someone with a Safeguarding Qualification able to attend the Front Desk at any time during the exhibition? Doesn't have to be there all the time, but contactable by mobile phone, radio or PA system. Bill

John, No, please join in. What you wrote was interesting. We are allowed to wander along any highway or byway until "Sir" brings us into line. Bill

Not much longer. In Ivan's day, it would have been gone by now. BREAKING NEWS - sock found, tucked into the sleeve of a jumper. Bill

Grey, with blue, yellow and maroon stripes, quite attractive really. In other news, the "Pub Landlord" thread survived less that 24 hours. Mike, how did the Cat (capital C) get on? Bill

Y'awl, I've lost a sock. If anyone finds it, could they send me a PM please. Bill

Chris, don't expect me to join you! Y'awl, My girlfriend is a pain specialist. When I mentioned my knee trouble, I was told: 500mg Paracetamol, four times a day; if still in pain, 200mg Ibuprofen, three times a day with food. Or else! Bill

It was a pleasure to meet Chris and Baz at Stevenage. It was a busy weekend, home after 11:00pm on Friday and Sunday, and spending Saturday at a South Western Circle meeting. Sorry I seemed a bit rushed, jobs to do and all that - I never actually got round the whole exhibition! Yesterdays training was resuscitation; six minutes continuous on a monitored Annie. Bloody hard work, but I achieved a mark of 99%, so well pleased. German class tonight and I need to do my homework. Bill

Andy, that was exactly what I was saying. Also, I think that mineral wagons had a harder life than freight wagons. Bill

I think 40 years could be an overstatement. It was a tough life, having 8 ton of nutty slack being dumped in you weekly(ish). I reckon a fair few were knackered after 20 years. Given that 1887 spec wagons were built until 1908 (there was an overlap) a number would survive until the late 1920s. At which time two factors intervened, Britain went into recession with a consequential tightening of capital spend, and houses were built without coal cellars. Collieries still wanted to lift coal, but had no means of storing it. One solution was to use superannuated wagons as mobile summer storage, making one annual circular trip. Then Hitler invaded Poland and the rest is history. Bill

And I was taught 26m2. Back from Dracula, off training. Bill

Mal, I'm about five years out of date, but there was an excellent bar at the top of Spui, where it becomes Singel. It's on the canal and there are trams screeching round the corner. It had food and a good selection of beers. Also there was a restaurant on platform 1 of the Centraal station, which used to be excellent but over the years has become a fairly bog standard café. Good location, thou. Guys, recovering from putting St Evenage to bed. Now for a bath then off to give blood. Bill

Evening all, Busy day today. Visit to the vet about my knee plus bloods form and prescription. Then a friend came round and we laid about 40 ft of track in the garage. Didn't watch tv but drafted (and now have to type) my report for the South Western Committee meeting on Saturday. Shaved and bathed ready for an early start to St Evenage - also there Sunday. Keep well all, Bill