Phatbob

The Cambrian did start building a standard guage branch to Beddgelert Phil. Some of the earthworks are still there. How about that as a "might have been" Cambrian terminus layout?

Do come along and say hello people. I shall be there lending a hand. Ben Racey of this parish will indeed be bringing along his newest Czech kettle. :-)

I had a chat with Phil Sutton at Warley. He reminded me that SLW have a firm policy of not announcing anything until they actually have them available. So just because there have been no announcements, in this case, doesn't mean that there isn't a container full of some fabulous new model on its way already. So nobody should be disheartened by a lack of announcements from SLW.

Yes, do come and see us at Wakefield. Or we'll send the boys round..... . . . .

Just a reminder that Star Lane will be out this weekend in the Isle of Wight. http://wmrg.club/exhibition.htm Do say hello if you're visiting. Roundhouse and myself will be amongst those operating.

na, nid yw ef.

I see that they are doing 73 202 in Southern Livery. I do hope that they will be doing the loco in it's current guise as "Graham Stenning". Graham was himself an accomplished railway modeller, as well as a very good and sadly missed friend. He was often to be found at exhibitions behind one of the layouts of Roundhouse of this parish, along with myself and others (and also with us in the local real ale establishments after the show). A model loco would be a fitting tribute, to follow on from the real one.

I don't think anybody has every done an RTS Mk I BFK

It's next outing is to the Isle of Wight on 5th and 6th November.

It was good to see the layout in the flesh at the BELMRS show today. RMwebers will be pleased to learn that in addition to the giant minion on the bridge, there is also a bus.

Charlie, I'll have a green SYP and a green with speed wiskers of whatever it is, UNLESS, it's something I've already got!

Rattus Subterraneous would be the Latin name methinks.

One reason it was recommissioned this way, rather than with two parrallel platforms as it originally had, is that disabled access to the decommissioned platform would have been difficult and expensive to achieve. As the platform that remained in use was already accessible, it made good sense to use the one platform for trains in both directions.

I'm not sure that those "beads" are an original feature, particularly the beads along the bottom of the body sides. I've had a butcher's at some piccies of the units when new and they're not always evedent. I suspect that they are the consequece of corrosion repairs? Could anybody in the traincare community confirm or deny that?

Where's da fiddle yard???

They did run alongside steam working in the early days, so you can use a plain blue one. However, being air-brake only, steam locos would not have hauld them. Only air-brake equiped locos could haul them. HTH

If space permits, there will be a sofa in our VIP lounge, no kidding!

Hopefully, not underneath where the birds poop overnight! Remember what happened to Coppull last year?

Is my beer fridge to be an icecream freezer this weekend then Ian? Could be a problem if the venue tuurns off the power overnight though!

Yep, my chauffeur for the day will be one Mr Parker. How appropriate.

IIRC, Carflats had a full width deck, so no problems loading three-wheelers.

They could also possibly do a pack of five Hillman Imps without numberplates in radom colours to go on their new carflat?

Personally, I love to look out of the windows and watch the world go by. Having said that, The reason I despise idiotic rolling stock designs that don't line-up the windows and the seats is that IT DENIES ME OF THE CHOICE of whether to look out of the windows, or bury my head in a book, or whatever. It's all about customer choices. I can bring a newspaper, book, kindle, smart 'phone, Laptop or DVD player with me. I can't bring my own window! That has to be provided for me, whether I chose to use it or not. Simples. The point about "general ambiance" is well made and also applicable I feel. The Pendolino, with airline style seats up against solid walls and luggage racks in front of windows, just smacks of "cock-up" and does not inspire confindence in any other aspectof the train. It also makes a cramped and claustrophobic vehicle feel just that bit worse, IMHO. The existing class 185 and class 350 interiors do offer pretty good views. I do so hope that TPE don't throw the baby out with the bath-water on this one and keep-up their predecessors good work in this area. I've also been impressed by TPEs feature of placing the wheelchair spaces in the area between the first class and the acessible toilet. Very pragmagtic and sensible.

Really? Have we seen seating plans yet? I've ridden the CAF units in NI and they have good alignment between the seats and the windows. Comfy seats too. I do hope that somebody at TPE is aware of the issue and will ensure that we paying punters will be able to admire the scenery as we trundle accross the Pennines.

I noticed the press release said 126 vehicles, in 5 carriage sets. That means just one spare. Mystic Bob predicts six driving trailer firsts/composits with wheelchair space and accessible toilet. The rest as standard class opens. That way the mission critical vehicle is the spare, which can be swapped for any of the other other vehicles without compromising the usefulnes of the whole set.