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Hi Andy I'd read that there was ANOTHER new layout on the way. Missed the start of Porth Merryn, and it's already at 4 pages so been catching up with it tonight. Maybe it's time to have a word with Andy Y about adding a new section to Layout & Workbench Content... .... Black Country Blues an RMweb project Layout Topics Andys Layout Topics etc etc Porth Merryn looks like it's going to be a little gem - enjoy! Cheers Alan

I'm glad you posted this first Peter... now I wont get the blame for mentioning it As you say; the curve should start at the point.... or a longer siding which probably isn't possible? Jeff - thanks for postion the video. Along with the photos, it further shows off the lovely curve of the line throught station and on into the tunnel. Alan Edit - Jeff - just seen your reply, posted while I was writing this. .

Amazing how the layout changes once the white plaster is covered. Now that's a lot of fellside that needs covering in scenic materials - Maybe this is the time to start buying shares in Greenscene, Heki and Woodland Scenics? Alan

Fantastic weathering job ... that's the way 9Fs should look. Edit... I might be a bit late mentioning this, but - I couldn't help noticing the excellent quality of your ballasting in the 9F photos! Cheers Alan

Out of curiosity I had a look on google earth. Amazingly the outline of the sidings' location is still very visible. On the ground it's hidden behind the land now occupied by Fred Ostles bulk haulage company. Knowing the general location, I'd agree that it was level with the rest of the goods yard. Beyond it the land probably drops down a low embankment to the level of the farm fields. Alan

Found these among my photos. Muir of Ord 1993... probably September?. Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh. Sorry theres not much detail. I've tried enlarging the rake but it's impossible to make out even the coach names as it's gold on green. Alan

Hi Jeff Thanks for posting the photos. I really like KS in the snow. Do you know when the water tank was removed and the original MR box replaced? With regard to the platforms and the general condition of the stations - I wonder when the desire to run down and eventually close the line first began to take hold with BR? Seeing the revival of the last two decades, it's easy to forget the condition of the line when I first visited it in the early 80s... Ribblehead in the late 90s, several years after the line was saved but still awaiting restoration. Alan

Hi Peter Two great sets of photos, especially 284 with the 4 HBA/HEAs. Short trip freights like that are sadly missed these days - they were a real gift to us modellers who were always short of space. I also added the "greedy boards" to a couple of my dogfish. They make a nice contrast in height, in a rake of otherwise similar wagons. Keep going with the loco fleet review.... Cheers Alan

Hi Jeff] Great progress on the layout and a job well done on the underbridge. It looks just right in the photos you took looking along the track with the long curve sweeping into the platforms. I hope you never forget how lucky you are having the space to achive that in 00 As you watch KL slowly begining to take shape it must make the long hours and frustrations fitting out the bunker seem all worthwhile. Interesting to see you mention the condition of the platform surface 19502-70s... so you're definitely planning to run a blue/green diesel mix? There are some excellent photos taken on the line c1970-73 where everything shows signs of being rundown and neglected - not just the stations but also the external condition of the locos and stock. Regards Alan

I remember an old railwayman telling me that in the north east they were known as greedy boards! Dodfish are so much easier now with the RTR Heljan. I remember spending ages trying to get the Cambrian kits all square and running without any wobble. Cheers Alan

Hi Mike and Clive Thanks for the information about heating units - and sorry to hear about your experience in Glasgow Mike. Sadly my own worst moment train spotting was also in Glasgow. I'd had a final Class 101 ride from Central to Wifflet, then spent a hour on the station watching the comings and goings via Mossend in company with another enthusiast who'd turned up to take a few photos. A small gang appeared from the flats behing the station and started using us for target practise with an air rifle! Re heating units - was it a similar story for the last surviving/running 43xxx 2-6-0? I think I remember photos of it in the north west on carriage heating duties but not sure if it was mobile under it's own power at the time? Alan

Hi Mike Two interesting sets of pictures... the latest action through Dent and your Easter modelling projects. The wagon loads look really good when you've added the timbers, ropes a chains to hold them in place. Can't remember - is the ADB stationary boiler a Class 15 or 16? I'm sure I read somewhere that one of those classes were tested over the S&C in the 1960s? Good to see someone else making use of the long weekend to get to grips with outstanding modelling jobs. I've spent 4 days weathering locos, stock, and building kits - and still haven't done half of what I had planned. Cheers Alan

Hi Mike More great photos... the Class 40 on tanks, passing the milk tanks at the rear of the local stopping service, gets my vote this time! Cheers Alan

quote name="D854_Tiger" post="2234377" timestamp="1457732416"] I've observed younger passengers just staring not knowing quite what to do. Not just the younger passengers... I had a ride behind 37425 Workington-Carlisle last Friday - March 4th. Pulling into platform 1 at Carlisle I found myself by the door ... suddenly realised it wasn't going to open automatically! Ended up reading the instructions and remembering how it used to be done. It's also not so easy these days with bars on the windows. 37425 Workington 04-03-2016 Was hoping for 401 which had worked the previous day. Alan

Good bye Tees Yard WRD.. I know your layout building philosophy means that none of your creations survive into old age so good luck with the new project. Had a run past Tees Yard 2 weeks ago and I'm wondering if the actual location will survive much longer??? For the first ever, wether visiting TE and the yard, or passing on a train, there wasn't one loco present - anywhere. Standing near the WRD was a solitary 08 in RES livery. Regards Alan

Congratulations on the RM article Wasn't sure about hitting "like" when I saw the Freightliner 66... unfortunately there isn't a "different" button The 66 certainly doesn't look out of place standing in a late 70s, early 80s railway backwater. Sadly still no exhibition dates up north. Regards Alan

Hi Peter So many more great photos... I stopped hitting the "like" button... Thanks for taking time to explain the Llanbourne locos and their rosters. It not only explains how and why your collection of locos has developed over the years, but also helps to set the scene on Llanbourne. Regards Alan

Hi Peter Two really nice sets of photos with the 40, 33 and the 20s. So often we,ve got to compromise with the curves on our layouts, your photos - (especially the 20s) look great on the realistic curve you've been able to build onto the Llanbourne extention. Regards Alan

Hi Mike Hope you don't mind me mentioning... the first 3-4 coaches are definitely late air con Mk2s. The quickest way to ID them is that all the underframe items - battery boxes, air con fans etc are visible. With Mk3s its all hidden behind a steamlined underframe. The problem with these late Mk2s is, they're a minefield as to what type of loco can run with which type of coach...Air con/ETH differed between Mk2 Ds Es and Fs. Deltics and 47/4 generators were definitely limited as to which type they could power. Regards Alan

Hi Mike Catching up after a few weeks away... had to come back as I was really starting to miss the English weather More great photos and any shots of Ayrshire Yeomanary will always get a "like" from me. She was a favourite engine on an exhibition layout I had many years ago. I also like the 2-6-2 and Class 108 standing in the platforms. Not sure about the 20 and 25 on the later Mk2 aircons !! It's only my personal opinion but your layout definitely looks at it's best with steam/green diesels. I thought the Mk2 D-E-Fs were smart looking coaches and for years I kept a full ECML rake to run behind Deltic 55017. The layout I planned for them was never built...the coaches and the Deltic now all gone alas... Alan

Got to agree. I don't remember seeing the bridge really close up until the photo with the 4F underneath. When I first saw the photo, for a brief moment, I thought it was the real thing! Superb modelling. Also nice shots of 75062 passing the coal yard and the one taken from low level crossing the bridge. Alan

Thanks Ben - The mill would have been the best clue to the actual location. I'm sure it's North Yorkshire if not S&C country. I thought I even recognised the large farm building behind the A3 in post 151! No problem with the trees. There are plenty near the line, apart from around the Garsdale area and Ribblehead. The weather means they just don't get to grow very tall and don't keep their foliage for long. Alan

Very interesting to see Porcey Mains ariel views of North Dock. I was a regular visitor to the cafe above the beach where the road makes a sharp left turn to head north. I wonder if the old signpost is still outside the cafe with one of its arms pointing to the "German Ocean" ? Alan

Hello Ben The layout is looking good and your backscene is perfect for the location. Hope I haven't missed this in a previous post -Is the backscene commercially available, or has it been produced from your own photos? They look very like the Kirby Stephen - Mallerstang - Ais Gill area. Regards Alan