andyram

Thoroughly enjoyed the “how to” video Andy. I look forward to the next video.

I had a brief, socially distanced catch up with Pete today and he allowed me into the club room to view Kings Moreton. The layout has been laid out on the floor for the time being whilst the new support system is being built. This is already well underway. Overall - the main four track section and associated yards are all in decent condition aside from some small scenic elements which will need repairing. The lift up section, with canal bridge and buildings and the subsequent corner all appear in decent condition. The two track station likewise. The station building is missing from here and the signal box is also missing from the four track sections so replacements will be needed at some point. The main attention will be on the main station area and fiddle yard + branch terminus section. Pete has asked if I will assist with the scenic work on these areas which I have agreed to do. The main challenge for the group will be replacing damaged track in the main station area and also the fiddle yard + branch terminus. Somebody in their team will also need to work out the wiring.

I did check the shop and have only L/H ones anyway. Seems to be a shortage of R/H versions at the moment!

floating down the

Very impressive and a definite contender, but I prefer Colin Kazim Richards goal against the Red Dogs on Friday night

Evening all. Just a quick check in today to send my good wishes. Glad to say that I have finally started to feel something like a human again. Stay safe. Night all. Andy

I have tested the new Thomas models and have been very impressed. Although they do not feature a front coupling, the fittings are present for attaching a coupling to.

I have just found this thread. Really enjoyed reading through it. I love models of the preservation era and this really captures it. I look forward to further updates and videos.

Another interesting looking project. I look forward to seeing progress. R/H set track points seem to be like hen’s teeth at the moment. Have you found one? I can check shop stock tomorrow but think I have only got L/H ones in stock.

Evening all. I note the school’s conversation has moved onto friends which we have retained since our school days. I had two close friends in my school days. Steve and Dean. Steve and I were best mates in primary school and this friendship continued into the early years of secondary before we ended up in many separate classes for GCSE and the friendship began to wane. At a similar point Dean joined the school and we struck up a friendship over our mutual interest in football, often spending evenings kicking a ball about on the local park. When I set up a five a side team, Dean was one of the regulars. He was a rock when I suffered a very painful relationship break up and I am forever indebted to him the support he gave me during those difficult times. Nowadays Dean and I converse over Facebook regularly. He has his own ongoing battles with the black dog, mainly brought about by frustration at the arthritic knees and back issues which robbed him of a professional football career. We catch up now and again but he knows, if he needs support, or a chat, he only has to call and that works the other way too. As Steve ended up in other classes, he got in with another group of people. Sadly some of these proved to bullies and I was one of their victims. Their actions resulted in much of my secondary school days being unhappy and probably laid the foundations for the confidence issues that have plagued me throughout life. At times, Steve was a part of this and it is unsurprising that our paths deviated after school finished. Over the years I heard snippets of what he was up to. He got thrown out of uni for drug taking, worked in partnership with another old school friend running pubs in London, battled alcoholism which resulted in a failed marriage. We briefly caught up now and again via Friends Reunited and then via Facebook but nothing of any substance. Last year, he was back in the area staying with his mum and got back in touch. He was preparing for a move to Canada with his new wife to be and wanted to catch up with old Friends’s before he started his new life. We had a nice catch up over a coffee in the garden and he actually apologised for his actions back at secondary school - that was unexpected. He has been “dry” for several years and has worked as a counsellor with AA. He is now happy in Canada, but we do keep in touch via WhatsApp usually discussing football. Night all.

I have just stumbled across this thread. This is a lovely looking layout. The light effects are great. I look forward to seeing more.

43 DAYS TO GO There is little progress to report today. I have been laid low by the side effects from the vaccine. However I have taken the opportunity to try out the Hornby Skaledale platform pieces. These match the ones I used on Skaleby West and so would suit the "location". They look ok in the position too although there will need to be some building up of the rear section to allow the station building to be placed where I want it to go. That will be no issue, I can use the balsa wood, or polystyrene for that as I did on Skaleby West. Unfortunately, I have found out that I have made a bit of an amateur error. I am not sure I should really admit it in these pages! When I laid the cork, I left a slight overhang on both sides and also the front intending to trim it later. When I laid the track, I forgot about this and therefore the loco release now slightly overhangs the edge of the board. I noticed this when I put the side screen back in place. What a stupid mistake! The gap can be seen in the photo below: There are two ways in which I can fix this without pulling all the track up. I could cut the track and shorten the loco release. However that may further limit the stock I can run on it. The other alternative is the one I will go for. I will cut a hole in the side screen, and use a low relief bridge entrance to mask the hole. I will use brick papers to form the walls either side of the bridge and make it look like road bridge. It solves the problem of how to scenic the side screen - out of every mistake..... The hole has been marked and will be cut later in the week when I will also fit the side screen permanently. The layout has been added as a feature to my latest shop update video. These I produce each month for the front page of the shop's website. I don't confess to them being the greatest videos in the world but I have provided the link below if anyone wants to take a look. You may note that the section on the layout was filmed today, when still feeling below par due to the post vaccine effects.

recorded in their

Having watched the West Brom v Brighton game I have to say the free kick issue was such a farce I actually thought Stuart Attwell must have been refereeing. A ridiculous situation and, in my opinion, the wrong decision was reached. However, to fail from the spot twice is also criminal. If the keeper had saved them you could have some sympathy.

Afternoon all. Just typing this sat in bed after a very rough night. The side effects from the AZ vaccine arrived last night - head ache, chills, sweats and intense tiredness. Despite this no sleep all night, although I managed to grab a couple of hours this morning. I am just starting to feel human again all be it very delicate. On the subject of schools I have a long association with my primary school having also conducted a year of my teacher training and completed my NQT year there. I returned 17 years later for a brief spell after I left Weston but by then the black dog was in control and was on the slippery slope towards exiting the profession. Overall I enjoyed my primary days. It was generally a female dominated staff however the one male teacher had a fierce reputation. There were many of us dreading it when we ended up his class. It turned out he was the best teacher I had. Firm, did not take any messing, but very fair and the nicest man you could meet. The head teacher at the time eventually retired and opened a model shop. He set up the miniature / narrow gauge railway attraction in Devon and, I believe, is still involved with it.

I can confirm that Kings Morton has arrived in Matlock Bath and has been unloaded into the club room. I may get to catch up with Pete (the new owner) on Monday whilst at the shop for a click and collect. I can also confirm the vaccine side effects have kicked in and I am off to bed early.

Evening all. I hope today finds you well. Beautiful weather here in South Derbyshire has been enjoyed with a walk along the footpath which borders out estate and the Midland Mainline. It ends by the balancing pond which has become a haven for wildlife. Plenty of bird species can be spotted in addition to the resident moorhens, mallards and coots. In the first lockdown we had a pair of nesting swans. It became a daily pilgrimage to check on progress of the eggs and then the three cygnets. Sadly, in June, some moron deposited cooking oil down the drain and it ran into the pond. The RSPCA came and removed all the birds. This year the pond is regaining its wildlife and we have a pair of swans again. Fingers crossed for a happier outcome this time. This afternoon was spent doing some railway modelling with Amber (see Skaleby East thread if interested). This evening the vaccine side effects have kicked in with the shakes and general tiredness. I type this having headed to bed early. Night all. Andy

Just caught up the latest video @Andrew P. A thoroughly enjoyable accompaniment to the cup of tea whilst recovering from the side effects of the vaccine.

44 DAYS TO GO And in a blink of an eye a couple of days disappeared with no progress made. The track has held firm after the glue treatment on Wednesday. There is just a small section of the loco storage siding which has lifted and will need more glue. That will be dealt with in due course. Today it was time for track weathering. I decided to test out one the Woodland Scenics track weathering pens, which I have in the shop, as a method of weathering the sleepers. I used the "Weathered Tie" version. This was tested on spare track until I was confident with its use. Then I moved onto the layout. The pen is so easy to use and creates a pleasing but subtle weathered effect on the sleepers. I feel it looks better than the effect created by my paintwork on Skaleby West. I cannot take full credit for the final look of the weathering because Amber wanted to help, and was able to add the weathering to the sidings. Later in the afternoon I raided the modelling supplies which are currently stored in the garage. Unfortunately the search did not locate the bags of ballast which I thought were stored in there. Nor did I find the intended signal box. They could both be in the shop along with the planned station building! A couple of Skaledale platform pieces were found. These may be used instead of scratch building the platforms. I will test fit them at some point in the near future.

A friend of mine had the same. My wife, Sarah, was laid up in bed from early evening to the following mid-day with side effects etc. Different people react in different ways so hopefully I will get away with minor side effects.

That is great news. I await to hear from Pete that he has arrived safely arrived at the new location. I have promised to meet Pete at the club room at some point to look over the layout and discuss a plan. That may be Monday once I know this morning's Covid jab has not produced any side effects.

A little over the top answer if you do not mind me saying considering the fact my comment was made with tongue firmly in cheek. Mind you - I live in Derby so why travel the length of the A52 to the City Ground when there is bound to be an appointment much closer to home??? Anyway - I bid everybody a good morning. The sun is out, the sky is blue and there is beginning to be a little warmth in the air after the morning frost which resulted in the need to scrape the car windscreen this morning. I have completed my trip to Derby Arena and had my first jab. I am pleased to report a much more positive experience than the one we had two weeks ago for Sarah's first attempt. The staff were welcoming and helpful. Yes they checked my paperwork, and yes they needed to see my foster carer i.d card to prove I was a "frontline social care worker". Other than that there were no issues. As someone who admits to having a bit of a phobia when it comes to needles, all the people there were pleasant and helped to put my mind at ease. Only a short wait, then jabbed. I was required to wait the 15 minutes after the deed in case of any immediate side effects, but this was allowed to be spent in the car with my copy of Hornby Magazine. Unlike @Mike Bellamy there was no sticker with time etc. As an ex-teacher who spent many times handing out reward stickers, I almost feel left out!!!!! At present I report no ill effects other than a slight pin prick pain in the relevant arm. Fingers crossed I can avoid the sort of effects that Sarah suffered. Returning to football for a second. The exit route out of the Derby Arena car park took me around the back of Pride Park stadium and passed the turnstile which I always enter the ground through. Although last night's game was by no means a classic, I still feel a little disappointed to not have been there. It's almost a year since we were last permitted to attend a game (a fantastic 3-0 demolition of Blackburn Rovers incidentally). Some people clearly do not understand the game and the importance it has in some people's lives. Yes, there are many who take things to far. However, for me it is the social element, the meeting with my uncle and cousins before the game - a couple of pints consumed along with the pie and a pre-match chat. The chat throughout the game and yes the rivalry and emotions that then develop as the game progresses. A great goal, a great result can make you forget other problems for a short while and can make you feel better. (A bad result can make you feel worse of course - but only for a short time). I miss it just as much as I miss the relaxing days out on a steam train or the social element of the model clubs or exhibitions and the chance to catch up with friends and acquaintances. Returning to ID's comment once more - Derby V Forest. United V City, Liverpool V Everton - they may invoke similar rivalries to those railway enthusiasts who prefer LMS V LNER or Steam V diesel, GWR v anything else and some comments are made with firmly with tongue in cheek. Have a great day. Stay safe. At 12.00 noon I am going to raise a glass to Sir Tom Moore whose funeral is today. A man whose whole outlook on life can be an inspiration to use all.

A very late good evening and also birthday wishes to Simon. I hope you had a good day. I note Rick's comments about refusing to attend a vaccine centre at Selhurst Park due to footballing loyalties. I understand it only too well. There is no way I would attend any such appointment at the City Ground. Very pertinent point tonight considering a certain Derby V Forest game at Pride Park this evening. Always a tense game, especially having to watch it at home in the same room as my Forest supporting wife. A 1-1 draw was probably more than we deserved but it was good for marital harmony. I wonder if Rick can clear up a confusion I have always had. I can understand that many footballing rivalries can develop from close proximity as tonight's game Man Utd V Man City, Liverpool V Everton etc. But London based Crystal Palace V Brighton?? Please explain? The recent conversation about "houses" in school has been interesting. During my childhood school experience I never encountered the house system. It is something which is gradually coming back into the education system. The notorious headteacher, who forced me out the profession, introduced it at my old school. The courses were named after local parks including Calke, Kedleston, Chatsworth and Rosliston. Amber's school adopted the house system last year with houses named after famous Britains including Shackleton, Nightingale and Lenny Henry of all people. Tomorrow it will be an early start. I have date with the needle at 8.40am. Stay safe. Andy

Not sure about wagons - but I used to enjoy eating their wheels at one point!

Morning (almost afternoon all). Firstly, I would like to wish everybody all the very best wishes and hope that you are safe and well today. Secondly, I would like to thank everyone for the supportive ratings and comments. They really were appreciated and proof once again of what a great place ER's really is. In response, to the above post I completely and wholeheartedly agree with Bear's assessment of the gentleman now christened Oscar. He is certainly and most definitely carrying an extra appendage in the middle of his ugly forehead. Unfortunately I am not able to simply forget it and I am not sure I will should I see Oscar again. Currently I feel like making sure I have a copy of the Highway Code on my person and passing it to said person if and when I encounter them again, probably along with some kind of comment about getting facts right before they insult and threaten anyone in the future. Whilst I may be crippled at times by the black dog, I do not take fools gladly, as I have said in relation to other incidents, and if somebody upsets / offends me or my family they have a lot to do before I will let things lie. Anyway, onto more pleasant matters. The sun is shining, there is some warmth in the rays and I have enjoyed getting out in the garden for some fresh air, even if it is simply to put the washing out. The walk to the Post Office should be quite nice later, unless one legged joggers get in my way. Stay safe Andy