Bezzy Oppo

Finally, finally we are getting to a point where the planning application will be resubmitted. Hopefully in next 2-3 weeks. The major obstacle has been getting to an agreement with the Environment Agency in the area of mathematical flood modelling. We'll be having Swales and attenuation tanks and all manner of expensive gizmos just so we can build what is effectively a replacement building! Anyway, movement forwards at last.

Dave, I've a pass out; would you like me to bring any change down with me?

Er, I don't think so. If we shut up shop they would lose X 1000s of pounds in revenue because of the loss in parking capacity. We're also a landlord of the railway. Plus they a) support us and our endeavours, and secondly do not offer to customers what we have planned. (I did a b) but got the smiley inserted!!)

Oh it gets better! The Environment Agency as a statutory consultee is asking for a detailed drainage scheme to be drawn up to be submitted with the new application (as opposed to being a condition ascribed to any permission). The issue? Oil and such-like leaking from cars and leaching into the ground with the potential for contaminating drinking water. We either drain to fuel receptors and separators or look to installing/ implementing a Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme. That's swales and reed beds and the like of which you see around new out- of- town developments. I've pointed out to the EA's planners that our immediate neighbour is the NYMR's wagon and coach works and diesel yard. Not forgetting the kettles running round their trains or taking on water. Along the length of the site the main running lines run replete with trains onboard loos working in the 'contemporary way'! And that modern cars don't really haemorrhage oil like they used to. To no avail. Having gone out to tender the median quote is of the order of £10,000. Just to design the scheme. Apparently the EA will charge £80/hr for one of their officers to meet and advise on the acceptability of any suggested design. Nothing like writing your own cheques eh? The better half is starting to wonder why we're bothering at all...

Update: We're having to withdraw and resubmit our application. The planners want a consultant's report on every point of issue raised by neighbours. Traffic survey, heritage statement, et al incoming. I don't think we'll be getting a decision until June. Though the sounds are encouraging I do think the planners believe us to be in ownership of a money tree!

We have the room and having seen one in operation and the way kids run around it we decided to try and keep it as original as possible. I forgot to mention we added tunnel portals and a smattering of RTP trees from the Skaledale range too. We achieved consensus that 100 seconds for your 50 pence was about right. A new coin op mech was around £40 IIRC. I have it set up sans cover in my kitchen at present and every visitor goes straight to it and wants to see it running. They're a small part of model rail heritage and I think worth hanging on to and looking after. A small piece of nostalgic wonder that still has the ability to beguile even the most tech savvy six year old. A big thanks to all me chums at East Riding Finescale who helped turn this around so promptly!

I must admit I was all for bringing it into the 21st century regarding scenic treatment but to all intents and purposes it's two sheets of ply glued to bark walling. I was finally convinced that rescattering was the most appropriate way forward by fellow colleagues in crime. It's come out ok, reliability has been proved by my 4 & 5 year old with a fistful of 50 pence pieces and the keys to the cash drawer! Available to view this summer season in Pickering, if anyone fancies fish 'n chips in Whitby....Right, packing for the SECC; onwards and upwards and back to 7mm!

We've just refurbished one of these using a mixture of buildings contemporaneous with the layout itself (early seventies) and skaledale RTP ware. We replaced the coin mech, transformer, timer and speed controller with modern equivalents and 're scattered' and ballasted. The track was relaid and fake points installed. A new cover has been fitted (the most expensive aspect of the refurb) and the carcass repainted. As it's going in a shop aimed at younger visitors it's been 'Sodorfied'.

Sorry to hear about the old job front matey. I'll see you at Donny; where are you lodging me old fella?

Well everybody, the planning application is in. If anyone's interested it can be viewed/commented on by visiting Ryedale District Council's web-site: http://planningregister.ryedale.gov.uk/caonline-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NGGNO3NO1J000