TrevorP1

Thoroughly deserved! TP

Someone has found an old roll of Iford HP5...

Great to see the layout in the in the flesh today for the first time. Without knocking anyone else's efforts I think I must have spent much more time watching 37s go back and forth than all the other layouts put together several times over. I hope I can catch you again one day! Trevor

Thanks for taking the time to explain that Adrian. Always helps to get the 'theory' behind the practice. Trevor

Looking forward to seeing DitD at Bracknell in May! Trevor

That's right. I was speaking to one of the support crew earlier on. A little thing to remember for them in years to come.

Unfortunately can't see 70000 being involved. Currently the engine (not the tender) is at the Mid Hants with the front driving wheels out. They are due to be dispatched to the South Devon on Thursday for attention to loose keys between the wheel and axle on both sides. The guys in Devon will remove the wheels and then we'll see. No effort is being spared to get it done ASAP but with the best will in the world it is sadly unlikely to be in Cornwall at the end of the month.

Appreciate this is OT but on the subject of employing waste materials I understand that, way back when, some lines on the Isle of Man were ballasted with mining waste containing lead - apparently they didnt have much trouble with weeds... Cheers, Trevor.

So, ideal material to repair the sea wall would be lava blocks then... Sorry... Trevor

Yes, the Grange has to be near the top of the list. Trevor

In happier times. 6024 heads west back in 2006. I was attracted to this spot by the colourful houses, little did I know... Trevor

Latest photo and news from Network Rail. Interesting 'remodeling' of the containers! http://www.networkrail.co.uk/timetables-and-travel/storm-damage/dawlish/

How about Exeter Central then? The other day I came across a cutting from a very old RM with a track plan and an idea for a layout..... Trevor

Just wondering if it's time to split this topic. My interest and I sure that of many others, is in the civil engineeering aspect and of how some of the most experienced railwaymen in the world are going to get the railway working again. Also sympathy with the plight of those whose lives have been affected. I am much less interested in the discussion about possible alternatives routes. So, one thraed for 'civils' and another for 'alternative routes'? Just a thought. Mods? Trevor.

Thanks for that last photo Capatain. It goes without saying that let's hope it does the job. Found this clip which shows concrete spraying. (No sound by the way). Trevor

It would be interesting to see the concrete sparyer in action. Trevor

Sorry but I'm not getting the bit about stock and motive power being marooned west of Dawlish. They are in God's Country, surely it is the rest that are marooned....? Seriously, thoughts for all the folk whose lives are now in turmoil and the Network Rail staff working to put it all to rights. The very best to all of you. Also, many thanks to Captain Kernow for his informed input. Trevor

Lovely work Mikkel. I always look out for your posts. Inspirational. Trevor.

Back in my 20s I was well on the way with an EM layout set on a loop similar to Blea Moor on the S & C. I was quite happy to watch the trains go by. Then a house move forced a move to a smaller idea - a BLT! - but looking back I was never really interested in the operation... Further house moves precluded futher thoughts of anything! Now, having begun to collect models of items that interest me - in my case these days it's 1960 & 70s west country I thought it would be good to build a setting to display them and take photos. Photography being another interest and it would also be another challenge as I've never done macro before... I'm well on the way with something and I'll start a thread soon(ish). But my point is interests will change and you must be sure what will satisfy you. Just my random thoughts, but these days I dont care if the trains don't move at all... and I appreciate models such as The Farthing Layouts ans The Oswestry Works diorama. The best bit of Penson is peering down the lanes and seeing a train move in the distance... Thinking further I have a theory that movement of a model can spoil the illusion because you cannot scale nature: eg weight, mass, momentum, temperature, smell even the sound... apologies if I've started something there..! But all the best and here's to the project whatever it turns out to be! Cheers, Trevor.

I could ramble on for hours about those days but my memories, though treasured, are vary patchy due to my age at the time. I have worked out that we went down on the 08.55 ex Waterloo which we caught at Salisbury. It was always very full and only rarely did we all get a seat, often we sat on our suitcases in the corridor all the way to Plymouth. Sometimes people in a compartment would squeeze up to let Mum sit down. Vaguely I recall passing what i obviously now know was Exmouth Junction. Somehow a 'spotting book' from those days has survived and the numbers, written in my own and my Father's writing, are the stuff of dreams... If only I could remember the engines! For at least four years our journey finshed at Falmouth around 19.00. What a day! Coming back we used the 'Brighton'. Around lunchtime Dad would go to the buffet car for his pint and there I was with my orange juice standing in a 'pub'! Maybe the habit started there! Incidentally, this train was the only time I saw a wheeltapper at work - at Salisbury. I wonder now what on earth was the use of that with the brakes on hard. I guess they knew what they were about. All the best and I really hope your plans come to fruition. Trevor.

Will be following this thread with great interest as it's 'memory snapshot' I have from travelling by train to the west country as a child in the '60s. Barely old enough for school when we first went, I remember being not at all happy about the slow passage through the tunnel. The nearby cider orchards at Whimple also come to mind. Now that would be a modelling challenge - all those trees! Trevor

BR loco dept version arrived today less than 48 hours after it was ordered in spite of 'standard' mail. Nice little model. First class service from Invicta, have never used them before but certainly will again.

Interesting project and impressive use of modern methods. Watching with great interest! Trevor

As ever with this type of thread lots of whacky ideas coming out as well as some very good suggestions. So, semi seriously ( and yes, I know it's another western engine!) what a fantastic model a Dean Single would make.... I know it could probably never happen but no harm in dreaming! Trevor

Would be the most unreliable model ever.... Trevor