Bungus the Fogeyman

I know Nick, as is a new cab and bonnet details! Sadly its still work in progress, although progress has been made. It wont be ready for this weekends shindig at Stafford, but should be ready for Glasgow at the end of February. Same goes for the Wisbech and Upwell goods office..... Disgusting of Market Harborough

I taught him everything he knows about 'layout operation!'....... Disgusting of Market Harborough

That looks damn fine to me Steve. View blockers are always good for distorting the size! Disgusting of Market Harborough

Apologies Steve. Was stuck in Scotland for part of the week, then down at Cardiff yesterday- the little hut you alluded to in one of your posts was a secondhand job from Bachmans building range..... HTH Disgusting of Market Harborough

Well, we're both back home and tucked up in bed now.....don't be rude at the back.......after a splendid day at Cardiff! Great show, great atmos, looked after royally and to cap it all had a very enjoyable little chat (for me anyway!) with the legend that is Hywel Thomas of Morfa Bank Sidings fame! The train set behaved reasonably well and we had a few nice comments and interesting discussions with people. In fact the only disappointment was the fact Messrs Crowley and Smith couldnt attend for whatever reasons. I was looking forward to seeing their efforts. Having said that, there was still plenty to enjoy! Disgusting of Market Harborough

Alex I've found that the Bachmann 04 body isn't a particularly brilliant starting point for an early 04. Like you all those years ago, I started with a Dapol/Airfix kit. As you rightly say, the cab is a non-starter and the radiator grille is the wrong size. I've also found the bonnet detail and handrails are different and the grab handles on the side doors need to be wider apart. Its a bit of a faff but worth removing the moulded grabs and replacing them in the correct position on whichever body you choose to use. My cab is a melange of a scratchbuilt front plate, vulcan sides and the backplate from the kit. If you do use the kit, the baseplate needs to be extended slightly too! I found the Monty Wells MRJ article invaluable for all this! Hopefully it'll all be finished for Stafford and Glasgow...... Disgusting of Market Harborough

I'm just in the process of building D2201 for Friday Bridge ( its in the boxfile, micro and shunting plank section if anybodys interested ) and I get the distinct impression that, probably due to lighting and film conditions, that you are right 31A and it is actually green. I'll back this up by referring those interested to page 12 of Modern Locomotives Illustrated Issue 195- the small shunters excluding BR designs. There you will find a picture of D2201 beetling along near Dial House, by the look of things, with a rake of 16 tonners looking very much green. The photo was taken in 1964 too. As D2201 was renumbered in December 1961 and D2202 in January 1958, it maybe could be assumed that this was when both were painted green, although on reflection D2202 seems a very early candidate for a coat of green.........more research required maybe! I believe that theres also a pic in Green Diesel Days or one of the other Ian Allen 'green' albums of one of the pair at Wisbech docks, but I havent got it to hand at the moment. Hope this helps Disgusting of Market Harborough

You could stick a grounded contsiner on Steve....something like this! Disgusting of Market Harborough

Mike, you should know.....I havent got any mates! Disgusting of Market Harborough

Oi watch it with the broad gauge mush!! Us EM, or achievable excellence as its sometimes known, lads stick together! Don't let these narrow gauge types bully you Wayne Disgusting of Market Harborough

Now thats pushing it a bit Mike! Disgusting of Market Harborough

Clive mate. You're pencilled in for doorman duties mate. We may even give you a chair to sit on this year!!! Disgusting of Market Harborough

Just one thing Dick me old mate......what date is this shenanigans taking place? Disgusting of Market Harborough

A planning meeting was held last night, when we ate all of Georges chocolate biscuits and drunk his tea! All is on track- subject to confirmation, there will be 7 layouts in N, OO, EM and O gauge; 4 demo-ers and trade support. These will be announced as they are confirmed.......one trader we can confirm are those purveyors of quality railway literature, Book Law... more to follow in the coming weeks! Disgusting of Market Harborough

Any further progress Stu? Its gone very quiet... Disgusting of Market Harborough

All very nice Tel, but have you got a link to it? Disgusting of Market Harborough

Stick a sector plate on instead of the point/fiddle yard combination and you'll have bags more room all round Jerry Disgusting of Market Harborough

Looking good Steve. The missus isnt just a pretty face either- some great work from her too! Has Ken booked YOU for Shenfield next year yet? I think he ought to! He likes a few micros at the show! Disgusting of Market Harborough

Well, we've just got back from the NEC after an excellent weekend- Cath has walked her legs off purveying quality railway literature to the masses, and I was occasionally found in the naughty corner with all the other micro layouts operating Victoria.! Having exhibited at Warley for the last 6 years, i think this year was the best of the bunch from an exhibitors point of view. It was great to see so many freinds and have so many showing an interest and asking intelligent questions.....I think moving the micro section to this years location was a master stroke- we had a lot more people showing an interest in what we do. We were fed and watered well too. So then, well done from this boy to Mr Jones and his team. Looking forward to returning next year with Friday Bridge..... Disgusting of Market Harborough

Well, the last ever Braunstone show has come and gone. As usual, there was the usual collection of high quality small layouts (and Fried Egg Bridge!) which Chris Burch had booked before his sad passing last year. It was interesting to note that Fried Egg Bridge was the only 4mm layout in the collection of 10 layouts on display, a reflection of Chris's affection for 2mm modelling! Anyway, there was a good crowd in through the day, with many regulars saying hello, the bacon was as toothsome as ever ( Chris was proud of the fact that he obtained his bacon from a local farmer, and that the shows bacon butties has garnered a good reputation over the years), and the cake lady in the other room still makes an outstanding Victoria sponge (remember that, Stu?). Well done to the Syston lads too. In short, Braunstone exhibition went out in fine style. Chris would have been proud! Disgusting of Market Harborough

You may be interested to know James that Saxlingham was bought by Phil Cowling, who has titivated it and extended it slightly. The good news is that Phil hopes to get it back on the exhibition circuit- the bad news is that he, and the layout, now reside in Edinburgh so it may not be so easy to see if you're in Devon........... Disgusting of Market Harborough ps sorry for hijacking your thread Steve!

Hope I'm not speaking out of turn, but I see no thread for this show tomorrow yet. As those who have appeared at this show in the past will know, its a small show with about 7 layouts and a small amount of trade support held in the church at Braunstone in Leicester. What adds an extra poignancy to this year's show is the fact it will be the final Braunstone show. This is due to the prime mover in organising the show, the Reverend Chris Burch sadly passed away just before last years show. Being highly organised Chris had booked this years layouts before he sadly passed away and Syston MRC, of whom Chris was an active member, have decided to put on this years show as a memorial to him. The link is http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/14981-StPetersChurch,BraunstoneParkExhibition

Tell him where you got the Cross Heath idea from Steve!....... Disgusting of Market Harborough

I'll get me coat then........ Disgusting of Market Harborough

Thanks Brian! Disgusting of Market Harborough