gateman49

I'm glad you enjoyed your holiday down here (from a Torquay fan of yours)!

Having sat with you at our club night on Thursday, you've now got me looking at coffee stirrers when ever I go into a cafe! Keep up the good work

I hope that I don't forget to collect my pension this week, now why did I come upstairs?

My wife and I cycled along the Templar Way a few weeks ago and I spoke with the current owner of the crossing cottage at Teigngrace. She thought that the last time that part of the line had been used was for the overnight stabling of the royal train so I presume that Her Majesty won't now be able to sleep tight there again!

Garry, In don't think that I've seen a response to your location question on 17th September. If, indeed, no one has replied, can I suggest Devonport?

Hello all, I was one of the invited guests from EXGOG today and it was my first experience of this little line. The whole experience was inspirational as it all fits together so well. From the 2 dimensional background scenics to the very 3 dimensional rock cutting, with the line running in to the windswept terminus looking out to the Solway Firth, it comes across as a single entity. Apparently the track plan is based on no particular prototype but that doesn't stop it from looking very realistic. Then there are the unobtrusive couplers and they are so effective as they make coupling and uncoupling so easy. The stock is all very realistic too and the only criticism that I could possibly make is that it isn't a God's Wonderful Railway layout - ah well. I was able to have a go myself and I managed to empty the fiddle yard and jam up the station with excursions, parcels trains and the local goods much to the amusement of all present. Rod, from a part time modeller and dreamer, I can only envy you as you have actually done it rather than expending lots of hot air on how it might be done. Maggie's cakes weren't bad either and I trust that you've got all the stock back to the right destinations!

One more useful comment from a touchy Torquinian, we're not in the Westcountry (as some commentators have placed us), that is some where up by Gloucester, which is 'up North' as far as I'm concerned. Down yer is Debn and if you put they Cornish in wiv us tis the South West. A bit of history too, the South Devon Railway did everything on the cheap when they built the main line from its end on junction with the B & E at Exeter to its first terminus at Plymouth. I can thoroughly recommend two books, The South Devon Railway by the late Roy Gregory and the very detailed history of the Exeter to Newton Abbot line by Peter Kay. They are written in very different styles but they provide a lot of background information in very easy to read styles. Just bought me missus a Senior Railcard as well, ah well, we'll have to explore the local lines in more detail than otherwise would have been the case! If you want a laugh in all this gloom can I suggest googling Jethro and 'this train don't stop Camborne' on you tube.

I have just been idly trying to cross reference OzzyO's comment about three or four Castles having had the same arrangement of lubricator. I checked Nocks GWR Stars Castles and Kings and on p133 of vol 2 there is a good photo of 4087 Cardigan Castle at Laira (in my experience,one of the hardest sheds to bunk!) also with the same arrangement.

I've just sent in my questionnaire response by e mail (strongly in favour of course) so find a reason for supporting the proposal and join me!

I'm sat here in the warm, my aerosols behind me! (no pun intended)

Even the Great Western had an ugly duckling - No 2601 the 4-6-0 Kruger