SM42

Apparently picking up an item on a trade stand marked up at £1.50 and asking "What's your best price on this?" can result in a rather unsociable response. Andy

Currently enjoying a pint of Bird's Brewery's Serendipity and very well named it is too. Happened across the place on the outskirts of Bromsgrove a few weeks back and managed to call in today. A return trip is in order I think. Andy

My head hurts now. Andy

I was thinking about the ground signal in this case Jim. . The main signal would not need one as any train routed via that signal would already have passed the warning board and would be expecting the TSR and of course the driver would be familiar with the contents of the WON. However, the R board is not strictly correct as you are arriving (so I understand) mid point of the TSR rather than heading towards a commencement board more than 300yds ahead. Looks like someone's trying to do the right thing in a situation not covered in the rule book. Andy

If there is a set back move then I agree that and R board would be a sensible installation (though I don't think strictly specified in the rules) but then the sign should be at the signal that routes the train across (assuming this signal is between the warning and commencement board) and there should be an arrowed warning board somewhere further back if there is main signalled route across. On that basis not only is it an incomplete sign, it's also in the wrong place. This makes it even more stupid than before as if it were in the right place it wouldn't be in the picture Putting the sign after the crossover would mean drivers running on the affected line suddenly coming across a lonesome commencement board in the middle of a TSR with no reason to be there. Temporary speed restrictions are rarely simple affairs where there is more than one route I'm just glad I don't drive trains for a living. It makes my head hurt just thinkiing about this one. Andy

Gary I suspect the 30/50 applies to the line on the far left and I would imagine there is a warning board with arrow a bit further back I agree it is a stupid sign for both looking odd and spoiling the picture. Andy

Like Alistair I've always found prices to be on a par with other outlets for items I have purchased . I suppose it depends on what particular product you are looking for really. For anyone intending to visit mid week, I believe that they are still closed on Wednesdays as it was at the old shop. As well as the car park there is also free, time limited (one hour last time I looked) roadside parking opposite. Andy

Oh yes John there will be room to turn around without everybody else having to turn around too. Mind you as I haven't had chance to visit now it is not a building site, Derek may have filled it all up by now. There is also a handy little* customer car park at the downhill end of the row of (2) shops. Next to Kim Johnson Designs; Derek's new neighbour Andy *By little I mean it is about 10 or 12 car's worth but it is shared with two other businesses. .

You beat me to it I noticed that the new doors were open when I passed yesterday. Anyone who has been before but not yet had chance to visit the new premises will find them significantly bigger than the old. Andy

Good stuff. I too wondered where the strange paint colour was going. Good to see some balloonage too. Andy

Thank you That explains it Must be the "Dunton Green cream cake four" case she's on then. Andy

Out of interest what time is the last train back from Westerham. Mrs Sm42 has not yet returned and Kipper's case closed announcement seems to indicate her work is done. I suppose another mission in some far flung part of the globe has come up. I was surprised when she turned up in Westerham. I thought she'd gone to Tesco. Andy (out from under the table)

It's your lucky day Lyndonsdad Just catching up here (really should have been warming up the war room) when Mrs SM42 popped in to see how things were going as she prepares for her next mission. Fortunately for you I had a second internet tab open so was able to flick across and look busy. Mrs SM42 would not be impressed by such a slur on her nationality. Brent! I ask you? Brentski perhaps. A word of warnig to all who may feel the need to cross her path in a less than helpful way. Revelations about her training at school (No ordinary comprehensive I can tell you) have revealed things far beyond being a good shot. Andy (a bit more nervous than usual)

It hasn't changed much. Andy

I found that asking the exhibition manager (during the the exhibition of course) if "he was thinking about doing anything useful today" sometimes required a fleetness of foot that would make Usain Bolt jealous. Andy

They were indeed lowfits and somewhere I have some (old school film type) photos. Andy

Sunset at Poznan Wola Andy

Errr, I did say no more naughty engines please Jim. Still, keeps you fit. Great photos by the way. Andy

Ah. So you're the one that was causing me a load of work when I should have been eating my sandwiches. It was shaping up to be an interesting night. Princes Risborough was starting to look a bit like Aylesbury depot. Just glad the one on the back was alright otherwise you could have been there for quite a while. No more naughty engines this week please Jim. Andy

If I recall Canley, Tile Hill and Berkswell were closed to road traffic. The foot crossings at Bickenhill, Wootton Green, Bradnock's Marsh and Mackadown Lane were converted to footbridges (with space for 4 tracks too) Incidentally, the latter is very good for watching planes from. Andy

These were left there after two ballast trains collided near the Chester Rd bridge in either 1998 or 1999 (I think). One ended up inside the other. Two wagons went down the bank too and I'm not sure if they are still there in the undergrowth about 200yds Walsall side of the bridge. Andy

If, just before you jump, she shouts PULL! be afraid, be very afraid Andy

I've been quite lucky really as Mrs Sm42 has tolerated me buying some new trains with the proviso that I build a layout for them. Only snag is she hasn't indicated where in the house this layout can live. I suspect the lounge will not be a good idea. Andy

Many moons ago when I converted some Airfix 21t hoppers into Topes, I used florist's wire for the vacuum pipe along the frame. I found it easier to mould to shape as it is quite soft. I used the (paper?) covered version as it was thicker and something about the paper outer layer made it look right to me. It also takes paint better than bare metal too. Andy

It might be close but she has left out all the exceptions, caveats and small print that exist to eat into valuable modelling time. All you can do is own up and hope for the best. (perhaps not on the first few dates though) If she walks away, she probably wasn't worth it anyway. Andy