Bernard Lamb

Waiting for the next trip to Langholm. I must do something about ballasting and horticulture. Bernard

But there lies part of the problem. For a large part of this route there are no locals. Bernard

Just to point out that we in the UK are not alone in running into problems with modern transport schemes. The Leipzig underground hs swallowed up around an extra 500m euros so far with no sign of an opening date. Bernard

Ah... but this must be 'new' and 'mint' as the seller's address is MK, very close to the birth place of the article concerned. Now if he could find out the name of the chap who moulded it the price would shoot up. Actually it's quite cheap when you consider that the blue LNWR version was fetching 50p a go many years ago. Bernard

.....and before I retire to the pub. A couple of shots of Whitrope. Including one of what must be almost the very last train. http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/tunnels/gallery/whitrope.html Bernard

Not a piece for the casual viewer of this topic, but it contains much background detail for the more historical minded. http://www.victorianweb.org/history/work/sullivan/12.html Bernard

Something to browse for the holiday weekend. http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/bridges/gallery/thistle.html Several other Waverley viaducts are featured on this site.(as are many fine examples from other parts of the country) Bernard

It has to be merlin. No other A4 ever got that filthy. bernard

A new name to me but some very good stuff. I rather like the shots 0f 92249. Long term plans to detail and dirty a Bachmann model as this loco. His site is worth a prolonged study just for the details of the railway even without any stock on view. ...and as for that droopy 37 head code. Bernard

Correct. At 52D in 1963. Bernard

To expand on the N2 story. The RCTS green book gives information on 69510 as being sub-sheded at St. Boswells on pilot duties. Based at Hawick from 1957 until withdrawal in 11/59. The situation re types of safety valves and covers is something of a minefield.(As are a lot of other details on this class) In 1930 2588 went to Carlisle where it had spells at Langholm. These locos were very hard on the track and were banned from some of the more lightly laid branches. Bernard

There is another shot of this beast in the recent David Cross book. However that is captioned Feb 2nd 1959 and states recently transfered from Parkhead 65C. This date ties in with the shed allocations quoted by Robert Robotham. What did this beast and the C16 do? Bernard

Events have overtaken the posted information. There was an email to interested parties yesterday that updates the situation. I must take a small part of the blame for providing David Spaven with too much information on certain matters. Bernard Dear Enquirer, Many thanks for your continuing interest in our Waverley Route book project. Given the enormous amount of new material which we have uncovered over the last 15 months, we have now come to the conclusion that the subject can only properly be written about through two distinct books. One - 'The life and times of the Waverley Route' - will be authored by Bruce McCartney; while the other - The Life, Death & Re-Birth of the Borders Railway' - will be authored by David Spaven. The illustration of both books will be guided by our Photo Editor, Bill Jamieson We have not yet changed the web-site as we wanted you to be the first to know. (The updated site will go 'live' Wednesday evening.) We're sorry about the delay in publication (to 2012) - but we can promise you it will be worth the wait! In the meantime, just to illustrate some of our researches: Did you know that a recent member of the Royal Family regularly used a way-side station on the line? Neither did Bruce until the daughter of a station master told him. Did you know that a former Government Minister has admitted that closure of the line was one of his biggest regrets? Neither did David until a former senior manager on British Rail told him. Sincerely Bill, Bruce and David.

Thanks 'CHARD. I saw the wooded section curving away to the south and this led me to doubt the location. Of course the tree roots will have done some damage to the foudations of the track bed so it does look like a major job. Bernard

A pity he ran out of paint before he got round to the coupling rods. Bernard

A number of UK Banks have banded together to express their gratitude to the British people for helping them out in their time of need. They have commissioned a limited edition commemorative pencil sharpener which will be offered to selected customers in gratitude for the billions of pounds profit they got out of us last year. It's designed to remind us of the friendly and, even intimate relationship the banks have built up with the British public. Bernard

I was down at Longniddry Bents walking the dog with the family on Sunday. Did not have much time to take a look at the route, just up north for the weekend, but did look out for various points while in the car. Not sure of the exact route but a couple of things did cross my mind. Major alterations at Waverley could mean a change of datum. The point that I was going to bring up on here was how is the new line going to cross the Edinburgh Southern Bypass, the A720? As far as I can see the road cuts the old line over quite a wide area due to the angle of the crossing. I did not see any signs of a bridge. Might have got it totally wrong but I think I was looking in the right place and the OS map agrees with this line of thought. Of course if the line is to be single the distance could change depending on how the double track was measured. Bernard

So why is it not acceptable? Have you ever booked a train or plane ticket or even an hotel, stand alone or part of a package? They all want money up front. It does take a few days to pack the goods and send them out. Reading the various complaints about RoS I wonder if we are dealing with the same outfit at times. My last order included two items that were out of stock. ***** at Rails left a message on my answer phone asking me to call back re the items or to send an email if that suited me better. They also said that they had sent an email explaining the problem in greater depth. I emailed them a reply stating what I wanted them to do. They were very particular in pointing out the options re postal charges and the situation re stock at Bachmann. Three weeks later card debited and goods sent all together. This morning a package arrived with one outstanding Bachmann wagon. They had told me that they did not know when Bachmann would have this item in stock. Card debited for £6.95. No extra postage charge. The wagon came in a loco sized box and was well wrapped in bubble film and shredded paper. There was also a compliment slip. Now the P&P on this item must have cost them more than the retail cost let alone simply throwing away the profit margin. I call that excellent service. I suppose it all comes down to attitude and how you communicate with people. Bernard

28 wagons. A world record for a Clayton single handed? AFAIK it was imported grain. Bernard

Very good. What would be the cost of paying by Postal Order! He accepts those as a form of payment. Will post world wide but not to Asia or South Africa. That narrows it down a bit. Would have thought that for nigh on a grand he would offer free postage. Bernard

I don't think that it will be very long before that becomes the only option. From RoS or any one else. Bernard

The Nick Campling drawing gives 10' to the outsides of the queen posts. Bernard

There is indeed. Siloth branch with a Derby Lightweight in pre whiskered days for starters. Must be in the running for the earliest piece of film of a DMU in dervice. Bernard

I reckon garish would be a better adjective than ugly. We could always start a poll. Rate this loco in degrees of ugliness on a scale between 1 and 10. Or have a competion in 2012 to convert the Dapol model. Bernard

But would any one own up to designing/allowing the work in that soviet brutalist style? Bernard