Donington Road

Yep, got to leave enough room for those pigs to get in the cattle dock Edit: That is an interesting train. It is how farmers used to move their whole possessions when moving from their old residence to a new farm. I wonder how Bitton coped with at least five wagons of livestock in one go, and what the cost would be to hire a whole train to do the move. Text for the photo can be found on page 26.

You're welcome Mike. The larger photos (when you remember!) have really brought Dent to life in my opinion. In fact, you could even even try 1500 instead 1200 and see what those look like. Seasons greetings to you, take it easy on the plonk and remember pigs in blankets Bitton style are great for christmas dinner.

Jonathan, I am sure your observation about the modelling aspect of large prototype layouts seeding the RTR market and enthusing other modellers to 'give it go' is happening more than ever. In my opinion the biggest single factor in all of this is the internet and particularly this website and similar forums. Without it, where would we be seeing these magnificent layouts, modelling techniques, sharing knowledge, friendly discussions, photographs and diagrams and so on. There is only so much that the model press can portray and exhibitions cannot show those 'stay at home' layouts. In the past modelling was probably more localised with modellers meeting and discussing railways with friends and acquaintances in their nearest modelling shops and visiting exhibitions that were in a limited mileage of their home town. The use of the internet has without doubt expanded the model railway scene.

Agreed, they are good, he must have been a sober artist

Thanks Peter, and wishing you a merry christmas and a much healthier 2015.

On Boxing Day 1981 we had trip like that behind Sir Lamiel. We stopped at Appleby for the kids to see Father Christmas in the waitng room. I went up front to the engine which was blowing off and we all got showered in minature icicles as the steam froze and came back down, bu**er, I have never known it that cold before.

Hi Andy, How is the shed standing up to your expectations of it being warm and cosy. Some curtains might not go amiss to shut out that darkness.

Wires and ducks don't mix well, we don't want him in another tangle.

In your book Mangotsfield to Bath, page 139, is that photo any clearer then the one you posted here on page 26 of this thread. The ground is up to platform height alongside the siding for the cattle dock, so it makes sense that the end of the siding is for end loading. Note: it ain't half easy to find past photos when you have an index

I am sure it was end loading Andy. I would also try and bring the siding away from the station building a little more. More in-line with the exit from the goods shed road. Perhaps the lack of photos is that it would be hidden from platform views because of the wall on the back edge of the platforms.

Those new signals really are a work of art. First time I've seen that telegraph pole as well, thats a real humdinger.

That does look a lot better flow out of the goods shed. When you get rid of the Peco and do your own track it will be even better. Also it leaves more room for the weighbridge area

Looks to me like it just needs less curve coming out of the goods shed using the same right hand point or possibly a 'Y'.

I remember now, but I was thinking only perhaps about half that radius. Left hand point instead of right hand in the above picture?

Amazing what some people can achieve to do in an hour all whilst drinking tea and biscuits Is it possible to curve the track slightly beyond the goods shed to take it away from the station yard a bit without being too noticeable?

Well worth the wait for the quiz outcome. Andy deserves an extra mince pie for coming close and someone deserves to get a new pair of specs for christmas, fancy missing that yuletide log in the station road entrance. This is my favourite

Ah, but you don't believe in christmas Still it was better than suggesting you were going to populate the cattle pens with pigs ready for transportation to the Bitton sausage factory

Anhydrite waggons

I'm uncoof, has to be a spoon for me

.............and why not, it's your railway. In 10 years time you might well ask what is wrong with running green diesels and private sector, tastes and interests do change.

Snow ........and the christmas special

Is that Mill going to get a seriously stonking great big chimney to power the gubbins

Just keep the front door locked Jeff, twitch the curtains back a little and you will see the white coats gathering outside.

Another interesting feature is the telephone poles. Single poles going south and double poles going north from Dent Station box, and why the red insulators on the outer ends of the top rails.

I wonder what a fixed backscene just the height of a van would look like with loads of wagons printed on it. Sounds like you've a trip to the dentist, not the most enjoyable of places to visit