ikks

Can't really believe it's that long, never knew him but always loved his posts............always said to me more like Jock and the world would be a better place. Mike

Just picked mine up from the Post Box............eight days from Hattons to Inman Valley, I don't recall any faster similar delivery! Anyway opened the box and...................... I am absolutely delighted with this effort from Bachmann but now I have to save up to get at least one more! Rgds.....Mike

Put your camera back in your pocket...........Stupid boy!!!

WTF

Subject: Farmer Jack Farmer Jack once lived on a quiet rural highway but as time went by, the traffic slowly built up and eventually got so heavy and so fast that his free range chickens were being run over, at a rate of three to six a week. So Farmer Jack called the local police station to complain, "You've got to do something about all these people driving so fast and killing all my chickens," he said to the local police officer. "What do you want me to do?" asked the policeman. "I don't care, just do something about those crazy drivers!" So the next day the policeman had the Council erect a sign that said: SCHOOL CROSSING Three days later Farmer Jack called the policeman and said, "You've still got to do something about these drivers. The "school crossing" sign seems to make them go even faster!" So again, they put up a new sign: SLOW: CHILDREN AT PLAY. That really sped them up. So Farmer Jack called and said, "Your signs are no good. Can I put up my own sign?" In order to get Farmer his back the policeman said "Sure. Put up your own sign." ; The phone calls to the Police Station stopped, but curiosity got the better of the Officer, so he called Farmer Jack. "How is the problem with the speeding drivers, and did you put up your sign?" "Oh, I sure did and not one chicken has been killed." The policeman was really curious and thought he'd better go out and take a look at the sign. He also thought the sign might be something the Police could use elsewhere, to slow drivers down. So he drove out to Farmer Jack's house. His jaw dropped the moment he saw the sign. 'NUDIST COLONY' 'Slow down and watch for chicks!'

Not familiar with the era in Britain as I left her shores in 1971 but that captures the essence of a workaday railway.....brilliant stuff Rgds....Mike

Yes same here, I have one on pre-order but it if they become available as a discounted item I will have a few more. Mike

What a brilliant model, worth a trip from OZ too see it............I love Stanier locos...Sorry Nigel!!

Hi Mike, I think Hornby have mentioned that the old chassis was used in the photo.....I hope so!! I agree a model of a Duchess should be a range topper. Rgds........Mike

She is absolutely beautiful the magnificent Stanier masterpiece brilliant !!.............I went around Camden in 1960, the star of the show was 46230 Duchess of Buccleuch immaculate in BR green. So you could stick a couple of 66A locos in there. Mike

Leavesontheline, I heard that the tooling for the Clan had been "lost", whatever the case Hornby advised me recently that they had no plans for a reintroduction of one in the near future. A pity as would dearly love to get one(missed out first time around) and the last one I saw on E-Bay was at 250 pounds.......no way!! Rgds......Mike

Subject:: Cricket in heaven > Two 90 year old men, Mike and Joe, have been friends all of their lives.. > When it's clear that Joe is dying, Mike visits him every day. > One day Mike says, "Joe, we both loved cricket all our lives, and we played cricket on Saturdays together for so many years. > Please do me one favour, when you get to Heaven, somehow you must let me know if there's bat and ball there.” > Joe looks up at Mike from his death bed," Mike, you've been my best friend for many years. > If it's at all possible, I'll do this favour for you. > Shortly after that, Joe passes on. > At midnight a couple of nights later, Mike is awakened from a sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to him, "Mike--Mike." > "Who is it? asks Mike sitting up suddenly. "Who is it?” > "Mike--it's me, Joe.” > "You're not Joe. > Joe just died.” > "I'm telling you, it's me, Joe," insists the voice.” > "Joe! Where are you?” > "In heaven", replies Joe.” > I have some really good news and a little bad news.” > "Tell me the good news first," says Mike. > "The good news," Joe says," is that there's bat and ball in heaven. > Better yet, all of our old friends who died before us are here, too. > Better than that, we're all young again. Better still, it's always spring time and it never rains or snows. > And best of all, we can play cricket all we want, and we never get tired.” > That's fantastic," says Mike.” > It's beyond my wildest dreams! > So, what's the bad news? > "You're in the team for this Saturday's match !!!”

No, a 44 was produced by Bachmann without the front seam.......caused quite a stir at the time , but this was corrected on later models Mike

That really looks the part David, great modelling again. BTW I think 6170 was in red after rebuilding (but that of course was a unique "Scot"), the only other one was 46100 but that was at Bressingham, I think that green suits the ex LMS 4-6-0's just as well. Rgds Mike

What a sensational line up Mike

Yes, definitely, see Book of the Pecketts volume 6 page 73............Wild Duck 1984, unfortunately very difficult to come by as out of(never was in) print but irrefutable evidence. Rgds.......Mike

Good one Andy.......................who gives a rats a@se it's coming shortly , it WILL happen,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,patience,please for goodness sake!! Mike

A Matter of Interpretation ** Sometimes you just hear what you want to hear. At a travel agency in Shanghai, I asked the Chinese girl behindthe counter if she could escort me on a city tour and asked herfor her mobile number so I could call her to make arrangements. She gave me a big smile, nodded her head and said, "Sex sex sex, wan free sex for tonight". I replied, "Wow, you Chinese women are really hospitable!" A guy standing next to me overheard, tapped me on the shoulderand said, "What she really said was: 666136429."

They will be here shortly....what does a little time matter?

Out of my time period too......but hey, how can you resist...........Mike

Subject: The Rabbit. A rabbit walks into a pub and says to the barman, 'Can I have a pint of beer, and a Ham and Cheese Toastie? The barman is amazed, but gives the rabbit a pint of beer and a ham and cheese toastie. The rabbit drinks the beer and eats the toastie. He then leaves. The following night the rabbit returns and again asks for a pint of beer, and a Ham and Cheese Toastie. The barman, now intrigued by the rabbit and the extra drinkers in the pub, (because word gets round), gives the rabbit the pint and the Toastie. The rabbit consumes them and leaves. The next night, the pub is packed. In walks the rabbit and says, 'A pint of beer and a Ham and Cheese Toastie, please barman.' The crowd is hushed as the barman gives the rabbit his pint and toastie, and then burst into applause as the rabbit wolfs them down The next night there is standing room only in the pub. Coaches have been laid on for the crowds of patrons attending. The barman is making more money in one week than he did all last year In walks the rabbit and says, 'A pint of beer and a Ham and Cheese Toastie, please barman, The barman says, 'I'm sorry rabbit, old mate, old mucker, but we are right out of them Ham and Cheese Toasties...' The rabbit looks aghast. The crowd has quietened to almost a whisper, when the barman clears his throat nervously and says, 'We do have a very nice Cheese and Onion Toastie.' The rabbit looks him in the eye and says, 'Are you sure I will like it.' The masses' bated breath is ear shatteringly silent. The barman, with a roguish smile says, 'Do you think that I would let down one of my best friends. I know you'll love it.' 'Ok,' says the rabbit, 'I'll have a pint of beer and a Cheese and Onion Toastie.' The pub erupts with glee as the rabbit quaffs the beer and guzzles the toastie. He then waves to the crowd and leaves.... NEVER TO RETURN!!!!!! ----- One year later, in the now impoverished public house, the barman, (who has only served 4 drinks tonight, 3 of which were his), calls time. When he is cleaning down the now empty bar, he sees a small white form, floating above the bar. The barman says, 'Who are you?', To which he is answered, 'I am the ghost of the rabbit that used to frequent your public house.' The barman says, 'I remember you. You made me famous. You would come in every night and have a pint of beer and a Ham and Cheese Toastie. Masses came to see you and this place was famous.' The rabbit says, 'Yes I know.' The barman said, 'I remember, on your last night we didn't have any Ham and Cheese Toasties. You had a Cheese and Onion one instead.' The rabbit said, 'Yes, you promised me that I would love it. The barman said, 'You never came back, what happened?' 'I DIED', said the rabbit. 'NO!' said the barman. 'What from?' After a short pause, the rabbit said... 'Mixin-me-toasties.' I knew you’d love it!! I only send you the best ones.

Beautiful machine.........you have done her proud! Rgds.....Mike

Hi Peter......... you should amend the topic title, definitely not boring but certainly interesting and great phtography. I left the UK in 1971 when most of the "steam age" infrastructure was still intact so it is certainly illuminating to see the "improvements" that have taken place since. Have to admit though I still cherish my memories of how it used to be. Are you near Derby? Rgds.....Mike

Don't know about the lady's needs but that is just drop dead gorgeous. Rgds...Mike