ikks

God!, I'm so glad I didn't order a purple one ,NEVER be able to hide that box from SWMBO, looking forward to my green one though, have a brown paper bag waiting!!. Looks to be a brilliant model. Mike

Wonderful model John, I used to see it at Derby but from a distance as it bypassed the main station area and went via the avoiding lines next to Chaddesden sidings. It always looked very futuristic to my schoolboy eyes but like you my pocket money never even went close to a purchase. Rgds.....Mike

He rented a unit in South Yarra for a short while which was owned by the parents of a girlfriend of mine, a fairly unpleasant individual by all accounts, Sue told me. Not sure why some people have to be that way. Mike

I went to Henry Cavendish School in Derby when it opened in 1958, it was Co-Ed.......boys and girls, in the second year, for two terms, the girls learned the basics of woodwork, tech drawing and metalwork, "Us boys" learned housecraft, which involved cooking , sewing, ironing , cleaning and managing basic household issues, we thought it was a bloody pain at the time but hey, I lived on my own for twelve years in the late 70's/early 80's and those lessons proved invaluable. Only two issues, 1) my fudge never set and getting it home made a hell of a mess over some of my text books!! and many years later I blew up a whole fish in my first microwave, not sure I used it too much after that!! mike

I remember it well, our house never missed it, my goodness, how simple life was then!!. Not sure some of it has got a lot better apart than SSS ain't on anymore but then I'm now officially classed as "elderly" "grumpy old fart", I believe is the current terminology!! Mike

Oh sh*t, I have a problem! I drink mainly Crown Lager, up until now I thought I enjoyed it but.................. Mike

Does anyone know what is really happening here...........I'm dreadfully confused, but then again I am 75!!! Ooops Mike

I'll be ordering the Rapido one!! Just to support them. Really wanted City of London as I saw her often...........not sure now. sorry Mr K . you've really lost me. Mike

We get quite a few huntsmen in our place over the season( they're all called Harold .by the way), they are brilliant, when they are at home.....no mozzies, no nasty spiders or other insects that want to bite you, all end up in the huntsmen's gut. Always happy to say G'day to one of these blokes. Mike

That looks like a heap of fun, beautiful looking locos and trains too. Rgds....Mike

Picked up mine today.......what a cracker!!, it was posted in the UK on December 23rd. and arrived at my PO box in country South Oz on December 30th, that must be some sort of record for me, especially at this time of year!! BUT very dangerous, if I hadn't checked the tracker today I wouldn't have known it was there(wasn't due until the 5th.) and there was every possibility that SWMBO could have discovered it. I will leave you to imagine the consequences!!. Anyway many thanks to the NRM folks and Bachy for coming up with this one. Rgds.....Mike

Brilliant!!

Beautiful work......I can smell the kippers!! Mike

How beautiful is that!! Mike

Railway related.......A bloke I used to know well over 50 years ago, I'll call him Terry D. drank at the Mitre in Allenton Derby, worked on nights, (where he mainly slept!!) at Derby Loco, but with a tendency to "borrow things" anyway old Terry decided a brass safety valve from a black five being overhauled might be worth a bob or two from another Mitre stalwart( and schonk), Chocs Hart, a scrap merchant no less!!. So Terry took it home. Next shift old Terry was called into the site foreman's office where said foreman said "we know you've got it Terry but we need it back", fortunately Terry hadn't sold it to Chocs(who would have melted it down into a totally indistinguishable and untraceable blob, so he returned it. As far as I know Terry still worked for the Loco for years and nothing more was said!! But that was then!!. Mike

This thread contains many exceptional photos but for me this the most evocative..........I could almost be standing on that platform...........brilliant. Mike

They heard you were going to paint it yellow!!!

Did you have to adjust the valve gear yourself John or did you get a good one, reason I ask is that I have one (never run) which I'd to get going but haven't been game to I have two spare Mashimas just in case, also need a decent layout!! Rgds.......Mike

Oz too. Mike

Very weak!!!, I resisted for two whole days before I ordered one. Mike

Yep........who cares, they're on their way Mike

Weren't they things of beauty Mike

Over the years , the only products I have had to return(from Australia) have been Hornby, two Brits and a Duchess, fortunately they were supplied by Hattons and replacements were quickly made available...........Message to Hornby, forget this silly tier system and get back to supporting retailers like Hattons and Rails, they actually sell your product.Mike

the other side of this is that I went on holiday to Tasmania for three weeks a lot of years ago, before I left I told my my 2IC if she needed any help , just give me a call on my mobiie..............never heard a word all the time I was away. Got back and sat down with Isobel and asked any issues I need to know about, no she said we handled everything just fine. Oh I thought, am I still going to have a job!!. Thank goodness my boss was happy to have me back................makes you wonder though!!. However my management strategy was, if you get the right people it all works and I generally got it right but did make a couple horrendous stuff ups but in those days it was a lot easier to fix. Happy days. Mike

that is truly magnificent...........wonder if they might do a Cardean at some stage..............after the Midland Spinner of course Perhaps start saving in anticipation!!! Just love this pre- Group stuff. Mike