Rowsley17D

It doesn't look like brickwork Jeff, stone setts I think. According to the captions, Railtrack had a similar idea for a plain channel in concrete but thought better of it. A grade 2 listed structure, nice job by those who refurbished it. I doubt they would have tunnelled here - far too shallow, no doubt cut-and-cover with the beck diverted during construction. Had they been able to tunnel then Blea Moor tunnel would have started here?

Some lovely photos of the top side of the real viaduct can be found here: http://www.visitcumbria.com/carlset/force-gill-aqueduct/

Hi Jeff, Some catching up to do this morning with all the weekend postings. That bridge/aqueduct construction is a strange beast, more of a cut-and-cover tunnel than a bridge. I wonder what the Midland classed it as? There's nothing stanger than fact and you have the photo to prove it. Went and got a new laptop last week so I should soon be able to tune into RMweb at the weekend now that I have a faster machine, just got to get used to Windows 8 though, it's worse that changing dentists. Even though I live out in the sticks, I still go to the dentist I have used for decades in Middlesbrough. Happy walling.

Just had a thought Jeff (what? another one) if you mix varying amounts of white DAS with the grey Scola stuff then you'll get stone strips in different shades of grey, may save a bit on painting.

Happy to help. I hope the quality is up to DAS standard.

Hi Jeff, I have been Googling ( they can't touch you for it) for air-dried clay to see if a colour other than white is available. There's a company called Craftmill who sell Scola air-drying clay in grey at £3.29/kg or 4.5kg for £7.97. Not sure about shipping costs but seems cheaper than DAS which the same site sells at £5.49/kg. May save you some painting and £££s. Just a thought.

Just to borrow your thread Jeff, to answer Polly's question regarding a "link". A "link" or "turn" is the type of job or work undertaken by engines of a certain class or power classification. A top link engine, eg a pacific, would undertake heavy express jobs, a second link engine like the Patriots would undertake the lighter passenger work on the mainline or secondary mainline. Quite often in steam days there might be a shortage of top link locos and so sheds would send out anything in steam to perform the duties. Drivers expecting to take out a top link loco varied in their approach if given a second link engine. Some just gave-in and lost time throughout the journey, others saw it as a challenge and would push their underpowered charges to the limits and arrive on time or early, usually with an exhausted fireman on board. Those walls are looking good Jeff, don't envy you painting them with a brush though, time to invest in an air brush?

Jeff, I'm glad the technique is working for you. Eventually I will need some dry stone walls but the limestone ones of Derbyshire are very different from the nicely even layered stone of S&C country. Any ideas anybody?

Naah, the exhaust's going straight up - this is what passes for a dead calm on S&C fells.

Hi Jeff, new SWMBO does like railways, but as the layout will be in the loft and she has a dodgy knee, I am hoping she will not be doing too much poking around with MY railway. My Jubs have to red, so I am hoping for a renumbered one, preferably Manchester-based. BTW what are you going to do with the "holes" that the tracks enter after passing under the aqueducts. sorry if you have answered this before, but I might not have caught up on that yet.

Hi Jeff, one of the first things SWMBO said on returning to abode was we must get somebody in to put Velux and electric in the loft. Also have on order Bachy 4F, Stanier Mogul, and Midland Brake vans, so looking good so far!

Morning Jeff, Just reporting back after returning from the nuptuals and making a start on catching up.I also have a stack of work emails to wade through plus a small mountain of paperwork and post to attack, so it may be some time before I am up to date, but good to see that progress and high standards are being maintained. Can thoroughly recommend the Waiting Rooms at the old Warkworth Station for that getaway break with added railway interest!

Thanks, gentlemen. We are staying at the Waiting Rooms, a conversion of the old railway station on the ECML at Warkworth. Hope to go to Edinburgh from Alnmouth and will treat ourselves to first class. There's a nice model railway shop on Leith Walk....

Morning Jeff, Good to see that the bridge is making steady progress and no doubt will be finished before I next return to RMweb. I'll have a SWMBO from tomorrow, so will be away to Northumberland for a week and as I don't have a lap top 'puter or one of those fancy eye phone thingies, I will not be able to keep in touch. Looking forward to leafing through all the railway books at Barter Books in Alnwick's old railway station though.

Morning Jeff, I agree with Jason, the Hornby buildings can be a bit on the crude side and while they can be customised a la Larry Goddard, I am sure you will be able to out-detail any ready to use stuff that is available and enjoy the pleasure that comes from doing it yourself.

Morning Jeff, I can see what you're up to now, just was a bit confused by talk of cattle creeps and tunnels. Regarding Jenny, I am just glad I opted for the loft rather than a shed in the garden, but then some folks do not get the choice and while in a perfect world we shouldn't have to think about security, we don't live in a perfect world. Humans are the most greedy creatures on the planet and as my old grand-dad used to say, hungry when their bellies are full.

Morning (just) Jeff. A bit quiet on here again. Are Lunesters out in the SUN tending their gardens? Am following the aqueduct/tunnel/cattle creep with interest but a little confused but expect things will become clearer. I like railways where the track goes under and over structures. I see that Andy in 5891 has elevated you to god status now, that's something to live up to!

01.28 Jeff, good grief, get some sleep man. You'll not be fit to do anything when you get back. Too much thinking about that aqueduct? It's still good modelling weather here, cold, grey and damp.

Well Jeff, you're not missing much this side of the Pennines, grey cloud and drizzle in the air brought in by a steady north-easterly. Cast walls are all well and good but do they follow the profile your landscape and how many drystone walls have you seen that are only three courses high, plus capping?

By gum Jeff, it's quiet on here, too much Easter chocolate eaten by Lunesters?

It seems as though all you plasterers need a dehumidifier - Ebac a good North Eastern product.

Morning Jeff, and what a beautiful morning it is, if on the chilly side. I hope that door is doing its job? As KK says, it does not pay to be away from this thread too long as some serious time has to be committed to catching up. The aqueduct idea certainly seems original and rarely seen in model form, at least in my experience. I read there are rumours of narrow gauge? There were some lovely NG layouts at the York show in all scales. It makes me want to get on with my 009, but then there's the loft to do and I bought some suburban coach sides at York, all I need is time, which is in short supply.

Really good to have you back Gordon and you are inspiring me to get my loft sorted so that a layout can begin, I just wish the weather would start to warm up, a least a bit.

Hi Jeff Re: Office closures some time ago, yes the Stockton office closes at the end of October, but I am safe in my job and will probably move to a public office in Darlington to do my work. Now regarding this idea, do you want to work on an area, but if you do, you will have no access to the area behind? For instance, do you want to disguise the rift valley joints or work on the stream bed, but if you do you will not able able to slide the rift valley out which will prevent work behind the viaduct?

Hi Jeff, still around and looking in. It looks like you've caused a world plaster shortage - a good job the NHS went over to plastic splints. Just feeling sorry for my colleagues on Tyneside. Today is their last operational working day and next week they pack-up the office and collect their redundancy cheques.