Norm81

I guess having a BR Blue Class 60 counts as freelance? Although it's probably more a what might have been, likewise for my plans to build Class 142 centre cars.

This seems as relevant a place as any to ask, any issues with me running bauxite & olive green sealions with an olive green and/or dutch liveried shark(s)? I think the dutch shark may be a little outside my era which is really BR Blue/Railfreight red stripe in the 1980's? I guess the sealions won't always need the shark as they're dual braked (I think......), only if heading to be unloaded?

All I can see that's left is presumably the cap of the mine shaft just towards the coast from the school.

Ch 3 in Ken Hoole's "Rail Centres: Newcastle" is dedicated to these, unfortunately only a few pages though.

I had a quick look when I first arrived today with intentions to come back, then ran out of time! Will add the couple of pics I took when I get them onto my pc, if my camera skills were any good you'd struggle to tell it wasn't 304.8mm/ft...

I have to say, I've bought some bits and pieces from him a good few times now. He even dug out some wheelsets I'm struggling to find, nothing was too much trouble. No connection other than a satisfied repeat customer. I would've given up and binned it by now myself though!

Wrong side of the water, but today I stumbled upon these Tyneside electrics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55727763@N02/8044478612/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/55727763@N02/8038830993/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/55727763@N02/5172672083/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/55727763@N02/5173932277/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/55727763@N02/5172656237/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/55727763@N02/5172653693/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/55727763@N02/5172657513/ Couldn't find out where to grab the code on flickr to post the images up with the copyright info etc anymore...

The north side is the "right" side, if you're thinking of going to Sunderland don't forget your passport and make sure your tetanus is upto date! Not sure exactly where the north portal of the tunnel going down to the riverside was but I couldn't see any evidence in the retaining wall that's still there as the metro shot past it earlier today. Didn't go for a wander round the quayside unfortunately.

I recognised spillers mill in that photo with the J72, pity it's gone now but I guess it'd been sat idle for quite some time.

I really did think the entrance was more in line with the west gable end of the church, which would put it closer to the turning circle. If the end of the wall still visible is the same as in the picture above, then the building the chimney is attached to must be longer than I've thought or something, nevermind.

The large retaining wall is hidden by earth, however the smaller one can still be seen. If i've got this link right you can see where it changes in construction which is where I reckon the tunnel mouth would be: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=54.971436,-1.593581&spn=0.000861,0.004106&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=54.971443,-1.593398&panoid=pZJ923M3gQQK2Fhp6FZJ-g&cbp=12,299.8,,0,-1.35 there's "40" marked on the wall just by the change, and the silver legs of a chair sticking up out of the embankment. Next time I'm in town and the weather's ok I'll probably have a mooch along.

Really interesting, I might go and have a wander down one day. I think the inset tracks are all gone now and it's just road leading to the pitcher and piano. The retaining wall is now hidden by an embankment i think.

I've been inspired by this topic to take a couple of 142 bodyshells and chop them into a centre car! I think all I need is a razor saw, mitre box, some liquid poly and some bravado to get cutting?

Apologies for reviving this, but I've had a go, it's not the best mind... also had a bit of a head start by using the LLB one from ficticious liveries - original pic isn't mine. http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc496/Anas_platyrhynchos/Class60RRS_zps764f9c46.jpg

I'll be following this with interest, as I want to upgrade all mine, including fitting hazard lights.

or Man who go through airport turnstile sideways, he going to Bangkok.

I've had something off them for a reasonable price, was good customer service too - no connection other than a satisfied customer.

That'll be what I usually refer to as the "bored bloke zone", I will keep trying to persuade M&S to get a tv with sky sports put there... Can't remember how or when I told SWMBO but I'd made sure she was well on the hook beforehand that's for sure. Been to a few shows last year but think she's getting a bit bored of them now, prefers me modelling to being away fishing as at least I'm in the same house and can still talk to me.

I struggled to find it on that website if there is and can't see where they would deviate it to from what I remember of the local geography.

Opening "Big tunnel" won't be easy, you can only just see the top of the portal furthest from Keswick and the other one is completely buried. Walked from Keswick as far as the caravan park after the big tunnel and back last year.

Good example of how to make an arse of yourself on eBay..... i'll get me coat

Brand new though - not used as those two links I posted, one of which doesn't have it's box either.

I think everyone's gone mad, must've got too 'merry': http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181048439343?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 went for £59 then there's another 142 for £75(!!!) BIN: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-Class-142-BR-Pacer-railbus-Regional-Railways-GMPTE-R451-/330838593664?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D4459178280417029158%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D181048439343%26 sorry and all that but they're worth £35-ish tops in my opinion, but I guess if fools want to pay more...

Slightly OT here, but that cab front was under Manchester Vic station and has been repaired and is now in the hands of the Pacer Preservation Society.

Our regular favourite Gostude is at it again: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-R297-MANCHESTER-CLASS-142-PTE-PACER-DMU-LOCO-No-55554-with-DCC-FITTED-mv-/221081062643?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item3379754cf3 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LIMA-5052-BR-SUPER-SPRINTER-CLASS-156-DMU-SET-with-Hornby-R8249-DCC-FITTED-m-/370674279586?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item564de8a4a2 I didn't think fitting a DCC chip doubled the value!