S.A.C Martin

This is an update I've been meaning to post for a while now, but couldn't find the relevant photographs to do it with! I've been building a shed for 56C, being made from plasticard, Peco Roof kits, Scalescene scratch building aids and similar - in essence, it has been built in the same way as the carriage shed. Here's a few photographs, taken at the end of August: Since these pictures were taken, I've added a lot more details to it and weathered it - full photographs next week when I'm back from uni and able to photograph the layout with all my stock...and hopefully some steam effects too... There's still a lot more to do to the layout - weathering rails, fixing all the ballast down properly, and of course, the yard lamps and what have you. I'm enjoying looking at my little corner of Leeds, mind!

Died in the wool LNER I am, but if they offered me a Dukedog, well...I'd gnaw Bachmann's arms off to get one! Looking at the pictures of the CoT - it just looks phenomenal. Everything is where it should be - rivets and all! Colour looks spot on too. Is this going to be a Deltic beater I wonder?

Glad to hear I can save up for a standard edition one then! Bodes well for a future Stirling Single. Absolutely thrilled - its an absolute stunner CoT and no doubt will get rave reviews in the modelling press Plus, as I stated earlier, Dukedog anyone...

Has the cat been let out of the bag yet? I seem to recall a certain Mr Leigh stated we'd know by the end of the week...

Might I add the NRM also has an email list for people who bought deltics - this was also key in their research for deciding the next model, I'm led to believe. When I rang up two years ago to order my deltic, I asked if they knew what was next - and the locomotives measured up by Bachmann, according to the lovely voice on the other end, stated the Stirling Single (my personal preference), Black no.5000 and of course, City of Truro... ...which I will still buy - let's face it, an RTR CoT is not going to come around every year!

Arsenal seem to have a lot of bad luck! Well done to Chelsea, a very blue bus parked in front of goal and three very decent goals (in fact one of Drogba's was pure class).

Hi all, Been quite ill recently! A swine flu bout, followed by an infected lung and throat. Happily after four weeks of bed rest, antiobiotics and lots of strepsils and lemsips, I'm feeling much better and raring to do some modelling (if funds allow before Xmas!) Until next time (with a full and proper update).

With regards Curbishley to Pompey - he'd take it on I think. He has just won a legal dispute over West Ham United over unpaid earnings, and constructive dismissal. Curbs wins court Case I think he'd make the most of Pompey's current squad, but (I'm sad to say) that I'm not certain he could stop them getting relegated at this stage - while he managed it with WHU a few years back at the same stage, Pompey are in a worse position in terms of squad and confidence. Which saddens me - I always enjoyed the Charlton - Pompey fixtures in the top flight. Not sure when that'll happen again, thats for certain...

Just heard that the wigan players have refunded the away supporters out of their own wages - I think thats to be applauded, frankly - would any other football team do so after a result like that?

Watching that last video link (thanks michael) I'm starting to grow quite fond of these machines! The sound and shape is definitely something unique to these British Isles now - its got character, which I think is what is making it more and more appealing to have in model form...!

How many??????!!!!!!!

My beloved Charlton Athletic clawed a point back against Yeovil after a sending off in the 28th minute - straigth red for Sam Sodje, though the murmurings on the football forums suggest it was unwarranted - justice then, his brother Akpo Sodje equalised for the addicks! 6 points behind Leeds who have a game in hand after winning 3-0 today - can anyone in league 1 catch the might of Leeds?

I must confess, my blood boiled somewhat today watching sky news and seeing the incidents play back - looking at the position of the referee and linesmen, I know I what I would have given if I'd been refereeing that match... A right shame, and heartbreaking, I can imagine.

Hopefully the same thing! Given the level of openness Mr Leigh has shown us, and the respect with which he has shown us, surely it would be fair to extend the same level of courtesy and at the least, show some manners? I would prefer to buy a finished Sentinel with a particular livery applied - that way I know I am getting the best paint finish for my money. I wouldn't be comfortable having to apply branding myself onto the model when I know a better finish overall can be achieved RTR.

Interesting 0-16.5 Engine I've been looking at this engine with some interest. It has what I believe is a rivarossi chassis, and bits of a Hornby "Bill" or "Ben" saddletank coupled with some parts from a Dapol Pug kit, and a cab which looks scratchbuilt. I'm interested. My finger was hovering over the "bid" button. If I did end up buying it, I'd make some changes to the model - removing the weathering being the first job, maybe adding a few details - and definitely making it an 0-4-2 as opposed 0-4-0. I had told myself I'd build all the rolling stock for my layout myself, but I'm looking at this little engine and wondering if I have a little corner for it somewhere. I've a few days to think about it - but if the price goes up any higher, I'm afraid as a poor student, I won't be bidding. The look of it has inspired me though - surely I could make something that good?

In my spare time I'm a referee too - it goes both ways! Should I not have the right of response to an over zealous manager? As far as the Referee's Association and FA are concerned, I don't get one... For the record, Wenger/Redknapp/Benitez/Alladyce/etc, if not most of the top division would be on my hit list for managers who need to be told to firmly "shut up" with regards refereeing. It's cause and effect: managers build pressure up to a game so and wonder why the referees are nervous/make mistakes/etc. In the case of that match, Wiley was shown to be physically fit - seemingly more than some of the United midfielders, given his distance covered on the pitch in comparison to them! And while he did miss a penalty claim for United, there was also a counter claim down in the United penalty box which went unheeded too. At the end of the day, it isn't pleasant for those trying to do their jobs, and Fergie (whatever his accomplishments have been) should be more respectful of that. I'll quote from the article: Hits the nail on the head for me - because he's a successful manager he should know better and therefore be more respectful. I can't imagine any referee coming out with "he's not fit to manage" just because Sir Alex has spent 90 minutes on the touchline mouthing off at him, and then getting away with said comments...

BR Corporate Blue for me

In no way am I trying to wind you up. In all batch manufacturing there will be samples which are faulty. That is a fact of manufacturing. When the problems with said samples occur is completely arbitrary as to the extent of the problems with said samples. In the first batch of the 17s, there were indeed problems which I would call a problem in manufacturing, as opposed the usual run of a batch with a few faulty models. I have no doubt that in every batch of models produced this year for the British market, at least one or two in a hundred has been faulty and only discovered after reaching the consumer or retailer. Cheers, Simon

With respect to the matter of two not working - until it becomes a 100 out of a batch fault, then two is not only hardly represenative of any manufacturing problems, but two "failures" out of a batch is to be expected in manufacturing terms, in all honesty. Not every single model which comes off the production line will be perfect, even if they have been put together with identical components...

Ferguson gets touchline ban Am I the only person in the world who knew exactly what Ferguson meant when he said Wiley wasn't fit? He clearly meant not fit to referee, not "physically fit" which is what he has claimed it was to cover his back. I listened to a repeat of his post match tirade on sky sports the day it happened and it was appalling he could get away with that. In my opinion, a 10 match ban from the touchline would have been quite sufficient. The abuse referees get is nothing short of soul destroying for the few who are still refereeing the nation's game, and it needed to be nipped in the bud. This hasn't helped, I fear.

I like that! Boxy, american... Let's call them "Fords"!

I've had that same thought, albeit as a single fairlie as opposed double. It certainly looks like it could scrub up well. I have four of these on order with the intention of turning one of these into a quarry Hunslet a like, albeit going the whole hog and making it outside framed...! Yep, same - Echo kit. I'm planning to bash this model a hell of a lot to make something a little bigger... That does look rather interesting, I'll have to have a little think about the stock... I have to say - not built anything yet - but the research into types, the landscape I'm planning and similar is hideously addictive. I really want this project to come out well, hence the long and prolonged planning stage. However a little 0-16.5 modelling on the side while planning should be okay. I did have a moment of madness considering this to make an L&B style mallet...0-16.5 Mallet...?

Thanks neil, I'm having nightmares about getting this next bit wrong, mind...!!! The driving wheel splasher is the thing that'll make or break the look of this model...

YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! Heljan, you beauties!!! I'll take three please, in TTG!

P'boro part company with Ferguson That's a daft decision the P'boro board has made, surely? He took them up two divisions in two years. I think a fans backlash is on its way...