fulton

Even within the EU there are checks, on the Belgium/French border, on the E40 there was a temporary set up which has now been rebuilt as a more permanent set up, I have been stopped there and my van searched, really looking for stowaways, recently travelling from Poland to Germany, German customs had a temporary set up doing random checks, I did not get stopped but did get a very hard looking at, I suppose being a UK registered van. As to Eurostar I think a competitor is pure fantasy, good for us to speculate and huff and puff, but there is no economic case for it, if it did happen it would be like a new budget airline, minimal investment, leased trains and infrastructure, staff on temporary contracts, with funding for, say six months, if no profit then it closes down.

I once had the experience of being delayed on the M25, going to Heathrow, ended up parking in the short term carpark, I would have missed my flight otherwise, yes it was expensive! I only had hand luggage and already had my boarding card, so went straight to security with 35 minutes to spare, at security they said if it had been less than 30 minutes I would not have been allowed to go through, so you do need to get there early.

sorry miss sent

While this project is some time from starting, I have dipped in with the lorry, which I can also use on my Janes' Creek project.

Delivery of Yellow Stocks from Smeed Dean of Sittingbourne, to Strood Esplanade, a break in unloading, enjoyed building the first Langley Models AEC lorry, so built a second, figures from Modelu, bricks from Scale Model Scenery.

AEC lorry, with stationary steam engine load, just collected from the Invicta Engineering Works, Strood, just needs to be tied down and sheeted, modified Langley Models kit, 3D printed load, Scalescenes downloaded brick wall.

I once visited an exhibition in Holland, the operators on one layout were doing just that, it was a large, probably scale length, branch, very nice modelling, very nice stock in the staging, never seen anything move as it wasn't time, I think there were four trains scheduled that day! We all have to tweak reality, very few of us have room to build full size, even if we did, could you transport and set up such a layout, with the crew available, as a visitor I want to see trains moving, as an exhibitor I also want to play trains, sorry operate. Photo of my layout at the recent Exeter show, this is actually scale size, but with the trackwork tweaked, try to have constant switching/shunting going on, the carfloats act as the staging.

Some single track lines were built with double track bridges, with the intention to double track in the future, often did not happen, I have in mind my local line to the Isle of Grain, in Kent.

Looks like it could be asbestos, I would not take the risk, these old controllers, and some other old electrical equipment, needs to be disposed of properly, modern replacements are not expensive and generally better.

I think you maybe mistaken, I am sure it would have been 8-track at that time, unless someone knows better.

I have that same problem as well, I put it down to my internet speed but maybe that is not the problem.

Ever since this thread started I have been meaning to take a walk and take just these pictures, so good somebody has done it, little can left to the left of the footpath as the "new" military road, which effectively replaced the railway, is there, not sure of the current status of the road but it still displays signs that it is a military road and can be closed at anytime.

Had to smile while watching the WW2 BBC drama Saturday evening, when the Spitfire was hit, his wingman told the pilot to EJECT NOW, did check Wikipedia, was surprised ejector seats were being developed during WW2, thought they were later, started to be fitted to production aircraft in the late 1940's

One of my pet moans is the amount of brown field land, that could be developed, plus the number of urban/city derelict or semi derelict properties or even just time expired properties that could be redeveloped before green field land, I know there are extra costs but there is also some help with tax for brown field sites, a brown field site at the end of my road, with planning for around 300 houses and flats has stood for 25 years now, my own house is built on brown field land, I worked for the developer and a profit was made.

I once sat as a Juror, following that, seeing how easily things can get out of hand, the alleged incident was in public view, I would never be alone with a child unless they were one of mine.

Reminds me, when we were on holiday in Canada, our coach driver said to relax he goes off hiking, might not see anyone for two to three days, asked what we do, someone shouted out "we go down the garden shed!"

I try to take a relaxed attitude when exhibiting, you have to expect children to be curious, virtually all the damage to my layouts has been at my own hands, while setting up and transporting. When I was involved in organizing exhibitions we had hop ups available, parents signed a waiver (do not know if that meant anything legally) and paid a £1 deposit, was very popular and much appreciated.

Been there, done that, have the T shirt!

Point rodding can be round or square depending on period and company, Modelu in 4mm suggest round 0.4mm wire is correct for their stools, so would be smaller in 3mm.

I can remember taking part in seminars run by the House Builders Federation, 30 years ago where it high lighted the massive difference between new households being created and new houses/flats being built, that has continued under all Governments, we live on a small island with an ever growing population, hence the shortage leading to high property prices and high rents, with people living in substandard accommodation that is time expired, and should be renewed. We all have problems with change, at the moment my neighbour is building a house in their garden behind me, I would sooner it was not there but I spent over 30 years doing just that, so can't really say much! How nice it would be to live in a country with a low population density, a women I worked with was going back to Lithuania to get married, one of the wedding gifts was a building plot, so they could build their own house, so different to here.

Most developers are public companies and publish accounts, all the information should be there to work out profit or loss per unit, I spent 32 years working for developers, most years a profit was made but considering the high risk, and the money paid out before any return, the return on capital compared to other industries was average to poor.

This was my Home Signal for Beluncle Halt/Miskin Sidings, now has a home on my new layout, representing the Outer Home at Strood, on the line to Maidstone.

When ordering from outside the UK, also remember to add in the currency conversion fee, I factor in all the costs, the item, postage, VAT, handling fee and currency fee, if it still makes sense I order, never (fingers crossed) had a bad experience, if I end up not paying VAT that is a pleasant bonus for me.

When I built the model of Beluncle Halt/Miskin Sidings, a former signalman who travelled with the train to open and work the ground frame, in the 1960s,, said there were unused levers that had previously worked the protection signals. Photo of my model built in 1975, did not know at that time lettering should have been dark blue, one of the signals and the loading gauge now have a home on my new layout.

Was disappointed, some years ago when building my summer house and workshop, to find it was cheaper to buy the nails in little packets from B&Q than my local builders merchants loose.