ardbealach

On Wikipedia eh? 'Intentional covert action? Surely not among such a respected bunch of gentlemen railway modellers. And who should we be protecting ourselves against? (AM)

But surely the man is a saint - just look at his halo! (AM)

Just spotted today!!! The Master Canopy Nudger working in 4mm! (AM)

in a recent posting uax6 said Ah, but they replaced the Forth Bridge Rail for standard sized flatbottom about ten years ago, so it depends on the date of those photos if you will see the forth bridge rail.... ;-) I attach some photos taken away back in 1967 on the Forth Bridge - these have already been added elsewhere on RMweb - which show the track laid on the bridge at that time. And why is it called a 'bridge' and not a 'viaduct'? (AM)

And with a reborn Port Road - should it continue on (with a gauge change) to Ireland? (AM)

'Whithorn' and team safely back after a great weekend at Liverpool. Thanks to Jean, Chris, George and Mike (and all the club members) for making us so welcome - and with the added bonus of us coming second to a worthy layout in the Best Layout Award. (AM)

As a modeller of the same vintage as Tony W - 3 score years + 10 + a few more - my modelling days go back to the 1950's. Back then in the 1950's, and sixties, I recall many layouts featured in the Railway Modeller being set in the Pre 1923 pregrouping era, or in the pre-WW2 period of the Big Four, reflecting the memories of the modellers of that time. As has already been said, many layouts of my generation now reflect the memories of our time up to the end of steam and into the green diesel and 1970's BR Blue period. I am sure that as time goes by, for modellers of the future the halcyon days for them will be Pendolinos and Voyagers and other multiple units, and even Class 66's. Model railway manufacturers will continue beefitting from their market research as to what is, or what is not, commercially viable. Finally, I do recall clearly the doom merchants predicting the end of the railway hobby, both full size and in model forms, when steam ended on BR in 1968. How wrong they were. (AM)

How sad I was to read of the early death of Gareth, and what a loss he is to the railway modelling community. His skills principally lay in N Gauge and there was always a new layout in progress for exhibitions which would be based on a real location. Our thoughts and prayers to Bob, his father and the family. He will be missed.

Final fettling on Whithorn for its big weekend at the Liverpool Show and a catch up with faces old and new. (AM)

Given the high profile of the recent events at Stamford, would now be an opportune time for the specialist insurers of model railway equipment to give their thoughts on this specialist insurance for the benefit of the railway modelling community. I am think of such topics as (1) how we should put a realistic value on our models and our layouts (2) thoughts and advice for exhibition managers (3) the valuations on scratchbuilt models - not just rolling stock but also buildings and similar structures and how these values can vary from mass produced models (4) how we can account for the unpaid hours put into building models (5) thoughts on security (5) the value of mass produced models no longer in production (6) mass produced models which have ben modified. I could go on! I am not thinking of a code of practice, but a plain English guide on the various aspects of this specialist insurance. Finally having been an exhibitor / operator of many layouts at a number of shows over the years I do not recall ever being shown a copy of the insurance document for the evemt held by the exhibition manager. Also how this exhibition insurance relates to my own model railway insurance. I understand that you cannot insurance the same item with two insurers. Maybe Andy Y might consider this topic as a separate thread? (AM)

As an exhibitor. and scratch builder. I cannot imagine the pain for all those who have lost so much - and for no reason whatsoever. Sadly we will probably never know why the show was targetted, or the reasoning behind the vandalism. (AM)

Found these in my files taken in the early 1960's? in Carlisle. Maybe of interest? (AM)

And how many seats would be empty with those who have reserved their seats and not turned up? Or will they over-book each service and bump off the unlucky ones - airline style? (AM)

I cannot disagree with your comments, Tony, but we are today in the age of instant gratification. If you cannot do it - whatever you are doing - to perfection right away then the attitude is to move on to something else. Sit down at a piano for the first time and expect to play any sort of tune is a disaster, it takes many hours - even years - of practice. Railway modelling also takes years of commitment to achieve an acceptable standard. As they say in Scotland - railway modelling is like linoleum - you need a 'flair' for it. At one time Railway Modeller carried the strap line 'For the average modeller'. Many layouts featured in the magazine do just that. They show what the average modeller can achieve with a bit of time, patience and an understanding of the subject. If the bar is too high on those layouts illustrated then perhaps many prospective modellers might be put off producing anything. As the responder to your RM February 2019 article, my letter (AM) was printed in the March 2019 RM. Like yourself I am at a loss to understand the further correspondence on the topic in the latest May 2019 issue of the magazine. In particular the letter from Mr.Prince and his remarks on 'how Mr.Macdonald manages to avail his trains to pick real passengers' left me scratching my head. For the record my layout 'Whithorn' (RM March 2018) is based on the real location in SW Scotland. The branch was closed to passenger services in 1950, having never made a profit. So the chances of my trains picking up, or setting down passengers were probably very limited! Who knows holograms might be the answer - after all when I started modelling back in the late 1950's who would have predicted DCC sound! (AM)

Would you also include Mornington Crescent on the 'morden layout'? (AM)

Many thanks to Graham and his team for a most enjoyable weekend at Wimrail 2019. 'Whithorn' is now safely back north after a full weekend of positive comments from those who saw it. For myself, the star of the show was Stand 48 'Shades of Grey' in 3mm - the most atmospheric layout I have seen for many a long time. (AM)

Final checks now on Whithorn before heading south next Friday to Wimrail 2019. Looking forward to the weekend. (AM)

On my DCC controlled layout I use the 'F' word in what is the Forward end in my diesel locomotive fleet. The roof Fan is at the Forward end of the locomotive. I cannot say if this works for all diesel locomotives and roof fans. A DMU set is still a bit of a trial and error for forward and backwards, although the marker lights do help. (AM)

But I have seen mammoth sales in the High Street, but I agree not at Hattons (AM)

There is also one at Betws y coed station with layouts, model shop and outdoor miniature railway. (AM)

Found these in my photo collection - 65211 at Parkhead 65C shed in Glasgow - with Blue traiin in the background. 65217 at Kipps Shed. And an another variant 65285 with the cut down chimney. Who dares to be that brutal with their model? And close up of French painted name. Cheers AM

Am I right in thinking that from Dave F's posting (and the comments of other postings) that more modelling would done if RMWeb continued to be off line? Personally I find RMweb a good reason to put off all those modelling tasks. It is only the pressing deadlines of exhibitions which focus my modelling mind. (AM)

Well done - Andy - for all you efforts! I am sure I speak for many who realise just how much RMweb is part of our everyday lives - a bit like water and electricity. And when it is not there..................... Just glad you are back!!

While I typed my posting with 'cows far away' I thought of Father Dougal - thanks for the reminder. (AM)