Marcus 37

I think Hattons have been reviewing their prices over the last couple of days. I had been looking at the GBRf MJA box wagons a few days ago debating whether I could afford a rake or not. They were £42:50 each. Just looked again today and they've dropped to £39.50. So a rake duly ordered. Not one to miss a bargain.

Now I couldn't possibly comment on that one. But, yep been there too. Usually after coming back from the Devonshire Arms for lunch.

Thanks Leon. It's nice getting stuck in again. Didn't realise how much I had missed doing it. Mind you Diane didn't realise how much she missed the mess when I'm modelling HaHa Thanks Leon. I'll try again after hitting reply to Andys post instead.

Bit more progress this morning. Painted the roof, made some windows and added the window cills. Finally a coat of paint on the first section. Humbrol 90 appears to be fairly close to the prototype.

Hi AndyI was up there two weeks ago but as I parked up in Peak Dale village and walked across the fields I never used the bridge. It would be a shame if it is permanently shut but at least you can still get down there. Better check the one on Peak Dale Wood and make sure that's not in the same condition. Looks a bit rusty to me HaHa

Hi Peter Yep it's nice to have a bit of time to get my teeth stuck into something at last. Currently making Windows so should have something to show later. Cheers Marcus

Large cake and a latte!!! You must be feeling a bit better then. Just need a good bit of rest now then mate and take it easy for a few days. Must admit I'm enjoying my week off from work. Starting to actually feel human again and get stuck into some modelling. Take care mate. Cheers Marcus

I know Jim. Can't believe myself. That iport job is a bit of a grueller. I think they've had Liam out learning it which is only fair as he's been a bit left out in the route learning department since he started. I'm sure they'll catch up with me sooner or later. Just debating whether to do the other side of my roof or go and play trains for a bit. Have a good day mate Cheers Marcus.

And one side of the roof tiled. Think that's enough for today as I've gone cross eyed cutting all those slots. HaHa.

Hi Leon Just having a catch up on your layout. You've done an excellent job of those embankments. Very realistic indeed. The back scene blends in really well with a nice natural transition. Keep up the good work. Cheers Marcus

Hi Mike Sorry for not looking in for a while. The layout now looks truly amazing. The attention to detail is superb. Must admit I do like the virtual quarry at the rear of the station and the look of neglect in the head shunt. Spending plenty of my time at work in those sort of places you've absolutely nailed it. Great work mate. Cheers Marcus.

That was a stroke of luck then. I was up at Peak Forest on the 20th and due to lack of parking I parked up at Peak Dale and walked down through the fields.Wonder if it will get repaired or shut for good? Plenty of trains around including a couple of celebrity repaints. Does seem a bit strange seeing our locos up at PF in abundance. I do like the look of your cassette system. I've thought about it a few times as it would free up some space in the fiddle yard for longer trains. Certainly some food for thought. Layouts looking great by the way. Cheers Marcus

Hi Andy Sorry to here about your fall. That's a nasty bump on the head. Hope you get better soon and everything goes well today at the hospital. All the best Cheers Marcus

Bored?? Not a chance. Can't get enough of this wonderful layout. Keep em comin Peter. Cheers Marcus

Morning All. Shock , Horror..... A week off from work and I'm actually doing some modelling. I think the arrival of the ICI hoppers and the Peak Stone 07 has finally spurred me on. A project that has been waiting in the wings for a while is the Peak Dale Products building which I believe used to be the old offices for Dove Holes quarry. Anybody familiar with Peak Forest will know the building is the one on the corner opposite the depot entrance. I think most of us have used the hard standing at the end of it to park up when visiting the location. For those not familiar a here's a picture below. The shell for the building has been constructed for quite a while as can be seen below from the lack of ballast on the layout. Having managed to pick up some Plastikard from my local model shop I have set about cladding the building over the last couple of days. It's slightly scaled down from the prototype to fit the layout but hopefully gives a good representation once finished. Here's a few pictures of the project so far. Next job is to slate the roof which I shall be using the same method as the station building using overlapped strips of card with slots cut into it with random notches cut out to represent damaged or slipped slates. More to come later. Cheers for now.

Hi Richie Was told yesterday it's back out next week. Will be definitely be able to tell you Monday as I'm booked on it. So we shall see.... Cheers Marcus

Hi Richie Thanks for the kind words. You're certainly right about the all work and no play. Intend on putting that right next weekend. HaHa Currently sat at West Ruislip waiting to head out to Derby with the 20s. The 59 has been diagrammed to 6M40 / 6V14 Westbury to Stud Farm bulk ballast & return. I had it a few weeks back but I believe it's poorly again. Not sure if it's been fixed yet. I'll let you know if it reappears. All the best Cheers Marcus

A few pictures I took back in July whilst up in the Peak District on holiday. Great to see a 37 back in the area even if it's just on glorified shunting duties.

Hi Scott Good to see you back mate. I've been off here for a while as well mainly due to there not being enough hours in the day. Really like the look of the new project. Captures that industrial feel really well. Cheers Marcus

Hi Simon That catenary looks absolutely spot on mate. Definitely well worth the effort. Really brings the layout to life. Cheers Marcus

I was wondering the same. Seems to have gone rather quiet.

Nope. Not this time. I shall be relaxing and consuming several pints of real ale.

Yep count me in. Probably either Thursday or Saturday. Thursday depends on what my dear roster clerk gives me Wednesday.

Nice pictures Andy. 780s looking very spotless. Layouts looking good too. Still haven't managed to do any on mine of late. Works still extremely busy. Too many trains and not enough drivers unfortunately. I managed to get myself the Peak stone 07 but it's still sat in its box at the moment. I did get up to Peak Forest in the summer and managed to cop the 56 and the 37 plus a couple of our trains. Must post them up when I get a chance. Cheers Marcus

I saw it once prior to working it. I was working an intermuddled train on Friday morning and passed it around Lechlade tunnel heading North with the choppers in charge.