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Morning Rob (and all other thread followers,) Any idea as to what might be underneath the tarpaulins in the first 3 open wagons heading North ? I've noticed these in photographs from the 70's and 80's in both Northbound and Southbound trains, all being very regular in shape (ie boxlike) and assumed that the Southbound items may be whisky from Fort William (with hindsight not particularly theft proof !), although I think that I've also seen them in trains from Corpach. I can imagine odd machinery parts travelling Northwards and maybe some general goods but this type of square covered load does seem to have been a very regular flow. Purely a question of interest rather than one that effects any modelling outcomes. Regards, Ian.

Hope that you don't mind Rob but just a quick note regarding the above mentioned DVD ....there are two sets of DVDs with this working title out there and whilst they are both good the DVT version is the one with the excellent footage taken in the 1980's BR blue era, whereas the Globe Video title is set in the late 1990's / 2000's 'multicoloured' era but does at least have some WHL footage .....by the time I get DVT's vol.2 I will have spent £50 this past week learning this lesson, I should have read Andy's post more thoroughly first time around !! Regards, Ian.

It may just be the angle of the photo but the buff coloured van looks like an early Mk1 Transit whereas the other two look more like the later more rounded Mk1s with more roofspace above the cab (.....sorry, mispent youth watching The Sweeny, Guv.)

C7209 would be a great addition to the 'class 08 shunter prototype photos' thread, a great photo Dave.

Hello Andy, My ìnitial reaction on seeing your photos yesterday was "yes, they look a bit light" but having just visited Mallaig 3 times this afternoon in a time machine (courtesy of You Tube) seeing the whole line in 1964, 1985 and 2009 and in most lighting conditions I'd have to say that you've probably got them about right although I was surprised to realise just how much brown there was in the mix. I'd always got the impression that I would use various greys darkening towards black with a few lighter highlights for the lichen patches but I think that you're correct in that burnt sienna should be definately in the mix. Hope this helps. Regards, Ian. PS - I also came across two interesting programmes that I've not seen before; firstly a 20 min one made by STV around 1985-87 called Distant Signals - West Highland Line in the 1980's and another a 5min BBC news clip about the Resignalling at Corrour from 1987 .... I do love these 'time machines !'

Now that could get complicated if both trains had wagons to shunt, would one train be held outside of the station whilst the other completed it's work ?

Avonmouth docks / Bristol harbour maybe ??

Haven't seen the Railways Illustrated review (yet) but I have to agree with @MikeParkin65 comments regarding Last Years of the Deltics which I also think has superb images from cover to cover. Glad that I bought it.

Kilmersdon ??

Success..... 2 days after changing the food in one of my back garden feeders to Sunflower hearts I've just noted 3 Goldfinches tucking in ! Many thanks, Ian.

I hope that steel is not for building that monstrosity of a bridge across the white sands of Morar bay !!

Think that's what I used to do after a Saturday night in Confetties !

Yes, I've seen the same with Coal Tits, literally throwing stuff over their shoulders until they find something that they like. I have some rather exotic grass growing under my main feeders !

Nice to see what they've come in for (ie the fat balls) I have several feeders in my garden but don't often get LTTs although I see them regularly around the area. The other birds I would like to attract more often are the Goldfinches. Again they are quite prevalent in the area and often sit on the telephone wires above my house, I have tried a special feeder filled with Niger seed in a couple of different spots but they rarely bother with it .... any advice or thoughts anybody ? Regards, Ian.

Happy New Year to you Rob and all of the other followers of WHLv.4; I look forward to seeing the 2021 developments and the 'big shutdown restart !' Cheers, Ian. PS Don't forget tonight's program on BBC Alba at 9pm.

Another 'heads up' from the F of WHL .... Dec 31st, 9-10 pm, BBC Alba ....Coel na Loidhne (The Song of the Track.) Featuring the Mallaig Extension and celebrates the newly discoverved photos of the WHL, which I would imagine are those in the book mentioned above. I think (hope) that the program will have subtitles for us Sassenachs ! Regards, Ian.

Quite fascinating ! Thanks for posting.

Best wishes Grahame and thankyou for all of the inspirational subjects and information that we've been treated to throughout the year. Cheers Regards, Ian.

I do like your scenic Garelochhead section, Rob and look forward to seeing it progress out onto the ledge. Seasons greetings, Rob and to all who avidly follow this thread. Best wishes, Ian.

I was looking for the 'groan' response but it seems to have disappeared (?) as I'm not a fan of these supplements in this publication, which I've bought since seeing the initial taster.

It's strange how certain photographs ignite the senses, I have just been scrolling down through yesterday's selection from York and as soon as my eyes took in image J9069.jpg I could immediately hear and feel the vibration of Valenta engines, feel the breeze blowing through the station and hear the station announcers voice echoing and almost smell the atmosphere ! None of the other also excellent photos invoked this reaction but if I scroll back up again I get the same sense of being there 'present in the station' .....spooky.....but very welcome, thankyou !! Seasons greetings to all. Regards, Ian.

I've just received notification from The Friends of the WHL regarding a new book that is now available which I thought may be of interest to others, although I suspect that most of the 123 photos will be from a period much earlier than any of us model I'm sure that it will give a fascinating insight into the toil and strain that went into the building of the Mallaig Extension.

Thanks for the very thorough, informative post Rob, I think that you've just endeared 37 039 to me even more than the Tom Noble photo already had. Great stuff. Regards, Ian.

Loving that colour, Dave ..... Esholt Sewage Works Brown perchance ??

You'd better not look at Young37215's WHL V.4 topic for a while then as I've just posted something regarding 37 039 ! Apologies in advance, Ian.