Not Jeremy

Portents of doom aside, I have had a canter through the book in order to give a sense of where it takes us. Up to page 15 images explore the branches westwards from South Greenford Halt as far as New Passage, on the same page Sandford and Banwell and then to Whitehall Halt on page 24, followed by Christow Station and points west to St Ives engine shed on page 40. Gloucestershire to the midlands via the Severn Valley and Bumble Hole runs to Gobowen on page 57, then South Wales starts with Usk and Cefntilla Halt on page 59, running west to Wolf's Castle for Teffgarne Rocks on page 91, at thirty odd pages the largest section in the book. The W&L kicks off for the rest of Wales, which runs until page 98 at Bonwm Halt. Then two pages of absorbed tanks in South Wales, followed by the colour section from page 101 to 122 and the end of the book, following the same geographical route as before. The captions are informative, although in most instances the dates of the actual photographs are not given. Whilst the photographs are predominantly from the BR era, there are a significant number of GWR era shots, including an interesting shot of a Dean Goods on a freight running through Blue Anchor that features one of those lovely "Writhlington Kilmersdon Foxcote Collieries K" wagons. And that's quite enough from me!

I have just taken this book into stock, and I am very impressed with it indeed. I am biased, in that I like the “Suvvern” rather a lot, and also the Withered Arm rather especially, but even allowing for my bias this is a completely wonderful collection of images from photographers who really knew what they were doing. The Transport Treasury curates and makes available a large number of high quality images, and Jefferey Grayer has picked some absolute corkers in putting this book together. I either have, or have looked at, pretty much everything ever published on this subject and I can honestly say that this book is up there amongst the very best of them. This publisher doesn’t ever produce “bad” books, but the quality of reproduction and printing of this particular book is really first class, lots of visual punch and plenty of interest in the subjects chosen too. I have added it to my collection, not least because I am currently working on a model of 34040 “Watersmeet”, not an especially photographed locomotive, and there are two lovely portraits of it in this book. Deep joy and well done to the author and publisher both!

Well bless you Jon, some consider being “spotted” by a seagull a blessing! I suppose I’d call it more of a leaning, others may lean towards it being more of a calling….. I will otherwise conduct a forensic analysis of the proportions of the so far identified Western geographies contained within the book when I am next in the vicinity of it.

This new book has just arrived into stock and as evidenced by questions on Strathwood's "book of the week" thread it has caused some interest. I have therefore decided to start a thread dedicated to the book, starting with the same post that I just put on the above thread, in response to a question from a prominent RMwebber who suffers from a bit of a Western persuasion.... Hi Robin, well after a week and on the basis that Kevin presumably hasn't received any more copies yet, I'll give a stab at an answer for you. It's pretty good, images are drawn largely from the Great Western Trust and the Online Transport Archive, plus a few of the author's and also from his collection. There is a worthwhile "colour section" including some real gems, such as a couple with their dog awaiting their train at Golant Halt and a gloriously grubby "Brettel Lane", just north of Stourbridge Junction. The author states his intention to use images of use to modellers and that have generally not been seen in print before, and I would say he is successful in this. Overall it is a worthwhile book that covers its subject well - a lot of the images being taken in earlier BR years when there was more variety. It is particularly strong when it comes to South Wales and its lines, a fascinating area and well recorded in this book. I have it in stock and my take on it is here. It is also in stock at Booklaw, and of course you can also purchase it direct from the actual publisher Pen and Sword. Or Strathwood, obviously - when it comes back into stock😉 Simon

Hi Robin, well after a week and on the basis that Kevin presumably hasn't received any more copies yet, I'll make a stab at giving you an answer. It's pretty good, images are drawn largely from the Great Western Trust and the Online Transport Archive, plus a few of the author's own and also some from his collection. There is a worthwhile "colour section" including some real gems, such as a couple with heir dog awaiting their train at Golant Halt and a gloriously grubby "Brettel Lane", just north of Stourbridge Junction. The author states his intention to use images of use to modellers and that have generally not been seen in print before, and I would say he is successful in this. Overall it is a worthwhile book that covers its subject well - a lot of the images being taken in earlier BR years when there was more variety. It is particularly strong when it comes to South Wales and its lines, a fascinating area and well recorded in this book. I have it in stock and my take on it is here. It is also in stock at Booklaw, and of course you can also purchase it direct from the actual publisher Pen and Sword. Or Strathwood, obviously - when it comes back into stock😉

A short parcels working earlier today

On the other hand, it’s all a bit “a bloke down the pub told me” isn’t it.? Supposing the “member of the public” just had a grudge against the person? Not impossible is it? Keep worrying guys, and when you get your jobs on the gates of the forthcoming concentration camps for those that just don’t understand groupspeak, for Christ’s sake make sure the hinges are oiled and that all the razor wire meets current safety standards. Completely barking!!

Yes, and all hopefully more detailed than the last…….

Honey’s off dear……

Best just not to go to any shows, stay at home and enjoy discussions on RMweb about why you did, or didn't, or something else, etc Repeat ad nauseam. Job done!

A really great day as Jerry says, and thank you also from me to everyone who came along to the show, it is all of you who make the show what it is. But especially to Kim, Paula, Edna and Yvonne (not to forget flying Dave) in the kitchen, who worked so hard and were so very cheerful. Just the best. I had promised not to post any more silly photographs, but when Steve and I returned to the hall from the Shoffice towards the end of the clear up, we couldn't help but feel we'd wandered in to some sort of opening scene, I give you Messrs. Simpson Clifford and Griffin in Sergio Leone's little known "Once upon a time in the East" (of Bath) Simon

Larkrail is "GO". It is not raining in Bath, the car park has completely dried out and is open for our use. The minibus is running well (pictures not by Lord Snowdon) Well behaved dogs welcome.. Time for tea!

It's coming together... Steve and Charlie setting up the demo tables Titfield teas to come Pete and Andy on set Not fully assembled and dressed yet, but wow! Pizza and beer time now - see you tomorrow!

Downward wetness from the edge of the bijou galvanised walkway above the car park. We will still be able to use most of the outside part of the car park, even if the water does not clear. The car park itself inside is perfectly dry, the problem is that we will only be able to access it on foot through the vehicular entrance, where the standing water is about 6" deep at most, so not possible without wellies!

Weatherwise, it is still wet but is due to ease off a bit shortly. This has caused us a bit of a problem, in that the car park beneath Bath Brewery that we are due to use is currently partly under water. The rain is due to clear later and tonight and the more detailed forecast for tomorrow in Bath currently looks to be rather better rain-wise. That said, talking to the people in the main building it apparently takes some time for he water to disperse when this happens. If the car park remains flooded and we are not able to use it, "plan b" is for folk to park in the higher car park and also along the main road. (There is a lot of unrestricted parking along the old A4 here, especially at weekends) What I would ask everyone to do, whatever happens, is to leave space in the upper car park for Brian to get in and turn the minibus, there will be people in the shop to help with this. Here's to drier times, it is raining less hard..... Simon

Another item to be seen at the show, Reverend Weech's very own headboard from when they got their "proper" engine, number 1462.

Archibald was always a bit of a crazy mixed up kid, and I'm afraid that during his period working for Kernow Enterprises in the early Eighties he became a bit too carried away with Margaret, Sid and the rather mercenary and unfeeling spirit of the times. I think he's OK now, but sometimes you just can't tell.... Anyway, as is well known, Evening Star in the event rose to the occasion and saw out the Somerset and Dorset line through "Midford by Earlsdon" in very fine style. After the "forty year rule" I can now, for the first time, reveal the photographic evidence of the truth of which I speak. Sadly Kernow Enterprises, [upon the return of its locomotive, which (the return of) was never in doubt] then sold the locomotive to scrap dealers at Tatworth North in a particularly shoddy piece of commercial chicanery. Complete with the improved pony truck that Bath by Earlsdon shed had fitted! In case anyone is wondering, the Evening Star we know and love is in fact a much better Bachmann model from years later. And please note that the box at Midford has already been taken out in these pictures, as it had already been removed for restoration work pending its installation on "Engine Wood", where it served faithfully for many of the last forty years. Thereby demonstrating the sincerity and good faith, always, of Mr Harold Morris and his helpers, one of whom I might have been, many years ago. I'm glad we have got all that sorted out - now back to the show! We are currently enjoying a lovely drop of rain, and all of our rooves and gutters are performing well.

Not to be confused with "barf", of course, although now I think about it.... Reactions to unsettling smugness amongst sections of the populace apart, this can also be the result of too heavy a session in the Larkhall Inn...

Blimey, I had to look that up! Well done sir - we don't get this quality of frolicking erudition in many threads on RMweb.....

While we are all waiting for our cakes to rise, perhaps we could try a little caption levity, my effort for starters: "I told you we should have ignored that bloke in the hand woven sandals who said he could save us money and the planet...."

Well quite, although not all of us are quite that young.... Here is one Harold Swift, circa 1975, marching in a pageant of some sort towards Larkhall Square, just in front of Victoria Place. Otherwise known as "Skip", he passed away in 2002, having given a lot of his time and energy to the scouting movement. You should have been there the day we went to Bregenz and "lost" Phil Flaherty - oh how the grown ups looked worried(!) You don't get this kind of local colour for most shows, even if they have got hugely detailed lists of exact details of blue period diesel multiple thingummy depot track planz... zzzzzzzzzzz....

And with any luck, it will soon be available at a super new Lidl just down the road... By the way, I wouldn't mention this to anyone you meet in Larkhall, as we are all apparently up in arms over the damage it will do to the local beavers, traffic chaos, affordable prices in Bath (whaaat??), noise, pollution, wrecking Larkhall's shops, the dandelions, the cracks in the pavement, yada yada yada. This is a slightly controversial subject for some of us......

Any spare goats, I'd take them down the Larkhall Inn and see how you get on. Avoid Ma Cuisine though, they put all sorts of strange things in their rissoles.... Will Larkhall ever forgive me....

Payment at the door will be welcomed in cash, there is no card payment facility. But looking on the positive side it is in the national currency, you will not be needing Larkhall Groats. Simon

Ah, that was Mk II in the following year, when that spirited and ingenious Harold Morris impersonator abducted the 9F that Kernow Enterprises refused to release to keep the "Pines" running (round in circles). I think some of us have never quite forgiven others of us for those events of forty years ago. Ooops, too much information (again) Anyway, I've got great plans for something much bigger and better for Harold's current "requirements" (Apart from the medication, obviously) So many trains, so little time......