Not Jeremy

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......

Tickets now produced, featuring a bonus free micro layout design sketch. You can give it any name, scale or owning company that you see fit..... Ideal for students stuck in Coventry with no sense of real purpose and a bit of SMP track. Ooops, too much information....

A further attraction on Saturday is Mike Baker and Martin Finney's Cameo Competition winning "Newton Heath Works".

Even more exciting news, the show is now properly insured. Not sure that covers injuries suffered in the Larkhall Inn though…..

I think what some of us might need is Scrotes milk(!) I remain a bit baffled over the oat conundrum…

I have just been to the hall and picked up the keys, so nothing's going to stop us now! As I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised to see the Larkrail show poster being displayed on the electronic screen gizmo as you walk into the hall. Naomi commented that the person that is in charge of that sort of thing was very impressed with the quality of our poster and the ease of using it, so a big Thank You to Andy York for creating it for us. She also gave me the key to the secret store of extra crockery, so none of us need go without a plate or cup! While I was in the metropolis that is Larkhall, and in order to maintain our incredibly high rating on Tripadviser, obvs. , I went into the Coop in search of the elixir known as Oat milk for certain esteemed visitors from the mining and hill country to the south of the City. Well, what to buy?? I'm afraid I came away empty handed and baffled. So not much change there then...........

Hang on a cotton picking moment, before this hare runs up the A1 and gets lost in the nether regions of the Lincolnshire Wolds, has anyone actually ever done such a thing? If anyone actually has, then they could very easily ask Crecy for a refund, which I am absolutely sure they would receive just as soon as they asked for it. Mike, you really do seem determined to pour as much scorn and derision into this thread as you are able. I know Steve Banks not, but the person upon whom all this opprobrium will end up on top of is yourself and not Steve. Do you know, I think I can almost feel a "Steve Banks is Innocent" movement coming on.... Of course, any actual factual information on the readiness or otherwise of this much anticipated book would be very welcome. Simon

Have just received supplies in Bath, bit slow off the mark for this issue, thank you very much John for sending issues out to me. I just wanted to say how utterly fantastic "Le Bassin" is - superlatives fail me. I knew nothing about this model until I looked through your magazine so thank you very much for featuring it - and to such a high standard too. Reading the magazine and thereby "meeting" the author/instigator and his friends somehow gives me more hope for the human race than I had before reading the article. And those model vehicles - that Citroen Dayane - magnifique! The rest of the magazine is great too and I applaud and take my hat off to both you and Marion for keeping this superb publication rolling, a great achievement already. And a joy to read, always. Thank you. Simon

I don't know all of the "sub text" to this, and have no agenda, but offer the following in good faith: I spoke to Crecy today, whilst ordering more of their books, and had a brief conversation which the very helpful and pleasant chap on the end of the phone, who seemed to me to have a good grasp of what was going on. He is the person who normally answers the telephone when I ring Crecy. He said, of the above book, that it was indeed delayed, and I did not get the impression that he had or knew of any exact date for its publication. I didn't attempt to "drill down", but alluded to the time taken etc, at which point in the conversation he did say that they had received material for the book from the author and that it would be definitely going ahead. I got the impression that this would be sooner rather than later, but have no way of knowing. Speaking as a publisher myself, even with 100% accord, goodwill and plenty of good material, it can still take ages to get a book into print. There are a million and one things that can and do get in the way, and some books never make it. So I think we should all cut the publisher and author(s) a bit of slack. Simon

I have just received apologies from Steve Harrod that he will not be able to make this year owing to a family bereavement. This does mean there will be more space for Andrew Vines of course, who has several lovely "big trains" on the go... Back to Steve, he is therefore the first booking for the 2024 show with his James Hilton inspired micro layout "Larkhill Crossing", which will be finished by then. So in advance of next year's show, here is a foretaste of what he is up to, man at a gate looking out for an AC Cars railbus... How's about that for forward planning!! Simon

You.... you..... you.... Modeller you....!!

Here's just one good reason to stick a new battery in and get yourself up to Larkhall on the 15th - I give you the estimable Brian and his Branchlines...

Thank you very much Scott. The lamp is a miniature work of art in 1/32 scale (G1), one of several batches made by the very talented Chris Tolhurst, famous in 16mm scale especially for his very beautiful bespoke steam engines. Unfortunately for us he has now retired and works on his own models only, I think. Simon

Well, I appreciate that the lighting is poor, but it has to be said that I struggle to see through the windows on W68740. As to what and what isn't inside, I couldn't possibly comment..... The Rapido model is however superb, no matter how you look at it. Simon

Ooh, I just love it when you talk dirty..

Going back to the show, I have today received confirmation that we are able to use the car park below the Bath Brewery on the 15th. Drop down the hill past the brewery and take a left into its yard before the hotel and toll bridge. Very many thanks to Rob Thorpe and his colleagues for once again allowing us the use of their very splendid car park, in front of and inside below the below building. We are also running a minibus shuttle between Tollbridge studios, where the parking is and also the premises of the Titfield Thunderbolt bookshop and Wild Swan Books, which will be open to visitors for the duration of the show. The minibus is provided by the very kind courtesy of Brian Wright (Canal Digger on here), who will be driving the bus in addition to having made it available for our use. Thank you ever so much Brian! And there is lots of stuff coming - a list of delights will appear very shortly.... Simon

Ridiculous lugs on the inside of the roof - whatever are they thinking of!

Not really speaking of sheep, I have just had the most fantastic of afternoons.... ... Thank you very much to Ian Lucas, the new owner of Sid's steamroller, top man! I'm not sure Larkrail is going to be quite so much of a knee trembling experience as that was...

For Gawd’s sake don’t any of you ask for oat milk or any such new fangled concoction in the “Larkhall Inn”, you’ll give mine host a seizure! You’ll be Ok for that sort of thing in the caff or “Ma Cuisine” mind….

Thank you very much for a most enjoyable afternoon Jerry - I think that's a wrap! And with Cookie's attendance confirmed, I'd better try and finish his bespoke gentleman's brake van... Tally ho!

Parking below Fielden Clegg’s Bath Brewery should be available for the show, final permissions being sorted out. Brian is already lined up with minibus to shuttle between shoffice and show. The final planning meeting has now taken place….

Now out and in stock here in Bath, the latest issue of Model Railway Journal. A nice varied content, my take on it is here. Possibly a slightly brave cover shot, in that a few elements of what is nonetheless a very effective picture are a tad unfinished.... Everyone's a critic!! Simon

Nice train, shame about the lavender... What this line needs is a decent photographer!! Simon

As a follow up to the above, I am happy to report that after publication of "my" book, I was contacted by Ian Lucas, the new owner of "Harry's roller", and after some maintenance it is out and about again. Ian had it out at Swindon back in June and took this picture. He is very keen on the history of CH 3282, and if anyone would like to meet him and see the roller, it is going to be at the Heddington and Stockley Steam Fair on the 1st and 2nd July this year. It is a very friendly and reasonably priced event with a relaxed atmosphere, I intend to visit on one of the days. Roll on, my beauty! Simon