Not Jeremy

What hasn't been reported is that this issue marks the standing down of John Copsey as editor, together with other comments about the journal both past and present. Once the current "subscription cycle" is completed, it will be going over to a more "book like" production produced on a less frequent basis. As far as reasons for delay go, illness played a part I think, but also considering future options for the journal. At least with the new arrangements nobody will have dates to worry about. End of an era really, and one hell of an achievement too. Simon

Having studied it at length at Warley I can report that it looks great, and from tomorrow it will even be in stock at the Titfield Thunderbolt Bookshop in Bath for anyone round yur who wants to see it "in the flesh". Three cheers for Peco, made in the UK, looks like bullhead, available ex stock (not in occasional batches), properly robust and as theevilpupster has demonstrated easily formed into flowing curves without all that tedious web chopping malarkey. I look forward to seeing the range develop and OO modellers at last being truly happy in their chosen scale. And I think the "finescale longer look" of the earlier range remains a brilliant piece of marketing, with more than a shred of truth to it too. Simon

Here we go. I did not say it was "blindingly obvious" - I said it was a "blindingly good idea", which it manifestly is. I completely agree with you that it is It is very far from "obvious", but beyond that I'm afraid the obscure and faux detailed piffle that you go on to entertain us with doesn't impress. Your "real facts and figures" - I suppose they were the ones used to create the ongoing and disgraceful GW electrification disaster? Perleassse…...

Rick, any rebuilding of the route through Okehampton would be IN ADDITION to the coast route and would NOT replace it!! My wife has a job that requires going to Plymouth on a regular basis. To leave home at 5.45am, pay significant prices for a ticket and then get to Bristol to find that your train is terminating at Exeter (because it doesn't like sea water on its roof) and that you will have to wait for the by now grossly overcrowded following Sprinter service is PATHETIC. Re-opening to Tavistock is a blindingly good idea, given the appalling traffic into Plymouth and the stature and size of the town. More trains are beginning to run to Okehampton from Exeter and filling in the bit in the middle is frankly a no-brainer. The narrow analyses of the other benefits of a reopened Southern route that have been aired on this thread grossly underestimate its benefits - we have an exemplar in the re-opened Waverley route and just look what's happening there. I quite accept that any reopening will be a politically driven decision and that NR won't be a driver, but for Christ's sake why do you feel the need to continually pour cold water on the idea? What needs to happen is lobbying of all the relevant authorities, if the Politicians in the South West started talking sensibly about rail connectivity then it would be driven up the political agenda, I think a local Conservative MP (hallelujah) actually mentioned it in Parliament the other day. On the other hand, I don't suppose endlessly taking the piss out of the idea on RMweb will make a blind bit of difference.

From observation of the originals yes. Matt showed me the back of the display on Shelvington and that is exactly how his works too. Edit, as 28XX notes below they go forwards to the start point before displaying a new message. It is based around an Arduino and everything is made from scratch. The flaps themselves are made from Plastikard and although Matt said he was contemplating rebuilding it with metal flaps to improve the noise, it sounded just right to my ears. It was just brilliant watching it, adding a whole new dimension of realism to the layout. Shelvington itself is one of the best, most interesting and entertaining model railway layouts I have ever seen or will ever see. If you get the chance to see it then do, a work of genius on so many levels and they plan to extend it too, it very deservedly won the Ken York trophy at Scaleforum. Thanks to Matt and Lee for one of the very best model railway experiences ever created! Simon

A belated thank you to all visitors to Larkrail and everyone who participated in any way in this year's event. Many thanks also to all of you who have made such kind comments about the day both here, directly, and in other places on the Interwotsit. Lesley and I enjoyed it very much and the pleasure and fun it seems to generate each year means a lot to both of us, together with the many people who help with the event every year. Dave Summers is a kitchen superstar, as is Tim Maddocks (Captain Kernow) whose company we cherish. It was great to have him back (and on absolutely top form) after a "year off" in 2015. On the door friends Mike and Frank managed the five bar gates and coped with having no show guides, no tickets and definitely no track plans - maybe next year. Other friends also help a lot, notably Steve Cook and Dave Easto and this year John Farmer Re6/6 was a washing and cleaning up wonder at the end of the show. I'm not brilliant at pictures, but here are a few of perhaps the more social side of the event. Tim performing wonders with eggs in the kitchen: I should also like to say thank you and welcome to a good number of RMwebbers who visited, including Arthur (of glorious Downfall P4 parody fame), Mike Romans (Stationmaster) and a good few more besides. I also had the pleasure of introducing Graham (BGman) to Tim Dubya (Yay) and managed to snap a group of RMweb irregulars later in the day, from left to right, John Farmer,Tim Dubya (just), Tim Maddocks,Graham and last but not least Chris Foren. Here's another of my favourite exhibits and personalities, Alan Henham, with his delightful and clever carbon footprint recycling layout-ette. And finally, for the moment at least, we were greatly privileged to be visited by Dick Dorton and his son Andy. Dick is a great friend of ours, one of the select few(!) who exhibited at the very first Camrail at Limpley Stoke Station back in 1996 and the creator of a beautiful 16mm scale model of Peter Barnfield's "Wellington Boot Tread Cutting Company". Unfortunately Dick is not at all well but with Andy's help he made a great effort to visit the show on Saturday, and I had the great pleasure of showing him around the event. I was also very touched to become the custodian of the beautiful model pictured here that will from now onwards be taking pride of place in my shop window display. So thank you again to everyone who came, but a particular thank you, and fare you both well, to the especially estimable Mr Dick Dorton and his very fine son Andy. Simon and Lesley Castens

A lot of the show is set up, everything appears to fit, and I'm writing this surrounded by bread, lettuces, crisps and sundry other items in preparation for the catering tommorow. I look forward to welcoming visitors old and new to Larkhall, currently putting the modelling world to rights and drinking tea with Steve Cook and Iain Rice - happy days. Thanks to all (well most!) of you contributors for running this thread, here's a snap of Trerice from this evening's setting up. See you tomorrow! Yay, even. Simon

Well ectually, you have given the phonetic spelling of the way in which the posh side of the family pronounce the name, don't you know. Trouble is, there are no posh members of the family left these days! Simon

Thanks very much for listing the layouts Phil, I very much look forward to catching up with you and Mark at the weekend. One little thing though, we have "mixed arignas" You have listed the very lovely 'Arigna Town' (7mm, 1:43, 36.75mm gauge) – Dave Holman but what is actually appearing at Larkrail is "Arigna" the 4mm scale 12mm gauge model by the estimable Andy Cundick of the Cavan and Leitrim station of the same name. As for 12 layouts - shome mishtake surely, this is the tea drinking and standing aroundfest we're talking about! Last year's show raised £375.00 for the Julian House charity by the way, so thanks to all who came and contributed. Any profits from this year's lunacy will be headed in the same direction. Simon

Website (at last) updated, Iain Rice is bringing his lovely "Trerice" layout to this year's event. Simon

Notwithstanding Richard's response above, I work in gauge one outside, track powered and all with stainless steel rail. I find no problem at all soldering to the stainless steel rail, I tin it using phosphoric acid flux and then solder normally. I am attaching multi cored and single cored copper wire to the rail and do not have any special cleaning regime, ie I don't. In six years plus outside I haven't suffered any soldered joint failures, nor do I anticipate any. Actually I have one criticism of stainless as a rail material, it doesn't tarnish and so the rail looks too shiny, although Hydcrochloric Acid (sold as brick acid in the building trade) will give it a slight rusty finish. Of course this quality is great for electrical contact and another benefit of stainless is a significantly lower coefficient of linear expansion compared to nickel silver. You will have no problem whatever using this new rail, go for it! Simon

I'm now seriously considering taking a look at the floor plan.... Simon De Souza is unfortunately now unable to attend, but I have just remembered (oops) confirmed Tony Barnes rather magnificent "Draycott Park Colliery", a Protofour layout that has grown out of Chris Challis's 2005 challenge. A serious piece of BR era North Staffordshire industrial action. A bientot!

Well I can report from Blighty that both Jeremy Vine and his Radio Two show is every bit as appalling "post Brexit" as it was before. I suspect it may well have proved even more unbearably nauseating had the vote gone the other way. So there's another small consolation for us poor saps, as we all fall through the vortex of despair and spiral uncontrollably down into the abyss of uncertainty and economic disaster - which destiny we have been so assuredly promised by the great and the good over the last few weeks. What larks!

A jolly good point old chap, well flagged up! By the time of Larkrail all of the towpath and associated footpaths will have been beautifully tarmaced, undergrowth cleared, and helpful fences and handrails erected wherever beneficial. It was the least I could do.....

Paul Marshall Potter has just confirmed his attendance at this year's show on the 16th July with the late Chris Matthewman's "Bawdsey" EM layout. Simon

Thank you very much Tim for providing that most excellent "how to get there" post, you are indeed a most splendid fellow. Just finalising details, but: Layout-wise Peter Kirmond is bringing the full "Laramie" as seen at Railex, Tim Tinknell is bringing his EM "Chewton Mendip" in S&D blue guise and John Greenwood is bringing "St Blazey Roundhouse" up from Wadebridge, assisted by the Jerry Clifford and his 2mm Roadshow. At the other end of the scale I am pleased to welcome back Thomas Twigg returning with "Tillbrook Lane". Featured in Railway Modeller last year it shows there is perhaps yet hope for this wonderful hobby of ours. Other layouts to follow... Demonstrators will include the estimable Iain Rice up from Devon, Highland guru Simon De Souza from Reading, Laurie Griffin, Justin Newitt and his Rumney Models, Gordon and Maggie Gravett, Dave Easto with his Gauge One scratch building, Dennis Lepper with a figure and G1 locomotive painting display, Roger Bird with his exquisite Tralee and Dingle diorama and models and more besides. Traders are limited to the "Gas Cupboard" from Trowbridge and Brian Osborn's ever useful "Branchlines" stand. The Titfield Thunderbolt the best stocked (and only) railway bookshop in the West is however a mere spit away from the hall, just past the pub and cafe. I'm currently contemplating the floorplan, there will be no barriers. As if all that weren't inducement enough Captain Kernow is also promising to put in an appearance in his banana selling/all round good egg capacity - so it should be a good 'un! Unrestricted on street parking available around Larkhall, but bear in mind this is Bath so public transport is consequently highly recommended! LARKRAIL 2016 Poster PDF.pdf I think that's about it for the moment. Blimey I feel exhausted already - I'd better go and have a nice quiet sit down.......... Simon

Bad luck everyone, I'm feeling completely "rehabilitated" and feel the need to drop a pebble in to this pond... The van does need a bit of weathering.... Simon

That is because the book is still In print and available through any bookshop who stocks it or is prepared to order it from the publisher. As any sensible search of the Internet will soon reveal, as you have demonstrated. Wild Swan books will never appear on Amazon at bargain prices because Wild Swan have chosen not to supply Amazon, this situation will not change. If Amazon says a particular book is unavailable it often means that they cannot obtain it, and not that it is out of print. Apologies for intrusion. Simon

I wonder if they'll manage to take all the plant growth off the retaining walls while they are at it?

It isn't confusing at all, 1/32 is the correct scale for the gauge and is what anyone contemplating G1 should choose, in my opinion. When I started, I wanted to build a Ruston 48DS as I had happy memories of the ex Dickinsons paper mill one that was at Bitton donkeys years ago. I blithely started at 10mm to the foot and then twigged that the scale didn't match the gauge. I reasoned that as I was making it myself all it made no sense whatsoever to build something that was fundamentally wrong. Moving on, I find that one has to use odd 10mm parts (buffer housings, axleguards etc) as that is all that is available in some instances, although this is gradually changing. I think the comments abut Chinese RTR driving 1/32 scale are a bit off the mark, they are just as capable of producing 10mm scale as 1/32 scale (and have done), it is the commmissioning individual or company that dictates the scale. For information, all Aster is 1/32 scale as are Trevor Taylor's G1MCo products. Deciding on the correct scale is the easy part, now have a think about the track and wheel standards - that'll give you a real headache!! You might want to stick at 7mm scale, most people do..... Here's a snap of a small 1/32 train that followed on from the Ruston: Simon

All looking good Phill, here's a new bit of West Country diesel hydraulicery from last night - bee barp! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKrxWuMocMk Video and locomotive by Andrew Vines, it is very believable. Simon

Just to add my thanks to Tim, Maddie, Andy and all the other helpers and organisers. Especially the kitchen staff who did a great job as ever on the comestibles department - I ended up sampling both pie and pastie and can report that both were truly excellent. Spent all day yakking, met up with lots of regular friends and also made some new ones - a thoroughly enjoyable day from all points of view. The models were excellent and varied, from my bookstall vantage point I had a good view of the very appealing Tipham and could see Rik (Gwiwer) busily running trains on his fantastically well travelled layout too. I really liked Hobbiton End and was impressed that at least one of the hobbit holes was fully furnished - it made you feel just wanted to move in! The auction was very well handled and responded to I thought too. I did consider upping the peanuts on that S&DJR 4F but in the end resisted in favour of treating myself to something lovely that I really didn't need from that very nice man from Kernow. The 02s look magnificent by the way. So thank you again to everyone who contributed, another feather in RMweb's cap and another grand day out. Got to go, last episode of "Poldark" on in the front room... Simon

Hi Phill just watched the video of your 121 - brilliant! I hope to be able to run something similar soon.... Simon

Great to see more progress Phill. The station building is especially effective, it looks just right and by the time you have finished painting it will be utterly believable. The station name board and seat are great too. Bee - Baarp!

Blimey, I reckon that's worth a custard cream or two... I'll get on to the catering department, just as soon as I've sorted out that twit in marketing On the subject of Whitemans, I was the Saturday boy there in 1976 after Captain Kernow departed for University - it sure beat clearing tables at Littlewoods! It was a great place, mainly under the ownership of Tim Graham who sold the business in 2001, and for whom I did quite a bit of work in the shop over the intervening years. I like to think that my place is actually better for railway books (as Adrian kindly observed), although I can't offer the maps, military, aeronautical, etc ranges that Whitemans had back in the day. I miss it too. It never did mail order though, least of all to Florida Simon