John B

For anyone ordering from abroad, the recently-offered DHL Express Priority service from Hattons is truly outstanding. I received NEXT DAY service (to California!) last week.. (The only catch is that it is a "signed-for" service, not always convenient as I'm away from home 4 days a week most weeks, and the nearest DHL depot is a 95 mile round trip..) It's not much more than Shittylink, which takes anywhere from 3-6 weeks. And much cheaper than Royal Mail airmail. Highly recommended!

"Winton" was in the first Railway Modeller I ever read (1972, IIRC). Saw it at a couple of York shows and it was magnificent. Even as a youngster I could happily watch a whole sequence. Ian Futers seemed to bring a new layout to York every year. Particularly inspirational to me were Otterburn, Lochside and Burnfoot. The "Swaveny Branch" was probably the first P4 layout I ever saw, and it was magnificent to my then 9/10 year old eyes, with gorgeous Stirling Singles and GNR liveries. Glad that DRAG have preserved it for posterity.. Iain Rice's articles in Model Railways, and later as MRJ co-editor, captivated me. I never saw Tregarrick in the flesh, but lapped up his various East Suffolk layouts, especially Butley Mills. Steve Howe's Roseladden Wharf remains one of my all time favorites, another I'm glad to see being restored. Steve Flint's "Kyle of Tongue" and "Reighton" captured the (then) current scene perfectly. Martin Brent's Rye Harbour, Salehurst and Hope Mill. Sadly missed. John Wright's "Benfieldside". Tom Harland's magnificent "Bramblewick". And last, but by no means least, Chris Pendleton's "North Shields".

Outstanding stuff, most inspirational. Thanks Mark!

They (UP) appear to be serious - certainly they've been talking to the group that caretakes 4014 in Pomona. Star exhibit or not, I'd be delighted to see it rescued from it's "display" at the Fairplex, where there is no prospect of a future other than getting rustier or dustier. You really don't understand how good you have it regarding working steam in the UK, until you move to the USA...

Amazing progress inside one calendar year - and of such high quality to boot! It's certainly one of my favorite threads on RMWeb right now and is becoming a fantastic model. Thanks for sharing with us, Jason!

That canopy is a work of plastic engineering art. Splendid stuff, Dave.

Looking really good, Dave!

It's an idea I've kicked around myself many times, Al, to cope with my indisciplined modelling interests - good to see you having a go at it! Iain Rice explores the idea in a few of his design books with what he calls "jigsaw" scenery. It's also a neat idea for exhibition layouts - trackwork on a central spine, scenery modules cantilevered off that spine. We used it to decent effect on "Lee" and I'll almost certainly do so again.

Good modelling is good modelling, irrespective of scale / gauge / genre or region. This is splendid modelling, and lovely to see here. Thanks for sharing!

4th July, Asbury Park (Sandy) by The Boss (and Phantom Dan). Just right for today.

Blimey - spotted a "name from my past" in that list. Co-author of "Diesels in the West Midlands", Geoff Dowling, was one of my professors at Birmingham Uni (BSocSc Geography & Planning, 1985-88...)

As the seller of this item, (which I started at a very reasonable 29.99, by the way) I take exception to the unfounded and incorrect allegation of shill bidding. I also happen to know that you were one of the bidders concerned. The buyer is a very pleasant chap from Devon who I have had no previous contact with, and I'm sure he'll enjoy his full box when it arrives. I suggest an apology and retraction might be in order.

Huh? It reads at one million pounds....

I know that the Royal Mail have been extorting postage lately, but this million pound baby puts Jadlam Racing Models to shame... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-I-B-Hornby-Train-loco-Bodiam-Terrier-Loco-R2216-HO-Scale-Rare-/170832544923?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item27c669c49b

Impressed. I'm certainly going to check out the LMS 4mm version when it appears. Thanks for the review, Andy - and thanks to Dapol for having the initiative to fill a much needed gap.

No time machine, but I swear he's slipped a prototype picture in for the first in that sequence..

Decimal point is definitely in the wrong place on this one. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Train-locomotive-/300661046964?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item4600cb7eb4

I just watched, slack-jawed in amazement, as a (rather nice, admittedly) ex-SECR 6 wheel carriage in Southern drab olive, built from a D&S kit, went for GBP 335.00..... To my knowledge the seller was a private seller and not one of the "usual suspects" - and this was on an auction style list that started at 0.99 - so some folks DO pay a lot.

I recently sent a repainted loco to a friend in the UK and he received it in under ten days. The embarrassing part was the length of time it took me to finish the job...

I'm now working down in Georgia for the forseeable future, Al, and from what I've seen of the suburban areas of Atlanta so far, the rolling hills and vegetation are right on the mark for the area. Once the spring & summer comes I'll try to take some snaps of the area, if you're interested..

Clicking "like this" on this thread doesn't seem sufficient, somehow. This is truly stunning work, chaps. I think we need a " 'kinell" button for this...

Minor point, Chris - this is a general issue Dapol model, not a Kernow commission. The Kernow commissioned Class 22s are the weathered versions only. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one..

There's a fairly big train set called Retford in a shed in Lincolnshire, too..

Dave, you can commit me to 2 sets as well (at least - if, as AndyC has asked, they'll be suitable for the 21/29 too, that order will be at least 4 sets). Thanks!!

Delighted and excited about this news. Thanks to all concerned!