Holmesfeldian

In unrelated news, a representative from Bachmann was at Kidderminster diesel depot yesterday taking measurements and photographing every detail of D182 to improve their future class 45 and 46 models. This might be of interest to those who consider Bachmann's model to be a more accurate 'shape'.

The blanking plates always look brutal and totally OTT on models !

The only one I'm really interested in (got more than enough Bachmann peaks) is the TMC special D15 with the split boxes and nose doors. Their samples are far from convincing regarding the door recess detail... TMC D15 in blue

KRM confirmed to me that no clips from the Shell film were used for the sound decoder

Bachmann's achilles in diesel locos have always been the very poor buffer beam detail, especially the ETH and multiple working cables and connectors. The class 40 MW bogie details is 0 gauge ! Heljan has always been far superior definition in this respect.

Some finescale kit built 7mm scale coaches are up for auction if anyone finds this of interest. Excalibur Auctions

http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/10th-january-1918/15/electrics-in-railway-service http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/17th-january-1918/12/-electric-s-in-railway-service

The rivet counters that are complaining that the proposed Fell model lacks detail nuances appropriate to the liveries on offer rather amuse me. I never saw the real thing and even if it is not 100% authentic it will be perfectly at home on a Peak District based layout - because it looks like a Fell and a bloody good job KRM are doing if they get the mechanicals spot on, even if people wish to deploy rule 1 and add the extra connecting rods to their black machine despite an inappropriate number of roof vents or whatever! I wonder how many people decrying it's detail inaccuracies would - if presented with nirvana - just slap tension locks or kadees on it anyway :-)

Posted on Social media - it may interest the carriage modellers. Caption was : "Sarah Bernardt, St. Pancras Station, London, 1894"

A further tasty image has come to light of Unstone viaduct if you could be so kind as to comment on the loco and rolling stock please...

Thoughts on the new Heljan model as an aside ? Looks a very creditable attempt but possibly not cheap enough to sway me from SLWs which are sublime. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnXnNXI1GiU

The Fell diesel sounded like this.... https://youtu.be/swJFXI5AqbE

Let’s see some support for the lovely Llangollen Railway enduring perilous times. My photo taken in 2018

I posted this comment on the British Transport Films Facebook group and I’m delighted to say that Gerry’s son, Philip responded.... ”Happy to report that Gerry (Dad) is still with us, albeit after a number of health scares, he is not at his Xmas card writing best these days. His appearance in the film are family folklore.”

Whilst on the subject of Midland rolling stock - can any learned members of the group comment on these coaches as I have next to zero knowledge of the subject matter. These are all taken at Dronfield and Unstone

Thanks for clearing this up !

Hi Mike - as you were involved with the SYTS, have you information regarding this rail tour please ? There is no information on six bells junction though on the day in question, steam shuttles worked from Paddington to Old Oak Common for the depot open day so the two events are no doubt connected!

31409 on the "Last direct train from Halifax to London KX" on 6th May 1978. Rob Fraser Photo / copyright railimagecollections

How the lineside trees were kept down in the days of yore...

And I would dearly like to see this recreated in Z, N, OO, O, or any scale you wish to imagine !

okay - you wanted another view..... here’s an alternative view of “Stacker” Steadman’s.... erm... handiwork

did somebody mention the work of Saltley men?

http://www.railphotoarchive.org/PhotoViewerV5.php?img=0146020873000&fbclid=IwAR2y8OEHFCdE3ygD31Ul-EbTx801JLoNP63ZsVX7Q7xraLCZqdwiOY-MtF4

The LH ETH socket is slightly angled on the real peak

https://youtu.be/sQWp9DMZV74