Ian Hargrave

And further still,the RAIB have just released their own video on YouTube

There is a comprehensive overview on BBC iPlayer now. A look at that should suffice 9

The report makes interesting reading and recommendations,It does not seek to apportion blame.That…as far as this forum is concerned….is the point of preventing further comment.

Er….yes they did. The GW tone was markedly shrill in tone….soprano if you like…..as opposed to the deep bass of some of the competition such as the LM. Though the shriek of an Arthur at full tilt came close to mimicking it.Then of course came the Transatlantic siren of Canton’s Britannias…such brazen hussies,as an impertinent challenge to the Castles etc.Sorry for the self indulgent rambling but good to see we have another member of the dc sound sect. True ,no whistle but Dinmore Manor is fun nonetheless.Yes DCC is far too complex for me too.Seems as if it’s ‘F’ this and ‘F’ that…I mean..how vulgar can you get ? Enjoy.

Indeed this is the system currently being installed in the South Wales Valleys upgrade.

Did the Fishguard-Rosslare ferry in 1964 but not by day return. Train to Cork which was slow and very beautiful but onward by country bus to Glengarriff ,County Cork .Spent a week at a pub mainly drinking Guinness,trying to catch & occasionally succeeding,mackerel which the landlord’s wife cooked for us. Stayed up late listening to Brooklyn expats extolling the virtue in alcoholic tones of returning to their roots..a performance which was absorbed with tolerance and patience with all who just.needed leave to go to bed. And then a return,….Ireland is a wonderful and enigmatic place…thanks be.

If guesswork is permissible ( no logic there ) I’d say the refurbished 175 could be a fit for Chiltern.

Point.But if one can apply the gentle art of logic here….what would they replace and where ?

Yes the 170 though reasonably comfortable struggles with its capacity especially during the tourist season. Can’t see it happening though

So now we have 27 x 175 units in addition to all Avanti’s 221 and EMR’s 222 apparently seeking new TOC’s .Pardon me but where are all this lot bound ?

If you can access the BBC News App for Wales,you will see that the WAG has just pumped an extra £125 m into TFW…..for which it has understandably come into some flak.The minister responsible defends the decision with the declaration that this is not to be seen as a blank cheque. Maybe this puts into context the 175 units currently lying expensively idle at Holyhead and Chester. A lot of new stock has come on stream with more to come.And then of course there’s the big one down South with Valleys rail transformation,the wires and battery powered Stadler trains which will hopefully transform the daily lives of many . If it succeeds it’ll be a marvel.It all goes into the mix. So £ 40m on the 175 units did someone say ,was it last year?

XC have run into difficulties further north with flooding between Derby and Sheffield closing the line apart from the ECML problem. I think there have been some diversions over the Erewash Valley but in general Derbyshire is a mess

DHL will provide you with tracking which gives you your specific number in the delivery sequence.I’ll be interested in how you get on with the sound.Good luck ! I forget it’s not Accurascale but Rapido….Sorry ,different carrier

Given the significant improvement from Hornby with their last few releases,I wonder if a revamped edition might be the answer. I know they’ve been a bit turkey & tinsel for a while but with significant competition now cutting the mustard the incentive for a big improvement might produce positive results. I have a feeling that it could.

I have the last iteration which is late GW 4013 .In terms of livery,construction & general overall finish the best of an indifferent bunch. Spoiled by an overdose of unnecessary silver paint on cylinders,piston etc.But you could certainly touch that out if you so wished. Runs well. Basically,it’s a decent model.

You might like to (or not ) observe the national collection of masonary planting currently on view at Crewe station.Such unlooked for wall gardens may soon find their way onto a Gardeners World programme

Couldn’t be anywhere else.

When in or anywhere near Halifax,I recommend a visit to The Shibden Mill Inn.A family run hostelry,very secluded but beautifully situated.Lovely rooms,great food and breakfast. Close by is Shibden Hall which some of you will recognise from the BBC drama “Gentlemen Jack “which is in the care and ownership of the local authority and also well worth a visit. The inn is difficult to find and one approach is very steep over an old cobbled road so use satnav for the easier way there..

That’s scary.Hopefully incidents of this kind are confined just to one delivery depot. So far I’ve not experienced this with Accurascale deliveries via DHL.

Don’t miss this. IMHO the best and certainly the most intelligent look at model railways I have viewed on tv.

I have a number of DCC sound models that run on DC Analogue so you might be pleasantly surprised.

The Avanti and XC Voyagers are maintained at Twin Rivers,Barton under Needwood,next to the Derby-Birmingham main line.It was purpose built for the 220/221,all originally Virgin Trains. EMR depot is Derby. I would hope that the decision by Avanti to go the Hitachi way will not impact upon the work there.

The Avanti Voyagers are 221 5car units and the EMR Meridian are 222 ,now also5 car and apparently differ from their Avanti cousins in some material respects .

Not competent with the tech bits I’m afraid,otherwise I would.Apologies

Arrived safely and now in running In mode on tabletop. Beautiful in delicately lined black which is how I remember them in the early 1950’s. I’ve opted for the sound version which I’m running on dc.I like…it’s a bit of fun…and it does work.Probably not for the purist but fine with me….and loud enough too ! DHL delivery even better with improved secure packaging. The “coal” is in the accessory bag btw with the etched plates etc. I’m “chuffed “.Again,great stuff….