Ian Hargrave

Great layout in prospect and great shots too of a station appproximate to a great distillery

Are you perhaps confusing this with Bachmann’s current embargo on Hattons ?I don’t believe Hornby acted in quite such a draconian fashion. True that there were certain differences of opinion but they weren’t completely struck off.

Glad you’re sorted . Last month I too was the recipient of a phantom email….this for Collector’s Club P2. You are not alone…

Read what Widnes Model Centre has posted on the RoS thread.

Well,maybe.But I wonder how some of the smaller retailers view this. Also,does this mark a sea change ( once again ) in Hornby’s retail distribution policy and are we seeing the dismantling of their current system ?

And now for more bone shaking news..no,not the FS……After a tiff of some 3 years duration……Rails is once again a Hornby retailer. Draw your own conclusions from that.

I’m afraid that is certainly the case.In March,my Avanti Pendolino from Lime Street ( the day after a one day strike ) was cancelled ,even though I had checked Realtime Trains which said it was a runner. I had a similar experience at Euston in July on a day when an overtime ban was in force. This time it was LNWR. Similarly I had checked RTT.Yes it was running.On arrival on the Met Underground I find it cancelled on the display board. I was among hundreds there in a state of anxiety & uncertainty with northbound cancellations.Though fortunately my train was reinstated 20 minutes before scheduled time and did run on time. However the morning had one more nasty little surprise .As the train approached Milton Keynes,the train manager announced that unless the planned replacement crew was waiting……and he had no information at that time that they were….the train would terminate there.Another bout of anxiety arose Once again,I was lucky and the service went forward. My third experience occurred in late July,travelling by XC Cardiff-Nottingham service on another overtime ban day. The train manager replacement wasn’t in place at Gloucester & we couldn’t move until he arrived on a corresponding southbound service.This caused a 25 minute delay. Fortunately,I had no connection to make as my destination was Burton but many on the train missed connections at New Street. In your wife’s circumstances,given the late time and tbh the chronic uncertainties which I’ve experienced,I’d have a good long think. Good luck Edit:Attended SVR Steam Gala in April. Return train from Kidderminster to Snow Hill …no strike,no overtime ban. Train cancelled.

Derails took payment for my 7818 yesterday.Dan is uncertain as to exactly when but notification of delivery has been received..

I came last year for the first time and was impressed by the variety & quality of the layouts.Good selection of trade etc.& the venue itself has of course the rather good motor museum included with your entry ticket Add to this a good catering facility & you have a great day out.

Absolutely no need to apologise

And a pair of them,D6742&D6743 were trialled down in the South Wales Valleys in the autumn of 1962 and thus started the now legendary use of the class there until the pit closures and even beyond.

To the above I can only express appreciation of the relaxed and congenial welcome to a railway modelling event where quality prevailed in terms of layout and of course SLW 24/25.This is the way to,if you excuse the phrase,set your stall out by invitation and involving those of like minds. Mostyn I have to say is quite an event on its own.but it’s always great to talk. Bravo SLW. And a model for others ?

And that says it all….by far the best post on the matter.I believe you’d say it was seminal. I’ll dine out on that for a bit .

Whereas I appreciate your decency and common sense which I applaud,when I read Stationmaster Mike’s posts above I take due notice of his opinions as a professional railwayman of considerable experience. Another factor maybe unique to this case and that is the perhaps inevitable matter of being caught on camera…which lays the whole thing open to public scrutiny and consequent judgement in the glare of media.I posted a few hours ago about the “X” video clip being transferred to YouTube. Well it’s already happened. Thus…trial by media is a consequence and something that many of us find hard to swallow.But the world moves on I’m afraid.

Thanks for that.Your final phrase interests me. Was such an individual present on the footplate on Friday ?

Am I correct in the assumption that when FS is leased out to heritage lines,their own crew without overall supervision do the driving ? When heading trains on the national system,e.g. the Settle & Carlisle,does just one private operator provide crew ? Much has been made of this locomotive in the guise of a national treasure so why treat it in what appears to be a cavalier manner ?

Well when’s the gold rush going to happen ? Needs a relocation .Not one but two. Similar to the last pit in the Rhondda……Maerdy No.1&2 ?

It certainly was quite a spectacle with startling sound effects and I do wonder if it’s only a matter of time before it appears as a crash spectacular on YouTube. I’m assuming that the two standing on the veranda platform of the observation car were Belmond bar staff. They must be traumatised.Then we have just two …a man and a boy…watching from behind the fence as the only unscathed witnesses to this debacle. I’ll speculate no further. I’m sure we all have individual views on the event. I believe IIRC the train was facing South at the end of a day spent on the Speyside Railway. So where was it intended that 60103 would then be taking it ? The 66 being of screen somewhere and generated power being needed.

Looks very fetching on Brent….which suits the lady-in -red image very well indeed. Now exactly where was the South Hams group of collieries situated,did we say ?

I did. It made me ashamed to complain about the price of a mere bottle of whisky. I imagine certain travel insurance companies are a little apprehensive after last evening’s event. The next Scottish trip does though involve a” Whisky Odyssey “ apparently.That is of course,if it runs….

No…..that I don’t get. You have to have the palate …..and head …of a discerning tippler with an elastic bank account to tell the difference. I’m “out of there”..But hey,what an awful mess.

Maybe it is treasured….but priced accordingly. Aviemore is the tourist centre for the Cairngorms so go into one of the retailers in the town with a view to taking home a delicious souvenir of your Highland excursion.Be then prepared for,as we often say on this forum,a price gripe of eye watering proportions. Leave it until you get home to visit your local Sainsbury

Is there any red carpet stock in any case of identical or similar appointment ? Will not the R A I B want to have a look before it or 60103 move ? What’s the procedure in such a case ?

Their appearance in service is perhaps best described as elusive…..

The latter taken at Shrewsbury. Great choice