brianusa

This is becoming a Nigie fan club and its not even about cooking. Don't think she's into trains either! Brian

Maybe Diane of Thornbury or Victor of Vauxhall or who else writes to Corbyn could let him in on a few things, but I guess they like him enough not to care. He'll need all the help between now and election day and if he doesn't get it, hopefully he will resign! Brian.

I'll say this much, its different! Brian.

Good stuff! Industrial archeology is one of my things especially when related to mining. I wish there were more pictures of the quarrying and the railway connection. Traipsed across the moor on many an occasion but rarely around the mines for some reason. Brian.

I thought the whole idea of TCM was the lack of ads. The other so called movie channels succumbed to advertising and are therefor useless. Brian.

Agree with Kevin. I have found it most interesting probably due to my close association with the area. Brian

Forget the cars or the girls. Did we really look like that? Brian.

TCM in the US has been running some quite old British films recently. Sadly not very often. Brian.

Very commendable, but what happened to the Cornish Harbour? Brian.

In such a situation as this, rent goats. They take care of messy gardens in an environmental friendly manner and don't leave much behind. There are several rentagoat companies here and presumably they have reached Wales also. If you ever want a back yard railway, it looks like you'll have to do some gardening anyway which might make your neighbours happy in the bargain. Brian

Unless you are very good at painting, its best not to be too ambitious. Even a simple backdrop will look good. Brian.

A couple of places here need vegetation clearance! Brian.

Reading these posts it would appear that rust was/is still a problem. My car spent about five years in CA until we moved to WA where we've lived these last twenty years or so. WA is renowned for its rainfall but to date no rust on my '95 Lincoln. It is garaged every night but is driven every day and still looks good. Brian.

But we're all over the place and some of us have even been to S. Brent or have they dropped the South bit now? Some of us have even passed by in a train! Brian

God forbid! Brian.

Not to denigrate Phil's shed place, but when ever I see FS, especially with those smoke deflectors and under wire, I have to wonder what all the fuss is about! Hope them 'lectrics' never come down along we! Brian.

Weren't these called 'kerosene Castles' at some point? Brian.

Just saw "The Spy in Black' with Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson in which MM was the music director. A Korda film with input from Powell and Pressburger. Pretty good for the times! Brian.

When it first arrived at North Road station, it didn't appear to be overly noisy although I don't suppose it was working hard at that time. It was certainly a surprise as nobody knew it was coming down. Brian.

Good to see trains running again on the DFR. Thanks for the pictures. Brian

We went back to W7. Brian.

In the heyday of the Metropolitans, American cars were getting bigger and bigger and the first thoughts of fuel economy were trickling down to consumers. As mentioned Nash went to Europe for 'the works' and as Austins were imported at the time,they got the deal. All very well but the same problems presented themselves in the Metros. They didn't hold up too well in day to day running in the US, long hot or cold drives were not its forte or that they needed frequent oil changes and service; Americans just like to get in their cars and drive! The concept of being a smaller version of their bigger brothers didn't quite work out. The selling points of the Nash's of the time were the huge interiors and bench seats which could be turned into a double bed. Parents were very wary of that feature but the small bench seat in the Metro negated that feature to all but the very determined! Also the lack of a proper 'boot' lid, lack of power and a couple other British oddities didn't help. It sold mainly on its 'cuteness' and to women, hence the bright colours. Brian.

Marvelous pictures look great when enlarged; you can even see the Branch train leaving Bayly's siding for Friary with what looks like a B4. Thanks to Dave and to Kevin for the idea of the Turnchapel branch. At the time, there were too many security problems to learn much and I was a bit young then anyway. How old does that make me!

As time marches on, enthusiasm sometimes marches off. I am still enthusiastic about my trains; can't seem to stop buying them but I've had my layout running nigh on these last twenty years or so. It was designed that way with things I wanted in a layout, in other words one built to last. It has all the features which keep it going, two main lines, two reverse loops, a goods yard, engine facilities and a turntable. Enough sidings for interest and various accessories. As it is tinplate, there is not the critical need for orthodoxy or rivet counting. Scenery is sparse and basic; most bushes and trees from the garden but it has endured all this while without the need for change. In any case, the prospect of crawling around wiring up a layout doesn't do much for me twenty years on! Brian.