brianusa

The oil burning conversion picture was pretty convincing. A pity it didn't work out! Brian.

Australian cars are always interesting, usually a variety of UK and UK styles and those of doubtful ancestry. On TV there are some Australian TV shows that feature various models of this era. For such a big country, its fairly obvious why big cars were popular which accounts for US GM and Ford products but it is difficult to realise, by the same token, why UK cars with their small motors and cramped interiors were also exported in large numbers Brian.

Thanks for an interesting thread of an interesting topic, for me at least. I was quite familiar with the Cornish milks in the steam era although know very little of others further afield. As mentioned, tanks tacked on to the auto trains were a familiar sight at North Road along with the mainline trains from further West.

Agree temporary wiring gets things moving. Some of mine are still good after nearly twenty years or so!! Brian.

Harry Potter will soon appear, wave his wand and Kinlet Hall will magically appear in Brunswick green!! Never noticed a tree in the wrong place before Brian.

Any chance with this one? Brian.

You are fortunate to have so many well meaning help, Phil.. We should all be so lucky! Brian.

One thing that intrigues me is why when converted to a normal engine shape, Bulleids are still referred to as spam cans. Perhaps the streamlined version bore a quirky resemblance but certainly not the deshrouded variety. We were more reverent and referred to them as West Countries or Merchant Navies, in fact I don't remember any nicknames and just used the Class names As for the diesels, I haven't a clue what class is what especially with the early examples, probably due to not being around then. Brian

Nothing wrong with clutter as long as you don't see it! Mine, boxes and stuff is hidden away under the layout. No tools or paint though as these are in the garage which is a clutter in itself! Brian.

I use a portable space heater in our garage - works a treat and keeps the cars nice and warm. Brian.

And I thought O scale was dear enough! Brian.

Good to see more traffic to Moorswater on the 19th; getting to be regular almost! Sorry I wasn't there; read it on the CRS site! Brian.

The bottom picture of a siding off the main line with a loading gauge to a corrugated hut and a couple of wagons, sums up a good railway scene in one photo. Brian.

Kev, the station was accessed by steep steps to reach track level from the road that ran around the lake from Hooe village. We used to catch the train from Friary, complete with 'birdcage' carriages to Turnchapel to go the beach at Jennycliff which was nearby. I left the area in 1963 but by then the Admiralty wharves were disused and I believe, the tunnel blocked off. Never did see any traffic there nor any pictures neither. Bayly's wharf was the main source of revenue as they made sleepers amongst other woody things. B4s were the motive power until the small diesels arrived.

Last night as my wife was shutting down the computer, it advised not to turn off - updating. When I tried to sign in next morning the dreaded circle of dots were still spinning around. As this happens fairly frequently, the only way to get online is a hard start or two or three. Finally success but what a pain! Back to W7 soon! Brian.

After all this information, when its all over, I should really like to know how things went! Brian.

Kev, having travelled the branch a few times in post war years and kept a lookout in diesel years, I may be able fill in things but no pictures sadly as I didn't even have a camera in those days! Brian.

Thanks Kev. Surely not another Hornby train here in GH!! Haven't been on Classic O for a while so I didn't know. Can you direct me to the posting please. Brian.

Haven't been there in a while but it was there then so what's the hold up, apart from the usual reasons; money, time, labour, etc. It looks better than average for restoration; don't know what you can't see but it appears to be all there. Surely it would be better to have a go than let it deteriorate further. But there are enough Halls, I suppose! Brian

Great picture Rob; could've fooled me. But its too clean, no pieces of paper or lumps of coal and bits of wood and weeds around. Maybe the track gang have cleaned it up already.

In my youth, I could never figure why there was a triangle and a turntable. Presumably pathing problems was a likely reason but what intrigued me the most was the fact that virtually every engine had to be coaled which meant a trip to Laira where there was the same facilities. Pathing again, as sometimes multiple engines coupled together departed. We've strayed from Brent again! Brian.

Hi Phil, a couple of your comments have stirred my memory (It needs stirring these days!) and I recall a gas wagon parked by 'the lane' at North Road at frequent intervals. Also on one of the sidings close by, there were invariably milk tankers from somewhere. Under the bridge, there was usually an Engineering coach with prominent bell. Never seemed to move but other than that, never seen any other stock there. In todays station layout there seem to be a couple of useless sidings by 'your' wall where once they held waiting locos Brian. Brian.

That Down main at Bodmin always seems to be weedy, even from earlier pictures while the Up line doesn't seem to suffer so much. It was the same when we were there years ago! Brian