brianusa

Some of these recent colour pictures have a faint 'alpen glow' which looks quite effective. Brian.

GWR in 1958, although it does have a smoke box plate! Brian.

At least the First has disappeared along with the psychedelic livery! Brian.

Angela Rippon. Brian.

Dear Cap'n, you don't know what shopping in Plymouth was like when department stores such as Dingles, Spooners and Pophams existed and before corporate takeovers like Debenhams, etc. Long before your time when you actually got service instead of off the hanger DIY, as it is today in this Walmart world. Dingles actually had a classy restaurant where one could partake lunch without having to rush to a car park in the rain. You could actually park outside of the doors most of the time! NOW BACK TO TRAINS. Seeing as how you're around Plymouth, how are things at Friary and the Cattewater Branch? Haven't heard much lately but I assume the end is nigh. It would be nice to have some final run instead of disappearing further into decline and ignominy. Brian

I find weedy sidings, real or modelled interesting for some reason. Especially those that seem to disappear for miles in undergrowth. Easy with long gone Buckfastleigh in OO, a bit hard with tinplate although I have had a go on a disused line that soon disappears into the backscene; works with a bit of imagination! Brian

As a confirmed GW fan, all the attention lauded on FS is of little consequence. I fail to see, in spite of its fame, why its any different to any other loco and especially why its had millions spent on it. Sure, its an icon of sorts but as has been said herein, by now its a bit of an ASP loco far removed from its LNER or earlier beginnings. The mags can't get enough of it, many recent issues have competing articles about it which means they are only repeating each others 'news'. Each of the other big four had their own comparable locomotives which are probably the favourites of many others. As for livery, possibly it should remain in its earliest form being the most authentic, then LNER and finally BR in ex LNE condition without all the hardware installed over the years. Brian.

This has sure changed since I was last there! What was the purpose of the siding apart from the obvious and whereabouts was it? Brian.

Hey Phil, think of how much fun you're having! Brian.

A change to the American side of the layout. An SP Cab Forward climbs up the grade while a freight passes on the lower elevation. Brian.

Its beginning to sound s though they should have gone long ago! Brian.

Most of us of a certain age go through this one, Jock. I did a few years back; nothing to it and back to normal very soon. Good luck to you. Brian.

Lots of shunting indeed. I've often wondered how much satisfaction modern image modellers get with their rationalised layouts. Brian.

We had our cat for about the same time and its hard when this happens. As has been mentioned, its like losing a family member, which it is really. Brian.

Bad luck, Rick, that's what happens when you have summer when it should be winter! Seriously the only good is that you get a better replacement perhaps. Its not going to happen here as the temp is around -2C; enough to freeze your whatnots off Happy New Year in spite of everything. Brian.

And where do all these people work? Certainly not in Brent or the Torbay area which has problems of its own. Plymouth? Exeter? Possible but its not going to help traffic on the A38 especially during the Summer. Wasn't there a convenient railway station there which would whisk you to either city in a short time? Perhaps the answer is to replace it with a bus stop on the platform like down the line at Ivybridge and so many others.! How many times has this happened before but developers always seem to win, although they should be required to fund such a station like the proposed Tavistock project which is a similar situation. Happy New Year Brian. Brian.

Just reading the Kingsbridge Branch again. After all this indoctrination here, I can now understand it more fully. A pity the timing wasn't right for preservation as it had everything, a main line connection with a terminus and two wayside stations. Would it have been suitable for main line engines though? Brian.

A sure sign that as we age most go through this love/hate relationship. It too shall pass! Brian.

Christmas wouldn't be the same without a train! Brian.

You mean like this.! Brian.

And Nadelek Lowen to you too! Thanks for this interesting site Blydhen Nowydh Da Brian.

In parliamentary terms, may I associate myself with all the festive comments about this site and its founder.. Merry Christmas Brian.

Hi Rick, judging by the last picture, street cars and all, Penhayle Bay is bigger than I imagined! Merry Christmas Brian.

It just so happens.................... Brian.