brianusa

Perhaps I should clarify also. Although having had trains of various sizes and scales, I write from a tinplate point of view where exact isn't necessarily a must; hence near enough is close enough. My tinplate trains are 'close enough' therefore I am content that everything else matches that description. From a OO point of view, I appreciate that you guys are more particular but the idea is we enjoy our empires, large or small. Chacun a son gout, or something like that. Brian.

Colin brings up a good point although your layout doesn't appear to be near eye level, On a large layout like yours, Phil, its best to buy a helicopter and then you can take in the whole thing. Peering around obstructions at shoulder height can get tedious especially when you have to reach over them for any reason. Good to see it progressing whichever way. Brian.

Thanks Kevin although I should have mentioned Trevor also. The illustration sums up the Christmas tree layout very well. Still very popular each year over here. Brian.

Not bad Kevin, as you can see. The usual scratches and marks but nothing disastrous. The train runs well for its age. Its not really my thing but I just had to have it as a representative of an earlier era. Brian.

Contrary to GN, good enough or close enough, is good enough for me. Sometimes trying too hard to accomplish the impossible can drive you nuts and lose sleep. It may be a cop out but once you have made the decision, stick with it otherwise you can go on and on trying and accomplish nothing! Unless there is something really you must change!! Brian.

That shot of the 60 behind the signal box and by the trees was what all railway pictures should be IMHO. Anybody can take a train speeding along the main line but this kind of photo is the real railway, rusty track, points, and other infrastructure; in other words a railway picture. There's always plenty of front quarter views. Brian.

The 254 set was certainly popular and I also have a boxed example.so there must have been a lot made to still exist in reasonable condition after all these years. I rather think the colour of our trains is tainted by the Hornby versions. Certainly no black till post war! Except the specials of course. Brian.

This whole saga sounds a bit of a nightmare. Is the insulation contained in a silvery foil stuff as it is over here and fastened between the beams? Or is it the candy floss type without the covering? For want of better descriptions! Here we have whole house fans on a timer, which suck the hot air out of the house into the attic and vented outside. Maybe you don't have anything like this. Too bad you're having all this hassle, Phil. Brian.

Depends on ones age! Most herein if they are steam fans, come from the BR/WR era, consequently 'blood and custard', etc! The 'real' GW is years before that, probably from the Churchward days or even back to Mr Dean. Think what you've missed over the years, all the interesting locos and rolling stock; six wheeled carriages and clerestories; a fleet of Mk.1s doesn't cut it. Not that I am that old but certainly an interesting time in train spotting! Brian.

Goes to show how popular the GW really is. Go Great Western!! Brian

Returning up country, I presume. Brian.

If this is a Christmas fairy tale, then a Dean Single. Somebody must have a Lord of the Isles somewhere!. Brian.

Seeing as how this site is Southern related, let us now return to the railway in question - namely Bulleid locos, whether 'streamlined' or non. There always appears to be some confusion with paint jobs whether model or real. The line between the bottom black and the green bodywork appears subject to the painter. I always thought the original colours were separated in a straight line from front end, above the drivers to the rear tender. Sometimes the tender sides are all green but this can vary depending on the tender used. Also there may or not be a side section ahead of the cylinders either green or black. So which is correct or in this day and age of preservation, they all are! In spite of being a GWR fan,can't ever have too many Bulleids, naked or covered! Brian.

Hi Kevin, there is certainly a lot of choice in O tinplate these days, nice locos. I'm not really a fan of BR black, preferring the big four colours like Hornby trains. Perhaps its because virtually all my American locos are black as were their prototypes, The rolling stock made up for that usually being quite colourful as are the model versions. Good photos. Brian.

Sorry to learn you young 'uns suffer so with something that is usually reserved for us older 'uns! Brian.

No doubt a lot of us have trains or interest relative to our age. With the help of older relatives, I was introduced to train spotting at an early age deep in GWR territory at Laira during the war. Later, friends and I went further afield all the way to Exeter which felt like a different place altogether in those days! So the GW it was until my modelling days when Buckfastleigh was my only OO project. Others have varied from N gauge to LGB, finally settling on tinplate trains. I must admit I also .had a soft spot for the SR as everyone was beating up on the Bulleids in those days. So I have been fortunate to see a lot of GW exotica which sadly are all long gone now but live on in my memory and pages in books. Brian

Sorry to learn of this misfortune as I always appreciated your postings. Sometimes its best to immerse oneself in a hobby as a distraction from what our lives have in store, instead of putting it on the back burner. If you read this, hope this situation is soon reversed! Brian.

I would agree. Our layouts are indeed a little world of peace and prosperity. Its inhabitants have excellent train service with trains seemingly following each other like London buses! The country side is usually green and pleasant surrounded by blue skies (on the back scene!). Its prosperity is obvious with the number of goods trains and frequent passenger service. In other words, you can go in the train room, shut the door and leave the world and its troubles outside. To make it even more 'feel good', my wife brings me a cup of tea! Brian.

Penhayle Bay must have warm summer evenings judging by the bathers on the beach! Brian.

Todays DFR is 'dressed for success' or at least some of it is. It may not please the muck and mess that some enthusiasts like, but it makes a big impression on the paying Mums and Dads. Leave a bit for the diehards by all means but consider the overall impression that people carry away with and hopefully return. Brian.

After wiring up under the layout, painting figures is my least liked activity. Consequently, they don't look half as good as these! Brian.

It's roaring away here too - hope the power stays on! Brian.

Excellent pictures, it looks as though the line could continue to Cinderford!. If only NR kept up their property as nice! I like the siding through what appears to be someone's neatly trimmed lawn instead of by the goods shed. Brian.

It would be really nice to see a Pannier 'sandwich' sometime, Also some 0-4-2s, Newton had some in the late forties so perhaps a bit too early for the era. Brian.

Very evocative picture's, Andy, trains in the rain; everything looking clean and shiny and steamed up windows! Brian.