brianusa

Was there ever much clay traffic at Looe? Even in the early days there couldn't have been a lot. Nothing like that coming down from Caradon except granite and whatever mine business was left. Par, Charlestown and Fowey were close enough and probably the bulk from Moorswater and Coombe went out that way. Given the shortage of sidings, Looe was probably more concerned with getting out the fish and whatever local business there was as there wasn't anywhere else on the branch convenient for loading and unloading. There is a very interesting modern rendition of Looe on RM, if a little basic. Brian.

If all the pregrouping company names were revived, it would be all right with me. At least you would have an inkling where they serve as opposed to todays corporate names which don't mean a thing to the average traveller. Brian.

I wonder how many buy a van for their hobby? Brian.

And here I was thinking that this was your good morning picture! Brian.

I fly home and usually head westwards. Luckily I remember the GWR so FGW sounds close so off I go reasonably successfully. Once I ended up in Weston SM instead of Plymouth due to two trains on the same platform at Reading! But I have no idea how to get to Leeds or Northampton or anywhere like that as the LMS or LNER which more or less told you which direction they were going, are now replaced by First This or First That give little indication of their routes. Even the livery is no help so I'm for making things simple. Brian.

Thanks Gary, for the comprehensive explanation. It would appear signalmen have to be on their toes these days! Brian.

I have a feeling you'll be lucky to get a turntable, revamp or no. The powers that be don't seem interested in such frivolities if St Blazey is any example.. Please can anyone answer my question in #110 about pathing - I have no real knowledge of the subject! Brian.

Agree with Rick in Oz. Those of us in foreign climes are lucky to participate virtually immediately with the internet and sites such as this one. Question. In view of the tightness of pathing these days, how does a relief engine fit in with little notification? Brian

There goes the thread! Brian.

Soon it will be all lookalike world class trains that one can see in one shape or another the world over. The HSTs are a unique British design that will be missed in a sea of bland designs for the foreseeable future. Brian.

Phil, on our last house move, there were two layouts to be considered. After about ten minutes it became apparent that complete binning of the baseboards was the best way to go. So everything movable came off to be reused and the chain saw took care of the rest. It would have been virtually impossible to reuse any of them, so now there is just the one which is much bigger. Brian.

Has a railway strike come to Brent? No trains are running! Brian

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-train-services-cancelled-bank-holiday/story-27596597-detail/story.html I thought they were just out on strike or was that just the Underground. Brian.

That's what was sad in the seventies when the HSTs appeared on the scene, probably the last British influenced train set. Since then designs from all over the world have graced our tracks; hard to tell one from another some of the time but that was also said about the many DMUs and EMUs all over the place. Similar trains can be seen in many parts of the world including 'our network' nowadays. So be thankful for the American locos and BR heritage units that are running on the railway. At least they're different! Brian

Any tinplate resource is welcome, K. We few are a happy breed unencumbered by scale, proper colours, number of rivets, etc, amid hundreds of OOers who relish such things. No doubt most have been the same route as you with other scales and like you, saw the light! Look forward to more content. Brian.

One thing about the old SR, Sunshine Green letters really brightened up the black even when it was dirty. Brian.

Two pretty girls and an elephant. Moving right along.................................. Brian.

.< Meanwhile, design for the Cornwall Resignalling is progressing (not saying anymore) and this will also go in to TVSC, by which time it'll be called the Great Western ROC.> Oh dear! Brian.

Thanks for the picture, just like it was years ago. A bit after my time as the loco would have been an O2 or an M7 then I suppose but when Exeter Central was a real station! Brian.

I.ve never even seen a model of one! Brian.

With the condition of the engine and train, you can see why but good that someone did! Brian.

What will happen when the semaphores disappear; colour lights will not have the same effect. Pictures where this has happened already lose out because of the lack of signals and other railway infrastructure. Of course, they do have overhead wires! Brian.

Phil, you don't have this problem with tinplate, you don't even have to worry about which country's trains are on the layout let alone which area you live in. As appears a common situation, discretionary income and a place for trains was rare early on. But having both was a game changer! Brian.

Sometimes it pays to be older having been there. Luckily not like the unfortunate incidents as related above but the ability to travel branch lines before they were removed or preserved. Very young then but still memorable and still there in memory. Also Bulldogs piloting expresses over the Devon banks, Millbay station seemingly dark and gloomy and Mutley station, both soon to disappear Brian. Not Edwardian but George V ian.

Not to worry, rab, its only a forum! How are things in Plymouth these days? Brian.