Mick Bonwick

Gauntlet duly picked up . . . . . . . . . .

It looks a lot different to the last time I saw it. I'd be happy if my first attempt had looked that good.

We have something in common! I have a fan heater just like that. I still have trouble coming to terms with the sheer scale of what you are doing. Taking a week to dismantle your layout, moving it 4' and then reassembling it does put a certain perspective to it. If I moved mine 4' it would then be outside. In awe!

Who was?

What method have you used to connect these cradles to your layout? Is it similar to a cassette system?

This one should do the trick:

I agree, if it's informative or useful.

Looks much better than a cattle wagon. Any cattle wagon.

You won't go wrong with this. https://www.rapidonline.com/antex-s58jj70-xsl25w-leadfree-soldering-iron-230v-with-silicone-cable-13a-plug-85-0848

Good progress, Kevin. Love that weathered cutting mat!

Quick, Kevin. More photographs!

If it was me doing it, I'd expect to do about 10 locomotives of Class 37 size, but I thin my paint quite a lot for airbrushing and only apply very thin coats.

Would that be difficult? I can lend you two of mine if it is. Friends, that is, not feet.

No different at all. They are consistent, though, in colour and composition, which is difficult to achieve when mixing your own by thinning ordinary paint. You will probably find that thinned enamel paints work better as a wash than thinned acrylic paints. Note that I used the word, "Probably".

Good question. I think the answer depends on your size. If you are 24mm then your canopy is rather small and difficult to see, so nudging will always have been a problem, but if you are 42mm then your canopy will still need a degree of concentration applied before you approach it, albeit less magnified. Whatever 6 feet means to you, just stay away.

Motor Books used to be at the Headington Roundabout; https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Caprinos+Pizza+Headington,+Oxford/@51.7621291,-1.1964602,247m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x4876c22abf72a33b:0x7547dcebed6bb65c!2sHeadington+Roundabout,+Headington,+Oxford!3b1!8m2!3d51.7628996!4d-1.1963855!3m4!1s0x4876c3b050ab944b:0x84c157822d207ec!8m2!3d51.7621291!4d-1.195913?hl=en Did you ever go there for your modelling shopping?

I haven't seen or heard anything to suggest that the Government has taken any interest in this topic. It's almost as if they have too much other stuff to be getting on with. What I suggest is, therefore, you take the following into consideration: Be certain that any canopy that is within 6 feet (NOT 2 metres!) of your touching appendages has not been nudged by anybody else for at least 14 days. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your canopy, spending at least 20 seconds rubbing them together to the tune of, "Happy Nudgeday to You". If you can't remember the words, just hum the tune. Repeat point 2. above after you've touched, as well. Probably best to do it twice, actually. Avoid touching other people's canopies. They might have already nudged them and not admit to it. Don't take any notice of the News, but keep a careful eye on the social media experts who know all about this type of problem. If any of this post offends you, you're probably reading the wrong topic.

I'd rather watch the potatoes than the spaghetti.

Impressive progress! I think you should show the inside of the panel as well.

I still fail to comprehend how you manage to achieve so much in such short timeframes. I think you have a secret army that comes out at night and does most of it for you . . . . . . . . . To put things into perspective for you, I have managed to lay (that means glue down) 4 pieces of Peco code 75 track today. That's 4 yards. In a day. With soldered droppers, though!

There's a story on the way . . . . . . . How might things have changed if the island was developed for something-or-other? Classes 24, 33 and 201 might appear. Differing types of traffic might be transported.

Trying to keep the gentle curves of the prototype eventually proved too difficult because the space available precluded it. The idea of adding an extension to take the engine shed (top left of the previous photograph) was thrown in the bin and a new track layout devised. The same number of sidings was retained and a less flowing arrangement devised through the station area. The box of buildings (second-hand resin ones and a few Superquick/Scalescenes assemblies) was raided to find some which would create additional interest. The direction was changing a little at this stage, and wandering away from fidelity towards make-believe. Still fun, though!

No grandchildren round here. There's nothing for them to play with!

I like the way that the railcar has hidden itself away. "D'you think he can see me?"

It's quite clear that the crumbs are moulded on, not separately applied.