Mick Boyd

I too have had first class service from Chris, I've always found him accomodating and helpful in every respect. Regards, Mick.

Morning Phil, I've quite a bit of Lenz equipment and when I require repairs or spares I email Lenz directly at: https://www.lenz-elektronik.de/info/service-support.php You may need to copy the text into Google Translate (or similar) if you dont have a command of German but it's very easy to do, invariably the reply will be in English. Lenz support is second to none, a few years ago I damaged a (steam) loco quite badly, they asked me to send it to them, they repaired and serviced the loco before shipping it back to me free of charge, I've recently asked for some detail parts for another loco that I'd damaged and my request was dealt with in a similar manner, parts sent FOC. Lenz in my experience are an excellent company to deal with. Regards, Mick.

To East Midlands locomen at least Ivatt 4MT's were known as 'Chinese 4's'. Regards, Mick.

Mine arrived a couple of weeks ago, I wholeheartedly with Dan's comments, fabulous books! Regards, Mick.

Ben, Mugs arrived safely this morning, one for home (already christened) and the other to go to the club on Friday, well done Ben! Cheers, Mick.

In reply to HGR's post, 'No, not independently switched on any classes that I am aware of. There was only one 'train classification lights' switch in each cab. For disks, all four lamps would be turned on together if any disk flaps were to be open. If all flaps were closed, you could leave the switch 'off'. As you would also do for an intermediate or rear-facing cab - should have all disks closed. With the train classification lights switched 'on', any closed disk flap would obscure its corresponding lamp and not be visible. You might notice light leakage around the edge of the closed disk on night-time long exposure photographs'. During my 40 odd years footplate experience as far as I'm concerned the lamps on disc fitted locos were turned on independently, certainly on 20's, 24's, 31's, 40's and 44's. Regards, Mick.

Our cat 'Boycie' has to have half a tablet each day to help reduce high blood pressure, our vet recommended Easy Pill (Cat) which is a meat flavoured putty, we just embed the tablet in a pea sized piece and pop it on top of his food - he never fails to eat it, so easy. Cheers, Mick.

RGA, It's nothing more than a 'sunshade' to help ward off the intense Liberian rays. Cheers, Mick.

Talking about putting things into perspective....

Hi Bob, I can help, PM me your address and I'll pop 'em in the post. Cheers, Mick.

Thanks for that PRWAL, I'm surprised that after all the years I managed to get the (approx.) date correct. I did have a cutting from a magazine of the van in use on the Holwell Branch but so far I havent been able to find it. Thanks again. Mick.

Hi Boris, I've always had a soft spot for these 40 ton vans, when I was a young teenager I used to live in Toton, one evening my mates and I were walking through the private cripples yard adjacent to Toton East Junc. and lo and behold we spotted one of them in the yard, I suspect it was during 1962/63. Moving forward a couple of years after starting my footplate career at Toton, I recall been told that one of the vans had been used for a short while on the two branches into Stanton Ironworks ( Old Works, New Works/Mapperley) from Stanton Gate, both lines which included heavyish grades. A few years ago I came across this image of the van in use at Stanton Gate on one of the two 'trippers' (T89 or T90) that serviced the ironworks. I dont have a record of the photographer so I'm unable to credit the image. Regards, Mick.

Having been born, bred and starting my railway career at Toton I agree with the posters who say ''Toe'tn", does it for me. Image, Black 5 on the ashpit at Toton circa 1965. Mick.

Excellent service from Steve once again, I ordered a set of custom decals for my 7mm Class 60 on a Bank Holiday Sunday and they arrived today (Wednesday)-brill! Cheers, Mick.

Hello again David, Chris Aldred has one for sale on his Steamline Ltd. site. http://www.steamline.co.uk/lmh17 Cheers, Mick.