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The show is rapidly getting closer so the layouts attending include. Radford Mill OO ERS Low Yard N Graham Hartley Ashfield N ERS Greenside Vale OO Ilkeston Woodside Willan End OO ERS Marsh Chipping N Dave Westwood Thomas Trackway G Barden O Andy Bonsor Preuninger Alm Hoe Axel Klozenbuecher Trade/ Demos Footplate Sherwood Models Trackside Video Model Power Depot Cardboard Works MERG HMRS Kirkby Loco Diorama (50 years since closure) Brian

Thanks for the reply, it seems that we both use the same method, although the pit prop loads are higher than the wagon sides so do not need to be tipped. Brian

This is a really nice looking layout and being set in South Wales it has that extra appeal to me and it is nice to see the different levels. Out of interest, how do you deal with the loads in the wagons? For my Llanforen layout I have made removable loads for both coal and pit props. Keep up the good work. Brian

Not a lot happening on the layout, partly because I had to take out one board so that the gas boiler could be serviced, but I have been busy on the modelling desk and there are a couple of projects just getting started, more of that later. The main part of my modelling time has been spent doing homework for a club project which will be on show at our exhibition on 12/13 October. I don't think the project will be complete by then but it should look OK. The layout in question is Radford Mill which the club bought from the estate of the late Peter Wright, long standing members of RMWeb may know the layout as Worsthorne. It was always Pete's aim to add the extension and we are trying to follow the spirit of his ideas using the boards that he had already built, however we often think that it is easier to start from scratch rather than modify an existing layout. Come along and see how we are doing at our exhibition on 12/13 October, details will be posted in the Exhibition forum. Brian

Thanks for the photos Gareth, most timely as I have just started my CSP kit. Brian

I can say that I have had some good service from Markits. On 28th August I sent an e-mail asking about the availability of 16mm drivers and had a reply the next day, an order was posted off and the wheels arrived today. There was also mention in the reply that Mark(?) is busy casting 72000 wheels including 17 new ones including another 16mm if I was prepared to wait. As it happens the one available was closest to what I wanted. If you know what you want a polite e-mail seems to work. Brian.

I really enjoyed reading about your G class build, and as you mentioned, photographs of Barry locos, especially pre-grouping are rare indeed. Over the years I have built up a collection of Barry locos and I only have the D class tender loco to build, so far I have located about 10 pictures of the class and only 3 have the cab that I want. Fred's post of the model in the museum could well be a Redcraft kit but on second thoughts maybe not as most of Derek's 7mm kits have been available as 4mm etches and my 4mm G is a Dean Sidings resin kit with a scratch built chassis. That's not really much help is it. Keep up the good work and you have certainly captured the look of a G. Brian

We have used this hotel several times over the past few years, the last time in March, because it is, or was, handy for visiting my aunt so watching footage of the fire had more impact than any other fire. Brian

I have just checked my e-mails and there is one from Booking.com for Bristol hotels and as we might need to go in the near future I thought it might be worth a look and this was top of the list:- Premier Inn Cribbs Causeway 3-star hotel Bristol Show on map 5 miles from center This property is sold out on our site for your dates: Thu, Aug 29, 2019 - Fri, Aug 30, 2019 (1 night) These dates are still available, but might sell out: Aug 28 – Aug 29 1 night, Wed – Thu The photo is somewhat out of date! Brian .

Thanks for more superb pictures of your beautifully modelled layout. It is always a pleasure to see your photos, they certainly show up my efforts. Brian

Only! £22.50 in the BRM ad ordering from the publisher but you have to quote the code in the ad to get this price. I can PM the code if needed or you don’t have the mag. Brian

Hi Johnster, I don’t know if you are aware of it but in the latest BRM there is an ad for Pen & Sword books with one of the featured offers Tondu Valleys, just your part of the world. I haven’t seen this particular book but others from the same publisher that I have are very useful for reference. My particular favourite is John Hodge’s book about Barry, lots of nostalgia. Might be worth considering in view of your windfall, unless of course you have spent it twice already. Brian

It's been a while since I last posted but I have not been completely idle. Nothing has been done to the layout itself, however I have been doing some modelling on the bench, some of it for a club layout. A couple of pictures to keep the thread alive. First up a special to Barry Island headed by 4018 Knight of the Gran Cross. Unusually Hornby produced the name that I wanted because I have a photo of this engine travelling along the causeway to Barry Island. A bit of dulling down the smokebox, fitting lamps, real coal and the biggest job, changing the roundel to the earlier wording. I did buy a set of etched plates although I have only used the cab side numbers. One day I will add a crew, I had nothing in stock that was suitable. As part of the train we find the toplight which I have mentioned before. I still need to make up the handrails to the roof but it is now serviceable. Not as easy to build as it should have been but it was a challenge. Brian

The selection of numbers to choose from made going round Woodham’s scrap yard interesting. Brian

I got to know Tim a little when I was modelling 0-16.5, always quite a character. On several occasions I gave him a lift to or from an event, the return always involved dropping him off at the Brunswick. A sad loss, especially to the Trent Valley group. Brian

Best wishes to Chris on your annual trip to Sidmouth, don’t forget to leave enough space in the car for all the new CDs that you are likely to buy. Brian

Thanks for the photos. An interesting contrast between the greens on 6960 and the 28xx, I know which I prefer. Brian

Fairly easy, there are two screws under the cab and one hidden under the front NEM pocket. The only comment is that the factory really tightened the screws so care is needed to avoid damaging the heads. Brian

Well I have now put the transfers on to the toplight and given it a coat of varnish. I have used Railtec for the first time and very nice they are, I will have no hesitation in using them again. Finally a couple of pictures of the Collett suburbans in service, needless to say the roofs have been painted. Looking at the second photo, I'll have to sort that running in board, I think it has been nudged. Brian

Not much has happened at Llanforen recently, we have managed to fit in a very relaxing holiday amongst all the regular domestic duties. The few passengers that use the line will be pleased to see that the new Hornby suburbans have replaced the old Graham Farish ones. On the subject of coaches, I am making slow progress with the toplight, the airbrush has been out and the basic livery is now complete so the next job is to do the transfers. It seems to take a age to complete a coach, so many repetitive processes and glazing, handles and grabs still to do! Another thing diverting my attention is building a canal warehouse for a club layout, there is a deadline for that, October. Sorry, no pictures at the moment, I'll try to get some soon. Brian

There are some interesting stories in Harold Gasson’s books reminiscing his footplate days regarding the big ugly things, I get the impression that a 28xx would be preferred. I think it is about time I read the books again. Brian

Up early this morning, well early for me. I’m off to Bakewell today to play trains with the Elizabethan gang, we have got Sutton in Ashfield Town on show. Say hello if you’re passing. Brian. Sorry I thought I was posting this in Early Risers, that’s what happens when your brain isn’t fully awake.

Not much modelling being done at the moment, my Mum has recently moved into a care home so there is a lot to do clearing her house and dealing with lots of legal stuff. After 65 years in the house there has been a lot to sort out including a lot of photos amongst which I came across this, which is a small 2"x 3" print that I have scanned as well as I could. I have slightly cropped the top and bottom. I don't know when it was taken, possibly late 50s and it could even be one that I took as a lad. Our grandmother gave all of her grandchildren a Brownie 127 when they got to a certain age, so long ago now I can't remember what it was. What I can say is that it was taken from the front of my grandparents' house in Barry. No prizes for guessing where I got my interest in railways.

I've just looked on the Hornby website and it now says expected July. Brian