SydTrax

Although others have said the same, I'd just like to say how happy I was with the kit I ordered. I bought one a few weeks back, just to give it a go and see how it went. I've never constructed any track before and it was really easy to complete. To my eye it looks great and I'll be keeping tabs on future releases (the crossover shown on here has already caught my attention). A double slip would definitely be snapped up!

I've been looking to replace all my current Peco track with something more "authentic" for some time. I've always been put off building my own points as I am definitely an "average" modeller and am not confident I'd end up with a useable product. I certainly don't have the wallet to have them hand-built by someone else either. These are exactly what I've been looking for; they look to be within my capabilities and to me look much more like the real thing at a very reasonable price. Looking forward to release day very much!

ALYCIDON was my last Deltic too. I needed that one and MELD for ages. Saw them both at Donny on the same day in 1973.

Thank you, that is very kind of you (I'm Goddard Ave by the way :-)). At the time it seemed hardly anyone came to Hull, let alone took photos here. I've discovered a few people on a couple of internet sites who did take pics which has been good to see. Your example are anything but "unworthy"! Pictures of Deltics in their first few years of service are always welcome!

Yes, you certainly could hear them a fair way off! My Auntie and Uncle moved up to Newtonhall on the outskirts of Durham in 1969. As kids we used to go and stay with them and one of my most distinct memories is of lying awake in the small hours hearing the distant drone of Deltics as they raced through the night, the sound rising and falling as the railway passed through the cuttings. The line was about half a mile away but that far-off sound was often accompanied by small vibrations of ornaments on the shelves in the room. Quite a haunting sound, and one which obviously left an impression!

Good to see some more links and photos of these legendary machines. My earliest spotting days were at York and Doncaster in the early 70s and even now I can still clearly recall the utter thrill of seeing these monsters bellowing through the latter station at full bore. There is no other sound on earth like it and those far-off sunny afternoons spent lolling around on the platform barrows until someone cried "Deltic" always come flooding back whenever I hear one today. Living in Hull meant we were somewhat detached from most of the hustle and bustle of the main lines, but in 1978 we got lucky; Deltics were allocated to all the Hull-King's Cross trains. I worked in the city centre, so lunchtimes were spent at Paragon station taking in the sights and sounds as they arrived and departed. Travelling home by train after work meant I also got to sample the late afternoon departure as well. Trips to York, Donny or London were timed to travel behind them and sitting in the first coach was mandatory. I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the last trip of all on 2nd January 1982, a sad day indeed as the realisation kicked in that this really was the end. Have to say my interest in railways waned a bit after that as the stuff that was left somehow just didn't quite compare. My camera travelled with me every day and so I have a fair collection of these monsters in their last four years of service. Feel free to look through some of them here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sydpix/sets/72157625258228962/