The Blue Streak

Oh, you're serious about it then, Clive ?

Crikey, I can't even believe this has risen it's ugly head again. The Hue and Cry that went up with some of the design clever models was heard loud and clear by the industry I am sure. Nowadays I would rather buy one beautifully detailed and painted model than 2 or even 3 average ones. I still agree that there should be two ranges. (But Hornby need to differentiate it a bit better) One range - absolutely top Quality for those that want that sort of thing and don't have the time, skills or CBA building / modifying / modelling their own. The second range - for the more budget conscious / train set market / or even those who like to start off with a basic model and tart her up. Attempts to make a one size fits all with slightly better paint on the expensive versions will be a disappointment to the top end buyer and still too expensive for the basic market. As for the price of the top end models. They seem to be selling ok, that first batch of Stanier FRS went pretty quickly. The pricing is still well down compared to many other leisure activities that people partake in. Have a look at the price of a top end fishing reel or some of the gaming equipment on offer. It's the same in those hobbies, if you don't like the higher prices buy the less pricey alternatives. Design clever came at a very bad time for Hornby and I don't think it did much to help their cause. I'm not really into the LMS, but I reckon if I was, I'd be finding the money for one of those new Coronation / Duchess class Pacifics by selling off some older versions if I had to, they are simply stunning and the price they are going for when you look at how good they are makes them a steal. (and no, I'm not a rich knob, I'm a normal bloke with an average paying job and a mortgage and car payments, but instead of smoking or fishing or boating or eating out I buy trains when and if I can.) It's looks like the A3 mould has been finally given a rest, due to some recent tooling issues (ski ramps), hopefully when it makes a come back it will as good as those Staniers, not that the A3 tooling wasn't up to scratch - it was a game changer in it's day, I think it was just worn out. I think a return to design clever is and was a bad idea. Just My opinion you understand.

This blog is devoted to Sn3'6", mainly WAGR (West Oz Govt. Railways) but still quite interesting and full of useful stuff. A bit of ex WAGR stuff seems to have found it's way to not only NZ , but Sth Africa, Sth East Asia and even Chile of all places. http://wasnmodeller.blogspot.com.au/

Great video of one of those SNAFU moments that occur and we don't usually see. Loved the teaks too.

None of this matters to Me anymore, as I have received a "like" rating for My post on P1 of this topic from none other than Jenny Kirk, author, Interweb model railway personality and as of recently, star of the small screen. This is the highlight of My time on RMWeb and I feel truly humbled to have come to the attention of such an Icon of stage internet and screen. Eat my dust all you other wannabes JENNY LIKED MY POST !!!!

Impossible, Nobody can do that, except My electrical Guru...... and for those who missed him elsewhere, here he is again. I have also now appointed a team leader ... and introducing My Head of research...

Hey Clive, Do you think these people might be able to help out ? They have a couple of 309 sets preserved. Electric Railway Museum Best I can do from Oz I'm afraid Mate . Edit - there's also this

....and a word from the wiring guru.

Very good effort it is too. I see Phil has also posted pics of his team. You other chaps are dragging your feet, We are starting to get some bites over there. The rest of the SOS Jct sheltered workshop group are counting on you.

Nothing much kicking off, over there yet, mainly just you lot of rabble rousers trying to get some bites I Have made a small contribution, to see if I can get a reaction regarding relevance from any of the usual RMW serious police. Ps. I think some of you other clever bu##ers should whip up a picture of your proposed teams and post them over there too, best team wins a prize * * Disclaimer - There probably wont be a prize

I have assembled My team Wheres the pictures of everybody else's team ? Regards Dean I Everything

Completely agree with all that's been said here already Gilbert. I always stop by PN prior to or after work each day. I enjoy the daily dose of pictures, but probably enjoy the snippets of information you give us more. Just those little bits and pieces that you don't normally find unless you really dig for them. I think the rest of Us sometimes forget the amount of work that you put into taking and editing these pictures. But I think We all appreciate the fact that you may need break from it and just enjoy your trains and golf etc instead of spending hours editing photo's. I for one would be happy to see the unedited versions and just an enhanced one from time to time when you have the mojo for it. But more importantly I think it would be a travesty if you felt the need to entertain us had somehow contributed to the lessened enjoyment you now get from your creation. It's supposed to be fun and your priority must lie with you ensuring your dream layout remains so and not a daily chore that you feel you must do. Kindest Regards, Ted

Six Ex Wagr / ARG / QR - DBZ class Locomotives have been now been moved from Forrestfield to storage at various sidings along the GSR having been transferred on empty grain trains hauled by CBH class locos . All need some work done to get them fit for use since being purchased by CBH and how long it is before they are pulling trains again remains to be seen. The 5th and 6th of them - #2302 Shire of Jarrahdale and #2312 Shire of Toodyay were seen on the move today to be stabled at Beverley. In other West Oz news, the first of the rebuilt ex WAGR / NZR / Tasrail narrow gauge D class locos (Now DR) arrived back in WA recently in Watco Livery. Picture from Watco's Twitter page here

Oops a Daisy .

Crikey Clive that sort of Liberal, To each his / her own, thinking will have you exterminated in various parts of RMW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxD-5z_xHBU .

That'll be the Day - Buddy Holly and the Crickets

G'day Donny, I see you are really going all out on the Eastern Region Pacific's. If you haven't already got them, it's worth keeping an Eye out for "Yeadon's Register of LNER Pacifics " Volumes 1 and 2 which deal with the Gresley A1/A3 (vol1) and A4 and W1 (vol2). There is an absolute goldmine of info and facts in them. I bought mine several years ago but I still think they are readily available. Well worth getting them. There is also a volume that deals with Peppercorn and Thompson's Pacific's but I don't know the numbers off the top of My head. Nice collection of Express blue a4's by the way, I have Kingfisher (from the rare bird pack) and Golden Eagle. They really do look good in that colour. Edit - Both books still available and currently for under 10 pound Click Here

Wow quite busy this morning, 40 to 50 Zebra finches, 3 white browed warblers and a few bronze wing doves out the front eating bird seed. A dozen or so silver eyes out the back scratching around for insects. A pair of twenty eights in the elm and a mix of Galahs and Corellas in the big Gum tree.

I hope NH Neil has read this re Hornby Decoders, He is always on the lookout for more ammo to take to Decoder Snobbery Gunfights that pop up on RMW from time to time. BTW I think He's been for an op recently ( although I may have imagined reading that ), if that's the case I do hope He is on the mend. I like the way Brian goes about the hobby. He's been down that road We all have, where there's a constant need to have the latest and greatest, most accurately modeled, etc etc. Then one day He realised that it had stopped being fun, paired it all back and went back to where He started and just plays trains. Perhaps I should get rid of everything as well (I literally have thousands of $ worth just sitting in their boxes), stop planning for that big dream layout, that keeps getting deferred and buy a 3 rail Dublo A4 and some dublo teaks and set them up on the floor and just watch it race around while I sip beer. Sounds pretty good actually.

60113 did make an appearance at PN way back on Page 24. As much as I like Express Blue, I still prefer the look of her before being modified. (better get the lid back on that can of worms ) (It appears again on Page 337 if green's your thing )

On a related note, the Old Chrysler Valiant Ute from the original Movie. Is kept a couple of K's from where I live.

Saw that tourism Australia Ad, it's quite neat. There's this one going around as well. I quite like it as it's got Margot Robbie in it playing a typical Aussie Bogan Chick, beating blokes up They've got to make it ( The movie ) now surely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnA4DGoihak

Crikey !!!

YES !

That was smashing Phil. Hadn't seen that one. Thanks Seems That taking the spam out of the tin doesn't detract from the experience and the visibility of signals etc seems quite good. Better than some modern single cab engines when long end running is needed.