Mallard60022

Being 'bogged down' (apt words 4630) is what's wrong with the whole of this area. P

I need a fix too. Have not seen T since the Nottingham Show many moons ago (SR theme year whenever that was?) Congratulations chaps and what a 5 star fiddle- xlnt. P @ 36E

Look at that platform canopy weathering - excellent. Oh and there is a loco - a very 'elegant' machine. Quack.

Hatfield has only been reopened for a couple of years; so more job losses on the horizon in a horribly deprived district. Looks like the Donny, Finningly, Misterton, Beckingham, Lincoln route is going to be the freight route south (and north?). Yesterday we were pondering the routing of the Container traffic up/down this route and how boring 36E will then become if this freight move comes about (and how annoyed the Lincoln shoppers will become until another footbridge is installed at the north crossing at Central). As mentioned earlier, Beckingham Level Crossing is quite a good place to spend a few hours at the moment if you are interested and able to have that time 'out'. Little shop in the village, inexpensive pub food (carvery/veg options every day, all day) just before the Trent Bridge at Gainsborough (about 5 minutes drive). One or two historic bits of railway interest around the crossing, good walks, plenty of birdies (feathered kind) and some good phot shot locations locally if you study your OS/Google maps and are willing to walk around a bit. Although yesterday's jaunt was most enjoyable I have to say how boring the loco scene is now; oh look, it's a 66 (yawn). Quack.

"So cleaning isn't that much different from BR days then - the norm then was paraffin I believe." Was that the 'oily rag' routine then? Suppose they used the same stuff that went in lamps? (Esso Blue or that pink stuff?) Strangely obtuse really; when those diesel things came in, to clean them they just squirted them with water (with a bit of Daz added). Quack.

Good old workaday pics Gilbert. Improvement to lamps = first class. I really liked WDs for some strange reason. In the 'good old days' I can remember overtaking them (in a train I hasten to add) in almost every loop between London and Donny and being really pi**ed off with mostly not being able to see the numbers because they were just so filthy and I was short sighted anyway. The noise inside that station 'shed' when something like this went through must have been wonderful, especially if the driver closed (loose gear knock) or opened (exhaust + taught connecting rod 'boing') the reg, + all those wagons....... Slightly OT but when I was in Wolsztyn a few years back I asked (in best Polish of course) how they 'bulled up' their loco's. Spray them with diesel fuel is what I was told; good grief. Quack.

BTW, Maltby is closed or is about to close.........Not much cash coming from from that direction then? P

Poor birdies, they only want to look at your layout...............or suggest what might be placed in shot of the day (need to replace the word 'shot' if talking with pigeons). As for nukes, I though that is what happened to Peterborough a few years back............. P

Little beauty there mate. The 'extra touches' make so much difference. P

Beckingham Level Crossing is where I would hang around for the Gainsboro diversions. One can use the old Yard hut as a bog in an emergency. There is a nice little shop in the village for refreshments. Alternatively there is a good view from the Cafe in the Garden Centre just the Reford side of Beckingham roundabout but they might find it odd if I sat in there all day!! P @ 36E

Ah Dave the synchronisity of RMweb. On a clear day I can, from my rear windows in 36E, see the Arrows practising. Not today sadly as West Burton and Cottam are creating their own little bit of atmospheric decoration. As for 'The Laird', I am obviously unread, but after all, I am but a Drake. So, educate me further chaps, in 1958, what (planes) might we have seen in the sky over P.N. from Scampton? (Just so Gilbert has some ideas for his back-scenes......) Quack.

I see that the 'Arrows' have time shifted (notice the closing worm hole slightly above and just to the left of the up platform roof) to avoid their pending abandonment by the Government - nice one Fritters. Re. the A4 Duck Class - one probably has to include continental types to complete the set I'm afraid, or further Waders are allowed; e.g. Avocet which I think is quite a good name. An ambition of mine is to see Bittern (19) passing the Bittern colony at Potteric Carr. Incidentally, re A11s, who the heck was the Laird of Balmawhapple? P

Porcy, Lippy Lee is the man that has the layout. His club operate above Aldi in North Blyth. That's the best source I can suggest. Phil.

"sort of moody" - Paul the weatherman would love that sky and so do I. Great shot Gilbert. The birds are Crows by the way, not anything to do with me.Now, if anyone is having problems getting to sleep, (not now but late on, or on awaking at that awful 3a.m.) here is something to keep you amused. Consider the A4s and rename the 33 non duck named ones after ducks (not including Donald please.....) without reference to Google type cheating. P

That's one heck of a mess. I can't see much passenger stuff going Donny, Gainsborough, Barnetby. Trans Pennines may well/will terminate/turn round at Donny (or less likely Thorne - no facilities) and it will then probably be bus sub or change at Donny & go to Hull with (maybe) bus over the bridge to Barton on Humber with a much enhanced shuttle on the Barton/Cleethorpes branch? There could also be shuttles between Scunny, Grimsby and Cleethorpes using the 'redundant' Donny/Scunny/ Cleethorpes stock? I don't suppose the Trans Pennines can transfer to the Hull route but that would seem a solution in the shorter term whilst the unholy mess is sorted? I don't think Hull Trains are overloaded on the Donny Hull stretch but I could be wrong. If the former is the case then TP passengers could be encourage/enabled to transfer to HT to Hull and then join the Barton bus as mentioned above. What will get b****red is the 'commuting' service in from the east to Donny on this route; bus sub will/would be horrible for those folks. It will be very interesting to see how the logistics for this work out re passenger services and more freight through Gainsboro' will be interesting for me. P @ 36E

Andy, "those dirty gert pacific things".......... are not really that big, (well I suppose the A2 rebuilds are and maybe the A1s). They and their behaviour give the impression of them being big and they were/are, of course, 'large' in the eyes of those lucky enough to seen them roaring up and down the ECML. or simmering in a gianty, dragony sort of way in their lairs. Alan, there are, of course, some really big maroon and other green machines that work on that 'rival' route (speaker points in a westerly direction) to Scotland, but we must not mention them here. Those 'Princess' things have really weeny teeny chimneys as well.....weird. But then there are the very good looking beasts that BR are conjuring up out of Mr. Bulleid's 'cans', but likewise we must not mention them here. One of those whizzing through wherever, with whistle open on a dark winter's evening at rush hour, is something to behold I can tell you; not dissimilar to watching an A1 through 36E in similar conditions (except there is no 'rush hour' in 36E) I am pleased to confirm. Of course they are actually pretty Brits with odd looking wheels... (and we now know were exterminated ten years too early, as were the A1s and Brits of course). Gilbert, I must hasten to reassure you that the only thing that looks remotely like a Mod's 'Vespa' on PN is 'Deltic'. I will now place myself under house arrest and promise to write out a hundred lines something like this . P@36E P.S. What's this to do with anything connected with P.N.? It is, in part (the blue bits) an adapted transcript of a discussion between some spotters at PN; some had travelled from the Cross to bash the P'boro' sheds and were sharing Hales Individual Fruit Pies with the locals whilst awaiting their onward train to Donny.

B1 transfer to NE - just the job - someone has nicked the fall plate en route though Of course it will go back to Wakefield in an even worse state..... what will be missing then? Quack. P.S. happened to see one of my 'peers' thundering up Shap on Saturday afternoon - nice.

How is it that the 'Summit' looks as good now as when I first saw it at Brighton in the mid/late 90's; just glorious stuff Tony. That Deltic at Retford shows me what I missed. I would so like to get more of an insight into what the long gone Platforms 2 & 3 looked like compared to the horrible sight Platform 2 is now. Fortunately, as we know, Platform 1 remains quite atmospheric, particularly at night when a big Pacific is running in to take water. Perhaps you and a few of the 'lads' would like to come and spend some time on Platform 1 later in the year when the sun is out and something steamy is due through? Fish & Chips on me if you do. P @ 36E

Best coach connections I've seen for a long while and so simple. Brablewick - York, oh heaven. I'll really have to get that Old far*'s rail pass dusted off and make the 43 minute trip from jolly old 36E (how fast is that.....?) Whilst I'm here, may I just pass on a huge thanks to Tony for the information he is letting me have (via GN) re the Comet LNER Triplet Diner (1928) and build thereof; T.W. you are a gentleman. micklner, do you want to borrow my MRJ102 or do you have it? Bramblewick pics are only B & W but very good indeed. P@36E

Good grief, just how the 'old' place has changed. I was transferred from 83D in 1966; 72A for 3 years and then I was scrapped (got married). Hey, ho. P P.S. Old Sutt - would you be an old Sutton High person then?