ParkeNd

As an N gauge modeller I have never really got used to the comments about my gauge from those who model in the default gauge (OO). "Ugh! Too small to see" or "Diddly Fiddly Gauge". Those who can't even see or handle a loco if it isn't approaching 12" in length are never going to "get" T gauge. To me N gauge is the ability to show trains in a landscape. I probably won't try T gauge but I can see its attraction. To me it seems that it's about the challenge of making something really tiny actually work. Maybe scenic layouts aren't even important to its existence?

Wilbert and friend on the DFR in Gloucestershire.

Of no. A few more photos from yesterday. This time down at Parkend. With a 5 carriage train obscuring the water crane, I got down on the same level as Wilbert (he's pretty big seen from that viewpoint) and caught him running around the train and hitching up - and finally pulling out a bit easier than from Whitecroft. Next photos - Lydney Town Station. Thanks for all the directions for parking.

Thanks for the suggestion Tony. I plan to keep the photos coming.

Hattons remain my favourite retailer but for me now pre-orders are off the menu. They always seemed to mature (get shipped) on the very last day before the credit card monthly bill cut off date which must take some organising. I cancelled my pre-order for the Farish Class 47 and was glad I did because it looks quite unspectacular to my eyes. As long as you are on Hattons weekly emailed newsletter placing a swift order for anything new, looking good, and decently priced seems like a better course of action.

Thanks once again for that Arthur. The DFR man on duty at Whitecroft suggested Sunday is easier for Lydney Town so I will try a couple of your suggestions this Sunday morning. The station building viewed from the fire station is very "dolls house" in size. How closely does this mirror any original?

Spoon Full - Cream

It wasn't that bad really Brian - just not what I planned to do. Here are 5 of the photos I took as "compensation" to avoid a wasted trip. The story goes like this. After a piercing wheeze from Wilbert's whistle four sheep sunning themselves on the running line decide to head for cover. Wilbert struggles into view with 5 carriages. After a few minutes, making a lot of smoke, Wilbert trudges across the level crossing and passes very very close to the shop. I'm getting quite fond of Whitecroft.

Two matronly old ladies out on a shopping trip found an 80 year old man sitting in The Mall by the fountain sobbing uncontrollably with his head in his hands. The old ladies were so concerned for him that they sat next to him and asked him what was the matter. Between sobs he managed to say "I'm 80 years old and I have just married a 25 year old bride who makes love to me five times a day, cleans the house, and even now she is at home cooking me steak for my lunch". "So why are you sobbing so loudly if you are 80 and all this waiting for you at home?" they asked. Between even louder sobs they could just make out him saying "Because I can't remember where I live"

The plan this morning was to do something about the almost total absence of photos of Lydney Town Station by taking some new ones myself - leastways that was the plan. Finding it was easy despite the fact that when I am in Lydney I am usually driving staring dead ahead willing the level crossing gates not to close just because I am being forced by the speed limit to be doing 20 mph max - so I have never actually seen it before. I was totally beaten by the inability to park within 300/400 yards of the station by double yellow lines, a fire station, and what looked like rationed parking outside peoples houses. So I had to abandon and retreat since there was only a 20 minutes window with trains. Next problem - what do we do now? Went to Norchard which was (but I know this is good for the DFR) awash with 3 coach loads of OAP's less mobile than me, and poor Wilbert burdened with 5 carriages mostly carrying Reserved stickers in the windows. Picked up a copy of the new Summer 2015 DFR Magazine (which is a 20 page belter by the way) and headed for Whitecroft which still has that air of exclusivity if I can use that phrase - I can be selfish and do what I want. Took a few photos of Wilbert arriving and leaving including some from the elevated side of the shop which is still not open again. I'll post a few photos in a day or two - but enough to say that with even a small loco like Wilbert, it passes so close to your shoulder that (if you were so disposed) you could kiss the fireman on the way past. Left for home via Parkend and took a couple more photos despite being frightened off the platform by an old lady in a Reserved Seat who gave me a look strong enough to kill through a carriage window.

At last someone who knows the proper short name for a Rolls Royce. Rolls was just a bloody salesman. Impeccable taste in dogs too.

hove into view

Three reactions from different nationalities of women immediately after sex. French woman. "Oh cherie Oh Oh !!. That sent me to heaven, I shall never recover". American woman. " Woweeeeeee !!. Sol you are just the greatest stud ever" British woman. " Do you feel better now dear?"

Not everyone views the trees the same way. Riding behind 5541 just after Christmas I was sat across from a couple from Birmingham who, as the train left Parkend and the trees closed in proclaimed "Oh no there's nothing here". Not until we arrived at Lydney Town did they breathe a sigh of relief and dash off the train presumably to hug a building. Which gives me an idea where to photograph next. I usually blot the bits without trees from my conciuosness - I even find it disturbing to visit my home county of Essex after 42 years here because there are no hills.

at vegetarian feast

and Frannie's tree

said Zebedee gleefully

three times daily

Thanks Arthur. Whenever I am there I keep looking for a man with a dog - but no luck as yet.

I might as well finish the postings today - three in all today. I found two photos from yesterday I feel happy about using as the train thundered through St Mary's Halt - I was sitting on the wooden platform hard against the fence and it was quite frightening - not like an A4 thrashing non-stop through Brentwood Station in the 50's mind. So here are those two photos, plus crossing the road at Parkend, and three photos in the forest with just trees and birds around.

Whilst there is a risk that this post may stop some folk seeing the earlier post today at Whitecroft I am posting the arrival of the train at Lydney Junction, the loco running around and being prepared to leave again back to Norchard. I got to St Mary's Halt in time to see it pass through there, but I was unprepared for the very rapid acceleration and the speed it went through the station - especially since numerous folk crossed the line to get to the park lake whilst I was there. The new camera with it's 36MP resolution could detect the buffers were not staying in focus so I might not post those pics - will take a second look at them.

As threatened - some new photos. First off are just four I have selected taken at Whitecroft - I was looking to show just how close trains pass their surroundings - which is good for us observers. This is the first train of the day arriving at Whitecroft and then leaving via the road crossing for Parkend. The wind was blowing from Whitecroft back towards Norchard and the man operating the gates and manning the station was worried that it might have been Wilbert on today and then he wouldn't be able to hear it's whistle as it approached. Luckily it was 5541.

for rubbing into

large paper bag

Visited the DFR again with my camera this morning. I had decided to try to improve on some earlier photos by using different angles and viewpoints. 5541 was doing the honours "the right way round" compared with Wilbert so was running facing forwards from Parkend to Lydney junction. Took photos at Parkend, Whitecroft, St Mary's Halt, Lydney Junction, and in a straight forested section. Didn't bother with Norchard since photo locations are very limited - about 3 spots which gets very repetitive. I have a feeling that Whitecroft with its extra platform, building, and signal box with passing place for two trains is going to become the prime photo spot. Very busy today on the trains - more coach parties - good for revenue. Will publish a few photos when RAW files are processed.