D1059

AFAIK (from a very well placed source), the last I heard was that the next window NR had for demolition of the existing bridge was one of the B/H weekends in May (can't remember which). Whether the planning situation means it's now too late to use that window I don't know, but suspect it is

Didn't realise it was you next door to us Phil

First time I've seen a shot from Patchway with the OHL in place - that looks a LOT less obtrusive than what is in place in the Thames Valley and from Didcot to Swindon

First time I'll have been with my own layout. Just shaking the cobwebs out after the Christmas lull. One of my Hymeks has had a bogie transplant and is back to full fitness, so should have the entire motive power stud operational again

Thanks - sounds like a plan

Can anyone tell me what is actually inside the N Dapol dummy Hymeks please ? Are the bogies fully functional with pickups and gear towers (ie identical to the powered models) ? One of my powered Meks has developed a problem with intermittently jamming gears. Thinking this might be an easy way of replacing the bogie and providing me with a future source of spares. As a byproduct, my model is from the first batch with the pizza cutter wheels so I should get finer wheelsets as well Thanks

Few yards back then looked as bad as some mainlines do today !! From memory, most had an air of gentle decay rather than the rampant jungle that many modern yards have become

Did it out of Paddington during the last few weeks of the Padd - Banbury via High Wycombe with a Class 50 (number 7 I think)

Jim passing Hinksey on Sunday GBRf Tug 1 by Stephen Dance, on Flickr GBRf Tug 2 by Stephen Dance, on Flickr

Its a common fault with many models - especially those with illuminated panels Usually the headcode numbers and lettering is far too recessed into the box and undersize. The Farish Warship is a classic for this. I simply painted the clear panel black and put transfers directly on the top. Looked a million percent better. The lighting is WAY too bright for headcode panels (and marker lights for 60s/70s diesels) anyway so I just snip and remove the wires powering the light source. Dapols 22 is the only model in my fleet that seems to have got the headcode panels convincingly right

When I built a rake of 21T hoppers from the Society kit many years ago, they represented the unfitted version. I laboriously converted them to the fitted version with the end supports added using microstrip, and vacuum cylinders from other redundant kits. Does the kit now have the option of the fitted version, or did you do the same as me ? They look excellent by the way

Exactly - preserving the bridge has never been an issue, that's just been a tool to use in the argument. It's all been about the impact of an extended closure on the local road network (especially when the A34 is congested due to an accident or roadworks - pretty much all the time) and businesses in Steventon

Absolutely, the NGS kit is adequate, but using the Peco chassis is immediately compromised as well as lacking detail as its all moulded, and this new RTR offering is in a completely different class - beautiful Please, please, please backdate it to a Vanwide. Even though the colour variations are limited there could still be at least 3 versions with pre and post 64 lettering as well as TOPS era. I'd definitely have a few

Also, spellings were far more variable back then

Received mine OK thanks - barely had time to unbox even one yet, and its far too hot to think about putting the face mask on and getting the airbrush out

I saw this layout at Abingdon many years ago - it stuck with me and became one of the inspirations for City Basin Goods Look forward to seeing Twll Cach

Found the details of the 4-COR tour on 6 Bells Junction Unit 3135 on the Southern & North London Electric Train Tour, 8th November 1970 Traction Route 3135 London Victoria - Stewarts Lane - Longhedge Jn - Clapham Junction - Brentford Central - Hounslow - Whitton - Twickenham 6532 (1) Twickenham - Richmond - Richmond SB 6532 (1) (2) Richmond SB - Richmond [P7] 3135 Richmond - Gunnersbury - Acton Wells - Willesden Junction (HL) - Gospel Oak - Camden Road - Dalston Jn - London Broad Street 3135 London Broad Street - Dalston Jn - Camden Road - Gospel Oak - Kensal Green Jn - Willesden Junction (LL) - Wembley Central - Harrow - Watford Junction 3135 Watford Junction - Croxley Green 3135 Croxley Green - Watford Junction 3135 Watford Junction - Harrow - Wembley Central - Willesden Junction (LL) - Queen Park - London Euston 3135 London Euston - Queen Park - Willesden Junction (LL) 3135 Willesden Junction (LL) - Kensal Green Jn 3135 Kensal Green Jn - Willesden Junction (HL) - Acton Wells Jn - Gunnersbury - Richmond - Twickenham - Staines Central - Windsor 3135 Windsor - Staines Central 3135 Staines Central - Chertsey - Weybridge - Surbiton - Wimbledon - East Putney - Clapham Junction - Longhedge Jn - Stewarts Lane - London Victoria

Someone on a Facebook group I'm in posted a picture of a 4-COR at Euston in 1970ish !!! - I had to do a double take before I believed what I was seeing !! - It was on a railtour

No problem Mike - was in no way intended as a criticism - have fun !!

Hi - Ben. How far are you through dispatching the tanks please ? Appreciate you have a lot of boxes on the floor at the moment. I've not received yet any communication about paying the balance for my 12 wagons Thanks

We treated them as dodgems when I was a kid !! H&S must have put paid to the original overhead mesh current collection I guess - the staff would collect the money like dodgems too, stepping from the small 'islands' in the lake onto the backs of the boats and holding the collector pole !! By the mid 70s the old electric boats had been replaced by battery versions. Was very sad to find they had gone completely when I visited in the 90s

I shall start preparing the air brush for them and a batch of suitably grubby paint

No one thought about getting hold of a giant Peco Track Rubber ?

Sadly, I was away for the weekend so was unable to attend. Much cussing ensued when I realised I would miss seeing this excellent layout

Sorry for continuing thread drift but does anyone else remember the BBC TV News interview with voters the day after the referendum ? Specifically, the guy they spoke to who said (and I think I'm quoting pretty much verbatim) "Well........I didn't really want to leave, but I voted leave anyway..............and I'm really surprised at the result" Beggers belief.......!!!