The Bigbee Line

Yes Clive, it's a shame when photographers get distracted by locomotives........

Jenolite used to be phosphoric acid. Might be easy to get in DIY outlets

Looks like a good old 'rotabroach'. There is a company that will make broaches to size. If you want a particular size hole ask for one .3mm smaller than required. Company is Bradford Tools, no connection, just a good supplier.

Had a family Christmas dinner today (I know it's a bit early). First one with our two grand daughters present. Best thing ever to have all the family together. Presents as well, great.

Now moved to Norfolk, Horray!!!! Boxes everywhere (I mean everywhere). Luckily my timber stash revealed numerous lengths of 18mm ply and mdf. Just the job for boarding the loft. The lost looked empty, but an old water tank and other assorted rubbish will get a ride to the tip today. All the family will be here for the weekend (another horray) Hope everyone else has a good weekend

I feel like a kid at Christmas, we are starting our move to Norfolk tomorrow. I've found so many things when sorting out in the garage; all those photos you could remember and not put your hand on etc. There is plenty to scan and post. So it's up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire, the new place is a bungalow so no stairs. I'll miss the exercise, but Mrs P will be much happier.

Not a bad price though. You could then sell off the figures for a nativity. The same seller has some reasonably priced items DCC sound Bachmann Porter tank loco for example.

As they say 'you can choose your friends, but not your family' bless 'em

Luckily it didn't involve fingers or any other appendage. At least you didn't knock a tin of gloss paint all over a set of points and associated point motor the night before the exhibition. Another howler was to use a couple of decking screws as 'belt and braces' securing after the boards were clamped together. Piece of cake with my new electric screwdriver. All well until I came to take them out on the Sunday afternoon. Would the come out, they started to move, then the bit of screw that was in fresh air turned into a serpent as the rest of the screw jammed. As you say more oaths etc.

I thought that the term 'modern image' came from the time that most established 'scale modellers' produced a GW branch line. No howls from the crowd please. This was thought to be the norm. If you liked anything else you were looked down on. There were others that modelled SR, LMS, LNER are the associated BR regions. Indeed lots of ordinary models just had a selection of the RTR available. If you modelled diesels you were considered a heretic. I can remember "Sundown and Sprawling" in Railway Modeller and drooling over the various scratchbuilt diesels. Anything with Southern Electric was heaven indeed. So to me "modern Image" is a historic term from the 1980's, if you model up to date stuff it is "Now"

Richard, I think in most aspects you are correct. I was not thrashed as a child, but I knew what was right and certainly knew what was wrong. As children we were brought up to; Eat our dinner, get on with things, don't answer back, do as your told etc. We were also told: Don't stand for bullies, help the underdog, do your best etc etc. The two things that I always quote: Always say please and thank you also to stand up for ladies on a bus. Television also has a lot to answer for.............. Anyway enough of that, a clear but damp and chilly morning here.

No silly, its 'magnahesion'

I had an MTK kit.. The brass used is the nearest thing to armour plate. Good luck, keep the pictures coming.

Its relisted, with comment 'no loco'

Just made a cuppa, a cold has me coughing and spluttering, must have been raining as I can hear the wet as cars go by. Relieved by yesterdays hospital visit, I'd been referred after my first 'diabetic eye test'. After the usual stinging drops and photo session, the consultant had a good look and declared them 'a good pair of eyes' and discharged me. It was interesting that he could see scarring from a couple of episodes of brake dust being removed in the 80's. Today will be more packing, collection of prescriptions and the chiropodist visiting. For all you youngsters, that's what happens as you get old. You might think you can dodge it, but it will creep up on you. Enjoy the day.

Without wishing to bore non SR enthusiasts: LBSC K class - 2 cab options LBSC D3 class or SECR H class LBSC C2X class SECR D1 or E1 class SR CC electrics SR S15 class or H15 class SR 4 LAV or 2 NOL SR compartment coaches built with LSWR bodies Thanks for asking

No opinion, just to comment. I checked out the site and he has loads of stuff (seem super top prices). Reviewing the feedback he doesn't sell many very expensive items. Just 3 negative feedback in the last 12 months. He obviously fills a niche in the market. It must pay to keep re-listing items in the hope that you eventually get a bite. It's an eye opener to view all the items and put them in highest price first order.

The night there was a major cable fire in the London Bridge area we took a 12 car from Charing Cross to Cannon Street, changed ends and set off for Blackfriars, then changed ends again heading for Ashford and the Kent Coast. At Blackfriars there was an enormous rat ambling across the platform, not worried by the presence of a train at an unexpected hour.

I'm still packing for the move and finding things that have been hidden for ages: This is a freelance excess height boxcar. Kitbashed from 2 Athearn 40' highcube boxcars. Very crude I'm afraid, but effective from a distance. Unfortunately the 2 bodies used were slightly different, one was nice and crisp, the other not so crisp. A coc-cor gondola lowered on Accurail trucks and kadees added. It needs the grabs etc tarted up. When weighted a reasonable runner. A Marx flatcar and bits of body from an Athearn wide vision caboose. When finished will be a Southern Transfer Caboose. There will be plenty of things to finish off when the move is complete.

Nothing wrong with a change of venue. The Hornby Maroon LNER suburbans are tempting, but horrendously expensive. What formations are you thinking of?

How about a pink 56?

When the French were building TGV routes, people were proud if it went by their house. When we lived in Ashford there were years of protest against the building of the missing part of the M20. I had to chuckle when some 'protesters' were then hemmed in by the CT route. What happened to the 'good of the country' ethos

Nice and sunny in Eastleigh, can't wait to move to Norfolk. Just seen a trailer for a program with Shaun Ryder on UFO's, if I had self medicated on a similar scale I would have seen more than UFO's

I worked into Holborn Viaduct in the early 1980's. Mostly EPBs I think. Mostly suburban (Sevenoaks, Orpington as destinations IIRC) There may have been the odd long distance commuter service in the peak. Someone needs to check the timetables. Parcels and Papers had stopped by then, but a small shift in the space time continuum will sort that. As always any pictures are appreciated.