Mulgabill

An update on the crossing saga http://cgibin.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Topical%20pictures&t=pics Oops!!!!! They've about 4 weeks 'til trains start running, and 6 'til the grand return to Minehead. At least that was the plan. Two steps forward and a big one back. TONY

And we all thought you had retired! We'll all be looking out for your debut as Poirot. TONY

Sorry last post hiccuped and was sent, before I finished. A couple more pics (one before wasn't intended) then I'll try to make the laptop behave better, next time. And the work underway I'll try to be back soon, honest TONY

Yet again, I had intended posting sooner. The photographers have managed to capture some unusual workings in the past quiet period, so will try to post. An unusual visitor brings in an engineers working, hope thats not bad news.

A sidetrack for comment, especially if you know anything about signalling. Copied here is a note from my club, re signalling for the layout we, well they, in my absence are working on. Gents, I've been taking some time while away to make a signalling plan for Gloucester London Road and have come up with the attached diagram. These are my proposals. The station gantry is under way anyway and the smaller one for the approach on the 'Up Main' is in situ without signals at the moment. This was just to get some sort of plan in place based on my own understanding from what I've learned so far, also with some of Bill's help. I'm not sure about the two signals with feather type route indicators (on the far sides exiting the station) but at least wondered if two 'starters' might be appropriate before the gantry - perhaps with the shunt signals attached instead of at ground level in those cases. The route indicators might be too much given that there are already Theatres on the gantry a bit further on. For the main platforms I though the little 'OFF' indicators were appropriate ahead of the gantry - Banner Repeaters probably unnecessary in those instances. However, I thought one on the 'Down Main' might look good as an advance to the three aspect signal (around the curve at the tunnel entrance). The rest are ground signals, two of which are 'yellow/white' instead of red/white to allow for off main shunting. Of course, if I've cocked all this up I'm sure I'll hear soon. Let me know if you have other ideas guys or see any glaring errors. Plan attached in JPEG file. Apologies if I've missed anyone out or sent to someone I shouldn't on the distribution. I've not yet got my head around it, beyond No need for shunt sigs in sidings areas, as they are handlever operated. Just required out into station area.. My general impression is that there are perhaps more than we need e.g. not needing a home before the tunnel. Will try to have a proper look later, but would appreciate any input from you guys, Many thanks TONY

An example of 12" : Ft Kit bashing, it was extended, without being to clever at covering the join! Also gave me many evening out with my girlfriend watching, sat in the car, a view that included Hymeks and Westerns, free of charge. Those were the days. Oh and she's still around, we progressed to evening picnics at Severn Tunnel Junc, after we were married, and the Hydrualics had gone. TONY

I too am in the middle of building one of these. (Picked it up for the princely sum of £3 last Summer). But I'm doing the later taunton concrete version. Trying to work out how to fit couplings, any suggestion? Cheers TONY

Is that thw little known, trial NA - Kingsbridge - Plymouth commuter service...... perhaps? Certainly looks good on ANTB. TONY

Nice thinking! The double arrows were much easier than building a nose for D1 Coming on nicely TONY

This isn't LM, Kevin. With AP on the job, it could all be done, and written up, .....by TEATIME. One Eyed TONY

Yes I do have a pair in BR Maroon as the "normal" branch set, plus about half a dozen choc/cream for GW running or future detailing/improving. Although all of these are pre Hornby versions inc my 1st pair of Airfix original issue. TONY

Well this is where I have an advantage, presenting a cartoon. (ie rule 1), But at an early stage I did also refer to the layout having an alter ego - that of Helstonish on Severn. To date I have tended to find it difficult to envisage the layout as being anywhere but Cornwall, other than when I want to run some of my bigger locos. But one day I may get round to drawing up a Severnside based History / Timetable, which might justify some of the loco's I've acquired. (One work in progress is a spreadsheet of loco allocations for Bristol, Gloucester and Cornish sheds from BR database, to highlight locos which spent time across more than one area of interest.) The new rake will effectively at least upgrade the presentation, replacing an old mainline Midland set as the regular non corridor working. You are probably right, although thats unlikely to be me. I'm not that brave. I will probly fix the other irritation that I omitted from the above. ie the steamheat pipes which vaguely point horizontally under the buffers, front and back, which will need "clipping" to a bracket on the buffer, I think. TONY

Yes, thats exactly what I have done. But the comps can be turned 180 deg, so there is a choice to be made. From what little differences I can see, I think the choice is, do I group the first sections together at the centre, or the comps? Must admit I've not yet looked at GWR.Org Good to know I'm not the only one who doesn't immediately have the answer. TONY

Well the verdict on the Model Rail 16XX, with lot's of caveats. ie this is just my impression, and I have no pretense to really knowing what I'm looking for, and, at the moment whether I could see it, if I did. I like it's running qualities, both in terms of speed, and control, but also it's ability to stay on all of my trackwork. The details are generally nicely done, and I particularly the reverser rods. Dislikes - the join across the bunker, which everybody was moaning about, but I can live with. especially once I have painted, and fitted the fire irons etc. A bigger disappointment for me is the cabfront windows, which catch and reflect the light, shouting plastic. Not sure of the answer to that. Overall however I am very happy with my first new purchase since probably the Lima 94xx when it was first intoduced. Now I need to work out how to put together a new branch set, how do I get the RH / LH comps the right way round ????? TONY

Surely if it's 20s the answer has to be .....BOTH. Keep it coming Paul. TONY

What a difference those fence posts make! So evocative of the area, but not a detail I would have remembered, until your pic reminded me. The undergrowth is looking both verdant, and understated. Another fine lesson Jeff. Keep it up. TONY

Good to hear from you, Robin. I do have a few thoughts, but will give a more considered answer, tomorrow. Does look nice on the Porthleven goods. However, I do have to question the sense of asking a one eyed bloke, who sees things as a cartoon, at the best of times. TONY

WSR Mogul 9351 heads away from Blue Anchor, Light Engine, Minehead - Williton 4 Jan 2022 This working left the WSR with 1 steam loco available, as the line was again about to be cut, again, for track renewal between Dunster and Minehead. Also it left me available for last weeks eye op! All seems to have gone ok, but it's an experience I am in no hurry to repeat. Currently there seems a little improvement each day, but not without a price. I have managed to walk into the wardrobe a couple of times, and have a cut on the forehead to prove it. It also required either sitting at a table, and laying forward, face down, or face down on a bed, for 2 x 3hr sessions a day. To manipulste the gas pressure! And with only one eye working, no driving. Modelling would be nice, but there's no time, it's like being back in full time work, and no pay. However there have been some "arrivals" so, thanks in no small part to Robins Sweets' prompt hereabouts, this arrived just before Christmas. Must be on loan from Swindon. And another parcel arrived from my new friends at Kernow, yesterday. Pics to follow shortly, I hope. TONY

Sorry - I think my offhand remark missed the target, somewhat. I was referring to the acronym, giving the word B O A T. As for 1000s you're off the mark, Cap'n all mine are Lima, or Lilliput !!!!!! TONY

But somewhat cheaper ....... Bring Out Another Thousand!!!!! TONY

Some while back, I was looking for a Cambrian Kit. (Inspired by the allocation of a crane to Little Muddle). However there were seemingly none available at the time. The Bachmann is a beauty, but a bit of overkill. At that price I would have to relay Helstonish, on a weekly basis. In the meantime I have a done a bit of work on a Triang Hornby version, which has come out well enough to stand in for the time being. I'll perhaps look out for the the kit, after my eye op, and once my modelling efforts come back to reasonably productive standards. TONY

Already on my wish list, perhaps once my eye is fixed. TONY

You're learning this retirement malarkey fast. Just don't let it slip to not even the playing bit, like me! Happy new year TONY

No .... that's down for 2023/4!!!!! Mustn't rush things in LM Happy New Year TONY

Happy New Year to all who visit here, and hopefully Helstonish also. My feeling, I have no real evidence, is that the branch would likely have an allocated brake van. This as there were a few branch freights timetabled, plus trailing loads on mixed trains, all of which, I think would be re-formed at Gwinear Road. After all GR was extended and was a fairly substantial yard in it's own right, and would despatch further afield, in more substantial formations. That's not to say that goods working couldn't work, in or out, further afield. What it would do is facilitate the branch workings. With regard the coal chute, I would expect it to be more substantial than the Minffordd one, as there would be more drop. Again I have no evidence, but would suspect it would be similar to the serpentine loading chute, but perhaps with wooden framing. A, as it would have been an earlier build, than the oft pictured stone chute. Of course it could be have been rather more cobbled together, as the covered coal "sheds" near the goods shed were. Looking forward to more good progress here in 22, as well, I hope on Helstonish, just to keep up with the Jones Keane. All the best TONY