Mulgabill

Not so sure about your qualifications to comment on coach painting, Clive! (I've not seen much evidence here). TONY

I'm sorry this has been neglected for too long. The main board is still resident, in the kitchen. But has been usurped on the table, by a custom jig saw! (Mrs MB's). But the intention is to utilise some cottages etc that are in process of building for Helstonish. Plus, in an ideal world, it'll get paired up with my grandsons board, for the first time, to test the validity of what has been done so far. So, it is just resting! All the best TONY

Some gratuitous WSR action, to pass the time. Goodnight! TONY

Just to brighten things a little, and showing what the WSR does best, pics of yesterdays RTC Padd - Watchet Excursion. 45596 Bahamas, leaving Taunton Station, and heading to Norton Fitzwarren, and the WSR. And in Bishops Lydiard, about to hand over to 7828 Odney Manor and 7822 Foxcote Manor. So good to see the crowds back, after so long. Even if you might perhaps not wish to be right in the middle of the scrum. 7822 Foxcote Manor, heads the train into Watchet ..... banked(!) by 7828 Odney Manor Meanwhile, one of the (two) service trains. 5199 in its "New" G W Green livery. (Personally I preferred it in BR Black). Odney with ecs to Williton Foxy helping from behind. And all to be repeated, next month. TONY

BR Database shows 9635 as Tys Tysley new 1934, 83C Exeter 24 March 62, 83B Taunton 6 Apr 63, WDN 25 Jun 64. Thats not to say it wasn't at Swansea, but they are generally pretty good for BR data, less so pre nationalisation. 9487 moved on from NA to Exeter 13 Aug 60 until Wdn 31 July 62. TONY

I'm sorry Andy, I don't recall what the ridging was, and don't have any references to hand. It was always my intention to create a representation, and update if further info should come to hand. A case in point is a recent significant acquisition, which will be posted here, once I've done my work on it. (My project, to keep me occupied whilst keeping track of the olympics). Anybody.... Any guesses? TONY

To be fair, we do have to remember that the £864K grant had strings atached. i.e. it had to be spent, within a defined period, only on specific "projects", detailed in the application. Useful in protecting, and advancing, some infrastructure projects. Not necessarily so helpful in simply keeping the business going. The question of Red Route availability arose some time before the current chairman's involvement, but that's not to say it wouldn't be helpful, on both sides. (Although I have to say 2019's Branch line gala was, for me, more aesthetically pleasing, with all those panniers!). Is it more convenient for the railway, that they have easy access to the chairman's busses, or the bus owners inside track on on a new hire opportunity? I guess we'll only know when the accounts get published. TONY

It's been used as the shunt release loco at Dunster. Worked down on the back of the 1st train, and back with/after the last. I presume it's felt that it is more secure stabled at BA, in full view of the camera, and cheaper than returning light to WN. Check Admiralscorner, for some (quirky) coverage on U Tube. TONY

I do have a layout, and do fiddle about with stuff, for it. Whether I make enough progress, to qualify as active, I couldn't possibly say. Thanks for asking, and keep up the great work Jeff. (Links below in signature). TONY

And I tested the cooling system on my 105e Anglia.... it failed, and I got ambulanced to Minehead Hospital. TONY

They received a sizeable amount in the first round, this more recent round, found them considered to be too commercial. Hence the impression that they are missing about £400k of income, at a time when they have little in reserve, following on from the losses that prompted this topic. TONY

Trouble is..... He'd have to pick some up, first. TONY

Doubtful..... Rob doesn't do trees! TONY

It's no wonder I've not been able to report any modelling lately, it just about takes all my time keeping up with this thread. (And updating my thoughts re Helstonish). So a few miscellaneous wooly thoughts, on recent comments. Paul - dont worry Helstonish currently has a black disc, with yellow bar, and will continue to do so, until I'm brave enough to follow Johns instructions for a working version. (It helps that it's an ish). The stone loaded was specifically serpentine, which is only found on the Lizard. Nobody seems to be sure where, or for what use, but there was some mention of the early nuclear industry. That would be post 56, but the earlier application is unknown. Re the fixed distant, Mike the stationmaster, recently quoted a scale, prototypical distance, (which I've already forgotten). But it could imply that the cost should fall on your neighbour, 'cos it would be in his bathroom! Good to see some more colour pics on here, I'm learning so much more about "my" prototype. TONY

Or you couldleave out the buffer stop, and set up a barbers in the, repurposed, wooden shack. (With due acknoledgements to a previous member or GMRC). TONY

1,2,3,6,8,9,10 TONY

I believe No 8 should be a yellow ground signal, from discussion on Helstonish an age ago. Or is my memory failing me, Paul? TONY

Land and trackbed are owned by Somerset Council, I believe. Currently leased to the WSR PLC. But some of the recent past divisions were exacerbated by the the associations "offer" for said trackbed, a few years back. Whilst that is in the past, and all interested parties are very much about the WSR Famiy. It still discourages interested outsiders, who might otherwise contribute to the cause, With regards only raising £13000 against 1m appeal. That is only against the new 1m appeal, The previous money raising, since last March, raised 1.4m including grants. And this appeal stems from the failure in obtaining 400k in the last "govt" round. TONY

An update / background re the crossing replacement. https://www.rsprail.co.uk/west-somerset-relocatable-equipment-building/ I found it quite interesting, some of you will actually understands all of it, and will hopefully interpret it for the rest of us. TONY

On a more positive note, I yesterday noted a coach (road), waiting to pick up a bunch of "tourists" from the first train of the day. Some services have not seemed that full, but I now suspect that some numbers may have been picked up, previously, from Watchet, which would have been the original destination. (As the timetable got a fairly serious revision, after trains had started). I am also reliably informed ticket sales have been good, except, for some reason, last Saturday evenings train. This was cancelled, as apparently they had sold only 8 tickets! The diesel fleet has shrunk, the Class 14 has gone, on hire, to the KESR, and the 47 is at BL, awaiting clearance from, Highways England, to travel. (Motorway problems). At least the DEPG will be earning some revenue. There are 2 galas to look forward to "Mixed Traffic" 17th / 18th Sept, with Friday Diesel, and Saturday steam/Diesel. Normal steam Sunday. And Steam Gala Fri 1st - Sun 3rd October. They certainly need the support of all that can. TONY Sorry almost forgot the gratuitous pics - from Sunday.

I know that what I refer to, is not of GW ancestry, and therefore apologise. But I'm pretty sure I've read that a (MR/LMs/BR) Postal train was worked, daily from St Phillips (Bristol) CS, up Fishponds bank, and round Mangotsfield triangle, to turn the whole train. TONY

As promised I will be looking for how you conjure up this last gem of a detail. Set in the roadside, end wall at about waist height, or a little lower. Cheers TONY

Hi Bill Have a couple more pics of BA for you. However it was bucketing down, from the moment the loco whistled for the signal into the station! And you ccan't get on the station until they release the gates, to let the apssengers get out. But it has occurred to me that the only chance I may yet have is the next 2 days, 'cos when they start running to Dunster, the gates will probably stay locked. So do let me know if there are any particular details you want, beyond these, and I'll try my best. Will follow up with a bonus bunch. TONY

Stu If your fuelpipe run is (meant to be) of any length, don't forget to include expansion loops. A bit like squared off omega loops. There used to be a number where the pipework ran from Avonmouth Docks, to ICI Severnside, alongside the Severn Beach line. TONY

Very redolent of Radstock (S&D). On an occaisions when one of Barrow Roads twins went on "holiday", to cover for Radstock's Sentinel. I would think. And perhaps, your backstory, Rob. TONY ps I've a tatty Pug, already missing a funnel, if you want some practice before attacking yours.