Duncan.

It has certainly been a great year of progress and achievement Andy. Thank you for letting me be part of it. Being a novice in DCC, Shirebrook being DC, it has been great to see how dcc works, and doesn't work. I am being to firm up on how I wish to operate a new layout. Your guidance will help me to save money and not purchase items that will be of little use. Thanks for picturing my new dcc fitted steam loco fleet on Mansfield. I hope sometime next year to make a start on my new layout... probably not until Q4! Andy , i congratulate you on your Model of Mansfield. You have been meticulous in the construction and the results show. Yes much remains to be done but you have achieved much. The photos speak for themselves, here's a couple of mine to add, first is a view across Kirkby Summit Sidings, I think this shot demonstrates the vast expanse of the yard, there is a wealth of detail to add. Next a view of the yard from above the tunnel... what's it called Andy, Kirkby Summit Tunnel?

Hi Cav and Alex, I have just received my PGAs, fantastic gentleman I wish I had need and could afford a rake of 36 wagons. A fantastic model as superb as the 4mm version for me model of the year without a doubt. Please support this venture N gauge modellers as future models to this standard is a must. Well done Alex and Cav and thank you for delivering this superb project. Cheers Duncan

It was all commers day today at Shirebrook. Essentially the layout was set up to test everything in preparation for the forth coming show at Barnsley in November. Some of the operating team brought their own stock along. We had the brand new class 128 from Revolution, a beautifully smooth and confident chassis, well done Revolution. A4s aplenty,Minitrix, Farish and Dapol with the Dapol model our favourite. A beautiful rake of 12 different pullmans. I gave my second class 25 a run, repainted from a BR two tone green example. Now we can double head with a pair of 25s. We also ran a 9F and the EFE J94, so a real mixed bag. I hope some of you will be able to view the layout at the Barnsley show. Cheers Duncan

Hi Everyone, Yes I am still modelling... but not much on Shirebrook, mostly commissions and stuff for friends. Our next exhibition will be Barnsley in November if you want to add it to your diary. Rarely do I go 'off piste', I try to keep my loco and rolling stock purchases confined to what was likely to be seen at Shirebrook. However, recently I made an unlikely purchase. One reason for it was to access the quality of a model from a manufacturer I have not purchased from before and the other was I liked the prototype. So I bought a class 28 from Rapido. I was suitably impressed with the running and detailing of the model, the only fault I could find was a slight livery fault. The yellow end on the prototype extends back further than that on the model. I'm sure you will be aware that it is not possible to paint warning panel yellow over a blue base... the yellow will look green as the yellow is a transparent colour. Therefore i first painted over the blue with an opaque white. After it was fully dry I painted the yellow over the white. I hope the photos below illustrate the work. The last photo shows the loco passing south past Shirebrook after the alteration and weathering. Im sorry the photos are not of the best quality. I am happy with the end result and while totally inappropriate for the model I do enjoy running the loco on the layout Cheers Duncan

I like your model Andy, I think it will be excellent when complete as you are building it in a careful and precise way, we'll done. Cheers

Hi Dave, Yes, DEMU showcase was a great show, we enjoyed operating Shirebrook there. There were many great comments from the visitors. Your layout is looking really good, your weathered 90s are especially good. Cheers Duncan

Loving the inky blackness of the tunnels Dave

Hi, The new developments at Shirebrook are working signals. The layout operators have the ability to clear signals from the control panel... miniature magnets fitted to the rolling stock trigger very small dry reed switches to return the signal to stop position. The junction signal at the end of the downside platform is only partially working, I need to do more work get working fully.

And what a pleasure to see your wonderful Cavalex models and meet Alex. I thought the show was excellent. The whole Shirebrook team had a great time and we received many great comments

Hi Andi, It was good to meet you at the DEMU event on Sunday. I have just caught up with your model thread. I am glad you enjoyed Shirebrook, I look forward to future updates on Ipswich. Cheers Duncan

No sorry, I will have to photograph with a spirit level on the tracks! Have you noticed the changes since you operated the layout at Wigan last year?

Hi, These photos will give you a clue to the developments at Shirebrook. I will neither confirm or deny any comments you make until after the DEMU Showcase event on 17thand 18th June at Sutton Coldfield. Please do try to come along and support the event, it will be great to see you. The photos were taken during maintenance to make the layout ready for the show. Class 58 Cottam Power Station rumbles an mgr service north through Shirebrook for Cottam PS.

Thanks for sorting that out for me, I uploaded the post on my phone and couldn't work out how to correct the photos. Many 😊

Hi Rich Sorry to hear you can't make the show. I'll post some photos after the show... hopefully they will be viewable without standing on your head!

Hi, Shirebrook will be at the DEMU Showcase 2023 event in Sutton Coldfield June 17 and 18. There have been some exciting developments onthe layout but I won't be posting them on here until after the show, as the operating team would really like you to come along and see the layout in the flesh. The layout is dc operation, if you would like to run your loco on the layout please bring ONE along and we will give it a spin. Below are some views inside the depot building

Thanks Andy for a very enjoyable day progressing the layout. It was great to see the progress you have made. It is very satisfying for me to be connected to a layout being built with care and respect to the prototype.

Hi Dave, I've just been catching up on your thead. You have done some excellent work. I really like the weathering of the stock. Cheers Duncan

Hi Andy, You have all the best ingredients for a great model. Looking forward to see the diesl depot in place. With a pair of 20s and a 25 on shed! Cheers Duncan

Hi Andy, It is good to see steady careful and well considered progress. I am looking forward to seeing it in the flesh soon. Cheers Duncan

Hi Andy, Nice work, It is coming along nicely. I hope that the wiring goes well, dc or DCC it always looks bewildering.

A couple more photos..

Merry Christmas Sorry for delay in posting. I have been totally wiped out for the last two weeks with the flu... just feel rough now....! Here are some photos for you, track plan is self evident.

Hi, I will try to look a track plan out and Ill take some fresh photos shortly and post them here. Cheers Duncan

Hi John Well for 61 summers I've been calling it Coalfield, my apologies to the good residents of Coldfield. Never to late to learn! Cheers Duncan

Please be so kind to explain....