D.Platt

Good morning Tony, Again thank you for your time and trouble in researching the images and you're right what an enjoyable way to spend ones retirement, I know a lot of people who seem to dread retiring, I always said that I never get bored at home as with my hobby I've never enough time to do all the things I want to do, as they say "I don't know how I had time to go to work" and what did I decide to do on retirement ? rip up my layout and start building my own points, can't repeat what my two sons said !!!! Carry on the good work Tony , it's always a good coming on here for a daily read. Dennis

Thanks Tony all. Great photos I was never sure of the dates in some images,I have the odd few coaches of what I call blood and custard stock which I use in one or two rakes and wasn't sure if they belonged there but they do add some variety. The difference a few years make, come to the mid sixties and I have plenty of memories of maroon stock mixed with the NEW blue/grey. Dennis

Thanks for the link I've not seen that one before,very interesting lots of unseen photographs but alas no sign of blood and custard in 62/63. Dennis

This last few pages (is that the right term) anyway there's been a lot of information regarding Leeds /London coach formations,this is where my modelling interests lies round the Leeds area and I have a period that I stick to which is 1962/63, now the question I have is ,was there any blood and custard stock still in main line use ? Being ten at the time I don't remember to much about the coaching stock, I have quite a few books but don't seem to find any photographic evidence, over to you guys please. Dennis

Hi Tony, What I was trying to say regarding bogie wheels is that they are an item which you regularly make comments on , obviously one of the first things you look for, I like the very neat pick ups on your 9F it's coming along superbly. Dennis

Regarding the cylinders on DJH kits I've never had any problems with their appearance to my old eyes they look right ,and my locos are built to go round my three foot radius curves,if you are able to have larger radius like any kit you can make them to suit your own requirements

I know you always pick up on the bogie wheels ,must admit to just using Romford/Jackson but now you have pointed it out well !!! I suppose the the same applies to all my DJH standards? Dennis

. Morning Tony, Better late than never I just want to say how much I enjoyed speaking to you at Wigan and picking your brain regarding the B16s ,throught I would show you my DJH 9F but I'am sure your new build will be a beautiful model when finished. Noticed a few pages back Kieran wanting details of Leeds Central, I have the Xpress Publishing on Leeds Central 1957 winter time table brilliant book with loads of information. Dennis

Hi Ron, I've been making my own point work using C&L components but I'am very happy using the new Peco bullhead track cost £4.50 a metre,glad to see your back in action. Dennis

Great selection there Dave ,just said to the other half what a lovely cottage that would have been to live in ,can't repeat her reply!!!!

Doesn't your local model shop stock Peco? I bought mine at my local shop in Shaw (Arcadia) he had a good stock in and the price or a box was very competitive.

Have you tried Google I was amazed when I was looking for photos for B16s what came up .

I started last year in trying to make my own points using C&l components (so far so good) I bought a box of their track so far all thick sleepers problem you have to cut the ribs so it will curve, next out comes DDC bought another box ,that's has thin sleepers and again hard to set radius, then along come Peco which I have used before I buy another box and for me this is the best very easy to use bends into the radius so again for me 10/10, you make think I've wasted a lot of money in buying three different types but the DDC and Peco appeared out of the blue quiet quickly and the C&L and DDC track will be used in sidings . The other point is the rail joiners DDC supply them with their track Peco are slow in bringing theirs out I don't like using the code 75 rail joiners !

Love the shot of the 03 at York with the shunter having a ride ,also no chevrons in 1965 plain green both ends ?

Love the second van behind D238 wonder what goods that had been used for ? If I weathered a van like that I would think I had over done it !! Thanks again for sharing your photos Dave . Dennis

I have had the same problem with the Royal Scott but that also suffered from a chassis block fractured under the gear axle,when Hornby got in contact with me the model was out of production and they said they had searched for a replacement but no luck !! So when I saw this years releases announced I e-mailed Hornby to ask if they would honour what they promised two years ago , Waiting for there reply ,but not holding my breath !!!!

Liveries, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder seems more than apt, just like I love the A3 s with German smoke deflectors on (duck) !!

Hi Dave, Can't see the green on Comet. !!! Don't blame the film, cleaners were on holiday

Thanks Dave , I did use a Cannon 8000F but since I went onto Windows 7 it's no longer working it did take forever to scan and I was never happy with the colours so I may look at treating myself to an Epsom they seem to have good reviews. Like your Tardis choice just your camera or video? Dennis

Morning Dave , Thank you for the time and trouble you go to in sharing your photos,can I ask what scanner you use I have a few dozen black and white negatives from my late brother and they are different sizes, my kids bought me a scanner for Christmas but it's only good for 35mm. Tardis never mind the sunshine !!!! What year and what location? Mine would be Doncaster 1962 for a start. Dennis

I'am sure when Peco introduced the code75 range people were sceptical about its success against the code100 , I chose to use it on my last layout ,I've just started a replacement layout and wanted to go down the SMP/C&L route and try to make my own points suddenly we seem to have a lot of track options (good news) if I can save some time buying good ready made points at £30 I will gladly pay that. Have we any idea what Peco has planned for point motors for there forthcoming points ? Dennis

Hi Peter , I have just been reading your article in the January Hornby magazine and I would like to say what a brilliant layout you have created and I've had a good read catching up on this blog ,what I would like to ask you,as someone who is rebuilding a layout and for the first time I want to make my own points I notice you use Seep PM4 point motors I have always used Seep motors but reading all the track builders in the track building section everyone say a no no to solenoid point motors so as you have used them on your handmade points how have found them on an exhibition layout ? Yours Dennis

Just to add to the Hornby Royal Scot , After renumbering and weathering mine it lasted only a few runs before I encountered the gears coming out of mesh, at first I through it was the housing holding the motor onto the gear this had fractured I managed to replace that but had same problem , I noticed then the chassis block actually was bending , stripping it down and taking the wheels and gear out there's an airline fracture in the block in the gear housing , the chassis being wafer thin at this point no joy off Hornby as it's not in production!! Regret selling my Comet kit thinking I was saving time because now I have the job of building the chassis kit without the fun of building the body

Thanks David for the Healy Mills shots ,It brought back happy memories as it was always a diversion for us on our way to Wakefield model exibition. Dennis

Love the old water tank in the Ardwick shot ,there was no rush to remove these items