winterbournecm

The Lima 117 was a nice model, just a shame they did two brake ends! Be wonderful if someone brought out a class 120 Swindon Cross Country - that would look the business on your viaduct mate.

Probably early in 2014 Chris. I'll let everyone know as soon as I'm notified.

I have received the pictures through from Chris Nevard of the recent shoot we did at my place, and I have to say they are simply stunning! The colours and depth of field have enhanced the layout to make it look a million dollars. I wont upload any spoilers here obviously, but I am so delighted with the results. I'll let everyone know the issue they're going to appear in. If you like Blue diesels, this may be an edition of Model Rail you'd like to have.

Just a little correction. 37207 is at Marsh Mills, it's Cornwall pioneer 37142 at Bodmin.

Hi Stephen - no great - buzz in if you know it! The flasks were a train that didnt hang around - so photos were taken on the hoof normally. The 31s were fairly rare to Bristol at the time, and they were the photographic target, not the wagons really. The 20s caused real excitement when they took over with DRS. The Genesis info is appreciated too.

I've got a going away shot somewhere - I'll dig it out soon.

Following on from the flask story above - here are the pictures on that fateful day. Notice the variety of freight present on an evening at Stoke Gifford... So far so good, the train departs Stoke Gifford, about 5 minutes later it set off the Hot Box detector at Coalpit Heath, and the Driver reported a hot bearing & smoke! Uh - Oh! Here is the train at a stand at B115 at Westerleigh Jn - I was there 10 minutes after it set off the HABD! No fire, no panic here - but half of South Gloucestershire fire brigade are on their way! 31163 & 275 are the locos. Next day - 31163 & 275 are back with MGR barrier wagons to take the disgraced FNA to Bescot.

No mate - it should be published in 2014. There's a back log apparently. I'll give a heads-up when I get the "tip"

If you use weathering powders, it's possible to darken out the yellow under the peak. They regulary were heavily dirty under there. This takes away the "Glare" as it were.

It may be winter - but 5 Westerns en route will keep your mojo burning! With the sun at its optimum over here, the contrast couldnt be more stark. We've had some lovely sunshine too. Enjoy the fiddly accessories, I challenge you to fit the tiny lifting lugs to your fleet. I had one 1000 and gave up after a couple of attempts. They are superb though, glad you got yours OK, One tip is to glue the bogie side bars on - your curves should be fine. I hear they're becoming rare to buy, particularly blue FYE. Look forward to more western photos soon then!

Snap! I guess the runner vehicles are similar to a "topless" HEA anyway! The train looks strangely bare with no runner vehicles or brakevan. I worked out & about in Bristol when the train was worked by Bescot class 31s in pairs. I had a memorable evening when it set off the Coaplit heath HABD and a genuiene hot box was reported on one of the flasks. Myself and the train crew stood on the bank beside the class 31s watching an array of emergency vehicles head to the area all expecting the worst. The train was eventually returned at 10mph, 5mph over points back to Stoke Gifford. I'll upload some pictures in a few days.

It's a super train to model Phil. What are you using for barriers? If modelling it up to date you need not have them, or a brake van.

It's a regular summer working Jeremy. Only one Voyager is available for passengers. The other one must be opened up (at Plymouth??).

Another surreal moment.... Reading this whilst working Par box! The layout is looking really good mate. We 00 gauge guys can only dream of nine coach platforms, you can make a realistic stab at the proper lengths etc... No 50s on the stoppers, but the Newquay trains start in earnest today a 9 car voyager out at Newqauy this morning, and a HST about to swing across to join the branch and wall to wall sunshine too!

A few pictures of a running session with the Hourly Paddington & hourly Oxford taking centre stage. Unusually 47508 is diagrammed for the Padd, and OOC machine heading home no doubt for some attention. 50004 is the Oxford loco. 31170 enters the yard at Sandy Hill with the weekly Flask. On shed - 47s have the comfort of the servicing shed. 47083 on the left and 47635 on the right.

Hello Andy They are from 10 Commandments, brass flat pack. A bit tricky to assemble but worth the effort.

Thanks Scott - glad you've enjoyed the flick through.

A lazy Sunday engineers working from 1970 with long mileages involved, when ballast was locally sourced and tripped around in 4 wheel wagons. Sunday supping at the Sloop. Were there such a thing as carveries in the 1970s? Up to more recent and Yogis 57 provided matching green for the emnankment and pond scene - more lily pads have appeared!

I've not ventured into DCC sound etc, but this is great. Yogis class 57 works on the Gaugemaster Dc style and the sound is rather good.

Ooh - Amys fingers near the point blades makes me shudder.... I'm sure all is safe though! Had some nasty finger shortening incidents on the network in recent years.

True - they never seemed to shut them down during their latter days. The blue exhaust haze lingering over Laira and Long Rock is a strong association with them visually & smell wise too!

Western departure comparisons. Heljan D1021 in the foreground, Dapol D1010 in the background.

Hi mate thanks I dropped it whilst doing some filming for the Cornwall Channel, and the excess on the insurance wasnt even going to cover it - luckily Argos came to the rescue. The Canon 1100 doesnt do the close ups of the layout as well. The Brutes are 10 Commandment ones which are flat packed and require careful shaping before glueing. Well worth the effort though.