Signaller69

As hinted at above, the Hornby LMS TPO is undergoing a total rebuild to become 1958 built M30309, one of a pair of 57' vehicles. The chassis has been replaced with a spare Airfix 57' chassis, new window and end panels inlaid and all the beading and roof ribs removed. A slow burner this one, for sure!

Thanks all, as per above I have just tried again via Google and the site appears to be working now. For some reason I couldn't get checkout to take me to PayPal but managed to place my order and pay via credit card. Martyn.

Exactly what I found via Google.

I just get this when opening that link: www.popupdesigns.co.uk is currently unable to handle this request.

Having finally decided to place an order, have the Pop Up Railway Products suddenly moved to a different site, as their website won't allow me to view the railway models, but everything else seems to work? It worked fine last week. Or is there a problem with the website? TIA, Martyn.

Myself and my sidekick, Mike, had a great weekend at Rainhill show, the layout behaved perfectly and to top it all we took the "Best layout in show" award. I managed to get a few new photos too, some of which are below. Martyn.

Glad you had a good day Colin, thankyou for your kind comments also. The Transport Museum is still on my to do list I must admit! Martyn.

"Auld Reekie" in its natural habitat, leaving the Crinan Canal lock. And a glimpse of the revamped quayside.

Thanks! Crinan will be at Rainhill show on 2nd & 3rd March, hopefully with further outings later this year (watch this space). He probably would Jim! As the layout is set around 1970 though, this vessel was in use for group trips, before it's stint in use for filming Para Handy. The irony is that the real thing is undergoing restoration at Crinan Boat Yard today. Taken from "National Historic Ships UK": AULD REEKIE was built in 1943 as VIC 27 for the Admiralty. Her builders were Isaac Pimblott & Sons Limited of Northwich and she was powered by a steam compound engine built by Crabtree (1931) Limited. She is of iron/steel riveted construction. In 1945 she supported a barrage balloon on the River Scheldt in the Netherlands Sold out of service by the Admiralty to Sir James Miller in 1968 and registered as AULD REEKIE in 1969, her use then was for the Land Sea and Air Youth Club Limited. In 1979 she was sold to Bathgate Brothers and used in the TV series Para Handy. Subsequently, she passed through two owners and is presently under restoration at Crinan Boatyard.

The very, very kitbashed Peedie Models "Puffer", which has been on the go for about 4 years I think, is now finally completed and ready for adding to the layout.

It caused enough of a distraction as it was!🤣

Bit of a catch up! The Sole is finally done, as crane runner to the modified Hornby 4w Crane, along with a Cambrian Herring ballast wagon. Another Triang cut & shut Mk1 BG was finished late last year and a Hornby LMS TPO is "in the shops", though currently on hold pending a fuller conversion than I had originally planned. Martyn.

I am getting there now with the layout alterations, mainly touching up and detailing left to add. All being well the layout will be at Rainhill show at the beginning of March. Martyn.

Thanks Davy, yes the rivets really do disappear when painted, had to get the light right so they show up in a photo: I must get the interior painting and lettering done. And yes the Token cutout on the 25 was indeed chain drilled, cleaned up and a plasticard insert fitted; the roof boiler area had a plasticard panel made, as the Bachmann part is for boiler fitted locos and not correct for this batch, but fortunately was easily pressed out being a separate part, allowing the new one to be glued into place. At least this is just about ready to join the fleet now. Martyn.

The new ballast has had a blow over with sleeper grime to blend it in, card roadways have also been added along the quayside, ready for painting, and the Macbraynes Depot is being bedded into position. Couldn't resist a couple of posed photos! More soon. Martyn.