Gary H

I notice the far superior and premier traction is coupled inside.

Yeah, they're ugly but I still reckon the Met Vic Co-Bo holds the title. Maybe we shouldn't concern ourselves much with the way they look if they do a good job, unlike the Met Vic! Time will tell.

Just been informed by the Truro SM that Saturday night at around 19.00 hrs has been said as a start time for running trains. There maybe some teething problems with rusty rails / TC's and a little pilot working to begin with is expected. He was confident of a PZ to Plym train running Saturday night though all being well.

Tim, who is the main contractor on site, is it Amco Rail or Bam Nuttal? Either way, we're (NR) lucky to have such good civil engineering company's to work with. Looks like they really know their stuff when it comes to big rebuilding projects! No doubt it'll be reflected when they hand over the bill though. (Me, bigging up sub companys! Whatever next?)

Great glow affect from the GPL's!

"Fuel"!!! It'l go bloody nuclear opening that old chestnut!

Indeed, Sondtraxx need to work on their motor control and some of their on-board sounds, especially when it comes to horns! Koos, tell me, do I need a programmer for an ESU though? Im sort of thinking about getting one of their decoders but I would like it "already done" as it were and ready to plumb in! Just got hold of a Genesis GP50 and I think this would be a good start for me using an ESU. Thanks for any info for this ESU newbie!

Soundtraxx really DO have something to worry about, that is impressive! Horn sounds are certainly the best Ive heard, at last they have some beef to them! The air dryer spirex valves Ive previously disabled on Tsunami's as its really just a vague 'stab' at the real thing but the ESU version is again much more like the real thing! The notching features are also excellent! Is that 'new' 645 sound file available now? I also like that 567, timely as ive a new Genesis F3 A&B on the way in.

When you get the chance, make sure you do some of this!-

Indeed. I'd wager there are a few places that still look like this-

Ah ha! That would explain what a team of diamond drillers were upto in the Dawlish Warren compound when I was there shifting ballast week before last! They had a few dozen of those large reinforced concrete barriers there all laid out on the deck, on their sides having holes bored through them. These are the same things we see used as temporary barriers on motorway's etc! A round 3 tons each. Do the job nicely I should imagine!

Well it would be a shame if the owners have given up on it / lost interest. I also remember it having some scaffold around it? Lovely vehicle to restore I reckon!

Ah yes, I remember that one although its not actually abandoned as such, its being restored by its present owners. I was up that way about 18 months ago and it was covered in tarps with various evidence of it being worked on. Progress looked to be very slow and sporadic though.

Can you compare the two though Jim? They should blow them clean out the water according to the specs.

Don't sugar coat it, Chard!

Ive got no info from Dawlish today unfortunately. Ive instead been involved with the S&T damage at Penzance which is fairly extensive.

£595 Is that a typo or inflated price because he no longer has it?

Thanks for the ratings and all the support for this project fella's! Im just a small tooth in a very big gear wheel! Ive not heard what the extent of the new damage is from Friday nights storm. Keeping everything crossed that its not to much of a set back.

I just dug this one out of the ole work phone. Sorry its not really very interesting but it'll add some colour to the page if nothing else. Taken last Wednesday after the down had been tamped and we were reinstalling the GRP panels. We were still getting dunked on by the sea even on that relatively calm afternoon but I must say, I found it rather exhilarating rather than an annoyance and ofcourse it gave those who escaped it something to laugh about! Maybe it reminded me of the long summer hols in the late 70's when I was a care free teen on my dads boat Im not there again until Tuesday at the earliest, not rostered tomorrow. Hopefully CK will have another update on Monday.

Are there really people out there who would buy those trucks / bogies or a model like that Athearn Genesis SD70, paying about £140 over the top without atleast researching if they could get a better deal somewhere else first?? I find it hard to believe personally.

I think that piece of crap "item" qualifies for one of these moments -

Am I missing something here, these normally sell for about £210 give or take a quid! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Athearn-HO-SD70ACe-w-DCC-Sound-UP-8669-ATHG68684-/201013370455?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ecd549e57 Even importing them from the States at the moment with the high shipping costs and import VAT etc you'd still only pay about £220.

I can remember BR trialling a section of slab track during the late 70's, IIRC near Derby on the main line. I think im correct in saying that the trial was not very successful for one reason or another and it was re-laid with conventional track in the 80's sometime. Anyone know any more?

Aye, we don't mess about down ere me 'andsome!

Dam, I missed you again Tim!! I was there briefly from about 11 to 12 delivering more ballast but had to make a hasty retreat back in the Teignmouth direction after holding up a refuse collection vehicle on the promenade! It was just to hectic for a truck in between 2 dozen vans and every man and his dog today. Il be back next week to recover 70 slave rails back to the Warren to be made up into panels apparently in readiness for the new track.. Hopefully catch up then mate. Il buy you a free burger and a brew!