john flann

Richard, how about a mirror? See what I did on Hintock.

Then if they are ashpits understandably 'mucky.

Mullie, they were, of course, dirty places but still business like. If you haven't seen it you might care to look at www.lostockhallmpd.uk/sheds.html for some ideas. A veritable source of useful photographic information. PS-the link doesn't seem to work but googling will.

Well Mullie that certainly looks mucky. But were things ever so bad as that?

Well said Rick, you are quite right in that much more is probably seen than directly acknowledged. And, when posting I forgot to inquire whether the Beatty was pulling or being pushed. If the latter I think the crew would have been in for a rough ride at any speed. Also the 'virtual train' on MRC was a nice bit of fun. More to the point it illustrated the relationship and connections with other railways.

Rick, as ever a good show from you. What else? You make a valid point about the time and effort required to put such a show such as this on, even a selection of still images takes time and I sometimes think that effort needed is not always appreciated. Thank you for taking the time and making making the effort.

Why be apologetic about another GWR layout?

Nick, I'm so glad that you had such an enjoyable weekend with MM and I like to thank Andy for those very atmospheric pictures. Nowhere near as good as being there, but in the circumstance not far off. I also saw a 'Duke-Dog' I think, was that so? It looked entirely at home on MM and set me thinking as to whether I could justify one for Hintock. Maybe I could.

I've just found this and delighted with what I have seen. I look forward to more. Regards,

Jim, you said you were wanting information about the Butter Factory, (I assume that is distinct from the Creamery) but have you tried the County Archivist? In their archives is bound to be a set of OSS's, and these will show at the least the ground plan of the Factory and the surrounding area. The best scale for you would be 1/500, the 1/2500 would be ok as would the 1/1250. The first two are older, the last more recent. The cost is nor prohibitive, you would not need the whole sheet, just ask for what you need. Regards,

Rick, I have wondered for a while when this day would come. I like too the subtle weathering of the WC. Too often too much. That seems about right.

Rick, what will you come up with next? Interested in your comment about 'couplings' for I have often wondered how you managed with your diverse and large amount of stock .There is no excuse for such different standards but that subject is both contentious and a bit OT. So I'll leave it. As always I enjoy the show!

Always looks good, Nick and it appears the customers were taking a serious interest. Discerning obviously. Glad you had a good exhibition-and I hope you enjoyed it.

Adrian, I haven't looked in on Westerham for a while (busy with Hintock) and I'm always delighted with what I see. You take a lot more pains with your scenery than I do with mine. Excellent stuff. Regards

Rick, I haven't looked at Penhayle Bay in a while and what a treat it was to do so today. I know I've said it before but I never cease to be amazed by the size ad scope of it and always impressed with your showmanship and energy. Thank you for the treat. (And I now see the loco shed appears to have become a diesel depot.) Kindest regards, On edit, PS.i meant to add that in1944 at the height of the German V1 and V2 attacks on London my parents decided I would be safer elsewhere and I went to stay with friends in Bath. There I 'collected engine numbers' at the GWR station (nothing ever seemed to happen at the Joint LMS/SR station) and I saw regularly IKB in all its glory- it being splendidly turned out. Happy memories!

Thanks Nick, I quite understand, please see the PM I sent you.

and a PS, to avoid damage en route, the pipes would be laid in a cradle and packed with straw. Cast iron suffers little once laid, I think exterior paint of whatever nature would not make much difference. These are 100 year pipes, but they are susceptible to fracture. The pipes came in various lengths and diameters, and as pointed out they needed handling and the equipment then available to lift, convey and lay them in every day use was smaller than today.

OK, Nick but they look too 'copperry' and burnished to me. I still stick to my re-collection they were darkish grey/black. Why should they need to be painted, they are going to be buried deep down and there is no need of painting either the inside or exterior, what purpose would it serve?

Jim, I've been wondering how things were with you and I'm happy to see the progress made. All most admirable.

Thanks Jules, I inquired because even with Bachmann rtr wagons-on which I tend to standardize-I get better running weighted. The kits seem far too light as built. Here I can get 1/40z weights sold to weight American HO stock and I add one or two, when in the UK I used fishing weights. They fit nicely into vans.

Nick, I don't think they were painted, as I recall the cast iron ones appeared a blackish/grey. That I assumed was as cast.

As might be expected from you Nick, a clever piece of workmanship. What colour will you paint the pipes, are they cast iron or earthernware? And what length, cast iron pipes-for water mains-were generally longer and the earthernware for sewers or drains shorter. Spun concrete was also used. Plastic pipes (white) would be out of your period. But I'm sure you've already thought about this.

Very well done Jules, do you need to weight the wagons to get any better running?

I really like post #2510-very smart indeed. But Robin, I think you've opened Pandora's box here.

Adrian, I assume that's Slater's plasticard you are affixing to card (and if I'm right it's nice to see card being used) and I use either plain old cement (I remember the smell from building aircraft kits when a boy) but better still an American product-Pacer Formula 560 Canopy Glue.