Owd Bob

Mornin' Doug' the saddle tank now resides on the 'Dragons friendly' the '40 is only really posing outside and probably won't make it around the curves but the 25 would, i'm not too bothered about the 'O' gauge outside as i'm doing an indoor layout for those loco's this Winter. Is there any news on finding swordbreaker Yet ??? i keep looking for it when i'm out and about.

A few pics from recent local shows.

I'm lucky to get hold of the small chippings for the ballast and always have a 50 Kilo bag or two spare... but i have'nt any left at the mo' so i best get some asap before they ever stop selling it! Maybe i could bag it up in two kilo bags and sell it on Fee-bay for daft money? I think the weight of the postage costs would stop that possible venture though Mike! the weather has been awful all over the World during the last month or so, especially all the wet and windy stuff I can't complain in comparison with the amount we get but it do's grind you down not being able to get out and do summat constructive on the railway! We have another storm heading up here tonight, after a weekend of bad weather news elsewhere in the World it makes me wonder what would happen if Northern Europe or GB ever got a bigger storm coming across us it maybe sooner than later at this rate of climate change This Government has'nt made any mention of any provisions for such an event, but i think they should start to think about it and let us know what to do and where to hide.

I finally made a visit to Bury and the ELR, funny how much things change in the memory and on the ground over the years, the engine shed is a three road-er and i always thought it was just two, the tree's and bushes growing along and above the full length of the back stone retaining wall is now like a jungle, t'is great if you are good at making and modeling tree's, i must admit they'll hide a lot of detail i'd otherwise have to make. It's all gonna be a tight fit! So the shed will be made a two road-er and the track and point work will have to be cut right down. Funny how squared off i always thought things were to each other, and how all the walls and buildings actually sit at angles to the track. I just hope the other half do'snt see me printing up the 60+ pics' i'll need to copy off I think this will be a layout where less will have to be more in the end! The stone Tunnel & two road shed will be set on the right as in the pics' and the concrete over-bridge built on the very left of the layout, both ends being the entrances and exits to/from small hidden fiddle yards. The bits that'll need squeezin' into the middle should be fun.

I could never afford a combined version and i never looked twice at any DMU or EMU so no point buying it anyway Owd do's mean old Legend, but i'm not that owd or named Bob... its just another user name

I'm off to Elsecar on the Sat' as well, i now have a sold off engine shed to drop off with its new owner who'll meet me there and he lives a lot nearer to that show than we do. ...i just hope mi Wife will take me

I agree they are rare nowadays, the front wings on this one where paper thin and well rotted out with only the thick Orange paint holding it all together, i thought the 'Avenger' was a nicer looking car in its day, again though try finding one these days! i'm no expert on steam loco's ...they are well before my time! but am i correct in thinking that the Crimson Steamer is an Horwich Crab? It Looked really smart in its lined liv' Think i've only ever seen a pic' of 'em in books and they all looked to be painted Black? Have to say i got my last bought (1997) locoshed book out of the drawer and i finally kopped the '09

When and where is the Warrington show Phil'? is it as big as Wigan? I have to leave the Wigan show well alone as i get trampled on & stampeded too much

I know! but i think i'd say 'classic' as vintage makes it sound much older I think the Orange Hillman Hunter estate was the later model version/replacement of the Blue Humber Sceptre estate two pics below it! I must get a new camera these two quid charity shop ones are'nt up to much

It's the East Lancashire Preserved railway in Bury, Lancashire.

I finally managed a Sunday morning visit to the ELR yesterday to gather info' and pics' for a future layout i have planned, and i was also lucky to see a few classic cars on display.

It was a great show! A lot smaller than it used to be but that is a sign of the times, every layout had its own special merits and provided plenty of interest for the visitors. I know only too well what go's into the preparation and the setting up of a show, so very well done to all! Hope the show can continue in the future. Who knows i may have a layout of my own next time to show

Many thanks Martino! I use a granite chippings mix from my local building supply yard, i seem very lucky to be able to get hold of it around here. It is about 5mm-6mm. Diam' particles of Granite going right down to fine dust, i use/mix it 50/50 with pure Portland cement, no sand is needed as there's plenty of granite dust in the mix to bind it all together, i make a dry mix and brush it into the sleepers and firm it down just with my fingers, i let the rain or on dry days use an hand held spray bottle to damp it down and set it. Once it has set i sprinkle handfuls of the same granite chippings around the line-side which washes and weathers in nicely with the set ballast. Hope it helps!

Had a quick hour or so at the show, and got a few pics' T'was really nice to see the layouts and meet and chat with a few folks stood behind them as well.

Thanks Mike! all the 'loads a money' 'R' soles don't bother me at all i'll always do things my way and on the cheap, and i've been trawling this site for ideas and inspiration for my O gauge winter project and can't believe how many use cad drawings, laser cutters and printers to make stuff! especially buildings with special artiste cards etc...what's wrong with laminating old cornflake packets together with PVA? and whats wrong with using a pencil, a ruler and scissors/Stanley knife blade! Good luck with the track laying i do hope the weather is kind to you this weekend!

No more engine sheds Ian, and very few other buildings from now on, i have to simplify things. Leigh show for me on Sat' then Heaton Pk. on Sun' 'cos it's a big classic car/bus do! Then it's off to the ELR on the following Sunday the 10th. that is another classic car do and i really need to do some research and take some pics' for my indoor 'O' gauge creation based around the old Goods yard /shed at Castlecroft.

Blue Water. Public Image LTD

It has been left out for long stretches but i'm starting to bring everything indoors these days especially when high winds or a long spell of rain is forecast, i've just put my old engine shed on Flee-bay for sale before it starts to rot out, it'll be ideal for an indoor based railway, i'm having a big sort out and thinning out a lot of stuff phil' Hopefully i'll be at the Leigh show first thing on Sat' morn' as i'm busy on Sat' aft' and ordered out by swmbo all day on Sunday I'll bring the buildings i promised you, don't panic i won't charge you much!

Few more random pics' of recent doings, the Cows take cover on the abandoned line up to the water feature, small patio flags laid for Hoghton Chapels Station new site, and the track to the two storage/steam up sidings are now laid.

Did the test run go well Phil? nice to see the Blue sky over Lancs' for once this year

Hoping to get there on Sat' morn' but where's the closest parking spot for a crip' like me? or as near as i can get? I see the entry adult price is a fiver and concessions is also a fiver so who gets in cheaper?...pie-eyters?

I remember going on Bank Quay station in the '70's & '80's on a weekend as there was always something parked up on the Southern end of the platform and with some good bino's you could stand and watch the yard and see the stuff going to Fiddlers Ferry during week days....i suppose only a visit will see how bad it's got or not. I shall report back with pics if poss'

All done and dusted this morning and the pit is back up and running, although the tunnel loco' is now redundant if anybody is interested in it i'd just enough energy left this afternoon for an hours play with the battery loco's.

Funnily enough i don't watch anything on TV i was involved with as all i can see from memory is what went on either side of and off the screen, i have seen snippets of LOM and i do like the 1970's big style! I'll see if i have any behind the scenes pics' from tonights ep'...which ever it is? and i'll post some for you tomorrow, only if you'd like to see them? Last lot from yesterday

Deffo' a real mixed bag and something for everyone yesterday, here's a few more of my pics' from Ormskirk, hope i'm not boring you all with 'em? Heads up as i'll be off to Heaton Park in Manchester next Sun' for the big classic rally, always loads of old buses at that show, so i may post a few pics'