edward66

Anhydrite is calcium sulphate without any attached water which the more common mineral has, a neccessity in the sulphuric acid manufacturing process. The hydrated gypsum is used to make plasterboard [and plaster of course] and was also mined in the area in the form of "daisy bed" gypsum which had pretty pink crystals looking much like the flower.

I really enjoyed Salmon Pastures at Manchester and my chat with presumably Mr Sad, glad we agreed that GC locos were far more elegant than those of the L&Y which often looked too tall and top heavy, especially the Highflyers. He had a splendidly clad gentleman there who entertained younger visitors and let them play bus drivers much to their delight. Sorry to hear the layout is being retired from the exhibition circuit but glad that I got to see it. Doesn't "Valour" look great! Edward

For superb modelling even though the railway interest is just a double track passing through at high level I think The World's End takes some beating, the quality of buildings, the Nidd gorge, the castle etc. are superbly modelled in the finest detail.

Great selection of pics. there, I notice a couple of Heislers and Climaxes had sneaked into the lineup! I love those logging engines especially as I lived close to Erie and Corry where the Heislers and Climaxes were built. Had a cab ride in a Shay on the Cass, sounded just like an LMS Jubilee with that 3 cylinder beat but at 10 mph rather than 70!

Shades of the old Graham Farish Black five!

Somebody must know something about this machine, can't wait to hear more about it!

Oh dear, that sounds like £££££! Won't be running anytime soon then.

I wonder what the prognosis is for getting 6203 back on the main line? Edward

I watched a TV documentary about the Ordnance Survey which was pretty interesting. The only annoyance to a pedant like me was the narrator and some OS staff members referring to it as the Ordenance Survey which seems to be a common mispronunciation. Not as bad as most American sports reporters reporting on the major British tennis tournament as Wimbleton! Edward [removing pedant hat]

Another photo in the North Lancashire Railway Album [mentioned in my earlier post] shows 41904 hauling no less than nine coaches up the grade from Morecambe Bare Lane to the WCML, quite a feat from a notoriously feeble class. The exhaust is something to behold!

Didn't Cecil Paget design an odd looking experimental 2-6-2 loco? I can't remember any details of it or whether it was successful, presumably it wasn't. Did it have sleeve valves or something, I know there was something odd about it. Edward

The one at Lancaster power station had quite a high lift and the wagon was inverted to empty it. I was only very young at the time and don't remember any details other than the rake of wagons was pushed in place by a fireless locomotive "Lancaster no.1". Our viewpoint was from the Lancaster canal which itself was well elevated crossing the nearby river Lune on an impressive aquaduct designed by John Rennie. I also remember we saw the wagon turned over but only heard the sound a second later, light travelling much faster. The lift was a considerable distance from the canal. I think the lift was not too dissimilar to the coaling plant at Carnforth. It was all very exciting and Mum used to have to drag us away after a while. Edward

Hi Gwiwer, I have tried using the wishlist and it was successful, thanks for the info! I have informed Hattons of what I had to do.

Thanks for that, I will try using the wishlist route, it's been very frustrating as I can't use my Paypal account over the phone.

But I want to use my Paypal account so this doesn't work.

Has anyone had trouble trying to order items from Hattons and not being able to access their cart? I have and their answer was to make sure cookies were enabled. I have tried to do this even down to allowing cookies on Hattons website but to no avail. I want to order and pay using paypal but first I have to put something in the cart which I am unable to view. Any ideas? Edward [computer dunce]

On J541 any idea what the curious pipe around the Black 5's smokebox is?

There are two photos of 41903 in an excellent album recently published by the Cumbrian Railways Association featuring the photos of the Pearsall brothers [£14.50]. On page 50 is a lovely full page shot of 41903 in 1953 with lion and wheel emblem in clean condition but sadly a left hand side view. On page 54 is a smaller shot from January 1953 showing 41903 with the early British Railways livery, a right hand view, not very clear but I don't see a handrail. The book is entitled A North Lancashire Railway Album edited by Leslie R Gilpin. Hope this is of interest. Edward

Happy 70th Tony, I had mine 4 years ago but didn't feel good about it on the day, 60 was fine but 70 has that "old age" sound to it even though I was perfectly fit and well [still am!] Keep up the good work on RMWeb as well as your demos at various shows, your RMWeb topic is one of the best features of the site! Edward

....And don't call me Sherley!

Those QL Bedfords made a wonderful howling noise from their transmission, I remember them well!

Hello Dave, Going back a few days to J1266 showing the viaduct this line ran from Clapham Junction [no, not the big one] to the WCML at Lowgill. From Clapham to Ingleton it was Midland, beyond that LNWR. The Midland station in Ingleton was east of the impressive stone viaduct [still extant] and the LNWR had a station on the west side. I believe passengers had to walk across the viaduct although I'm not sure about that. The viaduct in J1266 is close to the WCML junction. However, this is usually referred to as the Lowgill line not the Little North Western from which the line branches at Clapham which is indeed on the LNW, that line ran from Settle Junction through to Wennington and on to Lancaster and Morecambe, used extensively for Morecambe to Bradford and Leeds. Sadly the Wennington to Lancaster line was closed in 1966 so Lancaster and Morecambe services ran via Carnforth after that.

Sad news about Jock which I just read today, an RMWebber who will be greatly missed. He will be at peace after an arduous fight. Edward

Thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition, great to see your layout in the flesh after following it on RMWeb so long. Good to meet you too Jamie. Some superb private owner wagons, do you know if the Claughton Brickworks livery was authentic? Also good to meet a couple of RMWebbers from Caton and Brookhouse. Edward Meadowcroft

Good to talk with you at York Tony, I'm sure you gave Robin Smith a lot of encouragement, we need a lot more young modellers. Edward [fellow g.o.m.]