Bucoops

The catering staff, despite being told there was a big difference between tilting and tipping were holding out for at least a couple of quid.

I've done similar - when I sold a Heljan Cl15 I put in the listing that 10% after fees would go to the Class 15 preservation society. Which I did and sent the receipt to the winning bidder (not sure if they were particularly interested mind!). I did mention to the society they should join the ebay charity thing then I can put them as a beneficiary officially. A few times I've put 10% to the owners of Sir Nigel Gresley - and you get reduced fees as a result (this was pre-ditching paypal and it's done through paypal so not sure if there's a new arrangement).

They are saying no structural damage to the arches and everything is running again. Got lucky there as it was an intense fire. A couple* of years ago there was a big hoo-ha at NR or their agent trying to evict long standing leaseholders to replace with more upmarket (and higher rent) tenants. Not sure where that got to. *could be more, it was definitely pre-covid and that's about all my little brain can cope with!

The Henry VIII wives class - although some are probably guaranteed to get the chop early.

In the 80s we would return glass bottles to the shop for 5p or 10p deposit back, milk bottles collected and reused, cardboard and newspapers were taken to the local Scout group for recycling and earning them funds. We had tiny dustbins that were rarely full. Then everywhere went over to plastic disposable packaging and so on, and we all needed huge wheely bins to take it all. Recycling is not the answer, that takes energy. Reuse and reduce is. We need to go back to reusable packaging (Milk and more are quite good with this). Totally agree that for recycling one big receptacle is better than loads of separate ones - the US does this a lot and their recycling rates are much better than ours. Yes, someone has to sort it at the end destination, but hey, that's a job for some people too.

I did email an enquiry a few weeks back and got a reply saying they were assembling the kit I wanted that week - have chased a couple of times since with no response. I shall try calling (when I've been paid - I've spent the money I put aside for it :D)

GW in useful for something shocker Also runs...

The former GER lines were some of the last to still have 6 wheelers. The NER were relatively ahead with bogie stock - so much so, the LNER sent some of them to the GE section to replace 4 and 6 wheelers!

To bring the saga to a close, they were delivered about 2pm. Hallelujah! It was stuff for work and valued in the thousands so was rather nervous of them disappearing or getting damaged.

Good point - and I have a feeling they are different throw.

Not far off - it went from Docklands to East Midlands! It's now at Ipswich. Wonder where next... Hopefully me.

Shock horror no delivery today.

I think you may be able to get cranks from Alan Gibson.

Not ebay madness but courier madness - I'm expecting three boxes via DHL today. The tracking shows: Swindon to Heathrow Heathrow to Stansted (so about 25 miles from me) Stansted to Docklands (Assume this means London Docklands (so about 30 miles from me) They are now on the way from Docklands to Ipswich which will apparently be the delivery depot - presumably it will go along the A12 to do so, so will pass within 200 yards of me then have to turn round and come back. Can't see me getting them today, especially as the A12 is ruined at the moment!

Beans are still on the menu then?

Definitely FS https://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/3082/flying-scotsman-repaired/ Although you are correct, Tornado also ended up there for assessment and repairs.

Those coaches are superb. Thanks for posting

As much as I don't like FS in it's current form, the "flying money pit" has repaid its investment already so that's not relevant, and hopefully today's issue is nothing serious. I think the last one it had it had to be repaired at the Nene Valley?

I use a blob of aliphatic resin (a wood glue) on each side. It's thick enough it doesn't seep through and gum the workings up, and if you need to remove it, it just peels off.

Even airport control towers aren't "safe" - London City Airport's control tower is now at NATS in Swanwick.

There are several levels of catering - self catered, some food (half board sort of thing) and similar but in "better" restaurants".

By 21 seconds...

Looks OK.

There's a mars bar fritter in it for ye if ye break the record.

I can imagine it piling into the station, flanges squealing, just stopping in time and the driver lobbing the keys to his/her boss and walking straight into the nearest pub...