Suddaby

Growing up in Hull, miles from anywhere, we didn't have any big exhibitions in the city. Hull MRS held an open day in their clubrooms near Dairycoates each year, and I went to those regularly during the late 1960's. Having said that, I do remember being taken to an exhibition somewhere near North Bridge (Bevin House maybe) in the late 1950's by my mum, maybe someone from the Hull club can shed some light on that. From late 1965, I started getting the Railway Modeller each month (from Smiff's in Paragon Station!), and of course read about all these exhibitions being held around the country. In 1968 (I think), I persuaded my parents that they should have a day out in Leeds, so I could attend the exhibition in the Corn Exchange. I was in awe, as here were layouts I had seen in the Modeller in the flesh. or perhaps "in the wood"! Two I remember, were one of Mike Cook's large South Devon layouts, and Alan Smith's Lydney Town. Those are the only 2 I remember specifically, Anyone from Leeds can remind me of any more. Would Mike Cole's (?) Sundown and Sprawling have been there, it featured heavily in the magazines at the time?? From 1970, with the demise of steam on BR, and a growing interest in girls, motorbikes and driving, model railways took a back seat until 1975. I started to pick up magazines again, visited the HMRS clubrooms open day again, and a mini show in the City Hall alongside a Chrysanthemum show. In December of that year, I boarded a Trans Pennine unit and headed for the Manchester (Xmas) Model Railway Show, and the rest, as they say, is history! Cheers, Kevin

Hi, I can remember seeing this layout at a number of exhibitions in the late 70's/early 80's. I was taken with it as it was an LNER layout, not something you saw very often. Anyway, with regard to the Silver jubilee, it was indeed the climax of their well scripted operating sequence. As you say, it appeared like a bullet out of one fiddle yard, and proceeded to the other at high speed. To achieve this, someone held it back as they cranked up the controller, before letting it go, but the poor guy at the other end had to catch it as it came off scene at speed, before it ploughed through the end of the fiddle yard. Great entertainment, on what was an excellent layout. Kevin

You be careful round that MadHarry bloke, he does some strange things to sheep if post 23 is anything to go by. Just saying.... Kevin

Hi, Interesting to see a picture of Middleton-on-the-Wolds, there are not many pictures about. Kevin

Hi, I would think you mean Bill Hoole legendary driver, rather than Ken, the NER historian?? Kevin

Hi Andy, yes you are right: "9 Science-Backed Benefits of Cod Liver Oil High in vitamins A and D. ... May reduce inflammation. ... May improve bone health. ... May reduce joint pain and improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. ... May support eye health. ... May reduce heart disease risk. ... May improve symptoms of anxiety and depression. ... May help heal stomach and gut ulcers." I still take a capsule a day, it does seem to help with my knees!! Cheers, Kevin

OMG, better known locally as the Cod Liver Oil factory, a place that had a very distinctive smell. It also brought back unpleasant memories of taking the stuff as a child. I think it was issued free to families as a source of Vitamin C (??) At about the time of the photo, I remember going on a school Field Trip to visit the factory. The smell inside was equally pungent, and no one wanted a free sample at the end!! Nice shot of the WD as well! Kevin

Hi Tim, Will it connect to the other bit of underground on the layout, or will it be static? Cheers, Kevin

1538 was an LNER D22 class built by the NER (their Class F) in 1890. According to the Green Bible, it was scrapped in June 1933, so the photo above was probably a bit earlier than stated. It was withdrawn from Scarborough Shed. All the best, Kevin

That's an interesting photo, as the first coach is a Pullman brake. So wonder if it is ECS, or the Hull portion of the Yorkshire Pullman heading for Hull???. Wouldn't have expected to find a V3 on that though?? Kevin

I also didn't see that on the poster, but have spoken to Leander, the exhibition organiser, and he confirms free admission for accompanied children. Useful to know, as I think I may be on the door!! See you tomorrow, say hello when you come in. Kevin

Hi, I've only just learned of Neill's passing from the obituary in February's Railway Modeller. Neill was always the first to welcome me on my somewhat sporadic visits to the Bulwell club, or if I came across him at an exhibition, he was soon into a conversation about this and that. He will be sadly missed by his friends at the club, and somewhat belatedly, I offer my condolences to his family and friends. RIP Neill. Kevin

Hi, I presume that makes the soup Modified r-t-r then?? Hope Mo soon gets better Tony, we don't want you wasting away, and I suppose there is a certain element of self-preservation in getting you out of the kitchen quickly! Kevin

Mick, It looks like Barlow, I've looked in the C T Goode book, and that is the station track plan that matched what we see on your photo. Kevin

Sorry Rod, must have missed that, though I do seem to remember the bit about the dentists - Layout is looking really good with the recent scenic work, enjoying following this. Regards, Kevin

Hi Rod, isn't the Fiat 500L a bit late for your period, it was introduced in 2012??? Kevin

Thanks Dave, I didn't realise the White Rose had become a Pullman for a short time. Kevin

Hi David, Enjoyed the further selection of Harrogate photos. However I don't think J468 is the White Rose, as that train only ran from Leeds/Bradford, and wasn't a Pullman train. More likely to be the Yorkshire Pullman, or if the photo was taken on a Sunday, then the Harrogate Sunday Pullman. Regards, Kevin

Gitts on tour........... Kevin

Be a bit expensive to model it with an accurate load! Kevin

Hi Tony, Talking of "Dieselising" the layout, and the inevitable reliance on rtr, reminds me of a 60's layout that appeared in the model railway press at the time. It was called Sundown and Sprawling, and featured, diesels, which was unheard of at the time, I think it was Cyril Freezers first"Modern Image" layout. I seem to think that most of the diesels on there were kit/scratch built. Think it was a Leeds club layout, maybe someone like Barry O or Mike E can shed some light on it. The name that springs to mind is Mike Cole, and if I remember correctly he produced kits as a spin off from the layout. Anyone else remember it? All the best, Kevin P.S. I can well imagine that Jesse challenged your prejudices you old fuddy duddy!

Hi Tony, Watching the LNERisation of the layout has been fascinating, and has given you an interesting record of that era. Well done. I particularly liked the last 2 shots - Mallard at speed, and also the one of the Stirling Single. I had a fabulous day out behind the single at the GC when it paid a visit back in the early 80's. Also nice to see the perpetrators of the crime!! Anyone tried to persuade you to try the same with Deltics or HST's? All the best to you and Mo, Kevin

Very nice Tony, the references I have show the footstep as you have it. For the dia 5, there is a picture in Peter Tatlow's Historic Carriage Drawings 3 NPCV's. It is E2356 in XP livery, and the single footboard hangs somewhat precariously by a single stanchion just to the right of the axlebox, and lines up with the hinge side of the door. the footstep itself is not the full width of the door, and as Jim says would not be very easy to use safely. For the dia 4, I have Larkin's BR General Parcels Rolling Stock (orange cover, not sure if that is the same one as yourself Jim), and there is a picture of a Dia 4 which seems to show the footstep as you have it Tony. Again it's a flimsy arrangement (seemingly, they were not thinking about modellers having to pack stock away at the end of an exhibition!), and sits this time to the left of the axlebox. I can't find any photos on Paul Bartlett's site of these Dia horseboxes. Cheers, Kevin

Hi Dave, Good to have you back posting again, hope the recovery is going well. My query concerns the information you had to back up your photographic expeditions. Nowadays it's simple with the internet and sites like Realtimetrains, but how did you know what was coming and when? Did you have access to working timetables, or just the passenger one. I can imagine at places like Radcliffe on Trent where you spotted/photo'd regularly, you maybe got a feel for what you might see, but what about when you went somewhere new. I seem to remember it being quite difficult to find out the times of specials (talking late 70's early 80's here), when I went out, and think I just went off on speck, so to speak. Curious!! Best wishes, Kevin

Politicians and what comes out of their bowels quite often occur in the same sentence! Kevin