John Besley

Stunning, looks so much better on the layout.

I have the same issue withe the grandkids when they visit...

Looking at your avatar I can understand your question... try some different glasses 😃

Think the AU through further tenders would have been converted to 8 wheel for express engines such as Brits', Clans, Class 5 - the rest in the main keeping 6 wheel tenders. The WD would have been shopped to update them including a BR standard cab, All locos fitted with electric lighting in particular under the running plate to aid prep work - same as DB locos. Further BR standards as proposed before would have been built phasing out older classes, all the Bullied's rebuilt The 71000 'The Dukes' became very powerful locos once the initial problems where resolved (as we know) they also following an experiment by borrowing an A4 corridor tender had 8 wheel corridor tenders allowing non stop running with crew changes. All the 8 wheel tenders had buckeye couplings fitted with the drop link as on BR MK1 coaches

In my AU steam carried on onto the 90's due to the sky high price of diesel fuel coupled with economical coal extraction by NCB. This woukd lead to modern loco depots, mechanical Ash disposal - been done before but reinvented, I think there was at least one new steam depot built after WW2... Intresting to see what comes up as workable ideas ...

Having said which a large 'what if' type layout would be intresting - modern buildings, 1980 Road vehicles and modified or reinvented BR standards ... 4-8-2, 2-8-2 tank engines or 0-8-0T shunter - livery modified version of BR blue .... Mk 2 coaches, air braked locos to run block MGR trains... Wonder what the paying public would think at an exhibition, defiantly any the rivet counter...

I remember the backstreets of LM two children begging in rags both touched by a burning ambition... Now that's a classic 👌

It looks like the far right No3 is the smallest, an internal sniff around is about to happen judging by the said occupant heading inside to check things over..

Fitting CDL is fine but how are the those who don't understand a Mk1 going to open the doors?

I think there was more than one accident where the crew had been 'forgotten' and when the road got pulled off carried on up the line only to been run into the back by a late running Express in the dark... Hawes Jct springs to mind Advisable to read LTC Rolt Red for Danger to get a background of how the railways evolved from tragedies... I have always said that it should be required reading for anyone contemplating working on the footplate, in particular Abermule... There is a YouTube video of a Footplate crew on a preserved railway (I wont say where) where the fireman doesn't check the staff / token and promptly hangs it up without referring to the driver as far as I can tell. When I was on the SDR I always confirmed with my driver the correct staff had been given to me irrespective of our being the only engine in use, just supposing I had the wrong one and we couldn't unlock the frame at Totnes to run round...

Rule 55...?

Stunning work Tom, love to see them on a photo plank to promote your work...

Don't forget the last time Beachy Head was seen was wayyy back in 1958?... and in BR black, so to turn the clock forwards she looks right in this livery... I like it and I was born in '59... Regards replicate locos I'd love to see a S&D 2P .... if only and or a SR L1

I always thought the Mainline 75xxx when they came out ground breaking, I think I still have at least two that haven't seen daylight in 40 years... I know I converted one to double chimney with a modified high sided tender from an Airfix 9F for SR version 75078 from memory

Which reminds me of a story one of my work colleagues told me.... A few years ago he worked as a service engineer in a motorbike garage opposite was the typical autospares supplier run by mature women... He sent the new apprentice over the road with a note for 15' of fallopian tubing.... watching from the office window he could see the poor apprentice getting the mick ripped out of him... he arrived back very embarrassed and red faced... An email arrived shortly with one huge grin emoji from the 'ladies over the road'

They may have seen a window of opportunity...

Splitting a mainline engine from its tender to turn it won't be a quick job... not as simple as uncoupling an Triang loco

Intresting to realise that the model has proberly lived longer than the full-size Blue Peter in active service.... taking into account the years when 60532 was out of traffic... at least yours doesn't seem to have had her valve gear trashed by an over enthusiastic driver resulting in water carry over from what I recollect. On that subject how many model locos are there that have been in regular use longer than their prototypes?

Without the instructions as we know how things go together, us blokes don't read them.... that way they'll be enough bits left over for another crate and shed door

Your welcombe, there will be more just keep following on here as well

Just following your topics, brilliant stuff, I find making buildings a fascinating project challange, although working in 7/8ths for Exhill Works they tend to be HUGE!....

The staff at Exhill have recently started to carry out subcontract metal fabrication in additon to their original traction engine repairs as there is a better cash flow with this type of work This now flags up the need for more rolling stock... V skip wagons 2 or 3 more HD machinery wagon Boige bolster wagons Tank wagon or two Dropside wagons Box vans Guards van... and create a bunch of alternitive loads for wagons

And now the next video

That would have to have been taken on a large glass plate neg camera yo be that good...

Will it be ready for Fryday...