Natalie

I'm still shocked by The Mighty Men winning. I was driving home from work listening to the second half on the radio and when Crouchie scored nearly crashed the car on a mini roundabout. It has been commented at work today that I have lost my voice- can't think why. And Stoke won too- that's a good proportion of my current 'customers' happy then! Well done to Harry and the lads- Dawson, King, Crouchie and Jermain D have to go to the World Cup. Remember Spurs fans- next season ends in a one and we all know what that means for the Spurs- a trophy!

As an almost lifelong Spurs fan (well since I was 9 in 1976 ) its reassuring to see that the old traditions at The Lane still live on. Once again we find ourselves in the situation of having to play the matches of our lives to remain in the position that we have been in for the vast majority of the season. Even if we are beating Man City 5-0 with 1 minute to go I still won't trust them not to throw it away- it's happened too many times for comfort. I said to someone at work that we would lose to Portsmouth (as we did to Wolves and Stoke- and boy did I get stick for that from the inmates) then beat Arsenal and Chelsea... But overall it's been a good season so well done to the lads. All I can say to the rest of the Premier League for next season is forget those sky blue upstarts from Manchester, look out for the Spurs- the year ends in 1 and we all know what happens then.

Hi I have just had a look at your layout pictures today for the first time and I have to say I like very much what I see. Haven't seen any signals yet but I'm sure they are there! If they aren't and you need assistance with their placing then please shout and I'd be happy to help. I like many others it seems, the MoD trains especially. Normally I am not keen on Peco track but looking at a number of layouts such as the magnificent Widnes Vine Yard, Pete Harvey's two and yours it CAN be made to look good- they key I feel is the weathering and ballasting. The painting of the rail to remove the shiny silver finish is crucial in achieving a good look. Once again many thanks for sharing this fine layout of yours and I look forward eagerly to more photos/progress.

Can I suggest joining Robert Carroll's British Railway Coaching Stock yahoo group. There is a file in the archives that details all the known pre-nationalisation design passenger carrying stock that carried blue/grey. There are also some photographs of the Gresley design. One of the last vehicles to be withdrawn we have now on the GCR (9124E) which although it has been repainted in crimson/cream it remains bodily in as-withdrawn (ie rebuilt) condition. It is currently out of use awaiting some repairs. I may have some photos that are useful to you if require them. Regarding the Fort William sleeper I have never heard of the use of Gresley buffets on this. Maybe things are getting muddled up a little with another service- The Night Limited. For a while (c1969-1975) two interesting vehicles were allocated to this service which ran nightly between Euston and Glasgow Central in both directions. Two sets of stock were provided to operate these all sleeper services. Also included was a buffet service- provided by two ex Pullman cars branded as 'Nightcap Bar' one running in each set. One was a MetCamm design Mk1 M354E - as made by Bachmann whilst the other was M310E which was a 1951 Pullman originally built for the Golden Arrow as 'Pegasus'. Of interest is that both cars carried conventional blue/grey livery with a full length red catering band and lettered 'Nightcap Bar'. Pegasus is the vehicle that was rebuilt and now works as part of the charter fleet.

Why do they need to have a nickname? Why not just refer to them as 'class 70s.' I am sorry but I find this obsession to create often fake nicknames for everything to be more than a little irritating. I also think I must be in the minority in saying that who gives a monkeys what it looks like? The important things are inside- how much can it haul and stop, is it a comfortable workplace for the traincrew and can the maintenance crew get at the insides easily enough? For the people who will have to work on and with these locos looks will be the last concern on their mind. Priorities to them will be- can it brew tea and will it get them home in time to book off. Maybe I am looking at it from a railwayman's viewpoint rather than an enthusiast? Let's just rejoice in some new traction, welcome the variety and be grateful that its wheels are flanged and not fitted with pneumatic tyres. Now for a lie down!!!

Puts speculation hat on and add some more speculation coal to the fire.. Don't forget that we had City of Truro on the GCR for a short while last year. Bachmann offices are in Barwell which is well within driving distance (as it is to The Battlefield Line..) being approx 30 miles at most. (We are also the location of the GCR 04 and had the LNWR Super D for a while too...) I am not aware though that anybody from Bachmann were at the GCR it. Takes speculation hat off...

The author of the kettle module is a retired signalman. Who else is there to write such a module- signalman are the masters of tea making on the railway - unlike that bizarre concoction made by traincrews...

Hi Dave Most definitely worth continuing with your posts. I read them in the old place and look forward to reading them here. Which version buffet car does the SP kit supply- the ex RB or RU as (I'm sure you are aware) there are differences between the two types.

Hi Simon Just been passed onto your blog via the Wigan website. Millport has long been a favourite of mine since seeing the original article in the Todeller many moons ago. It appealed to me as it was LNWR signalled (having worked LNWR signalboxes this was a huge draw!!) and it just looked right. I went as far as having 'fantasies' as to how it would look in the present day or even with 25Kv OHLE!! Sadly I never got to see it in its original form but was delighted to see the revamped/built layout in the Todeller in recent years. This was sufficient to encourage me to come and see it at a Wigan expo and I was not to be disappointed. I shot about 20 minutes of video too. I was thinking about visiting Wigan expo again this year now that I am working (and earning!!) again and seeing that Millport is going to be available for viewing has swung it for me! I look forward to keeping track of this fine layout.