08221

Thats very sad news, Brian was very involved with the 2' gauge line at Butterley at one point and our paths crossed through that common interest. My condolences to all concerned.

Wonder if any photos of it exist and if it differed from the 'standard' blue and grey livery that we later got so used to seeing.

Yes, the Bletchley 105 Cravens units were branded as paytrains, remember them well rattling along the Bedford to Bletchley branch - happy youthful days

230005 at Bletchley forming the 11:01 to Bedford on Saturday 28 September 2019.

08359 at Brownhills West station, Chasewater railway on Sunday 18 August 2019.

Very interested in replies to this posting as I have just bought the same traverser to replace cassette’s in my fiddle yard.

Second the pond liner suggestion. I covered my shed roof with it 16 years ago having seen the idea on a American website. Still as dry as anything and no more work than just putting felt on.

First time I have posted on your thread Clive although I have been reading it for a long time. Your modelling history has been very similar to mine in many ways - doing ‘real’ modelling for over 40 years - conversions, detailing, etc. and not buying off the shelf ‘ perfect’ models like a lot of folk expect today. A couple of years ago I went out to kill myself after over 20 years of domestic violence came to a head, I was caught on the way out by a friend who stopped me. Modelling in the ‘traditional way’ was part of my therapy to help me recover and build a new life - I recently got married to an amazing lady and my life is now finally good. Modelling has always been a part of my life since I was a small child and has got me through a lot. People like you and the chap in your link are an inspiration to us all and keep true modelling alive - don’t ever stop please!

Thanks James, really appreciate your reply. yes, I was thinking of a neutral grey base coat and using old Lima Mk2’s. will order one up and see how it goes... thanks again.

Hi, I am wondering if anyone has tried these out and if they are any good. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F133065921824 Any feedback would be welcome as a couple look quite useful. Take care and stay safe

Sorry if this has already been asked anywhere, but can you download the backup copies to read offline - off to Mexico on honeymoon in 11 days time and would be good to have a browse of some back copies on the plane!

So sorry to real this. so much effort goes on behind the scenes by all involved in exhibitions- both organising and building layouts. In its own way, every layout is unique and irreplaceable. lets hope the culprits get an appropriate sentence and not some namby pamby community service.

One used to come over the flyover from Aylesbury about half six each evening. The same crew used to take a serviced unit back from Bletchley around a quarter past seven. On some occasions, there were two workings a day. Happy days!

In the early 1980's my Dad & I built a OO gauge model of Dunnington and took it to quite a few exhibitions in the Bucks, Beds and Herts area. These are the only 2 photos I have left...

Hi, I am looking for a Bachman’s depot crew room for my layout. They seem to be like gold dust, but if you happen to have/know of one for sale, please let me know. Thanks.

25202 on BY stabling point - wonder who Bob was...

I remember that happening one evening, but it was at Harrow on the down fast. There were 2 ladders for a trainful of people! Off the Cobbler and onto a 310 on the down slow. Forgot about the language classes, my Dad did one for a while. Sure there was a chess club too. Can't see it happening these days.

I commuted on the Bletchley "Cobblers" for several years in the 80's. They were often 10-12 coaches in length and exclusively MK1's. For a while, some of the sets were split in half and formed additional services to/from Euston and Northampton. An 85 with 5 coaches flew along! There was also a service from New Street to London via Northampton formed of MK1's when a lot of BR Staff moved from Euston House to Brum. Traction could be an 81, 85 or 86. Gosh, they were so comfortable, remember the games printed on the tables, carols at Christmas and lots of incidents like a run-past the signal at Bletchley one evening (we ended up by the carriage sidings, all got off and walked back to the station). The good old days!

25203 and a sister on Bletchley stabling point

The reason I love Rats! Spent many happy hours as a nipper at Bletchley in the late 1970's surrounded by the constant comings and goings of these little fella's (25173 was my favourite of all).

A wonderful photo - thanks for sharing! Do you happen to have any others photos within the power station at Rugeley by any chance - I play in the brass band that was based there and used to be a member of the model engineering society. Sorry all for the thread hijack - just too good an opportunity to miss, Rats are my all time favourite class, will post some of my Rat photos on here soon!

May God bless you, watch over you and give you peace and strength Jim. I pray you never lose sight that there are many people around you who care about you. Keep focussed, stay strong and talk to people. We love you and care about you my friend - we are all here for you and always will be. Blessings and prayers to you.

Interesting to read about the B2 control centre at Bletchley. Does anyone happen to have any photos, details of its location, etc, please.

Hi, a few photos below.

A couple of unusual loco changes/stoppers at Bletchley in the late 1970’s during Sunday engineering work. 47443 has taken over from a class 86 on a northbound express 25051 hauls a class 310 on a Northampton working Photos by me, film processed and prints done by my dad!