jonny777

Presumably, you have contacted Tommy Knox who was compiling a database of all ER Pacific workings? Parts of this used to be online but was hacked by some idiots who get enjoyment over these things, and has been taken offline ever since. However, I think he still answers queries by email. I will see if I can find his address.

64900 was essentially a Norwich loco, but spent 4 months allocated to Melton Constable between Nov 1954 and Mar 1955, which is probably the reason for the renumbering. 64901 is also a good candidate, as it was a Spital Bridge based loco for about 8 years from Autumn 1952, and then only moved to March in 1960 before withdrawal in 1961.

There are quite a few photographs in various publications of B16s heading through Grantham, so I dont think there is a problem with seeing the occasional one at Peterborough. However, from memory the B16s all seem to be on fitted freights and not passenger services and therefore the chances of one reaching Kings Cross station are much reduced.

I think the A4 is crossing a 3-way point in the photo, but it is difficult to make out where the centre track of the three is, but presumably the point must be set for the up main, or the whole train would have derailed. I think it must be some kind of trick of the light, but I cant quite fathom it out even after magnifying the photo.

A remarkable re-railing of the up Scotsman while on the move. The front bogie seems to be well off the rails on the 6th photo, or possibly I need to visit the opticians.

I have to say that until I read the question I had not noticed the bookshelves at all on those particular southern end photos. You have done an excellent job of hiding the shelves, although for me it was really only the lines of books that I found distracting.

I would say that news is nothing short of a miracle. Reports suggest he has recognised relatives and spoken a little in both French and English. Well done mate, and keep fighting.

Thanks very much, I will keep an eye open for that.

Some excellent B1 photos there. Is there a title and author for this long out of print book containing late 50s photos of trains around the Peterborough area? Just in case an old moth eaten copy turns up on Ebay many years into the future.

I echo all the prayers for Patrice Muamba's recovery. According to the latest reports, he is being kept deliberately in an induced coma (there is a long medical name for the procedure) for the time being so they can monitor his vital organs. Events such as this really do bring my perceived problems into perspective.

It looks good, and should give a lot of scope for shunting. The M&GN/GE scenario gives a lot of choice for potential variety of stock, especially with recent RTR products. I look forward to more photos with selections of your rolling stock featured in the station area. I suppose that disposing of the V3 in favour of an L1 would be an obvious next step.

Excellent photos once again. Is the Cravens ready to go on an all stations stopper to Boston?

That is excellent work. This layout has to be one of the most inspirational that I have seen for a long time.

Or maybe Mourinho will go to Spurs to replace Harry?

It is normal now, but when I first posted it, it was about ten times the length with all kinds of gobble-d-g00k and every word of my reply was on a separate line. Apparently, the word g o o k is not allowed and comes out as hashes.

What the **** happened there?

Ditto, I dont notice the brackets on the wall until I make a conscious effort to look for them. I love the natural lighting from the windows because it gives very realistic shadow effects, not good for most detailed photography though. I dont think platform ends were populated with masses of 'spotters for the majority of the time, as the kids would have been at school. Most passengers would remain in the central area of the platforms, so the ends of the platforms would be empty in term time.

I think that the card certainly does a reasonable job, and presumably you will take the background into consideration when lining up your future photographs. I dont think the brackets and bottom shelf will stand out too much if you have enough card to cover the books behind the shot. I wouldn't worry about the colour match. I think we appreciate the photos enough to turn a blind eye to minor distractions such as that. So, yes, I do think the blue card option is worth pursuing.

Ha ha, that reminds me of my first cold steak and kidney pie from a station. Can't remember where, but might have been Nottingham Midland. The buffet only heated pies at lunchtime (or so the woman told me) and my hunger had got the better of me around mid-afternoon. She would sell me one that had not sold earlier, "but it would be cold" she warned. It was with some trepidation that went back to the platform end I started to eat the pie, but I thought that it tasted even better than warm. However, I spent the rest of the day waiting to be overcome by some stomach ailment that was bound to occur.

The fruit pie debate needs to be warmed up a little. Lyons were not my favourite, as the pastry was rather hard and a dark-ish brown colour IIRC. However, I am not sure of the Hales pies to which people refer. Were they branded as Harvest pies? I am sure that is what I remember on the boxes. They had soft pale pastry and were far more gooey than Lyons.

What Gilbert may need is a large roller blind affixed to the ceiling which can be pulled down specifically for photos and then rolled up again out of the way afterwards, thus not interfering with the potentially life threatening bookcase. Have a nice cloudscape printed across the blind, and problems solved?

It does look very good, though.

As a meteorologist I am afraid to say that I am in danger of getting all nerdy when it comes to clouds, skies and lighting. Sorry, but I just cant help it. Out of the three 'photoshopped' products, the second one by Andy stands out as being the most realistic, although Artizen's first one is almost spot on as well. However, the lighting on that layout is quite unique in many respects in that it is almost all natural and therefore varies depending on the outside conditions. Tim's third photo is a great illustration of that, and care has to be taken when looking at the original. See how the shadows are almost horizontal across the locomotives, and from a Westerly direction (when imagining the real thing). This suggests an evening scenario, and I'm afraid the clear blue sky with a few bits of shallow Cumulus are not typical of that time of day. I apologise for being so pedantic, and I am not making a criticism of anyone for anything - but with a layout such as this I feel it is worth making the extra effort to get the sky right. Sadly, my Photoshop skills are zero otherwise I might have a go myself.

That is excellent. It makes all the difference. I hope you can do the same with a few more and re-post them.

Marvellous photos again. Those two B12 pics are just superb. A sky coloured bed sheet draped over the bookshelves might stop the eyes from being distracted.