Southernman46

Just got home from a N shift on the DLR and this was waiting for me to enjoy 😀 It's done that upside picture loading thing and I'm too tired to sort it

Yeah - it'd sell like hot cakes - sure lots of people would want one ................................ 😉

Nice - I'd definitely go for this one

👍

I've said much on the subject and managed track / lineside drainage through some of the wettest years on record WITHOUT it resulting in catastrophic slips etc, despite the neglect that existed in off-track maintenance during the 1992 -2000 period so feel I know something about the reality of the issue and maintenance does play a HUGE part in dealing with it and it's not like NR can say they are unprepared because they've had a whole department dedicated to the weather and its effect on the infrastructure since the late 90's (Railtrack era included). I've attended more pointless EWAT talking shops that I care to remember in the past - an quite honestly it became a refuge for many that were no good at anything else. It is marvellous having the high engineered track systems of today - fastclips, concrete bearer S&C and the systems to install it etc etc - it all looks nice and enables savings in Patrolling and Production staff costs etc. - but if it's laid on poor formation due to drainage issues or not adequately maintained (see GWML) it is meaningless. An emerging issue in recent years is definitely that there are areas now where drainage is required where maybe none existed before but that's still no excuse for letting the existing systems deteriorate further. Just my subjective opinion as an experienced PW Engineer not in the front line anymore. I wouldn't couldn't be within NR these days and can only wonder at how people are struggling now ............................ and as usual I like to finish with a "war story" Back in oh say, 2003-ish, I was responsible for the Leatherhead to Bookham / Dorking lines which are both on embankments south of L'head - the Bookham line turning sharp R and the Dorking continuing straight - there is (or was) a s large tract of land in the vee (not railway owned ISTR) but drained apparently by 6 culverts into the River Mole (this river has been forever entwined in my late NR railway life) - except it wasn't and had become a large lake. Enter the Mole Valley District Council (or whatever they were back then) "NR - we want this drained - can you make it work" ? "No problem - sez I" Just before we were going to set about jetting and clearing these culverts to let the backed up water flow into the Mole somebody had tipped off the NRA and a very earnest young lady (where do they find them) who demanded a site meeting which we had - at which she pointed out that said "lake" water had been there a while and was effectively stagnant and if we thought we were going to clean out the culverts all at once and dump this stuff into the Mole eco-system NR would pay dearly for it (possibly in blood as it seemed at the time). Anyhow a suitable compromised plan of phased culvert cleaning was approved and happened and as far as I am aware we didn't poison half of Surrey in the process - neither did the embankment fall down even though it's feet has been unnecessarily saturated in water for ages. The land is probably housing now.

Agreed, 40's do this instead ....................... 👍

S' a great idea 👍

Could I just point out the ridiculous number of one-off loco's that Heljan have produced and sold like hot cakes so a 47901 is going to have no problems ............................ there's a lot of us out here who couldn't give a monkeys about sticking rigidly to era's / operating areas - I leave that to those that are good at it and enjoy them at exhibitions - like the Mostyn lads 👍

You've done all the others .................... how about 🙏

Once whilst in charge of a 33 on a Sheerness - Temple Mills scrap train in the dead of night stood at North Pole Junction had my mate brush the cab light switch on whilst standing up from the 2ndman's seat to get out to use the SPT - the resultant blinding flash after being in the relative pitch dark was almost painful .......... 😲

Eventually converted a second one into a skinhead 24 - cut the cab roof off - build-up layers of plasticard - file to shape

Indeed. I remember being greeted by my parents on the platform at Birmingham New Street in December 1975 waiting for our "Merrymaker" excursion back to Kent - them from shopping in Brum and me back from successfully bunking Saltley - with the good news that they had secured my 12th birthday present in Beatties ............................. I was so excited 👍

At a slight tangent - I can recommend "Manhunt" on ItvX at the moment - this is a 3 episode dramatization of the events leading to the capture of Levi Bellfield responsible for a series of murders in SW London during the late 90's / early 00's including that of Milly Dowler - it is actor Martin Clunes at his very best and thoroughly watchable.

Is it just possible that SLW have a little overwhelmed by their success and are at that point where the popularity & volume of sales has reached a tipping point and their original set-up is struggling to cope - even the AS lads at one point in the past 6 years must have reached a stage when a C-change in terms of set-up was required ................................ looking forwards to 25043 & 25260 at some point 👍

This is just one place but they are available everywhere on t'internet & DIY stores - just a case of hunting for bargains https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/foam-mats-9-piece-white-377626

Superb photo's 👍

Indeed, the one I have in my possession was on the trackbed in the remains of Gloucester Eastgate station when I was able to wander round them in July 1975. Had "Western Invader" for haulage back to Paddington that day too .............. 👍

Try these - I use mine on a table top - relatively cheap - can make pretty much any shape - virtually weightless - easily installed / removed, etc etc

That definitely needs these now .................

Have to admit visiting the stand at Ally Pally in order to get a close up and personal look at the 4DD, I would describe the guys there as "characters" and are certainly full of enthusiasm but maybe perhaps not displaying the same reassuring professional front as say the AS or Cavalex crew, I still look forward to being satisfied seeing the final decorated 4-DD and making a purchase.

Had a little reward from the Gods for being at Waterloo at stupid o'clock this AM going home off a N shift ........................... I had hoped some while ago that SWR would do something like this to mark the "passing" of the 455's and pleased to see it done (and so well) and get the opportunity to record it for myself 👍

Got 4 on pre-order from a reliable retailer in Loughborough - paid two days ago as they're in stock now - waiting patiently for delivery and despite all the picts & chat on here managing to suppress my FOMO 🤣. Found a solution to comparison with the apparently rubbish Bachmann Mk2's too. The Bachmann Mk2a's are all on the 14:23 Southampton to Oxford hauled by 31402 (eventually) and the AS Mk2b's will pass them at Winchester on the 12:07 Oxford to Southampton with 31409 in harness (eventually) - both trains might have to endure the respective non-ETH attention of 7035 & 7017 for the Summer timetable in the meantime ...............................

Was on the train the other day and sat close to two women conversing in what I knew to be Turkish and within minutes I was receiving ad pop-ups for items but actually in Turkish on my lap-top - can only have been due to my apparently non-active phone picking up their speech - my goodness aren't THEY just listening all time now 😬

To lay planks across so that wagons could be unloaded from sidings further out ............. sounds daft but I'm sure I've see a photo somewhere .......... referred to as the "London" flap ??