Southernman46

Don't say that around any Royal Marines ............................. they paid dearly for the strategic mistake and having to capture Walcheren 😬

Bachmann could do with doing a Blue NB 47/3 - sure it would be popular

On slightly different but similar vein I noticed today that it is still theoretically possible to run directly off the SWML Down Slow at Basingstoke into the Down siding and continue as far as the bufferstop round the corner on the "Alton Branch" (barring a few of 3-4" diameter silver birches in the 4ft). I have to take some of the blame? for this as we'd always intended (back in the late 2000's) as the PW maintainer to install one of the redundant bufferstops from the down yard onto the end of the electrified down siding as a slightly more permanent "end" to the operational infrastructure than the very small "stop" board (still existant) standing in the 4ft of the siding but never got round to it - I am surprised this has never been done as anything going too far in the siding is most likely going to suffer an "earth fault" in the remining double slip 😵

and Part 2 is ......................... 26/10/73 - first London visit - whilst changing trains at Queens Park from the Bakerloo (on route to Willesden & Old Oak Common shed visits) standing on the platform and having 83003 + Mk1's race past on the mainline (1st 25kV electric "cop" & destroyed a few years late in the Watford collision).

Short notice disruption on the SWML this weekend due to yet another land slip - this time at Farnborough on the down side cutting slope approaching the station. To be fair to NR this time, they were in a cleft stick with this one - ISTR back in my time on this section - this very steep cutting slope was host to some huge & overhanging trees - one in particular was a absolute monster. It was always a worry that one of these would come down in the dark on a 90 mph curve - but it always seemed to be in the "too difficult" pile for the off-track section though. NR has taken advantage of the blockages caused by other failures on the route / renewal possessions in recent times to cut down and completely remove these but have denuded the slope in the process - the remains of the "monster" disappearing only relatively recently. Despite remedial measures the face has slipped in places - the works are presumably to make further provisions to hopefully secure the slope. Means I've got to unexpectedly now drive to / fro Andover to ensure I get home after work on Sat & Sun 🙄.

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My problem is that I had included mine (31-340 version) in a large batch of stuff for selling but whilst cataloguing this into boxes happened to have a quick look at it - ended up being utterly re-charmed by it and it's now back in primary use 🙄

and from and beyond Northwards .........................................

92's ?

Let's face it they were ill-designed vehicles from a practical point of view because that's what happens in the real world - I mean why would the driver of a digger on a track renewal site bother that he's left the last two buckets of ballast remaining in a RUDD wagon over one wheel - because he doesn't understand and trains is someone else's problem ....................... add a minor track defect and I ended up with an interesting couple of days .....................

I have no idea - was merely stating what a great idea the stage payment system is and because of that when they ARE available I've already finished paying for them. Similarly the 31's will be paid for by the time they emerge. Avoids a huge one lump Credit card bill. Means I have a bit of headroom for impulse purchases - like another 47, weathered 20 or EFE 58.

Converted relatively early before the single pipe era

The partial payment system is a blessing - have been quietly paying instalments (which are affordable each month) and now am looking forward to receiving an 89, 66, 50 x 2 & 6 x Mk.1 Sub's without needing to pay a cent more and am well on the way to 3 x 31's.

Some of these also ended up Air-braked like certain OHB & VVB's for the AB Network. https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brpalvanvpb I've completed two kits one a standard 4 shoe Morton version and the other of an AB version mating the kit body with the FAT26 AB underframe kit. I'll be supplementing these with singles of both the Bachmann versions and any subsequent "A" suffix releases - there were never many around in the late 70's so 4-6 will suffice.

Cheers - thanks for the reminder - have just "late paid" for yesterday's parking - had forgotten - saved me more than a few few quid there👍 - had driven there straight from a N shift on the DLR so was parked in a corner of the car park pushing up Z's by 05:45 waiting until 09:30. Enjoyed the whole exhibition - layout - traders and manufacturers - thought the Cavalex lads were kind of pushed out of it tucked right over the back of the hall, Ally Pally is just the most amazing building with an unrivalled view over N & E London. Passed Hugh Grant on the way out - presume he was going into the exhibition.

Ah - became the victim of a new weapon on Sunday - the shopping trolley .......................

Oh happy day - at last !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and an 8-shoe chassis that we can do something with ................................

You need to ask ? There is only one .............................. 1974 re-lived

Well it didn't because some of us had to work overnight instead of playing with our weathered 56's .............................. 🙄

I'd like to pretend I know what that means ................. 🤣

Mate - agreed, they was documentaries ............................................ 😬 I predict around about the 5th batch release of Cavalex 56's will suddenly go self aware & turn on their owners .............................

Yup - delighted to have called that wrong - thought we were going to get a pasting and what did we witness - an IMMENSE performance with a finish reminiscent of the World Cup in 2003 - despite Ford (played 60 minutes looking like a rabbit in the headlights) missing the 7 points which could have decided the outcome earlier.

Yes but the point is they've still been designed for it and also rely on adequate maintainance whereas NR are shifting their many failings on the overwhelming volume of water already - THAT bow-wave is yet to hit - it will happen if our planetary manipulation goes on.

I will simply say that I have been there - done it - all the calcs etc for the many many railway drainage systems I have been in contact with - the Victorians (thankfully) did over engineer but those have been reassessed in the light of modern information / records etc. I CAN make the statements I make because I KNOW what I am talking about - new systems for renewals are also designed to cope with 1 in XYZ monsoon events etc ..................... BUT NOT if they aren't subsequently maintained properly or damaged by hair-brained project work ................................................

Bit of advice please. I am planning to fit "0000" into the headcode aperture of a Bachmann 46 having removed the dominos and cleaned up the back. Plastruct cut to size - black coloured - Railtec "0000" waterslide transfer - coat of matt decal fix. Very thin piece of glazing from a Jelly Bean box cut to fit over the top - what will hold this in place without destroying the transfer - "Glue n glaze" ?