Blandford1969

Another stunning view, I think it might be Luib station, but I can't find a photo at the moment to back it up. Thanks for sharing it Mike Kind regards Duncan

Yet more lovley S&D scenes. If only we had a time machine to go and enjoy this line.

Cor, what super shots. Thanks for sharing them.

What a super record and lovley crisp photos.

stunning image of the 191. Now if someone made a model of that.....

Lovley photos

The structure is definatley a fire iron rack, not a bad height or set up for disposal.

Stunning photos, the one of the end of the goods shed in providing an image the bricks can be easily counted from. Duncan

No sadly I did not get a run with it in auto mode on Friday, although I had a go in that mode the week before, excellent fun. Its got a quiet exhaust so hearing it above that of the other pannier was interesting. You get used to just keeping your head out of the cab for your night vision, even if it is a bit cold, my mate had a head torch so I had to be carefull. That you enjoyed a heated carriage must have meant the effect in the coaches was greater than the 15psi showing on our gauge. Regards Duncan

It is certainly clear from the back. I agree on the difference in brick height of 3 bricks end to end Tim. I managed about 30 minutes today, hopefully I will get a bit more time on them tomorrow, even if its just the basic outline without the details. The only thing I cannot tie down is what happend at the bottom of the stairs from the locking room level to the lower yard level.

Glad you enjoyed the night run last night back to Bridgnorth with 1450 and 1638, it was certainly more fun that the run down. At least I knew about the steam brake setter sticking by then so was able to pre empt it by dropping the res. We were never short of steam or water. The most unusual part was when 1638 primed approaching Arley and when its driver opened the taps, our cab was totally filled with steam meaning we could not see a thing! Nice pictures and glad you enjoyed the day. Duncan

Dave, lovley photos, the last is especially usefull showing the detail round the Station agents house. Tim, love the model. In terms of the box it is the same width as other boxes on the northern end of the line, however the pitch of the roof is different to that at Midsomer/ Binegar and as Chris said is different in terms of the extension. The window frames are also not the same lenghts, as is the case with the windows on the northen elevation. My son decided to get me up at 03.30am for a feed and I could not get back to sleep so have already done part of the southern elevation. I have taken Mrs C to look at a new, new car and now am about to take her for a hospital appointment. then I will be back on with that drawing. Don't forget that the drawings of the running line side will be showing the gradient. a different of 3 bricks from end to end. I will see how far I can get. The station agents house is still prooving to be a pain. I am just not happy with the porch. However I now have a contact who can pass the drawing onto someone who worked there which might bring some information. Best regards Duncan

I am sure it will be just a trick of the eye. The old paint was looking a bit tired so its nice to see the old girl in a different livery. Put her on 6 and she romps away. I think the weekend should be good with 2 separate auto trains out during the day and other unusual pairings. Hopefully the weather will be kind and not the rain currently forecast.

The Stationmaster is certainly right about expierience and competence. The SVR has been passing drivers and firemen out on the GW auto trailers for ordinary workings. There is a restriction the firemen can only be senior firemen or passed firemen and must be passed out by the Inspectorate to be competent to be left on the footplate by themselfs while the driver is driving from the coach. You need an awful lot of trust, becuase you can't see the water, pressure, where the reverser is or blow the brakes off quickly, you are totally reliant on the fireman. We will still have 2 drivers on a driving schools though, one in the coach and one on the engine as driving schools need an even higher degree of concentration and it is easier to be distracted if not carefull.

Would the drawings in (I think) the railway modeller from again (I think) the 1970s when a model was made help. I would assume there must have been an article of the finished layout?

If you did get rid of them somewhere like the Kidderminster Railway museum would love to have such photos Im sure

Never mind, I will still look forward to seeing more of your exquisite photos.

I have only just stumbled across this thread, but have to say thanks for sharing these wonderful views which are in some cases the more rare ones. The back of the station especially is not well covered.

You think the views can't get any better and they just carry on. Wow, thanks for sharing. I really hope that you have got it sewn up so your lovley collection goes somewhere like the Kidderminster Railway museum when the time comes as so many wonderful archives like yours are split up via auctions and ebay. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some Hay and Brecon soon.

This thread is such an excellent source of inspiriation, as ever fantastic photos, we will look forward to see what comes next. Thanks for sharing them Duncan

In use this weekend 2857, Kinlet, Earlestoke. SKP and 43106, 5634 and 5164 are spare at Bridgnorth and I understand that is the expected line up (allowing for failures) next week.

5164 is really just the standby engine now as her boiler certificate ends in January next year, Hagley has just started on her restoration which at the moment is expected to take 3 years. I've not been able to work yet at Arley this Christmas so don't know whether Kinlet has been in use. Hope you enjoy your visit next weekend

I've siad it before, but these really are stunning images, thanks for posting them. I love the contractors using a condemed brake van (would you get away with that now?)

I've only just found this thread and wow what great photos of such rarley photographed places. The fact you approached it as a modeller means you have a far more important historical record of these sites. I will look forward to seeing what other amazing photos appear

Hi Jason, What really makes this an amazing layout is that it is not just the railway, you have put the railway into the landscape as it were. I've really enjoyed watching you develop this, it should really be appearing in the mags as its the kind of layout that I'm sure inspires others. Regards Duncan