Hampshire Hog

The picture above is of Tinsleys finest 37068 "Grainflow" and 47 207 "Bulmers of Hereford" waiting patiently for their next turn of duty and yes Paul, definately going ahead, depending on it fitting in the car, somebody to come with me and of course an invitation.

A general picture looking across "Millway Dock" at the Port of Leaford, a scene that may be seen at an exhibition near you soon. Kevin

Big problems in Leaford Jct yard - What happened to the handle on the pump truck! And ye olde Shelvoke and Drewry still does an good job shifting a job lot of timber that the boss bought cheap.

Cheers Paul, I have to say that some mornings I have a live seaside sound track with Gulls flying about the area. A busy scene at Leaford Port today. See you soon, Kevin

I trialled these on the Iayout and was reminded of "Cockleshell Heroes" which coincidently was on the TV just the other day. Best regards. Kevin

A couple of the loco's recently added to the roster at Leaford (Tinsley Distribution 47's and Cardiff Metals 37's):- Class 47/3 former Thornaby celebrity loco 47361 "Wilton Endeavour" now a Tinsley favourite enters Leaford Town with an MOD special. (with thanks to Whoppits photo on Temeraires thread Tidworth). and Class 37/7 Cardiff's heavyweight 37886 in the same location. Merry Christmas. Kevin

I don't know if this will be of assistance Roy, I used a Guagemaster DCC23 Mini 6-pin decoder which is small enough to cunningly hide under some Peco Model Scene Pallets which can then be stuck on top of the original ballast (with some fettling and filing) as supplied, please see pictures below:- Sorry about the quality of the photo but it shows the Decoder hiding under the Pallets. The Peco Pallets. You always get one joker - He is under training to be a reversing beeper!! My best regards, Kevin.

Yes guys, it is my opinion that it is such a nice model that you can forgive that it is the wrong colour - or the wrong period - or they never ran in the area that I model. I ran mine backwards and forwards on the auto-run for a couple of hours to run it in and now it is magic to watch it glide along, it can't tolerate dirty track though because it is a small, short wheelbase 0-6-0 but keep your tracks clean and it will grace any layout. Kevin.

I don't think you would be disappointed if you bought one mate, the detail is excellent and the running qualities superb, I fitted a very small Lenz 6 pin decoder which fitted a treat (not much space) and as per usual mine will have to be weathered. Best regards Kevin

This week I received my long awaited Heljan 07 shunter, I put a decoder in it and it performs with Heljans usual smooth, powerful and virtually silent running. It brought back many early childhood memories of the early 60's being sat in the back of dads car in Mayflower Park, Southampton watching various ships of the time heading off down Southampton Water to all points of the compass - particularly Union Castle boats to and from South Africa, never imagining at that time that I would eventually sail on one in the future as the cruise ship Island Breeze. (formally The Vaal and before that Transvaal Castle). I never thought that I would have a model 07 either as they were only in Southampton Docks or near abouts and there were not many of them, but it just goes to show that anything is possible these days, I can also remember the USA Tanks I suppose I'll have to get one of them next. Anyway a picture of 07005 hard at work on Leaford Docks. Cheers, Kevin

Buffer stop by Mr Kipling! makes a change from the Peco ones. Kevin.

Cheers Scott, look forward to seeing you soon. Kevin.

You know Jamie there is so much sickness and illness effecting people I know, you have Kim Jung whats is' name in North Korea and Donald Trump hell bent on blowing us all up, I have lost faith in all our polititians whatever the party they represent, recently I have had to put a new tyre on the car because of bl**dy potholes everywhere - but whenever I look at those cranes it puts a smile on my face, perhaps only briefly, but how do you put a price on that! Kevin

That looks good Paul, these little loco's are so nice I think I may have to have one in the docks. Kevin.

Firstly my thanks to Paul for both his company yesterday and his excellent YouTube clip, and I think you are right Jamie - but even if mass produced these cranes would be expensive because of their complicated build-up making them difficult to replicate, but you never know one can hope!! Best regards Kevin.

My thanks Nigel for your kind words and for getting me into this marine modelling in the first place by showing me a picture of a fantastic layout called "The Port of Los Angeles" by Bernard Kempinski and then later giving me a book by the same person called "Waterfront Terminals and Operations" I was suitably inspired to do my Bunkers Barge from Bernards original featured on his layout. (just google The Port of Los Angeles model railway). Word is out that the "Molly J" charter for the Ascension contract has been possibly cancelled as a newer more modern ship has been requested. Kevin.

One of the frequent visitors to The Port of Leaford, coastal cargo ship "Molly J" needed to be re-fueled for a long trip to the Ascension Islands? due to a new contract, so the resident Self Propelled Bunkers Barge "Noah" makes a visit and proves it is up to the task, I think the crew of the Molly J hopes that she is too!! The two are photographed together:-- This model started life as a shortened Walthers Car Float kit with a scratch built deck, the pipework supplied by Knightwing, the HIAB crane by Kibri, and the deck accesories by Deansmarine the rest all scratch from plasticard. Best Regards, Kevin.

Thanks Paul, I shall look forward to that. Best regards Kevin.

My thanks guys, it is ironic that the interweb that allows us to communicate here, is also responsible (perhaps partly) for the demise of the very topic we are communicating about? Best regards Kevin.

Hello Jamie, I am pleased to say the misses is now fine but she gave us a scare for a moment. I did not know that was what ODEON stood for (incidently that building started of on Temeraires layout Exford as a B&Q,- I wonder what B&Q stands for?) I am sure someone will know. Anyway Jamie I know that you like 33's so here is 33 029 shunting at Leaford Jct. Its nice to hear from you Jamie. Best regards. Kevin.

Hello Dave, I am away Friday for a fortnight, but I am sure that we can arrange something with your free days on my return. Class 73105 with an engineers train. Its funny that the out of square mesh on the grill does not show on the model for real!!! Regards Kevin.

Cardiffs Dutch 37035 stands in for the usual Metals Sector motivepower on a Leaford Docks - Severn Tunnel Jct via Estleigh working. Kevin.

Thankyou danstercivicman, here is a picture of a busy Leaford Town yard with grain, salt, scrap and MOD traffic flows represented. Kevin.

Many thanks for your kind words Jamie and it sounds if you had a great time at Dapol, I am pleased to say the misses is out of hospital and now back to work, I have also had several other set-backs lately as well which took the wind from my sales which meant railways were very much in second place, and the mojo somewhat disapeared, things are now better and feel I can post again with some pictures of my latest Tinsley 47s, fistly a ViTrains version transformed into 47 310 "Henry Ford" and secondly I just couldn't wait any longer for the oficial Bachmann one so I converted Metals sector 47 359 into 47209 "Herbert Austen" Kevin.

Hello Jamie mate, yes you are correct they are the DJ Models PBA's, I think they are smart too, in which ever livery, I have been a bit quiet recently as my wife has been poorly and was taken into hospital at 1am this morning, hopefully for a short stay. It is nice to hear from you. Best regards Kevin.