Nick Gough

I only made one purchase there: Very interesting with, mostly, photos I haven't seen before.

We had an enjoyable day at Warley. Despite arriving shortly after opening, and staying until closing, we only just managed to make our way round all the layouts - no time for all the manufacturer's stands. A few of the sights (with my usual GWR bias):

The Force is strong in this one!

I saw an odd sight, last month, on a bright sunny day, sailing amongst islands off the Dalmation coast. From a distance I thought it was an aircraft carrier or submarine, but using my zoom lens it turned out to be this:

I can't find a 'Junior Modeller's Workshop' on the floor plan. I guess that there won't be one this year?

I wouldn't use WD40, Paul, in case it does something nasty. Better to use some modelling lubricant.

Probably because Hornby are fixated on a certain 4-6-2 instead.

I hope that you haven't experienced the first of those skills?

Or to train ferrets to hold up dartboards.

You'll be suggesting painting locos black next!

That will avoid quite a bit of lining! I do like the 1930s!

I've just booked my tickets for the Sunday at Warley - now I know that I'm not going to be whisked into the hospital for my treatment, or having to recover from any procedures. Number one grandson is coming too, for his second visit, so I know that he is still keen after last year.

According to Lewis, no. 14 was finally condemned in December 1953 and no. 15 in April 1938. Incidentally two more C8s were rebuilt as trailers (16 & 17) to Diagram H, though these retained their internal compartments, corridor, and external doors. All four were converted in July 1905.

Due to all the curved surfaces it's not really practical for the usual embossed plastikard on the brickwork. So I'm having a go with downloaded and self-printed brick sheets from Scalescenes. So far, so good, I think:

If the GWR was like our local council that crack would still be there in twenty years time - just a bit wider.

There is a photo (page 125, Auto Trailers Part 1) with either the same or very similar train. It is described as SRM 85 with one of the clerestory trailers. "It might be 14 or 15 of Diagram G as there seems to be only two passenger doors on the side that is visible, evidenced by the commode handles." The window and ventilator, and grab handle layout seems to be the same in both photos. No location is given but the train is travelling on a four track line, on what could be the down relief. Again both vehicles are in the lake livery and the photo is taken from the nearside. Trailers 14 & 15 were rebuilt from 1893 C8 thirds originally built for 'The Cornishman'. They had their original interiors removed and were rebuilt with a two saloon layout.

Have a great time oop north!

I always thought it a little odd that the GWR didn't produce another Centenary set for the Bristolian, since that train was also supposed to mark the anniversary. I suppose though that alterations would have been needed to adjust the seating capacity, to suit the short rake, and create a buffet car.

Thank you Brian.

Thanks Chris.

Looking forward to getting my 1930s chocolate/cream jobby. Authorised and already paid for as last year's Chrisie present from my wife.

Of course ten years later, most of the expresses through Wellington were hauled by 4-4-0s 'Dukes' and 'Bulldogs'.

In other news I have finally completed all the tests and scans. I had to travel to Leicester, a couple of weeks ago, for a PET scan since the consultants were concerned that my PSA blood result was very high, and the previous scans might have missed something. However, this has confirmed that I do not have a spread of the cancer beyond its original site and, consequently, they have now decided on a treatment plan. I have started hormone treatment and, in three months, will have a months worth of radiotherapy treatment. They are confident that this will cure rather than just contain the disease. In the meantime I still don't have any symptoms and I remain as active (and busy) as ever. Last month we spent a week sailing around the Dalmatian coast, and islands, of Croatia - nothing to do with railways though I did see a train in Split station:

The latest with my 'Brunel' bridge face: Mostly done with cereal packet card, some foamboard, toilet roll inners (for most of the curves), and a little filler. It doesn't shew up too well in the photos but the wing walls are angled from top to bottom, as are the curved angles joining the wing walls to the face of the bridge. I think this would have been tricky to replicate in plastikard.

An earlier article on Wellington (Salop) has some more detail for trains north of Wolverhampton in the 1890s: "A Mr CJ Alcock recalled a journey he made in 1895 to Manchester from Paddington, his coach being slipped at Wellington. An 8.15 am departure brought him to Wellington via Oxford and Wolverhampton(where the train engine, 'Cobham' single No. 162, was replaced by Armstrong 'Sir Daniel' single No. 378)..." Some recorded examples: "MAIN LINE Date Eng Class Train To 30 Jun 94 803 Std Goods (0-6-0) 7/30 Barmouth Birmingham (Excursion) 4 Aug 94 212 W Mid (2-4-0) 1/30 Paddington Birkenhead 17 Dec 94 155 Chancellor (2-4-0) 12/5 Birkenhead Paddington 6 Jun 95 378 Sir Daniel (2-2-2) 4/45 Paddington Birkenhead 10 Jul 95 3229 3226 (2-4-0) 6.15 Birkenhead Paddington 23 Apr 96 439 Bicycle (2-4-0) 1/40 Birkenhead Paddington 14 Dec 96 578 Sir Daniel (2-2-2) 4/45 Paddington Birkenhead 26 Apr 98 153 Chancellor (2-4-0) 4/15 Birkenhead Paddington"