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The BFOs on the WCML were something of a rareity, but quite easy to spot due to their unique pillar arrangement (assuming I wasn't looking at what was on the other end of the train. I'm sure they'd be of more use for those modelling GW Sleeper workings, if Oxford were to model the Caley Sleepers they'd also need Mk2 types that aren't available.

They look they've received the Chinese factory style weathering from a large rattlecan of Tamiya flat earth.

Around 13:30...? The data is still up on Realtime, the steel (Dollands Moor-Scunthorpe) was late but 1N17 (KX-Newcastle) wasn't really held up but made a slow departure from Newark. The freight was looped at Carlton on Trent, there is another on the down at Claypole, south of Newark.

As seen on this week's "Traffic Cops", such a route whilst being followed by a Police car might be taken by a driver who is trying to check if they were being followed, especially if they have something to hide.

It is unlikely to have been the official stock as they were all converted to Airbrake only in 1977. A quick Google brought up 4472 hauling Mk1 Pullman stock, could that have been it...?

Drawbar fittings (buffers, Pullman rubbing plates and buckeye coupling) changed along with the original horn grille to the stainless steel V type, controller changes to work with class 67 & 68, and Chiltern and NR types have a grill fitted in one of the luggage doors for a generator, with the associated tank and filler cap on the underframe.

I'm surprised so many people know about Downton Abbey, when it was usually on at the same time as Top Gear... Ultimately, it's a train set. Do you think our 6yr old is too bothered that his Micro Scalextrics set is branded for a Bond film he's too young to see, has tracks that have no relevance to the film, or features cars he'll probably never drive, all he sees is a silver car and a dark grey car (that coincidentally are the colours of Mummy & Daddy's cars). If it all goes pear shaped them I'm sure Hornby will put the track and controller into another set and sell the loco and stock at bargain prices on their stand at shows *, a noble gesture that does more to support juniors in the Hobby than moaning about a toy train set on a Model Railway forum. It's not like they have attempted to produce a serious themed set like the oppositions WW1 Ambulance train with the GWR City instead of a RoD Mogul. (* 6yr old also has an O-4-0T and a Toy Story 3 Train procured from the Hornby stand).

No to: SLE(P) BFO, And quite a lot of Test train and Royal coaches.

The current scale length Hornby Mk3 isn't regarded as being up to modern standards, and more importantly they have chosen to use Lima tooling for the TGS and Sleeper when they would have been better starting with new tooling and increasing the range with a loco hauled Buffet with correct Windows and roof vents. But what seems strange now is why the two big manufacturers haven't bothered with a new Mk3, it's almost like they knew someone was going to jump in and have been waiting for this day....

And even it has to carry a broom for sweeping out the flangeways (unless a Witch has left it there).

I suppose that us why they are yet to reinstate some third rail...

What if you've cut all of your trip pins off...?

Presumably these disinterested punters are the same ones who stand slack-jawed when they see a long train on Santa Barbara or RS Tower....? Had it not been for the American content I wouldn't have bothered going, now I'm having small layout rejection syndrome and am wondering why I'm faffing round with overdeveloped small planks...

Did you find where that wheelset came from...?

Thanks for giving the Steeplecab a quick test, hopefully I'll have it painted by the next time but I'm not so sure how to motorise and chip it.

I'm not familiar with Atlas snap track, but it might be possible to save a few inches here and there by shortening the ends of the turnouts. Not that I'm saying using such track is wrong, if you've got some in stock it is then possible to test the final plan for real before making it permanent, as what might work for someone else (on their layout or even the "prototype for everything") won't necessarily be as successful with your stock.

And whats wrong with Rivet counters...?

I scan read that and thought "Great, Rapido are going to follow up with Canadian Electric Locomotives. Tumbler Ridge Toaster, CN Z1a, GE 50 ton Steeplecab as BCH 960.....

Please tell me you two haven't been parking next to each other....

Have you got a Dashcam?

With the latter, I still think that there is an unrealistic expectation regarding what is going to fall out a box and instantly electrify any layout. Hornby have missed a trick here by not offering something they inherited from one of their European manufacturers as a token scene-filling effort as part of their Railroad range, because TBH- nothing else apart from some degree of scratchbuilding is going to match the same standard of current RTR stock.

Now that's the kind of thing I'd be interested in. And idea what they'd be cloning, apart from just about everything that has been available as RTR....?

What is the gap (the 6') between the tracks there....?

Nick and I have an arrangement where we test each other's layouts, so I was there on Saturday generally making silly mistakes and failing to answer any questions on or even improve my knowledge of Scandinavian Railways. But here are a few low-res camera phone snaps...:

Evidently so. Looks like my double track section will be adjoining yours too...