Peter Kazmierczak

IF 25kV OHLE were extended westwards beyond Southampton, then some of the structures have tight clearances. Here's cemetery junction in Bournemouth; presumably lowering the trackbed would be a better option in these instances.

To me, at any rate, it would seem sensible to retain the 3rd rail between Southampton and Basingstoke, as well as providing that section with OHLE. Although as many have said, it'd be fairly easy to equip all the Cl.444s and 450s with pans etc, this is adding a further complication to these units plus putting additional time in the schedule for having to stop at Basingstoke.

Just one or two observations. Documents refer to Southampton Port so presumably that means Millbrook / Maritime will get OHLE. Do diesel shunters position container trains at their destination beneath the cranes in areas of OHLE. What happens on the continent in these situations? Presumably the 3rd rail remains between Southampton and Basingstoke. Are there currently any tracks (North London line maybe) where 3rd rail and OHLE co-exist?

I prefer the cropped version. I'd probably crop it a touch more to get rid of more of the flor and focus more on the "Hall"......

Unfortunately, logic is often a commodity in short supply in these situations.

Perhaps this thread needs to be merged with the other one on MML electrification.

Whilst The Midland Pullman actually avoided Derby station, a timing of 1h 15m would've been easily achieved by that train for a Manchester - Derby start to stop, including a stop at Cheadle Heath for Stockport. The time from Manchester Picadilly to Chinley start to pass (with one stop) is probably a couple of minutes quicker than the Midland Pullman would've done From Manchester Central via Cheadle Heath. The basic upshot is that if the route through the Peak had still been open, with electrification a timing of 1h 10m Manchester Picadilly - Derby non-stop or 1h 20m with stops at Stockport, Miller's Dale (for Buxton) and Matlock would've been perfectly fesible. Only dreaming of course.....

Not Jim's model of New Street, honestly, but a 1978 view.

Super layout - really captures the "feel" of Grantham. You appear to be using foam underlay for the mainlines. Any particular reason for that? Presumably you'll be using normal ballast for the other tracks and weather the foam to match.

A Thousand at Bristol - May 1975

Paddington - Summer 1979 Not very creative, but I rather like it

Here's one tootling along the up main just north of Derby Station on a trip working from St Mary's Yard, early in 1980.

There's also some preserved items at the museum in NA. Pulling the levers actually works the signals. Well worth a visit if you're down that way.

Is this preserved gantry in NA an amalgam of various bits of signalling?

Sorry, I meant a BP16 bogie (off a HST power car).

Sometimes it's easy to forget how big the primary coil springs are on a BT16 bogie.

The word "iconic" is often overplayed. However, it can be rightly applied to this type of wagon.

Hello Pete, I think Shellhaven was used as a location where they filmed one of the Quatermass films. Anyway, I digress. Still think that landscape looks more like South Wales/South Yorkshire than Southern England. I agree though that house backs would be more typical. From Essex? No, not me. Further up t'north.

But Pete, it just doesn't feel right. I thought Gordon's layout was based on the southern end of the ECML. That type of heavy industry just isn't typical of the Home Counties.

Just my view, but the background looks more modern than for a steam-era model. The lighting towers give it a BR Blue-era look rather than steam days.

Just a question. Why did Greece go through to the next round rather than Russia? Both had same points but Russia goal difference better than Greece. Am I missing something?

To be honest, they all look very much alike. Obviously the subtlety of boiler differences is lost on me. Must say I prefer the wheels/motion of the first example of the four - especially the wheels which look much finer than the rest.

Sometimes wet weather can (hopefully) add to a picture. Hinton Admiral this morning in typical June weather.

A little birthday present Gilbert, though probably 24 years too late for your layout. Hopefully you recognise the bridge and platform edge though.

Happy Birthday Gilbert!