APOLLO

That's what my dad said to me when I was learning back in 1970. Expect everyone to be a complete idiot - trouble is these days he is increasingly correct. Brit15

Briit15

A blast from the days when men were men (and sheep were nervous !!!!) Wouldn't happen these days - job stopped - "wrong" kind of snow, etc !! Yes posted before, but always worth another look. Brit15

Back in the 80's a contractors boss bought a brand new White Lancia Beta HPE - an absolute stunner of a car (back then). - for a year or two till the rust got hold. Fiats weren't much better either, but most cars back then dissolved away at various rates, some were worse than others. Perhaps Volvo's were the best, but my mate had a right rusty one !! Capri's - In 1982 I bought a brand new 1600 Capri Cabraret - Ming Blue - special edition with lots of extras - a right lovely car which I wish I still had. No rust at all. Today - just be careful what you buy. I looked at a few Mazda 3's and Ford Focus's last year - only five or so years old and nice cars to look at BUT I was horrified when I had a good look underneath - tons of rust everywhere. Jag X types also, especially behind the plastic sills. I ended up with a 2008 Mk 2 Seat Leon, like new all over (and under !), 2 owners, 55K miles and a steal at two and a half grand. Back to the weather, Sleet and Snow (just a bit) Saturday, Freezing Sunday & Monday, heavy rain today, but at least it's 5 degC (at the moment) !!. Anyway, a photo of Wigan Junction Colliery railway back in 1940 - looks a bit Frozzen, but I bet that boiler is warm !!!! Brit15

Back in the 60's when we switched our telly off we would slowly watch the "end of the tunnel disappear" !!!!! Anyone remember the old 405 lines valve TV's ? Brit15

Interesting subject - Found these on the web. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/rail-uk/20170426/282969629956981 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/apr/10/isambard-kingdom-brunel-birthday-box-tunnel-bath-sun http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4397442/Brunel-s-Box-Tunnel-catches-sunlight-birthday.html http://www.adamscottimages.com/blog/ Seems the old current bun does shine through !!! Brit15

And I always thought the universe revolved around Swindon, centre of God's Wonderful Railway !!! Brit15

Brit15

Emirates Airbus A380 zero two one you are clear to taxi when the Lufthansa Fokker in front of you has departed !!!!!!!!! Allegedly, a Pan Am 727 flight waiting for start clearance in Munich overheard the following: Lufthansa (in German): “Ground, what is our start clearance time?” Ground (in English): “If you want an answer you must speak in English.” Lufthansa (in English): “I am a German, flying a German airplane, in Germany. Why must I speak English?” Unknown voice from another plane (in a beautiful British accent): “Because you lost the bloody war.” Brit15

I'm glad it didn't snow today as I had to pick the Mrs up from Manchester Airport at 7-00am. Was dreading the journey but no snow and little traffic meant it was a quick run. There having it bad in the Midlands though, and were getting a few flurrys here now. Your'e a brave man Bob, out running trains in this weather - I won't even go in the shed !!!! Brit15

There was also this one at Settle in 1960 involving a Britannia pacific, sadly with loss of life. http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=287 Brit15

Timetable for the LD&ECR from Chesterfield market Place - an interesting line, but nowt to Kings Cross !!. Anyone know the approximate time table date ? Also why was the line from Shirebrook North (Langwith Jcn) up towards Killamarsh & Sheffield known as the "Clog & Knocker" ? - I've heard other lines called this also. As to modelling specific locations or imaginary ones (or a mix of the two) I really do not mind at all. All layouts have at the very least some interest to me. I went to a small exhibition in Blackburn early last year, dozen or so layouts and a couple of trade stands. One young lad was exhibiting his own Z scale Marklin layout and was as pleased as punch when my mate & I stopped by and had a chat about his layout. The venue was a community centre attached to a Mosque, everyone was very friendly and the curry was superb !! Brit15

Wonderful photos Bob. Brit15

Brit15

"Trouble" with me is I have too much stuff - been collecting since 1959, (TT) and OO since 1971. My layout is fairly generic, set around north of Nottingham mid 60's, GC, GN & Midland lines so an easy excuse to run a vast variety of loco's etc. This is one reason I chose this area / time - also I'm a bit of a GC / GN / LNER fan !! My last new release was a Bachmann "Stanier Crab" - because she was a local (Wigan) loco and I also have a small Wigan GC layout upon which she (prototypicaly) runs. I like to run my old (non detailed) stuff from the 60's & 70's - both Hornby and Tri-ang. They (mostly) still run well, and as mine is a loft layout super detail isn't really noticed, even when it is present on newer stuff. I'm basically an operator !!. Brit15

Charles Dickens walks into a bar and orders a martini. The barman says, "Olive or twist?" Brit15

From an earlier thread, http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/6933-br-london-midland-region-1950s-80s/page-2?&&p=69456&&do=findComment&comment=69456 I understand these were provided for the guard before the sit in rear cab" was agreed with the unions, they were (nearly) always right behind the locomotive & not on the rear of the train. The brake van container was disliked as it threw the guard around too much. 1967 Springs Branch Wigan - you can run brand new 100 ton bogie tank wagons behind a non air braked 9F, provided you have a "fitted head" of a few vacuum braked wagons. Lots of variety was this era - old & new together !! Brit15

Brit15

Network Rail proposal video here https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/lne-and-em/east-coast-mainline-route-upgrade/werrington-grade-separation/ Brit15

After leaving London the first "steep bit" on the WCML is probably the 1 in 105 climb up to Boars Head immediately north of Wigan NW. Some shots of late steam (1966/7) on this bank working hard on my photo sites below. Are the any steep bits (apart from Camden bank) between London & Wigan that gave steam a hard time ? Brit15

That has certainly held true the last few years - but will it happen in future, especially with smaller production runs ?. I don't know, but the last few years around Christmas saw me buying several such bargains. A lot less around now, and apart from some books (some s/hand) I've bought no models for a few months - just a few needed spares / odds'n'sods. Increasingly now I think hard about whether my purchases are really necessary, and rarely buy new releases, especially especially new releases at RRP. Over saturated market ? - again - perhaps. If the new stuff sells well / quick then (most) everyone is a winner. Time will tell. Brit15

Macclesfield Hibel Road 1907 1250 scale plan here http://maps.nls.uk/view/114583453 Brit15

I got one last week, not looked at it yet, Christmas present from kids !! I will give a (loud) report after the Turkey & Sprouts !!!!! Brit15

And I bet the Chinese sailors are fed up with Jellyfish salad !! http://www.thehongkongcookery.com/2012/06/jellyfish-salad.html Brit15

I posted this superb video on Tony Wrights thread, where this layout was being discussed. It really belongs in this thread just as a reminder as to how hard Shap is for steam locos heading north, even today. Some nice views at the end at the summit, Tangmere seems a bit troubled, the A4 (in a snowstorm) & Scot romp over, but with a touch of slip !! Brit15