Northpoint

No roadworks locally. I don't know about the M6 - it's always a lottery anyway.

Another raffle prize. Thank you to Highball Productions.

Nick - I'll try and find out the fare if I can. Re Tamworth - I don't know if you're familiar with the station but it is a 2 level affair with the Cross Country route on the higher level and the WCML on the lower level so interchange is easy.

The more the merrier! Look forward to seeing you.

Thanks for all the replies/suggestioins etc. I have re-jigged things a bit and hopefully the gaps won't be too obvious (it was a bit tight anyway!). Andy has the go ahead for his demo which I'm sure will be interesting.

Unfortunately, a couple of layouts have pulled out recently. It's probably too late to get replacements but if anybody knows of a couple of reasonable sized layouts that could step in at short notice, let me know. Some more raffle prizes very kindly donated by Mal (Alcanman of this parish) - many thanks Mal, very generous of you.

You're welcome, Andy, glad you enjoyed it again. One learning point from Derby - the sector plate tracks are a touch too close and the rolling stock, especially the passenger stock, was fouling the next track. All my own fault as I was trying to do it all in a cramped space because the weather was bad and I couldn't spread out outside. Another modification before Bloxwich in a couple of weeks. Hopefully the weather will stay fine... EDIT: I'm going mad here - it's not going to Bloxwich! That's Heath Green!

Thanks everybody. I'll try some of those ideas.

The two surfaces are just plywood - that's probably the problem. I need to find some kind of lubrication. I need a quick fix if possible before the weekend. I don't have time to take it apart and start rebuilding!!

Do make sure you say hello.

Excellent photos, Andy, as has already been said. On the subject of water crane hoses - nothing wrong with what you have done but I remember reading in a very early copy of MRJ (I think) that a good way of representing a "limp" leather water crane bag is to get a piece of brass tube and bash it flat with a hammer and then paint it. Believe me, it works! Ashbourne Astley

After some issues with cassettes at Sutton Coldfield, I've been working on a sector plate (that's what was going to be there originally!). It works electrically, although it is slightly stiff in it's sideways movement - any ideas how to loosen it up (I'm sure it's not the tightness of the bolt it pivots on)? I've seen mention of candle wax elesewhere. Hopefully we will see it in action at Derby this coming weekend.

Brian - Bachmann Scenecraft 44-219. Plenty in stock according to eHattons website.

No need to panic, Mike! I've sent you a PM explaining things.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Andy. I'm pleased to say that things got a lot better as the weekend went on. However, as is always the case on the first exhibition outing for a layout, I came away with several learning points, particularly with regard to live frog points and cassette storage. Some changes will possibly (time permitting) be made by Derby in 2 weeks time. Oh, I nearly forgot, this was Andy getting himself tied up in knots whilst shunting yesterday....

Just got home form day 1 at Sutton Coldfield. A bit of a nightmare to start with. I have to apologise to anybody who might have been vieiwing the layout in the first hour or so for the poor performance. Despite cleaning the track three times and the wheeels on all the locomotives the number of stalls and finger prods was totally unacceptable. I have to say that as the day progressed things settled down a bit and we got to the stage where the Jinty would shunt the goods train without having to be prodded every two minutes. No idea what the problem was, but hopefully things will be OK for tomorrow.

Set up at Sutton.

The layout and all its parerphenalia loaded in the car and ready for the off to Sutton Coldfield show later today. Do try and come along if you can. It is always a good show, well worth it.

You know where it is, Martyn. We'll be pleased to see you.

Raffle prizes received so far: Kindly donated by Kadee Kindly donated by Intermountain Kindly donated by..... somebody who likes their beer!

It was at TVNAM last year so I don't think it would be appropriate for me to have my own layout at the show two years running! However, there has been a request for an O gauge theme to the show next year so maybe there will be something of interest then. Midland will be at Bournville (Birmingham) August 27th, Seaboard Southern (Surrey) 17th September and Cradley Heath (Black Country) 22nd October.

These are the original ones I bought in a pack of 6 about 3 years ago and have only just got around to using. I have heard they can be trouble. Anyway, in all fairness to DCC Concepts, I got a pretty prompt reply making a couple of suggestions - which I have done, but still no joy - so I'm awaiting the next proposal from them. So here's a couple of photos in the meantime.

Has any body any experience with Cobalt point motors? I bought a box of six some time ago and got them out this morning with a view to using them on the layout (currently push rods through slide switches). I rigged up a 12v supply - 3 worked fine, of the other 3, 1 didn't fire at all and the other 2 went so slowly and gave up half way through. Is this common? I have e-mailed DCC Concepts but with the time difference it could be half past next Tuesday by the time I get a reply!

A new station building is being trialled at Ashbourne - I understand the man from the board of trade is coming tomorrow to check the distance from the platform edge. A surprise as larger power arrived on the local pasenger train -

Re the above Ian - what size is it? I have allocated 15ft for TVNAM!