DavidB-AU

Could you possibly do a sketch of the room? Is there an option of a removable or lifting section across one or both of the doorways? Does "constant use" include when the layout is actually in operation?

It does look very ambitious! One thing you could consider is building the preserved line station first on a portable board plus a very basic fiddle yard you can set up on a couple of trestles. That would at least give you something to run while you build the rest. When the lower level is working you can drop the preserved station on top. Something you might consider for the main line junction is using a standard long crossing arrangement and move the crossover to curved points. This avoids closely spaced S bends which can cause buffer lock.

Can you get a clear photo of the markings on the capacitors and the track side of the board? It might be possible to replace them with something larger or put more in parallel in the spare spots. Another relatively cheap option is to build a new CDU yourself. They are not hard to build. As mentioned above, when being charged on AC it's important to note that the nominal 12V is 12V RMS and the peak voltage is about 17V. Whatever input voltage is used, the capacitor needs to be rated for at least 1.4 times the AC input voltage plus another 10% margin then rounded up to at least the next available voltage rating.

Awdry himself said that most of the stories were based on real events. He discusses this with C. Hamilton Ellis in the 1968 film of the last 4472 non-stop run to Edinburgh. That particular story is loosely based on the tunnels on the LCDR Crystal Palace line being used for storage (although not bricked up) when it was closed during the war. I'm also reminded of a quote from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: "Many stories are told of Zaphod Beeblebrox's journey to the Frogstar. 10% of them are 95% true, 14% of them are 65% true, 35% of them are only 5% true, and all the rest of them are told by Zaphod Beeblebrox." Back on topic, Gerry Fiennes had a few tales in his book "I tried to run a railway" which sound apocryphal. In one story he describes how the legendary Bill Hoole was driving an A4 on No. 266 Down Scotch Goods (which was known for low flying) and supposedly covered the 27 miles from Hitchin to Huntingdon in 20 minutes. There is another story of No. 266 being delayed over an hour and departing KX at around 4.25pm, but catching up to a 4pm express at Retford.

Did anyone else try to look for where the camera is? 😄

Getting a bit off topic, but a fair number of the prominent MAGA types are either known or suspected to have accepted campaign funding from Russian sources. Hence basically towing the Russian line about the war and their followers repeating it verbatim. Back on topic, some info on the saloon which was modernised in Poland in 2005. https://www.rynek-kolejowy.pl/wiadomosci/prezydent-usa-joe-biden-jechal-z-kijowa-do-polski-wagonem-z-pesy-112113.html

1257 was DW079060 in departmental service.

They are owned by ARTC. Many operators do the hook and pull.

1257, 1261 and 1267 became service vehicles in 1961. Were they Enparts vans? Only 1257 survived into preservation. I can't find when it was withdrawn from departmental service. The only pre-SVR photo I can find of it is from 1970 "as withdrawn" and by then it was green.

The BLT works but I'd reverse the run around and remove the second platform. I agree it looks more 1950s, especially as most livestock traffic was cut around 1962. The remains of the cattle dock could be opposite the platform. There needs to be a reason to justify keeping the line open after Beeching. An oil depot could be one reason. Something else would be needed to justify keeping the goods shed open, or at least a goods platform where the shed used to be. Something like scrap metal or cement.

He's a railfan so I doubt he would have complained about the 10 hour journey from Poland to Kyiv! https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/joe-biden-surprise-trip-kyiv-ukraine-invasion-russia-3292206 new builds

Coal production in the Surat basin has dropped to almost nil due to recent storms. Container traffic has also been restricted due to the derailment at Marmor between Rockhampton and Gladstone. However there has been increased Watco grain traffic from south of Toowoomba.

Aurizon signs ‘biggest non-coal revenue contract ever’ Aurizon has secured a $1.8 billion 11-year contract with logistics group Team Global Express to shift containerised goods on rail networks around Australia as it diversifies away from coal haulage. About two thirds of the services that Aurizon will provide for TGE will be across Australia between Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, with the remainder to be up and down the east coast between Melbourne and Brisbane. The services will start in April 2023. https://www.afr.com/companies/infrastructure/aurizon-signs-biggest-non-coal-revenue-contract-ever-20230220-p5cltg

NSWGR probably took some design cues from Cammell in the 1920s. Here's a Tasmanian Sentinel-Cammell steam railcar in 1939. It's hauling a non-corridor bogie brake composite dating from 1909. Another from 1939 with a then new (1937) bogie second open. They were all converted to loco-hauled in the 1950s and finished their lives on Hobart suburban services in the 1960s. EDIT: There are 2 preserved at the Bellarine Railway, although currently not in service.

Some 645E ear candy. Passes Zig Zag from about 7:30.

The one at Cobargo? That's a Standard electric motor car built in 1926. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_Standard_suburban_carriage_stock Sentinel steam railcars were used on narrow gauge in Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Mentioned in another topic. The Zig Zag Railway restarting after more than a decade. It was about to reopen when hit by a bushfire in 2013, then another in 2019. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-17/zig-zag-to-reopen-blue-mountains-tourism-attraction-reaccredited/101986254 https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/historic-zig-zag-railway-on-cusp-reopening-before-winter-20230216-p5cl3v.html In the second article you can still see the fire damage after 4 years. The 2019 fire was so hot the soil is basically dead and there has been little or no regrowth. The federal government has funded much of the reconstruction as the 2013 fire was started by an army live firing exercise on a total fire ban day.

There was steam at Croes Newydd used for shunting until November 1966. Here's are pictures from August and September of that year. Of course London Transport used Panniers up to 1971.

This was written by ChatCPT. EXT. A QUIET YORKSHIRE VILLAGE - DAY Michael Palin is standing in the centre of a sleepy Yorkshire village, surrounded by small cottages. Michael: Today, we're in what has been dubbed the most boring village in Yorkshire. It's not hard to see why. As Michael starts to explore the village, he can't help but feel unimpressed by the lack of anything interesting. Michael: This village is so dull, I'm struggling to find anything noteworthy to show you. Michael walks along the empty streets, trying to find anything that might pique his interest. Michael: I'm sorry to say, but this place is not living up to my expectations. It's just too quiet and uneventful. As Michael continues to explore, he comes across a small museum that celebrates the village's agricultural heritage. Michael: Well, this museum is a start. It's interesting to learn about the history of the village, even if it is a bit niche. Michael goes to explore the museum, he finds it closed for the day. Michael: Of course. Just my luck. Michael walks down a deserted street. Michael: I thought I had seen it all, but the more I explore this village, the more miserable I become. From getting lost in a maze of identical houses to getting caught in a sudden downpour, this trip has been a complete disaster. I'm sorry to say, but this village really lives up to its reputation as the most boring place in Yorkshire. Michael walks to the edge of the village. Michael: It's not every day that I have a miserable time on one of my travels, but this village really takes the cake. I suppose even the most boring places have their charm, but I'm struggling to see it today. Michael leaves the village, feeling disappointed by his experience.

That would be Zaphod Beeblebrox (according to Eccentrica Gallumbits).

A derelict set of railway arches that was once home to one of London's finest wine and spirits merchants has been restored as part of a £3m investment. Situated next to London Bridge station, the arches hosted Findlater, Mackie and Todd, a shop first opened in 1863 where it remained for more than a century. In 2018, the arches fell into disrepair after the remaining tenants left. That was until the Arch Company bought the site as part of a £1.5bn property deal with Network Rail. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64582247

A fascinating video that came up as a random suggestion on YouTube. A lot of technical detail but it some interesting insights into how the magnetic strip tickets work.