P.C.M

A good chance it could happen again.

I had a look at the pic in the link, then spent about half an hour looking at other pics on that flickr page some nice ones taken around Crewe showing a class 33 and 40 both in the same shot. Cheers Peter.

Hi Ian, I enjoyed the video, plenty of variety and I really liked the 33/1 and TC getting some thrash.

I am pretty sure class 33s didn't work any freight when they were used in North Wales. They only had a few passenger diagrams, but I guess using one to shunt fuel tanks at Holyhead could have happened. It happened at llanbourne yesterday 33202 was ready to depart LE to the carriage sidings and was in the right place to be used to shunt the fuel tanks from the depot to the headshunt saving the yard shunter a run round move.

Hi Lez, my parents and brother are still i the UK so I know how bad it is. Our last winter was spent in lockdown but luckily things are OK at the moment though we did have a snap 5 day lockdown last week due to covid numbers going up. We still have some restrictions but nothing like the UK. I hope things improve soon and you can catch up some some friends.

A couple more.

Thanks Rob, I need to get on with the layout, you seem to be flying along with yours. I just have trouble finding the time at the moment.

Had some friends over for a bit of a running session yesterday. So I took some pics today.

I had some friends over on Saturday for a running session on the 00 layout so thought I would set up the O gauge too. I left it set up overnight so took a few pics today.

I've done plenty of research for my own layout over the years and most of my 85, 86, 87. Rail mags sit in the book self behind my workbench so easy to find. Plenty of gen on other loco workings if you need anything.

Some workings i found in some old Rail Enthusiast mags. The highlighted one is late 85 the others 1986.

Thanks. I am sure you will be able to pick up a few at a good price I sold one a while back and didn't get much for it. class 25s did work a few passenger trains during 86 87. Certainly between Chester and crewe vice failures. I will have a look in some old mags and get back to you.

North Wales was one of the last places to see regular class 25 action 3 of llanbournes regulars have been in for wheel cleaning. 25059 is an old Hornby model but with Bachmann running gear. I am quite looking forwards to the Heljan model though I won't be replacing my Bachmann models.

Certainly for a roundy roundy type layout an empty road would be a good idea.

Hi John, That would work if all sidings could hold the same length train most of my trains go back to the siding they came from. Cheers Peter.

I think your 14 roads with room for more should be enough. As you said it can be expensive filling it. Its probably worth pointing out i have been building llanbourne for over 30 years and stock was alot cheaper back in the day. Plus I don't replace and buy all the latest stock I still run some old Hornby and lima and Dapol mk2s. The 142 is a dummy that normally has a 150 coupled to it. The 108 is in for a wheel cleaning but the speedlink is normally parked up there. I forgot to mention two Cardiff rakes. The digital part of the verniers doesn't work any more, and pegs are very useful. Lol a couple more pics.

Thanks Andy, Some class 25s that lasted until 1987 had one or two steps showing. Good to hear the side grilles look ok I am quite looking forwards to these models. Cheers Peter.

Hopefully the pic will show you how much room i have. DMU sidings over the back a Stoke set then two IC rakes two trans Pennine rakes two parcel rakes one oil train one speedlink. Three ballast. And a short loco hauled set. Which means about four other trains with no room. Also attached a pic of the cassette.

The fiddleyard on Llanbourne has been at capacity for some time now, so it's time to make up a few cassettes so some trains can be stored under the layout. So far I have started to build a prototype to see if whats in my head will work. Cheers Peter.

Hi Andy, Thanks for posting up the pic. I think the model looks pretty dam good. Certainly better than my old Bachmann models. One question though. All the pics of the model I have seen have the side steps showing, your model has them plated over. Are there blanking plates in a detail pack that can be added if needed? Many thanks Peter.

Looking really good, I always think it's the smaller details that can make a layout so much better. Cheers Peter.

That looks better Ian. I remember when the 59s first showed up, I have a pic somewhere of them fresh off the docks. I am sure it would be possible the fit some Bachmann class 66 running gear into the the chassis of the Lima model. I did it too a Lima class 47. Cheers Peter.

No worries Duncan, It was a good trip I just wish I had a decent camera back then. Cheers Peter.

Hi Duncan, Just having a catch on your latest work. good luck with the working signals. It's something I need to do in 00 but really not looking forwrds to doing it. I noticed you are on flickr. If you search the name John Dedman you will find he has recently posted up some nice pic of a trip to Shirebrook, you might find them useful. I was with him on the depot visit but I was using an Instamatic at the time so my shots are rubbish. Cheers Peter.

Hi Ian, the ballasting and scenics are looking superb, really like the weathering of the ballast and concrete sleepers. Only thing I would say though is the troughing in the last pic by the station. I am not sure a main run would do two 90 degree turns it would more than likely curve out and round over a longer distance, if that makes sense. Cheers Peter.