Danemouth

Our new directory was delivered last week. Having said that you are right, its value has diminished with so many people not having landlines or going ex-directory. TBH I tend to use the BT website if I need a number - never the bl00dy expensive directory enquiry services. Dave

Please don't read this post if you are having a meal! My late father worked as an officer in the Prison Service until he retired in the mid 80's. From time to time they would get a new inmate from the alcoholics that grace many city centres. The favourite tipple of some of these characters was drinking meths mixed 50/50 with VP wine. One side effect of this drink is apparently to lose control of your nether regions. These blokes would arrive in heavily oiled clothes - the only thing that could be done with their underwear and trousers was to dispose of them ASAP. They would then be given a warm bath with lots of strong soap to try and clean them up before issuing prison clothing! So fellow ER's you now know one tipple to avoid :yes: :yes: Cheers folks, Dave

Is it me or is Autumn coming early? Walking the dog this morning I notice the leaves are starting to change colour on a couple of trees. Very glad to hear Deb's good news. Still no sign of Olddudders or Ashcombe in ERs - I miss the tales of rural France! Dave

I've really enjoyed this thread but never having worked on the railway didn't think I had anything to contribute. Then I remembered .... When I moved to North Cardiff, for a couple of years around 1997 I commuted from Birchgrove to Cardiff Queen St. Birchgrove is on the single track Coryton branch coming off the double track Caerphilly line at Heath low level, with six stations. The service was roughly half hourly. One evening I went for the train and it was running very late, only a few minutes in front of the next Coryton train. We pile on the train and of we go. When we get to the second station on the branch, Ty Glas, the conductor shouts out that control wants all the passengers to detrain and our train to start its return journey. We would catch the next train which is now sat on the Caerphilly line waiting to come onto the branch thereby blocking the Caerphilly trains. He then says "You've refused haven't you?" we all shout "Yes". he tells control and the train proceeds all the way to Coryton. The branch is described in an out of print book "The Cardiff Railway" by Eric Mountford, there's a lovely picture of Birchgrove Halt taken in 1958 with a Prairie 6614 and a 5 coach suburban train. Dave

I use the Highley buildings on Danemouth. Pictures here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/112850-danemouth-mk-4/?p=2460665 Dave

I bought all three volumes as the came out, must be over 20 years! The are an invaluable reference, particularly the first part. Without going to look IIRC the third part deals with the building of a layout based on Farringdon (I think). Dave

Birchgrove is still open - it's my local station! However it lost one platform as did Rhiwbina and Whitchurch when the line was singled. Dave

Alan, I really like the weathering on the Prairie and the B & C coach. Regards, Dave

The second plan looks like the one I am building, but a mirror image http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/112850-danemouth-mk-4/ My mojo is on an extended holiday, I hope it returns shortly! Dave

I would be inclined to ring the Old Bill as it may be a dumped stolen vehicle. Dave

Phil, That picture has a really lovely 1950s feel to it - please keep them coming, Dave

Torper, You are right. I switched to OVO two years ago, the first year offered savings over my previous supplier and last year was o.k. This year I feel they are extracting the p1$$ I suspect that many suppliers may offer good deals to attract new customers and the hope that inertia means you won't switch suppliers. I am always most careful to ensure I don't end up on an expensive SVT! Regards, Dave

Well I've just changed to EDF. My current OVO fixed price deal is expiring and their cheapest new fixed deal is a 22% price hike. EDF is cheaper than my current deal and was the cheapest I could find. One thing to watch when completing the on-line application - you get an error message if you put an "&" in the Bank Account name. Trouble is the error message is generic rather than telling you precisely where the error is! Dave

Saw one at Lord & Butler today, fitted with DCC sound and a smoke unit - haven't seen that feature since goodness knows when. I will admit it had a certain play value but is not something I would wish for my own layout. I wasn't impressed by the brass dome either, I should imagine these locos spent most of their lives being more than a little grubby, so for me on the model it stood out like a sore thumb. Dave

We had a professional decorator do the landing, hall and stairs and then the kitchen last year. His trick was to put the emulsion brushes in separate plastic bags tied to the brush handles. He only cleaned his brushes at the end of the job. Dave

Be careful waving your Bolex about, you might get arrested! Dave p.s. My Dad's friend had a Bolex, lovely cine camera

I demand we bring back the Disagree button :yes: :yes: . Regard custard as the nectar of the Gods Dave

Larry, As one would expect from you a really lovely mixture of coaching stock, particularly liked the odd maroon vehicle in the middle of the rake. Please keep the videos coming, Dave

Earlier in the week I posted the news that my sister's husband had succumbed to the big C. I've been overwhelmed by the support all of you ERs have shown. I mentioned this to my sister and she was also deeply touched by your support. We would both like to say a heartfelt thank you for your condolences at this sad time. May God bless you all, Dave

And in the Daily Mail they've named the wrong church which is several hundred yards away! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4708008/Man-feared-trapped-wreckage-historic-church.html Dave

John IIRC that was a Salvation Army chapel but has not been such in 20+ years. Dave

That bridge is another Goddard masterpiece! I particularly like to soot on the arch. Regards, Dave

Well it's a very sad day for me My BiL has fought Prostate Cancer for the past twelve years including taking part in drug trials. The cancer had spread to his bones. Sadly he lost his battle last night and is now at peace. He had been married to my sister for 46 years and as you will imagine she is devastated. SWMBO, myself and one of our daughters visited him in hospital yesterday; he passed away later and his family were with him at the end. When I married SWMBO 36years ago he was my best man. God bless him and God Bless you all, Dave

Mike, I know less than b*gg*r all about block regulations so am curious to know what the breach was :yes: Larry - lovely stuff please keep it coming! Many thanks, Dave

Agree Pete, We've been in this house for twenty years. We had a job selling the previous house as it was on a main road (took a year to sell) and then there was the hassle of moving. To compound this FiL died very suddenly three days before we moved. After this I told SWMBO that my next change of residence would involve an undertaker Dave