Phil Bullock

Now that's a butterfly! Super photo thanks for sharing Phil

Nice! Is a white lamp up front correct when being propelled? Need to do a similar job on mine... Phil

Perhaps the otters might interfere with the treadles? :-) Thanks for posting Rich - a favourite location for me, have used it in the past en route to the Fox and Hounds for sea trout fishing on the Taw. Havent been there for a while - owners used to be super folk Phil

Gryocopters give a new perspective to the prototype - or is this a video of a model??? Hee hee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo11ANRFTDs Phil

Trawling around looking for figures I reckon the guys in ties Preisler 10598 may have some potential Phil

Hi folks Would have quoted post but not currently working for me. Have been contemplating this too. Whatever figures are used I suspect some amputations will be required for them to be seated as the chairs look well undersized and the 3 at either end facing the observation windows appear to have little clearance betwixt themselves and the coach end to get legs in. So standing figures might work well... This is a scenario I am well used to. Following Chris Nevard's photos of Abbotswood for Model Rail last year there was much ribaldry about the lack of crew in some locos, esp D1013 with its large front windows. The situation has been rectified now - we must have got through 20 packs of Bachmann 36-407 train crew - but virtually all locos require some degree of crew lower limb amputation, from the knee up to the waist! Limbs all over the model room floor... As for lighting - presumably if being propelled there would be a lamp on the front? Cheers Phil

Hee hee thanks Brian And I've just put the wrong headcode up for a forthcoming mag article - its the only one I didn't check!!!! Will get it edited... Do you know what tanks were on the Soho Pool working on this era? Have seen it with swb earlier tanks and the airfix type B vehicles - were they still current in the early 70s? Cheers Phil

Our two D6320 and D6331 have generally been ok but slightly erratic picking up I have fitted an ESU power pack stay alive in a Bachmann Class 40 to cure its pick-up ills - wondered if anyone had tried this on their DCC fitted Class 22? Phil

Every time that topic comes up I suggest a MFYE class 43 - 4 to choose from! Phil

Nice one Chaz! Think my Comma was just being territorial, no sign he was imbibing, Phil

Hi Paul Like the concept - as you know I do like junction layouts too, and as you say the bridges at Edge Lane give you scenic breaks. I extended the up loop at Abbotswood past the signal box and gave it a direct connection to the Worcester line. The prototypical layout did evolve over the years any way and space wise there is some massive compression. There is no mileage in building a layout that wont give you pleasure and enjoyment to operate even if that means it deviates from prototype and the sight of a freight waiting in a loop to be overtaken by a higher status working is evocative and prototypical. Does altering the layout mean it isn't prototypical? Ask the folks who recognise the oak tree, the parking space on the side of the road and the passing trains on Abbotswood, including numerous railwaymen. That's always the biggest complement for me. So its your layout - and if the additional loop gives you better scope for operations then don't feel inhibited. You can recreate the atmosphere of any location by running the correct trains and installing infrastructure of the correct type. Hope your wedding goes well and that the inevitable modelling hiatus isn't too prolonged! Look forwards to seeing more thought and progress Kind regards Phil

Fantastic progress ! SO atmospheric - and captures the area superbly Phil

Jimbo did the box design - he will appreciate the comments, thanks! Phil

Nice one Steve! Looks cracking Phil

Hee hee true sorry Paul Had a good bash with the Hymek on the Beerex last night Great to have a steady flow of friendly folk - from GWR, the big railway, Rmweb, other layouts, traders and the general public to have a natter with, a pretty relaxed event really Now back home knackered! Phil

Many thanks folks Heres the view from our operating position Great fun Phil

Remember seeing D373 on one at BNS in 67 - and post 29 in this thread has a 25 at Norton Junction. More likely to be a WR one - but we will be accepting the same compromise on Abbotswood! Phil

Excellent plan Neil - I feel a new thread starting Phil

The stay alive in D200 has solved the erratic running - was performing very nicely at Toddington last night. Now just need to sort the derailments, where is that back to back gauge? Phil

Know what you mean Mike! Was only the burble of sulzers last night - got to push the start button on the 24! - but am looking forwards to some hymek mileage Saturday evening on the Beerex. Phil

All set up and ready to go in the morning in Toddington Shed - with the lads from Redditch and Liverpool, and a class 24 26 and Hymek parked outside, and a 37 and 47 in the shed it feels like we are part of the big railway! Phil

Looks like they had that covered Paul - but would have been a good excuse to use that Freightliner container caboose.... Phil

Thanks Brian IIRC there was a 4S87 Par - Scotland (? Glasgow or Edinburgh) - not in my 71-72 wtt but 4S88 Cardiff - Edinburgh is - did 4S87 pick up the Bristol traffic on the way through? They used to come through Abbotswood northbound fairly close together in the evening Cheers Phil

You sir are a cad and a bounder! Putting temptation in the way of us poor impoverished modellers..... Hee hee OK I give in! Put mine on the van please..... Phil

Wiki lists D1011/46/67 as all scrapped at Swindon But they will all be at the GWR Diesel gala this weekend! And theres a rumour a golden ochre D1015 may be arriving soon..... Hee hee Phil