Dick Turpin

You know what. Autumn is soon upon us, and the major retailers will want to be shifting a few bottles on offer before they move into the pre-Christmas period proper, so could all we enthusiasts keep a look out for bargains? Haven't had a good look around myself yet, but in previous years there have been some too good to miss offers. So here’s to finding a nice Autumn snifter to suit the eventual arrival of more moody weather.

It's great that so many people can be pedantic about the un-rebuilt/air smoothed thing, and then finish off their post with a green grocer's apostrophe or two. ;-)

I did ask some time ago for people interested in whisky to post whenever they spot a bargain in a supermarket. This gives us all a chance to rush out and bag our favourite tipple from places we may not normally shop. Call it whisky spotting if you like, but I’d love to be in the know about who’s got what, where, and cheapest. Tesco stock all sorts on and off and are worth keeping an eye on, but it's the offers with £10 or so off that I would most like to know about. It’s an investment, like all those kits and other stuff I’ve got upstairs stashed away that the wife keeps telling me I’ve got far too much of, but whisky doesn’t go off, and people with better self-control than mine could set it aside for Christmas or whenever. Hey, if you die unexpectedly, your nearest and dearest can all have a dram while discussing where to dispose of all that stuff in the roundtuit stockpile! Tesco has Lagavulin 16 year old. Not discounted, but easily available nonetheless. Now if they were to just knock ten quid off…

I've tried a few bourbons over the years, some of them quite nice, but none of them come anywhere near a decent single malt IMHO. I can't see the demand for either Lagavulin or Ardbeg falling to the point where the price comes down either, more's the pity.

You know what, that little beauty might be the end of Hornby's woes!

Well both exist in preservation, so maybe someone might want to try a re-match on the bank at the NYMR in nice sunny weather someday and compare the results? I know which one I'd put my money on.

I have to admit to being somewhat saddened when I learnt that there wasn't going to be a proper LNER (pre-war) version. It was bad enough when Heljan only did the Tango in post war variants. Makes one want to pack up modelling the grouping era and just switch to transition like everyone else. Just kidding. It is a very nice model though and I do hope they sell loads of them.

We can but hope...

Seeing as we now have this thread, it would be a great idea if we used this thread to tip others the wink if we find out that a supermarket own brand is really something rather good but being sold cheaply and anonymously. That and maybe what we find on offer if we think it's a really good price for that whisky, particularly for those harder to find ones. Who knows, now Christmas is over there may be some bargains to be had. A quick review would also be nice if you've happened on a new favourite by chance.

Some of what the season has encouraged to congregate on my shelf in the cellar. I tend to go for whatever the supermarket has on offer that I know I like, though I prefer peat smoke and iodine most. Ardbeg Uigeadail and a drop of water makes an ideal finale before bedtime. However, some of the lighter ones are well worth a try. Tobermory is often on offer from the Co-op and I have really grown to like it, and they do a nice peated version called Ledaig which is also very good if I recall. What is missing from my small selection this year is Laphroaig quarter cask, which never hangs around too long even if I had some. The Ron Zacapa on the right is a very good rum for when I fancy a change. I find a lot of whisky fans enjoy the odd rum night from time to time, but I guess that’s another subject.

After the last debate a few years ago the Caledonian 439 class was one that floated to the top. I think Caledonian blue livery is almost a necessity, though a Reid Atlantic is the one I'd love to see. Oops. Better not start a wish list off here though chaps.

To me it was a question of when they would get around to revising the B12. I would have preferred them to begin with the earlier belpaire boiler decorative frame version, though I'm not complaining. If it's LNER it's welcome.

Very pleased with this news indeed. Personally not bothered about the duplication issue, if the DJM one is as good or better I'll be getting one of theirs as well. Can't have too many of these beasts. A design masterpiece - simple, rugged and efficient in operation, as well as being one of the most aesthetically pleasing prototypes I can think of. I wonder how many people with little interest in the LNER will end with an example?

Devin Townsend - Addicted

Does anyone else get that sinking feeling when the postie has just delivered what you know is the loco you have been waiting for for so long that you just know it's going to be lemon? Maybe it's my pessimistic nature or maybe I've learnt from experience. Anyway, I postponed the moment until I felt ready to cope with bad news and took the package up to the train set (which is what we all call it), and opened it up. Mmmm looks encouraging, no bits missing, good paint finish, no friction polished areas or other flaws. Lets give her a test. Mmmm again, nice and smooth, and good turn of speed, both directions. Relief - Cock o' the North has finally landed and I seem to have received a good 'un. And - I still can't believe that I have really just tested a RTR P2 in LNER livery. Only a couple of years ago people used to laugh at the suggestion. I'm right pleased now all the same. And as for trying to shake off that natural pessimism - remember, pessimists get pleasant surprises!

My thoughts on this new NRM special centre around the simple observation that as it has been a couple of days since people started to receive their subscription copies of Model Rail, and the fact that there hasn't been a thread about it on the LNER Encyclopedia forum, I need not get too excited about it.

Hey Arthur that B15 seriously looks the business, and your dead right that they have far more poise and elegance than the B16; it's when the balance is about spot on in in my view and its when steam power, elegance and North Eastern all come together in ways that it's hard to put your finger on. I'm definitely having one. I'm also really glad that that you're doing the C6 Atlantics next, another spot on example of Edwardian power and glory from the North Eastern powerhouse of the British Empire when Great Britain really was great! Arthur, you are a true star, what you are doing with your work makes me really happy and I can't support you enough. Keep up the good work mate, and Cheers. Oh, and happy Easter.

Ken Hoole, in Rail Centres York confirms that, as suspected, these tanks were indeed frequent visitors to York. OK there Bachmann, looks like you've just sold another one!

Welcome to RMWeb Bramhope,and thanks for the reply. Dreadnoughts and High Flyers were frequent visitors to York, so I suppose it's possible. It matters not so long as we're happy anyway does it. Are you having Bramhope tunnel on your layout by any chance? Visited the castellated portal a couple of times, but it's a devil of a job to get to. Shocking neglect. Merry Chrismas and happy modelling.

just been looking at the photos of the LMS version on Hattons' website and it does look very nice - quite tempting. Does anyone know whether any ever came anywhere near York before the last war?

That cabside handrail might not be a major detail, but it was enough to dissuade me from making that impulse purchase. However, if they sort it it I'll have to reconsider. I bet I'm not alone in this either.

I think the fact that it was a beast built to do a specific job requiring plenty of adhesion makes it look so powerful, in that getting as much power onto the track north of Edinburgh with huge loads in adverse conditions a pressing issue at the time. Either way this looks a super model. I really feel for those who have absolutely no need for one, weak resistance levels and a little too much money.

It wouldn't surprise me if Bachmann aren't already working on a NRM special release for the Great Northern version. Whatever happens it's great news all round I think.