Crisis Rail

Good shot - I must use the image editor more tones things down well. Excellent gronk Neil all greased up in the right areas looking out for the Rf 08 (Blue Roof version) for Whalley - want a commission? Going back on your new project I forgot about the Walthers stuff the Silos look excellent and quite a size when built - plenty of images of Peak Forest and Tunstead to look at on the net - Layout thread Great Tunsley Dale? (Great Rocks Tunstead obviously) is well worth a look for inspiration. Ian

Wondered where you've been Neil..... Nice work bud can Vi 37 be lowered to reduce the gap between bogie and tumblehome? - last three images excellent especially the lense flare. Will it be a Mason and Cav double act at Mansfield next year then? - next exhibition near us the LYDCC in Rawtenstall this Sat + 50015 Valiant on the ELR All good - Ian

Alex - sounds like you have had one of my "Crisisis" at least I am not alone - a bold decision as the conveyor looks well and would have been a shame to have omitted it. Cant wait to see some muck and grime on the internals - 60 looks well too. - Ian

Was at this in '79 as a 16yr old....! An excellent day still have the paper programme somewhere - We got behind a split box 40 40132 Preston via Manc Vic Sheffield and Nottingham bashed as usual head out of the front carriage. Always remember 56036 and 44008 ex-works giving cabrides along an unfenced section no H&S.Open Days here a thing of the past? - apart from DRS at Gresty and Kingmoor? Sorry for hijacking Alex.

Flood coolant? - to extract heat and wash swarf chips away - It gets everywhere - It used to be Mineral Oil of a milky consitency now Plant based oils have been developed.

Neil Just had a look at your images closely - I assume it is paddle driven Lots of moving parts to drop off and seize - I bet that was (is) reliable.......!

Excellent research and modelling. - The swarf conveyers we have in the Aircraft industry (what is left of it) are air (fan) suction for high capacity aluminium removal.These tubes go to external skips as at Toton but much larger.Are the Toton versions air drawn as I cannot see paddles or screw coil being used to transfer along that long length of ducting. Air drawn suction would be largly uneffective for steel swarf unless the draw pressure is extremely high - I would like to witness it if it is the case! Brilliant modelling of the lathe - how will it be viewed in all its glory if it is always undercover though? Ian

Keep us up to date on any possible shows you will be doing. Easy when they are on the small side - next years garage attempt will take up longer time but it is all down to finance. Helps being in industry since I was 16 I suppose - oil muck grime everywhere you look - pallets oil drums crates etc etc etc. I have a good selection of books from the 80's Freight Only series and Diesels in the Midlands etc Regions. Rail journeys like the one to BH last weekend over the tops via Sheff like we used to do in BR Blue days (Woodhead - Guide Bridge ICRSoc) BH itself got me thinking plenty of grime there - amazed that your Dad was a "bobby" BTW good to meet him would have like to have heard a tale or two. Rail Express Railway Herald and all good publications have good features for todays Modern stuff. This Website! One in my head is a loosely based diorama of the Network Rail and old Res Parcels and Stabling Point at Preston www.railwayherald.co.uk/imaging.centre/showimage.php?image=205703&gallery=X2 I have 57307 Pink Lady Bodysnatcher boxed and not doing a great deal in mind for this as they are usually stabled there most days for Thunderbird duties - will post an image up sometime as We will have to make the most of the 57's as last weeks transfer back to Porterbrook has proved. Ian

Neil A good set of 47 shots - excellent - what is your next move on DL - an extension maybe? ....or another project - I have 3 on the go 2 under construction although one may be binned and one in my head....!

Excellent APT - remember seeing it at Preston on the WCML and how small it was. I recall the tests on the WCML in a bad winter - '79 I think - put paid to it seizing its tilt mech with ice - never really saw it much after this - must have been the nail in the coffin. Nice layout - not been back to Waverley since the Deltics and a schooltrip round Haymarket (saw Union of South Africa in bits - must have been about '78) Cheers Ian Remember 27 Dairy Crunch bars being relieved from the vending machine at Waverley - not guilty - but thats another story

Morning Neil...! Yes - A good meet up at an excellent event yesterday to air views and discuss all things Rail. BH - Quite an interesting place that can definately tell a story or two especially the signing on room with the clocking clock and cards - takes me back to being an apprentice in the late '70s. - Sad to see the "graveyard" outside - I can understand how my father felt on his trips to Barry all those years back. Took some cameo shots of the real stuff around around BH I will load them to the RM Gallery when I suss out the exchange from this Blackberry.... Good to see OR in all its glory and hear about plans for the future - must catch up again with Cav and Deeping if you are exhibiting - let me know. More rectification on twisted cement (kerb and paving slab) warehouses later today - another "Crisis" I could well do without - then possibly scenics and track ballasting later this week all good fun - will upload as usual. - pop some Duffs on DL and upload - I see you were well pleased with your 47's. Ian

Still waiting.....seeing that you know the chap....

Oh go on! -You first!

Any idea of the layouts whereabouts nowadays?

Remember OKSt well - Is it still doing the circuit? - Looking forward to seeing the ressurection in 2mm - Ian

(Stringless?)

Bit on the large size on this beauty..... The "E" is 0.120" (Sorry Off topic)

Yes Neil will be there on Saturday - looking forward to it by all accounts it was excellent last year - will have a chat.

Good weathering Neil - easy when you know how eh! - a black art - I leave it all to Jon at Peakdale and get on with the Scenic side. Innovative idea for vac pipes but never been a fan of guitar string method - lacking in shutoff stop detail and too coarse - mind you I do have an excess amount of Helly 47 pipes to go at. Looking forward to next weekend - Ian

Good shout Richard - thanks for posting the image - wasn't over concerned as she is top notch anyway faded body - numbers and yellow lights as per prototype - excellent work.

Dont think any "improvement" is really warranted Lewis maybe the windows where fitted as a result of a repair? - you want to see her for real - absolutely stunning work from Jon.

Did have plans for a Rf 37 Split Box but wont be back from respray in time due to sale of the layout to fund other things - Ian

You will have to tackle Jon at Peakdaleworks on that one - I am truly gutted..........

Old faithful 08375 shunts in a solitary TTA

Weathering coming on Neil - it has the "Sandhills" look about it so you are moving in the right direction I usually am content with a Railmatch thinners washover for stock and leave Peakdaleworks Jon to the locomotives for me ... Mainline MEA and RES NBA well good - Ian