bike2steam

Always the same problem, if it's so good everyone will be doing it!

Yep, using the same boiler but a few inches longer - that's the 75xxx!

The Standard 4 4-6-0's with BR1b tenders were originally extensively used on Waterloo to Basingstoke semi-fasts, but over time crews preferred to use the mogul version as they had a faster rate of acceleration - hence in later years earning the nick-name 'Pocket-Rockets'.

I used to use pva, but the last 2 layouts I have used Copydex when laying the 1/16th cork (Charles Cantrill) to improve the track bed profile, flattened down, to get any possible air bubbles out, with a decorators 'seam roller'. Copydex again to fix the track on top of the cork, again flattened down using house-bricks with cardboard strips in between to prevent damage, when dried all is perfectly flat for superb slow running. Running at scale maximum speed of 50mph gives a little noise - but real trains make some noise!!!

Peter- Which kind of paint did you use??

Talking about Ewer Street, serving London Bridge/Cannon Street/Charing Cross, similarly the bigger London termini had their own 'stabling points' for 'turn-round' workings, even Euston had one on the west-side, but was mostly used by outer suburban steam locos like the LMS 2-6-4T's. I can remember seeing exLMS pacifics (from Camden/Willesden) at Broad Street, used on fitted freights from the neighbouring goods depot. 33C, although Shoeburyness was ( and still is) the other end of the Fenchurch Street line, Tilbury's main work was freight from the nearby docks, and a little further away, the oil refineries. Oh, and Bishopsgate became a goods depot not long after the opening of Liverpool Street station, all under the loco operation of Stratford. Phil - for Marylebone you can definitely delete Kentish Town, and add Willesden, but seeing as you ask for 1950, then keep it to just Neasden.

With the exception of areas not worthwhile building on for obvious reasons like Dartmoor,Exmoor, and Brecon Beacons etc, the country is still too densely populated.

Yep, I have boxes of boxes (small in big) in my loft - it helps to add to the insulation!!

Unusual, it's normally Crows that carry out 'mobbing' of much bigger raptor bird breeds. We have many Buzzards around here, both common, and Honey, and are very often mobbed by Crows.

I would suspect 'one of those stories', saying a loco rated at 7F is better than 9F, I'd doubt it. And TE is nothing to go by, as it's just a theoretical calculation of draw-bar power, not total haulage power.

Because of axle loading, more often the Midland 2F's.

Most locos were done when they went for heavy overhaul which was followed by a re-paint. some didn't get done at all, including six Jubilees that were early withdrawals, two notable locos that were involved with rail-tours, and lasted to 1966 were 42942, and 82003. This is where good research comes in handy.

Excellent breed the Border Collie - but needs A LOT of exercise, as they are always full of energy, do you find you are always being 'rounded up' on walks? Best of luck with those 'steel knees'.