edcayton

Well done to all concerned. Apologies for not voting, but I've been as ill as a pill culminating with a stay in hospital. They let me loose yesterday, and the b..... heating has stopped working. Happy New Year! Ed

There is a "bookazine" available which goes some way to doing that. I can't remember the title or author, but I have seen it in Smiffs. Ed

Are you sure that's not green? It looks very dark to me, and I thought they left off the "D" when repainting. Ed

I'm not sure what point you're making Bernard. I understand that immigration was encouraged (especially from the West Indies) to bring in people to do these unpleasant jobs. If that was the case then I'd have thought modernisation could have been delayed rather than rushed in to as it was. Ed

"... the Crawley one..."? What Crawley one? Ed

AICMFP? Yes, it does look Paul Lunnish, bur none the worse for that. It looks a super little layout. I agree about reaching the FY, but it's only a metre across, and you can reach from the LH side as well. If that's the space available then that's the space you've got to use and I reckon you'll be able to get it up and running fairly quickly which is a really good motivator. Ed

According to my old MRJ, Petherick wasn't there, but Barry's Lydham Heath was. I have seen this at other shows and it doesn't really do it for me. Ed

crackin' plan Grommit! It's your idea so I'll let you start while I'm thinking up my short-list. Ed

I went to that show too. I still have the programme, and you get a better view of the layouts in that than you did at the show! I queued to see Hursley as it had recently been in the Modeller. After that I gave up and left. I felt claustrophobic, and that the venue was dangerously overcrowded. Yes, I'd love to see that line-up again, but in a larger venue and/or with a limit on the numbers allowed in at any one time. I've just had a thought. David Cheeseplant of this parish not only runs the best exhibition in an excellent venue, but he has links with Wild Swan, and hence MRJ. How's about it David? Should we start a petition? Ed

When larger loco's were used they were also available to take over trains in case of engine failure. A bit like the "Thunderbird" loco's of today. Ed

The Peco gadget has two spacers-one for their setrack and one that fits with Streamline geometry. Remember, the tighter your curve radii the more clearance you will need. If you use the smaller spacer then you will have problems on sharp curves. What I don't know, and hopefully someone here will, is the minimum radius you can go to using the smaller spacer. It will also depend on the stock you use eg Mk3 and Mk4 coaches, modern freight stock and big loco's. Really, you need to experiment BEFORE you fix any track down. This can be fun! Ed

Who censored my post without telling me? Ed

Wonder how long it took them to find a local who could speak Welsh. Ed

Can't hardly see the join! Ed

Yes, but if you have platforms, trains, curve radii and points that are all too short (even if the stock is scale length) then in my view the poles need to be closer together. It also depends if you are going to model the wires, or leave them to the imagination. Ed

I presume that the ability to repaint and detail a brand new etc item without opening the box is a bit like my Dad's ability to put big-ish ship models in little-ish bottles. Ed

B..... H...! Good luck! Can I raise two points? 1. Is the up bay platform still in place? 2. At the North end, I THINK (although I may be wrong) that the line to St.Albans curved off before Wrestler's Bridge and then the six-line arrangement continued to Welwyn Garden City wher the Luton and Hertford lines peeled off. We moved to WGC in 1960 and the Luton line was still fully open-we travelled on it in loco-hauled stock which ISTR was quad-art. The WGC end of the Hertford line was still open for freight and quite busy. It was worked by the 08 which lived in WGC goods yard. Please keep us posted on this one. Ed

It does look nice Larry. Knowing your preference for lined black I take it you'll be repainting it!! Ed

Someone on here said that the driving wheels look small. I tend to agree, what do others think? Ed

At least the postage is free if you buy the pair! Ed

Would that be why you asked it twice? Ed

Hmmmm. So, it's a guided-hybrid-trolley-bendy-bus that straddles a standard? gauge tram/rail line. I was impressed by the way the trolley poles picked up the OH automatically. Why can't our transport chiefs look around mainland Europe and learn something from the way Johnny Foreigner does things. Thanks for posting, most interesting to see integrated public transport. They just seem to get it so, er, right. Ed

I'm not sure if it's the same thing, but looking on the Ace Trains web site a new RTR Schools is £495 including VAT. Ed

I had cause to be at the MG Owners Club HQ at Swavesey a couple of weeks ago, and had a look at the "station" next to the level crossing. I had my blind friend with me and he was fascinated by it, and was able to poke about with no fear of getting run over. It is interesting to see the devices to guide the buses back on to the track and to prevent other vehicles from doing so. How long before the local yoofs start blocking the thing with stolen cars etc? I can just about see justification for a dedicated bus road, but the only advantage I can find claimed for the guideway is that it can be narrower than a plain road for two buses to pass. Are they really going to build another of the things between Dunstable and Luton? Ed

It's the famous misguided busway! Ed