dagrizz

I used to visit South Moravia regularly and stayed in a village pension. There was a brewery a few yards down the road.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been through Ceske Budejovice on a train when on hols with SHMBO - not a trainspotting trip! We also did the trip to Bechyne. I was thinking more of a busy junction location, though maybe I should consider exploring the Prague area. (I have been on Prague main station for a few minutes and my impression was that it was passenger only, so I assume I'd need to get out and about to the freight lines). Graham

Trainspotting in the Czech Republic; I've made several trips in the past, mainly around the Breclav/Brno/Ostrava region and thoroughly enjoyed them. I'd like to go back this year but would prefer new territory. Breclav is great - lots of trains with a good mix of traction and stock - are there any other similar rail locations that could keep me amused for a couple of days? Thanks Graham

You would get a D minus in your English exam with this one........

When is it?

I watched the film this evening, and yes it is Cashelnagor. We were on holiday in the area last year and had a mooch around the station, which is now two holiday cottages. Graham

Marlow- I saw this, by chance, last year. Graham

I ordered a loco with free postage on Wednesday evening and it arrived on Friday morning. Super service. Graham

Off to Cov this morning to see the Thunderbolt event in the market. SWMBO is coming along and we can make it a combined day out/xmas shopping trip. Travel to Cov is free for us with our bus passes so should be a cheapish day out, unless I can find a 'bargain' at the event. Graham

Suggest you take the M1/M45/A45 as far as the Phantom Coach pub, turn left and follow Charter Avenue to its end and turn right to Tile Hill station. Big car park with free parking at the weekend. Cheap day return to B'ham Intl is £2.90. This saves parking charges in Coventry and having to tangle with Saturday traffic in Cov. Graham

Yes I thought he'd bought the Lionel company but the website doesn't mention it. I don't know what the current situation is with the company or Neil Young's layout. Graham

I'd like to see Neil Young's set-up. Apparently much of it has been influenced by his wish to build a layout that his disabled son can operate. Graham

No, it is New Bilton. The track in the photos is the beginning of the old line to Leamington. From the cement works, if you cross Parkfield road going due East, you will get to the where this is happening. The rest of the line to Marton Junction and beyond makes for interesting walking, most of it is now a recognised pathway, though some bits are still a bit rough. Graham

I popped down for another look today from the other side of the quarry. The scale of the operation is better appreciated here; Below is the whole quarry, it's a big hole to fill; on the far side you can see a class 350 on the flyover. There was a different class 66 on the train today. This was the early train; A local chap walked by at this point and said there would be another one at midday so I presume we are now getting two workings a day. Graham

You can see him a bit clearer in this shot Graham

The quarry is over the road (Parkfield road) from the cement works. I don't think the double track has ever been lifted at this location because it used to serve the cement works. Graham

I've heard talk today on the radio that trains from the north of Birmingham will still have reduced journey times to London by using HS2 from Brum onwards. How are trains from the north going to access HS2?

The spoil trains to Rugby started recently. I saw this on Monday. I chatted to one or two of the Freightliner people who were there and it is intended to run two trains a day, one arriving at 0630 and another at 1115. I think this week there is only likely to be one train a day (this one was the 0630). The spoil (it looked like mud) comes from the HS2 tunnel boring near London. The train heads into the loop engine first, the 66 then runs around. There were 22 wagons and unloading takes 3-4 hours. The 'dozer just shoves the spoil into the old quarry. We walked to the front of the train to see it leave: I was behind a fence when I took this photo. Graham

I seem to remember that David Jenkinson had a Gauge 1 Turbomotive model. Is this the same beast or another one? Graham

Well, I spent a non-stop 5 hours at the show today. Super layouts and a good selection of traders. Great show. Graham

I saw that stand E42 was very conveniently placed for the Bingley Arms. I also noted that all those pesky punters were keeping the layout very well occupied and probably prevented you from sneaking away for a swift half........ hope you had a runner to bring you some refreshment. Graham

As I was in the area I thought I'd pop in for a look around but it has now closed down. Peering thru the glass, you could still see some stock on the shelves but the back door to the shop was open and there was a van parked there, presumably to clear the stock. I therefore assume closure was very recent. Shame Graham

Can anyone identify the four vehicle types in J348? Thanks. Graham

430 pages 😵..............Have we had one like this yet? Graham

Yes, these programmes appeal to people in general, not just us anoraks. SWMBO loves every episode. Graham