dagrizz

Well, they can't play football at the moment, so why not make use of the pitches for something else?

I was in the Ostrava area last October and saw two beasties - the first at Ostrava-Kuncice And a couple of days later at Cesky Tesin I also travelled on a passenger train hauled by a 742, if only for a short hop from Ostrava-Stred to Kuncice. I can't remember whether it was the service to Frenstat or Valasske Mezirici. Photo taken at Stred. Graham

Thanks for the advice. I first tried to fit the headcodes inside but gave up, it's quite a faff. So I stuck them on the outside with PVA. They don't look too bad from normal viewing distance on a layout. But don't look so good on close scrutiny. I'm going to leave them be for now; if they bug me I can always try again. The numberplates and nameplates were fitted OK except that this loco is Western Duke - a short name - so short that the plate does not cover the line of dots used as a location guide. You can see one dot to the left of the plate and two dots on the right. If you didn't know about it, you probably wouldn't spot it from normal viewing distance, but once you know it's there ……………. I find all this very frustrating because otherwise it's a super looking loco and it runs a treat. With all the agonizing that goes on nowadays about this detail and that detail, I can't help feeling some of the basics are being overlooked. When I look at a loco, I first look at the 'face' and the headcodes are a very prominent feature. Why are tatty little bits of paper considered to be a match for the quality of the rest of the model? Graham

Hi, I bought a 4mm version from the latest batch and want to fit the headcodes and nameplates but have a couple of questions. The instructions say that the headcodes are 'self-adhesive' but I'm blowed if I can peel off the headcodes from the backing paper. Are they really self-adhesive? Looking at the pictures on the previous page of this thread, it appears the headcodes are fitted behind the clear plastic. For the plates, the loco has dotted lines on each side which presumably act as fitting guides but do you line up the dotted lines with the top, middle or bottom of the plates. The instructions are silent on this point. Thanks in advance Graham

In the Czech Republic, the locos wear goggles...…..

This photo also appears in the book 'The Birmingham to Leicester Line' by Chris Banks. The caption suggests the most likely explanation is that the train engine will have uncoupled from its train, the other two locos arrived on other freights, and the three locos are coupled together and will make their way to Nuneaton shed which is on the other side of the main lines, thus saving paths. This type of movement was common practice. Apparently it was a Nuneaton oddity to have the headlamp over the buffer instead of in the centre. It is dated 1951. Graham

Ceptic, thanks for the pic, but where is it please? I like old bridges and would like to go and see it if I'm ever in the area. Graham

Dave, I also enjoyed the show - I go every year. I've been red/green colour blind all my life and I've always assumed it was just a natural thing. It has certainly provided entertainment for friends and family, having a good laugh at my lack of colour co-ordination with clothes, for example. Only last week, I was travelling on a Class 350 unit and stood outside one of the loo doors for ages thinking that the indicator was red. Eventually a sympathetic passenger pointed out that the indicator was green and therefore vacant. Graham

I too enjoyed the show - I usually prefer the larger layouts at shows but today I particularly liked Canalside Iron Works and Farmers Drove. Both were very evocative in their different ways. Well done to all involved. Graham

Sorry to be pedantic but the road has become the A45 at this point. Looks like you were there during a dry spell, it can get a bit wet down there. Graham

There is another ex-GC bridge over the M45 just south of Rugby. Graham

Well, I got my heavily weathered 47993 from Tony's Trains in Rugby yesterday and ran it for an hour or so in both directions and all is fine. Very pleased with my xmas prezzie from myself. Graham

Yes it is. There is a photo from 1971 on the Warwickshire Railways website which shows the signals. Graham

Wikipedia shows this picture of Shoot Hill Halt on the S&MR Graham

Thanks Mike, I've just looked at the thread for this layout. Good grief! Is the NEC big enough? Graham

Mike, For those of us not in the know, which layout are you referring to? Graham

My experience of the M6 past Birmingham is that the speed limit keeps changing as you pass the gantries. So it changes from 60 to 40, up to 50, back to 40, then back up to 50, then 60 etc, all within a few miles. You spend most of the time looking at the limits on the gantries, checking your speedo, adjusting your speed to suit and not enough time concentrating on your driving, and the driving of others! Graham

Also bear in mind that the Oxford model is of a 57ft chassis, but are branded with a number (B748747) from an LMS 60ft chassis. Graham

Richard, If you're attending on the Sunday, I can really recommend parking at Tile Hill and catching the train. Parking is free and a return ticket costs £2.50. Graham

Birmingham Moor Street is an example of a station decorated in historical style, 1930's GWR in this case. You could use this as precedence for your GC station. Graham

And their farts contribute to global warming...…..

me too Graham

Does anybody know if this shop has opened yet? I'll be in Birmingham city centre on Saturday and would like to visit it. Thanks Graham

There are more photos in the 'Austrian Murtalbahn' thread on page 9. Graham

I recognised this location, here it is three years ago and you could add a waiting shelter, platform, walkers and cyclists into your diorama.