mudmagnet

Three photos that I took at the exhibition.

Myself and Ray had a great weekend at Cheltenham with the layout. Uploaded some photos onto my laptop this evening and hopefully will get posted tomorrow evening.

Parsons Vale looks great Rob and have uploaded a few photos onto my laptop and will hopefully to post these tomorrow evening.

Yes great to see you again.

A good first day at Cheltenham. Great to be back at an exhibition!

All set up at Cheltenham.

Will be great to see you Rob. All set up with Orchard Road.

That's a shame. Next will be at RMWEB day in Taunton then Portsmouth. Unfortunately nothing else booked at moment but open to offers!

I will be taking Orchard Road to the exhibition in Cheltenham at the weekend and will also be bringing along a few of my 3D printed items to sell.

Although a little disappointed that the Deltic will not be with us until May, the delays are out of AS control, so fully understand. At least AS have been honest and upfront about the delays and very much appreciated. I am sure that will be worth the wait for when the post 'person' knocks at my door (no door bell, but that's another story) with their hernia carrying the large parcel and I can have running on my layout! The delays from Chinese factories are being felt in every industry, which to be honest are far more important to society than a few 'toys' - ok extremely detailed and accurate ones - so we lets just accept it in the knowledge that AS are doing all that they can. The Chinese work in their own way (I know having worked with Chinese companies in a past job and visited several factories) and difficult to impose 'western' business practices on them.

If the cars under safety conditions were not allowed to change tyres, then the cars would line up behind the SC in their correct order, but surely the lapped should run through the pit lane, under SC conditions to return to their respective positions behind the un-lapped cars. The issues have arisen where cars can freely stop for fresh tyres if desired, which allows those that don't stop to pass through, including the lapped cars. Of course there is minimal delay stopping under SC than during the race. OK, potentially can 'spice things up' but either all stop or none stop to maintain the status quo. Take that last race - LH had a huge lead which was nullified at the SC. If he had stopped, then potentially MV could have stayed out and LH lost his position anyway. LH had little option but to stay out and 'no-brainer' for MV to change tyres as had far less to lose.

Available at the door???

Excellent progress. Do you have a cost determined for the sound fitted class 56?

Weathered my trio and added my own loads.

A recently completed Oxford Rails Pilchard with used sleepers from Scale Model Scenery.

Ah, you found me out, I get someone else to operate!

Just as well most if not all of us remember such contraptions, those younger people don't know how to use one!

Many thanks Rob. Actually no longer use the phone, operate the engines by telepathy .....

My own thoughts I will keep to myself, but for what's worth, these are very simple precautions / actions to be taken. 1) Get a Covid Passport - done already. Only 5 minutes to do on the NHS site. 2) LFT - I will make sure I have stock in readiness. Again a couple of minutes to do.

Excellent, but not entirely surprised given the comments many time elsewhere about a decent class 31. Pre-ordered one and maybe more to follow.

I'll let you decide! If my 6 year nephew can manage, then sure you can!

A bit of progress this afternoon. The hardstanding has been scribed and base coat of grey washed on. A few more bits to add around the track yet. My fuel shelter positioned 'dry' (the second half of the roof to added, waiting for the printer to finish as I type this). Very pleased how the corrugations have come out on the printer. The equipment is my own 3D printed, based upon Westbury and will add a second one - I have another painted somewhere!

Excellent Andy, will be great to see you and will let you loose on the layout if you like.

Many thanks. I am looking at making up a complete kit for the refueling with shelter, equipment, fire extinguishers etc along with a detailed laser base. I am hoping to get a few more invites to other parts of the country so may be a bit closer to you.

I will be taking Orchard Road to three exhibitions in the next few months. Cheltenham - 2nd / 3rd April RMWeb Taunton - 24th April Portsmouth RailEx - 7th / 8th May Although I started the build in Dec 2009 (as long ago as that!) and has been exhibited quite a few times, the layout is still in very good condition. Helped in part as well protected when being stored and transported, but mainly, I guess, that for the most part is stored packed in my garage. I have over the years changed the trees and kept up with the maintenance when required, I've not made any many changes. Up until now that is. I am in the process of changing the fuel equipment / shelter. The old Knightwing set has been removed and started adding a new hardstanding. The fuel equipment will be replaced with my own 3D printed items. Photos to follow.