Axlebox

Looking forward to a trip over the Pennines, 1st time Croft has been out in years...can't guarentee a class 25/0 on the day...but you never know what might turn up!

This years Newcastle show (11th and 12th November) is likely to be the very last public outing for Blackgill. All of thanks to Eddie Ford for sharing your work with us and young Dr Ford for the wonderful photos here abouts. Final testing underway with a J25 ambling up the colliery exchange sidings…

Great videos John, what most visitors don’t realise is that every signal (inc ground signals, calling on signals and distance signals) are all working and correctly interlocked…can we have some videos of the signalling please? A/box

…as usual I built nothing and talked the hind legs off a donkey. Great to be part of this annual tradition, thank you to everyone who came, thank you to all the demonstrators, exhibitors and traders…but the biggest thanks goes to the kitchen crew. (Mr G of North Yorks says the new team in the kitchen were every bit as good as the old team , praise indeed.)

...are you happy now Porcy? I've not seen the shows cake list yet...probably best to get in early, you know what Mr Gallon's like around cakes. A/box

...you missed out the bit where I drink some tea...

Hopefully I'll spend all day talking...

WORKSHOPWISE 2023 Saturday 21st October 2023 10.30am to 4.30pm A day of practical modelling demonstrations from members of the NE & Borders EMGS Area Group and guests Layouts Alston [N], Corrieshalloch [2mfs], Middle Peak [EM] and 2022 Chairman’s Challenge winner West End Drift [EM] With David Dunn’s slide show ‘Railways of the North East’ Trade Support from EMGS Trade Officer and more… And not forgetting some rather good catering Stannington Village Hall Main Street, Stannington Morpeth NE61 6EL All this for only £5.00 admission (Admission includes a cup of tea or coffee on us) (God willing I'll be there having fun with some wagons - probably some airfix lowmacs)

They shared the freight workings with J25s for many years...and ran the Darlington-Penrith and Kirkby-Tebay passenger trains...Whilst on a Stainmore theme, how about a GER E4 with a Darlington cab option...or a BR 3MT (77000- 77019)

...or even Lion with additional copper and brass fittings/lights/generators along with a range of rolling stock with similar additions...the whole point of steam punk was imaging the modern world, but created by Gothicly minded Victorians. Surely, if you were starting a range of steam punk models you would discuss with the steam punk community...weekend in Whitby anyone?

Whilst riding on the Metro replacement 'bustitution' service to Jarrow, Uncle P and I spotted this crossing in the middle of nowhere... https://www.google.com/maps/@54.9820634,-1.5150437,3a,75y,58.35h,61.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTwwbTNekShgoROuUT6e7-Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 Britain from Above and the National Library of Scotland confirm it as the line into the 'Bede Metal Works (Copper)' on Wagonway road in Hebburn (South Tyneside).

Last time I was here it was 1968 or 69…53 years ago at least! Uncle Porcy went looking for paint and came back empty handed…

I hope Uncle Pawsea (of this parish)…gets his Q6 coaled and weathered in time for the Manchester Christmas show this year…no pressure Pawsea, but you just have to share the sounds it makes as it slips and slithers it’s way up from South Pelaw…

I was going to dip my toe in the guessing game Poole, so that’s my cryptic guess…