Donw

Just read most of this. Reaally interesting nice layout. I like the way you mention the problems as well as what went right. Don

What ever turns you on. Don

I will be interested to see what you make of it Ian. I would suggest sliding at least one rail into the chairs would help with alignment. I presume you fix them down in a length. I think the GWR was using about 40ft lengths which would be about 16 to 20 sleepers depending on the exact spacing used. As for the buckets just superb. Don

Unfortunately no video but in the early days a loco was shipped across to the Isle of Wight unloading it at St Helens it was dropped into the sea. Not sure if that counts as beyond dover but it was off the mainland. Don

I find it a real pleasure to be driving our 23 year old motorhome. No central locking, wind up windows, no computer, you feel you are in control not some vehicle that might do want you want if computer says yes. Don

I had a Renault Kangoo which developed a fun idea. If you put your foot down hard to overtake it would cut the engine power usually just at the point you have pulled out. Don

THe thing that gets me about Abermule is did no one think to themselves there ought to be a train due soon so why is this one leaving? Don

Laxfield is very nice but surpassed in my view by his S7 layout Cratfield just superb. Don

I remember being offered tea by a countrywoman. I'm sorry about the milk she said the cows have been turned onto the mangles. At infants school in the winter the frozen milk was put by the radiator to thaw and curdle. Don

The world seems full of this sort of bu99ering about with how we have done things for years. I have no particular attachment to AD BC but cannot see any benefit in learning a new one. Besides when did AD come into use not when he was born I'd wager and probably some time after his crucifixion. With my current 74 years and I will be lucky to reach 100 it all seems rather a long time ago. Don

A printer got involved in forging money. He spent some time at HMP as a result. It was said in court they were the best forgeries they had seen. When he came out he was quoting that as a recommendation. Don

My Grandfather said that when they ran out of tobacco in the trenches the only thing available was used tea leaves and it wasn't very satisfying. Don

I was going to suggest Dyffryn as there were cows next to a campsite there. I think GWR siphons may have worked through to Pwllheli now whether they were taking milk away or other produce I cannot say. I cannot imagine they were bringing much in to Gwynedd. Milk from Bala/Corwen areas is possible. Don

0 gauge stuff should come with a warning this product could damage your wealth..... Well actually seeing the price of stuff in smaller scales the same is probably true for them. Generally 0 gauge doesn't have to be so costly because you don't need much stock for the same space . However Rob you seem to go in for small layouts with not much stock anyway so not much of a problem. Don

There was a Dairy in Reading at the top of London Street I think there was an entrance off London Street but also access round the back probably vehicular. I went their once. This would have been some 65 years ago. I cannot remember much details. The name Tucks sounds right. My attention mainly had been on a magnificent display in tiles of cows. I would probably have forgotten all about it except that some 25 years later. I was provided some extra lines for the Brosely Tile Museum and there was a chap working on a a tile display just like it. When he said it came from a dairy in Reading I knew it was the same one. The photo of the cart could well be the dairy at the top end of London Street the buildings up there had a creamy stone look. Don

When living in Caversham as a boy there used to be a small dairy round the corner from us. I believe it was largely distributing bottled milk by the late 50s. Mind you if we ran out at the weekend I would be sent up the farm with a suitable bottle or jug and it would be ladled out from a churn still warm. Looking back to the Water tank at Dogelley that one was the GWR tank the Cambrian had a different one the other side of the bridge it is shown on a photo some pages before. So I reckon in 1895 you wouldn't have a GWR one at Traeth Mawr. Don

Safer for whom? Don

You were obviously cool minded enough to shut off the fuel. Whether they right it off is usually a financial thing. Cost of repairs compared to the cost of writing it off ( and maybe something for the scrap) my mate Mick buys and sells cars he gets lots of silly right offs slight dent in a wing or a cracked bumper. Don

The loco looks good. I do wonder whether a self imposed ban on taking only just completed (or nearly completed locos) along to a show would be for the best. Don

Working things out to make setting up and breaking down quick and easy and the transport of the layout are probably more important than the layout design. It makes sense to make it less hassle to go to an exhibition. I learnt quite a bit from helping others ( both what to do and not to do) and a lot more from exhibiting my own layout. Robust electrics are another must. Well unless you think People are happy having paid to see you underneath a layout with a soldering iron possibly extending their vocabulary Don

Yes it can be tiring doing a show but it can also be great fun. I hope overall that was your feeling. Looks pretty good to me. Don

I remember being sat in the pub with two friends one owned a TR2 the other a TR4A they were arguing the merits of the two. Next I am being driven at high speed in first one then the other (no 70 mph limit in those days). Much tact and diplomacy needed. I think it is safe now to say I liked the TR2 best more style. Don 0

You wouldn't be able to read the markings. Unless very short sighted and take your glasses off. Don

Rather reminds me of working in joint boxes and manholes on telephone cables. One viewed ladies from a different angle. Some ladies in short skirts got rather closer than was decent. Don

I have had the pleasure of driving one of those Cadbury tanks at Tysley. Firing the thing was interesting no room to swing a shovel it was more of a flick action from the side. Don