L49

Unfortunately I don't have any here. Tje canopy was so warped that I took it off almost as soon as I got the layout on the shelf, likewise the footbridge. It dies now have a show booking for November though, so it won't be long (hopefully) before the replacement canopy and footbridge are on. The scenic section is only 4' long, with a pair of 2' traversers at each end.

I think you know which one gets my vote.... look good with condensing gear running alongside John Lyon...

I decided this afternoon that one job which would make the whole thing look and feel more like a progressing layout would be to vacuum it. The big fingerprint in the dust on the platform in the previous post convinced me that this would be a good plan. It looks a bit better and more loved now. I want to do something with the lighting. The layout sits very neatly on one of the bookshelves in my study, but it is very dark. I put some IKEA LED lights under there when we moved in two years ago, but they weren't very effective. I might see if I can find something with a but more oomph...

Here are a couple of shots of the layout so far. The overview shows the amount of work still needing to be done. The station canopy warped, so needs completely rebuilding, and where we had originally had Railway Street running all the way to the Fore Street footbridge, I have now started cutting it ready to feed the streets in which were really there...

Hello folks. I thought it was about time I posted something about South Bromley, if for no other reason than knowing it's on here might chivvy me up a bit... The layout has been around for a few years, but was looking tired and unloved. It used peco code 55 which looked ok from a distance, but not so good close up. It had some beautiful buildings mostly built by my Dad, but other bits were just not right. I made the decision about three years ago to lift the lot and relay it with finetrax, and to strip all the buildings off the front, and have another crack at doing it better. Since we first built the layout, a few different photos have turned up giving tiny little bits of extra information on the station and its surroundings. Hopefully, this will turn out to be a worthwhile project.

... a chance to sample what is possibly the most stylish cappuccino and cake in the metropolis!!

... and finished with the classic shot at Rayners Lane as the tour came in to reverse back to Ealing Common... After that, it was back to the LT museum for a quick look around, a visit to the shop, and...

Finally, after a couple of shots at Moorgate, we headed to Metroland, and got her passing Chorleywood northbound...

By Barbican, I think she was pretty much spot on time...

A few views from yesterday... High Street, when she snuck up on us about 10 minutes early. We assumed later that the tour was timed for the District lines between Acton and Baron's Court, but maybe actually travelled on the Picc. I can't see any other way that it could have been that early. By Temple, it was only about 3 early...

Ian Allan published their 'Surface Stock Planbook' which has a drawing of an E in it, although it is not 100% accurate on a couple of points. I thought I might have scanned a copy, but if I have, I can't find it. I do have a drawing for an F class, which would at least give you details above the running plate as the two classes were extremely similar (apart from the obvious issue of a different wheel arrangement). I don't know whose copyright my drawing is, so I won't post it here, but PM me if you want a copy and I'll send you one.

Parking at the Danish camp hasn't improved then...

I hate to say it, but might a 3d printed replacement body be easier in the long run than undertaking all that work on a conversion?

Thanks SEM and Colin. It was absolutely fantastic to see you today, and thanks to everyone else who attended. We have had a great day, with lots of happy people in front of and behind the layouts. I think our trade stands had a good day too. I agree with Colin about putting feet up... The church has returned to normal, with all those chairs (!!!!!) put back out. Thanks also need to go to everyone from the K&DMRS who helped during the day, and especially with the clear up tonight. We drank your health in the Billy!

Hi folks. This might be a cloud cuckoo land idea, but it has just occurred to me that we will be approaching the 50th anniversary of the end of steam on LT in two and a bit years time. We have had successful steam on the Met type events, including the fantastic sight of Met 1 running into Moorgate back in 2013, now I am wondering whether there might be enough interest (and interested people in the right places) to do something special to mark the 50th anniversary of steam's passing. Does anyone remember back in the 'old' days of Steam on the Met, a photo charter with the B12 hauling LT engineers stock around the Met with Sarah Siddons on the back? I'm thinking it might have been 1999, but not quite sure. I was wondering whether we felt that there might be a chance of putting something similar together using one or more of the surviving Panniers. Obviously the big problem (operationally) is braking. In 1971 (and before), they ran unfitted, a practice which was quickly done away with after the end of steam, especially following the lessons learned from the Neasden collision of 1968. I know L94 is mainline certified, but I can't see whether she is air fitted, or whether she is allowed to run on the mainline with vacuum stock. L150 is of course air fitted, but is obviously not a pannier (which is probably the daftest point I have ever made) My question here is would anyone else think it would be a good idea? Would we be willing to raise awareness of the event? Would we be willing to put some money towards something along the lines of a Plandampf for LT (using steam on regular duties for a specific week or weekend) And does anyone know what might be the best avenue of approach? As I write this, it is sounding more and more off the wall, but then we would never have believed steam hauled wooden framed stock on the Inner Circle would have been a possibility before 2013. Any thoughts or ideas (other than rude ones!!!) Cheers Charlie PS... Edited to add in a complete 'duh' moment that of course Met 1 has air brake, so she could definitely be used, maybe with a specially repainted maroon battery on the other end... Just a thought. I'd happily chip in for the 300 or so pots of Phoenix Precision LT maroon!

I agree... I certainly won't bother attending a Missenden course on ballasting and ground cover

Hi Folks, Apologies. Susie is looking after the remnants of the card kit sales, but she's really not been well for a couple of months, and it's all gone a bit pear shaped. To be honest, I haven't had time or courage to brave the email mountain. I'll try to get into it over the weekend if I can. Cheers Charlie

Amen to that! The trouble with a fantastic all embracing hobby is that we want to do everything we can to make it good for ourselves, and to share with others. The problem is over-promising. I did that quite a lot when I first went semi professional, and ended up just making myself feel inadequate because I couldn't make good on the promises that I had made. That was why I never asked for any money up front for a build, as deep down I just knew I wouldn't be able to meet all the orders. As you say, a bitter pill, and one which is really hard not to repeat. Sem, it's good to see you back on here, and glad that the portering is going well. I may get along to see you on the platform sometime. In the meantime... apologies for the station building which was supposed to be coming as an exam completion gift. It might be done by Christmas!! (The NLR fittings might get done by then as well!) PS... relating to an earlier post. I hate to take the esteemed Edwardian to task, but from a theological point of view, original sin is a universal condition instituted by humanity (אדמה, adam = heb. that which was formed from the earth) at the fall from grace in the garden. Lawyers seem to spend their time having to sort out the results of what is often premeditated, individual and considered sin, and it's not a job I would ever want to take on! All respect and blessing to those who do...

Taking this thread a bit further, and onto LT metals. An old friend of mine who used to drive for TransPlant in the 80s and 90s told me that if they ever had to shift three link coupled wagons over fourth rail, the practice was to twist both sets of shackles round to 'double couple', with both shackles resting in the opposite hook, thus making sure there were no couplings hanging loose to strike the negative rail. Has anyone else ever heard of this, or was he winding me up?? I know it works with Smiths three links, because I chose to use them on my first LT engineers layout, and as a measure of authenticity, I 'double coupled' all the 12t Minerals which I was using! That'd be why there was never any splitting of engineers trains in the tunnel section on Houndsditch. You try to get a 4mm shunting pole to double couple three links with less than three inches of headroom.

Looking good Dad, As promised, here are some of the layout shots I have been sitting on without posting them... These are pretty old now, and quite a lot has changed since these were taken. This is the back of the Carpenters Arms on Ben Johnson Road These three are Limehouse Fields station, which includes the market below... This is Solent House on the Ocean Estate Looking south along White Horse Lane Finally, a view South down White Horse Road towards Commercial road, and a view of the Ben Hur cinema which is beyond the railway bridge by the gates to St Dunstan's church.

Hi Paul, I'm really liking the look of this, especially with the wooden station buildings. I don't know whether this might be helpful, or you might have already seen it, but Shoreditch on the NLR route to Broad Street had a similar arrangement, albeit not using the standard LNWR panel buildings. The big difference, which might make you see your platform buildings differently, is that the stairs came up in one half of one of the buildings, not through a separate subway entrance. If you have a look at the link below, you should see what I mean. the stairway building was the only one which survived into the late 60s, and was therefore rather well photographed! http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/shoreditch/ Cheers Charlie