JohnH

Apollo - as everyone has already said these are EXCELLENT photos and thanks so much for sharing them! Looking forward to more gems. All the Best John.

Andy - pardon my ignorance but what is being carried on this train: It looks like beer kegs...?

Thanks for all the advice Gentlemen - as always, many thanks for the help! All the best,

Bought a second hand EWS Hornby Class 56 (Flywheel Drive, Rotating Fans version) at the weekend from a dealer I've had good service from over several years. The model was sold in as new, unrun condition for a good price. It works OK but compared to my other high spec Hornby locos ( 2 x 31's & 2 x 50's) it's running is less than smooth with a dissapointing low speed performance. I've looked at the wheels/pickups which appear to be spotless. I'm using standard 12v DC control (H&M & Gaugemaster) and the directional lights all appear to work as designed. I seem to recall that there were some issues with the rotating fan units on some models - could the belt drive for the fans from the motor flywheel be affecting performance? Maybe it just needs a good session of running in - if so how long would you recommend? Any help or advice greatly recieved as always.

Thanks for the reply Jim. All the best,

Thanks for posting these great photo's Jim. Just a quick question - are there often empty wagons on this log train from South Wales?

Thanks for the help Gents! So some of the VAA/VBA's had the Lovat Spring livery - any photo's on the web?

Thanks for the information Arran - if you could post some photo's that would be very much appreciated. Many thanks again

Sorry for all the questions, but... Just wondered when the bottled water traffic from Inverness started/finished? What were the main destinations for this traffic? Were a variety of air-braked vans used or was the traffic carried exclusively in VGA's? (as per the Ltd Edition Bachmann versions) How many wagons were involved? Has anyone any pictures of the traffic being loaded/unloaded? Thanks as always for any help.

Thanks for all the extra information Gents!

Thanks Dave. David Ratcliffes book prompted my interest in the Plumley factory and its operations. I would love to see some pictures of the rail infrastructure in use as I think it would make a great model factory "In the middle of nowhwere" that would be ideal for a layout.

Passed the site of the former Octel factory near Plumley, Cheshire last week (travelling by train from Delamere to Manchester) I've seen photos on the web of the remaining trackwork at the site but I wondered if anyone had any pictures of rail tank wagons (or other activity)at the factory when it was operational? Many thanks as always for any help.

Just wondering if there have been any recent developments with this project?

There was a small oil terminal at Connel Ferry in the Western Highlands on the Oban branch. An earlier poster mentioned Oban. In the Scottish(& Welsh) 'Freight Only' book there's a mention of two oil terminals there, one at the quayside and one at the old goods depot in the town itself. Has anyone any photos of the 'town' depot in Speedlink years?

Thanks for the link and your comments Dave - I'm sorry I'd not spotted your reply earlier, it's all a bit Christmas bonkers over here! I had managed to find a scan of the wiring for the 4 terminal version (which I have) on another forum. For reference here it is - I have also found a 6 terminal version and will probably have a play with that as well. Kenton - were they really that bad? Many thanks for all the help. Cheers,

Evening All, I've just dug out an old original Relco unit and I want to incorporate it into my DC only shunting layout. Has anyone any wiring diagrams/instructions to help me to connect it correctly? I'm hoping to use the unit in conjunction with an ancient H&M Duette. Many thanks for any help,

Dave, are you going to do the Silver Bullet bogies as spares?

Are you going to be doing the bogies as spares Dave?