Gopher

Behind Blue Eyes- The Who

In The Summertime - Mungo Jerry

Bert leaves the loco crew mess and wonders "where's my bloody loco gone" ?

I agree. As you say I've seen photos of them on iron ore trains running tender first in the Welsh Valleys - from Ebbw Vale if I remember correctly. I considered labelling the photo above as a 9F banker, but there is no gradient and it is running wrong line 😄

Another 9F running tender first with a train of construction equipment

Evening Star waiting to be turned. Just arrived with a local passenger, so I guess Canton shed were short of motive power to use her on such menial work. Model is Bachmann and one of my pre-owned bargains bought from a model shop a few years ago . Needed a bit of cosmetic repair (cab windows, hand rails etc). Weathered it and added usual details, sound decoder etc. No idea what the new Hornby 9Fs are like, but I think the Bachmann model is still excellent, and runs well.

EE Type 3 hauls a short goods train through Harewood Halt

The Boys of Summer - Don Henley

The crew of the 4F get ready to reverse out of the coal stage siding, having had a break in the loco crew mess. I guess it is a little known fact that Barnacle Bill gave up the sea to become an engine driver.

I finished weathering and adding detail to the 2MT. Here she is ready for traffic

Finally at rest outside the sand house, with Clun Castle as a neighbour

The 72xx has left its train in the goods yard, and now waits for clearance to cross to the loco yard.

Hi Rob, it also reminds me of scenes from my yoof. The figure is a Modelu figure, and as soon as I saw it, it reminded me of a herdsman/farmhand who used to work on one of my friend's farms. Just crying out for a small cameo with cows and a couple of border collies.

72xx waits for signal to clear at Harewood Halt, and then heads off towards Dewchurch

One man and his dog, or two dogs. Milking is finished so time for the cows to head under the cattle creep to the pasture on the other side of the railway.

King Henry 111 rests at the buffer stops at platform 1, driver is having a break as well. Since taking the photo I've noticed the tender handrail needs re-fixing

Walking Into Clarksdale - Page & Plant

In other news I fitted a sound decoder and megabass speaker to the 2mt. Bit of surgery required. I removed the tender weight, and then had to cut off part of the round speaker retaining lip just visible in the first photo below the tender weight. This meant I could fit the square megabass speaker in the space for the round speaker. I added more weight to the tender body, (including one under the coal load - to compensate for the removal of the tender weight). After a bit of fiddling managed to get the wiring tucked away and the tender body attached. Sounds good. I also installed the crew when I had detached the tender from the loco. Now for some light weathering.

Where's Shaun the Sheep when you need him ? If only I can get through the gate, avoid the dog - the vegetable patch is all mine.

Hinton Manor heads towards Dewchurch with a livestock train

You Better You Bet - the Who

The corner of a foreign land - or Station Road Dewchurch

Thanks Lez - and happy New Year to you Best Wishes Clive

Busy Time at Harewood Halt. Railcar waits for the signal to clear, as does a 72xx with a train of construction equipment. I guess the Bobby is having a nap. Happy New Year everyone.

Happy new year Rob and Miss R Best Wishes Clive