Bon Accord

Not too bad, but at the moment my only stock is bogie coaches. Four wheel wagons may prove more of a challenge. I've a Farish A2, some stock and more track in the post and a baseboard will hopefully follow shortly. I'm looking at 6 x 3' with perhaps an extension to 8' if space presents itself. With a board of that size I can have a good run of track (roundy/roundy) and more than adequate siding space.

Those couplings put me off even though the locos and rolling stock seem much improved recently.

I think the attraction is the fact that you can have scale length trains and have a layout that looks more like the real railway. And coaches and diesels are really good quality. When I look at the pictures of the steam engines though i have questions. To be fair I think they look better in the flesh so to speak though.

Perhaps it was just a bad 'un, but the vibration and hunting movement was particularly poor indeed. The 158 I used for DON-HUL on Friday was very smooth by comparison. The expeience was not helped by the engine beneath noticeably revving up/down in quick succession on a continuous basis, perhaps something to do with traction control (if fitted) due to the cold conditions.

I'd agree with Stationmaster, I'd rather have a 180 over a Voyager, but funnily enough before I'd read your reply thought to myself that I do seem to remember the last one I was on having a bit of a vibration issue and the noticeable engine speed changes that you mention. Still find them to be nicer inside though!

I'd rather go by car than any of those alternatives..ugh

Most trains perhaps, but this was in first class on an East Coast HST where they're normally at least presentable!

Maybe she's a regular traveller on Virgin Voyagers....

Perhaps it was actually a demonstration for the benefit of paying passengers?

From Cullercoats to Whitley Bay

Tell her it's a baseboard for a new layout...

You found it in the loft!

Pictures?

Not so great, but have a couple. Also managed a hurrel behind FR 20 and the two Caledonian coaches. 246's final run to Manuel (non stop) was very impressive in the gathering gloom.

Maybe they were disappointed that you didn't want to play footsie....

Maybe they'd previously had grief from the guard for not sitting in their reserved seat?

Of course, they could be Belgian.

I've watched too many of my friends and colleagues die far too young to be that bothered about what will occur in old age - assuming I even get there.

told you all before: Win with Gin!

Don't forget the kebab on the way home ! Er..... Where's the kebab shop again?

It certainly is. I'm spoilt here in the summer months with everything that passes by on the mainline.

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die." - Ted Kennedy's 1980 concession speech.

Never a truer word said!

....got legless elsewhere.

Total agreement with Andrew Young, oh, oh it's Friday isn't it? Good job I'm on earlies this week!

Perhaps the miseries amongst us can explain why the 0952 ex Aberdeen is a dry train, yet the 0752 nor any of the other trains North/South that day are the same. As for dealing with the public, I work on passenger ships where if we have violent/disruptive/drunk pax we don't have the luxury of phoning BTP and then locking ourselves in until someone else deals with them.

Yes i know what you mean, i gave up spotting when all the class 50 where gone, it's a very sad state of affairs to see the railway as it is today

I suppose they make a nice set on the bookshelf - every edition since it was first published 30 years ago. The first one has banger blue class 25's on the cover!

Has been for quite a while, but was expected to give up seat at busy times

Not usually drivers on VTEC but "execs" travelling to/from York looking busy - they often ensure they have a 4-seat table to themselves, too!

With VTEC and ECT before them, I've seen not only Drivers/Conductors from that TOC in First Class, but also those from XC and Scotrail. The name badges give them away somewhat!

As long as they don't have a rabbit wriggling inside their coat, as someone oppsite me did on the Welsh Marches route many years ago

If they don't sit opposite you, then how could said stranger stare lovingly into your eyes?

Cos' you both want to sit next to the window...

Cue Angus Og Cartoon - Lachie Mor to Angus "There's a shark down in the harbour!" Angus "Been there for years" Next image is of MacBraynes Ticket Office.

47 years ago almost to the day, I was born.... I didn't go straight into the history books although it was the start of a glorious era indeed.

There has been a few issues with the inverters fitted to refreshed porter brook trailer cars, if not ask the train manager to reset them.

Sounds familiar....I've now got a class 37 drawer.....

Watch out for glued rods & other detail bits, having to return 2 already back to Hornby.

Some of the web photos don't look encouraging with regard to correlation of detail bits, e.g. reverser rods etc.