burgundy

On the few occasions that Vintners' Yard has been exhibited, a step stool goes with it. Most of the time, I sit on the stool at the front of the layout, so that I can chat to visitors. The layout is above an accessible height for small children and so, when one appears, they are offered the step stool, as long as they hold onto the cross bar at the back with both hands. This makes it very hard to poke things. For older children, there is a "homework" sheet of things for them to find. This provokes a conversation (preferably involving the parents) and also seems to reduce the need to touch everything. Best wishes Eric

Adge Cutler and Co of Nailsea? Best wishes Eric

Whereas the Chemin de Fer de L'Est still appears to have had some Cramptons in service at this time! Best wishes Eric

Chinchilla dust is very fine sand, available from pet shops, which chinchillas like to bath in! Best wishes Eric

The ISP had a funny turn around the end of December so it could be a repeat of the same issue. Thanks for the heads up. To reach the last issue of the Digest, there is a duplicate copy at LBSCR-Modellers-Digest-18.pdf (jatws.org) I hope that this helps Best wishes Eric

I remember something similar from sometime in the sixties. I seem to recall the smell of meths, so I think the fire and water brigade were there, with a live steam Gauge 1(?) display track. I don't think risk assessments had been invented in those days. Best wishes Eric

Thanks for all the various suggestions. We have a train at about 0900 and, since we live in the outer darkness (i.e. beyond the M25), it seems most sensible to minimise the travelling that morning. Having been a London commuter for many years, I have no desire to be one of those impediments to progress, that wanders around lost, with a large suitcase, getting in everyone's way! If it can all be made to go smoothly, then there is a better chance of convincing Mrs B to make this a more regular travel option. Best wishes Eric

For those who have shown the determination to patronise Eurostar, can anyone recommend a decently priced hotel near St Pancras for an earlyish Eurostar train please? Best wishes Eric

Presumably there would have been Volunteer Field Days in the North and in Scotland, where the local Volunteer Regiments got together for mock battles? Officers' mounts and cavalry and artillery horses would all have had to be transported. Sorry. Another rabbit hole to explore! Best wishes Eric

On the Rapido Trains thread about the forthcoming Brighton E tank there is some exciting news about a new livery option. The Brighton Circle is delighted to have played a part in this late addition to the Rapido range of E1 tanks. The Circle has been aware that there was considerable regret that the Marsh black livery was not represented in Rapido’s range. With the order deadline for this model fast approaching, Rapido suggested that we look for a prototype that conformed with one of their existing tooling suites and which survived through to grouping in this livery. The happy result was that the best option was No 110, formerly Burgundy, the sole survivor of this class. We have provided the artwork for the lining and numbering for this project and we are also assisting with colour samples and lining and lettering artwork for all the LBSCR versions. Please be aware that the production of this additional livery is entirely dependent on the response from those of you who have said that you would like to buy one. By using an existing tooling suite and applying a different livery, the project is viable with as few as 100 models produced, but it will only happen if those orders are there in time for the order deadline in April. I look forward to seeing Rapido E tanks appearing in future issues of the LB&SCR Modellers’ Digest! Best wishes Burgundy Eric

At the risk of straying back onto the E tanks, the names from mainland Europe were allegedly chosen to advertise the relaunch of the continental goods services after the Franco Prussian war. Many came from the territory of the Brighton's French partner, the Chemin de fer de L'Ouest, but, unaccountably, Chateau Oldudders at Le Mans seems to have been overlooked. 🙂 Best wishes Eric

Any evidence to support that? We don't seem to sell any more copies of the LB&SCR Modellers' Digest in Sussex than anywhere else. 😊 Historically, the Stephenson Loco Society had a hard core of Brighton enthusiasts and, in the early days, the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society had a similar Brighton influence, but I don't think that the membership of the Brighton Circle is disproportionately larger than the other line societies. We have, however, been going for 50 years! Best wishes Eric

Wind powered ships? Whatever next? At least it is a more reliable resource in that part of the world, rather than counting on solar panels. Best wishes Eric

I visited Chabowka in 2012 when it was similarly grey and damp. My recollection is that we were the only people there, apart from the caretaker and his dog. The dog was very friendly. Best wishes Eric

On home territory, from a Russian rivers cruise when things were less tense. Best wishes Eric