Siberian Snooper

Go Ahead Oxford are down here with about 10 coaches on RR services plus lots of local operators working mostley Plymouth Tiverton as this is quicker than the alternatives. The Oxford drivers are put up in the 4* Copthorne Hotel. SS

This was in today's Plymouth rag. http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-railway-lifeline-restored-middle-April/story-20659369-detail/story.html and this was tonight's Spotlight report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-26260053 Cheers SS

Unfortunately the local weather forecast is not backing this up, they are giving showery with an increase in wind speed, but luckily enough not as bad as we've had, about 12mm of rain and winds of about 50mph. This is over the next few days'til Saturday. SS

If the lows track in a Northerly or NNE direction as arrowed on the map then there's a good change the highs will track just to the south of us giving us a decent bit of weather which will help all tbe trouble spots here and the good folk working on them. I have everything crossed. SS

The latest media reports are that NR were working towards reopening in time for Easter, but that may have gone down the pan after the further damage last Friday. SS edit. To get rid of spurious capitals.

The sea still looks to be pretty rough despite the drop in wind speed, this must be making it difficult for CK and his gallant crew, I wish them all well. SS

The only colour appears to be Hi Viz orange. Thanks very much to you and all those involved in trying to re-instate the Sea Wall at Dawlish. Next Saturday would be nice as I have to go and see Dave at the Exeter Model Shop then(in the absence of smilies, very much tongue in cheek). SS

Are they like golden rivets? SS

I only hit the reply quoting this post. Sorry if its gone OTT. SS

To print a single turnout select it as the control template and then in output click on print thr control template or similar. The slide chairs go on most of the S timbers except the last two closest to the nose. Bridge chairs are used where there is insuficient room to get to standard chairs on a timber and usual go on the crossing rails. On the check rails use two standard chairs to hold it in place, put the rest in the stock rails, use part chairs to make up the rest. HTH SS edit for spelling

Close to Frome is Longleat, they may have the odd Rhino or two. On the old S'n'D is the Gartel light railway just South of Templecombe, I'm not sure about opening times. Yeovil also has a steam centre. Of a non railway nature, but be careful of trains and armour, there is the tank museum at Bovington, which has reminded me, that near Yeovil is Yeovilton home of the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Sometimes known as WAFU's, hopefully the mods won't pick up on this Jack speak. SS

Hi Ron The load test with locos is pretty impresive, it lacks that certain something that we have been used to when you use full cans of amber nectar. Cheers SS

It would appear to be painted in freight grey, well before the need for hi viz. If one were to model it would it have a rigid chassis or a sprung one. SS

Spotlight have just shown some footage of the sea breaking over the seawall again. SS ps train services in Cornwall are suspened.

The forcast for Friday is not good for the good Captian and his crew. It starts off with SE. gales although veering to more SW as the day progresses with another few bucketfulls of rain. Nothing on the news either national or local to say that they have got any of the Dutch pumps up and running. Best of luck CK and your crew. SS edit for wind terminology

CK did you go by liner, to look at the Somerset Sea? SS

Having just got to the end of the last lot of postings, most of what was on tonights local news has already been reported, but the news anchorman had a go at Ben Bradshaw, the labour mp for Exeter, as to why labour had done nothing about the sea wall while labour were in government and he immediately blamed NR, "saying that they(NR) could see no problems for the foreseable future with the seawall". The leader of Plymouth council Tudor Evans would like to see the GW 1936 route implemented as would several Plymouth buisnessmen. SS EDIT Ps. Good work by all the guys involved in the temporary container seawall and other ongoing works.

Splendid stuff Mike, very, very useful. Just ticking the informative button is nowhere good enough, it's also craftmanship clever and a whole string of superatives. SS

Looks like standard electrical solder, unsure as to whether or not it's leaded or lead free. SS

I've just watched the local spotlight news, just a brief glimps of the Captains crew at Dawlish, but an interview with the PM at Laira depot, where he said that as far as alternative routes were concerned that the government would look at all of the alternatives before making any decisions. It would also appear that HST power cars are being moved by road, unable to tell if they are coming in or out or both. Several large pumps form the Netherlands have been shipped in to help pump out Somerset. If there is no further rainfall (fat chance, there's more forcast) it would take about 26 days to do the job. Best of luck to the Captain and his crew. SS

Hi Mike What a pity you can't help. Cheers SS

It appears to be some what calmer and drier today, long may it last. I hope that the poor blokes doing the work are having a better day of it. Best of luck. SS

Hi Mike, This is really useful in producing panelled coaches. Many thanks for sharing it with us, it just needs the time now to have a practice. Thanks SS

That kettle is very clean, is it real? SS

Hi Colin Having just had a look at wiki, I wish to add my sympathies, I shall miss my regular nostalgia trips until your recovery. Best Wishes SS