Siberian Snooper

It seems all this talk of diversionary routes is fairly academic at the moment until they pump out Somerset, so that trains can actually access Devon. The local news has said that trains are terminating at Bristol and Castle Cary, one assumes that it is easier to turn trains back at these locations than at Bridgewater. The placing of the containers at Dawlish is ongoing and is hoped to be completed before the next high tide. All workers at sea/beach level are required to wear the normal protective wear plus a harness to be clipped on to saftey cables and a life jacket. Best of luck to all those working in such arduous conditions in Devon and Somerset. SS

With regard to the withered arm, the bit between Meldon and Lydford is mostly in Sustrans hand ie a cycle path. Bridestowe Station is in private hands as is Brentor Station. There is an occupation bridge and a section of embankment out at Sourton Down, this was done for road access for the building of Meldon Dam. There are two masonary viaducts at Bearslake and Lydford which probably have not been structuraly surveyed since the line closed. Part of the trackbed is in private hands in the vicinity of the under bridge at the Brentor end of Lydford village. From there I am unsure of ownership to Brentor. On the approach to Tavistock the trackbed is in several private hands and there is also the Wallabrook viaduct which is probably in the same state as the others. Then you have the station and viaduct in Tavi which is owned by West Devon District Council. On top of that there is an additional problem in that most of that section of line is within Dartmoor National park which brings additional planning problems and the Dartmoor preservation group which is another pain. So I would suggest that re opening of it is probably a dead Mallard. Just watching the local news and the rebuild at Dawlish will be to moderen resiliant standards, fingers crossed. SS

The Beeb local news Spotlight has said that the Captain and his crew will be doing the best they can to protect the foundations of the exsisting wall and anything else they can before tomorrow nights predicted storms arrive, after that lot has abbaited then a survey and solutions will be put into action. The track at the Exeter end of the washout was severed using mechanical cutters on a R/R, whilst the Teignmouth end was gas axed, there appeared to be some brown adrenaline when the first rail was burnt through. A few, but not all, people in Dawlish are being allowed to return to their homes following surveys. The local mp's also had their ten pen'orth. SS

The proposed rail link to Tavistock will terminate before tge Tavistock to Gunnislake road and is part of a large housing development. The bridge over the road was removed as it was low 13 ft something if my memory seves me, which means that the trackbed would need to be raised also on the otherside of the road there is at least one house and on the Tavi North Station site there are council offices which encroach onto the trackbed. In an earlier post someone mentioned Torcross, on tonights local news the sea defences there have also been breached and the houses evacuated. SS

To insert a trap point, put in a standard turnout and then omit the bits you dont want. SS

A good effort, perseverance pays off in the end. SS

I struggled for a long time, about 4 months before the penny finally dropped, it's still not all plain sailing, but for straight forward S & C it's a doddle NOW. Just keep working through the tutorials particularly the video ones, i found these the easiest to get on with as you can stop start and back track to your hearts content. Don't expect to produce Crewe or Waterloo before you've mastered the basic's. Do join the Templot Forum. http://85a.co.uk/forum/ SS

Hi Chris I find that the best way to create a train set in Templot is to start with a length of plain track and make it the mainline, from one end to the other. I then start adding in the turnouts and spliting the main to be able to add further turnouts. use Make Branch Track to add track to the turnout road. Use make double track to make loops, don't forget to adjust the double track centres. HTH SS

Wearing Wellies on grey funnel line ships is not normally recomended, as dangling by your tootsies when trying to get access to some parts mean your feet tend to slip out. It does however make the escape of the brown adrenaline a lot more interesting, as it runs out of the collar of the boilersuit. SS

Tested Foster Wheeler Boiler economiser boxes to 1800Lbs/sq in, working pressure is 1200 Lbs/ sq in, ya need plenty of nappy liners when it starts to creak and groan, tis also useful to have several rubber bands around the ankles of the boilersuit. SS

Best wishes and a speedy recovery Ron and hopefully back to the plasticard bashing, no need to rush back to it on our account though. SS

Hi Chris The 1366 pannier tanks which replaced the BWT's have outside cylinder, but inside valve gear, so there's only the piston rods, crossheads with slide bars and the con rods. I don't know if there's a 7mm kit for it though. If I drop in on the Bristol "0" gauge bash on Sunday I will have a look unless you're going. SS

I agree with Martyn, move the wing rails in, use a straight edge against the "Vee" as well as the flangeway jig to make sure that the knuckle is in the right place. The other one has to be done by eye though. Happy finger singeing. Or you could invest in a RSU. SS

One thing missing from the photo's in BRM is the Cortina, did it sink without trace in the cut? SS

I think that I will take the train, at least they have some of Stubby47's facilities for a journey like that. I pity the driver and Clippie on a trip like that. SS

What route will it be taking to cross the water to that destination from Brent, remember no bridge in '57. SS

Hi Mike Me trying to run before I can walk. . Keep it coming, I look forward to your next informative instalment SS.

When I contacted Fleischmann on behalf of a club member who is not computer literate, I used Google Translate. I sent the email in both languages. HTH. SS

Hi Mike These tutorials are starting to get interesting now that I can see that we are heading in the direction of rolling stock. Many thanks. SS

Hi Mike It has been interesting following the gestation of the W irons, springs and axleboxes. The transformation is incredible. SS

Hi Mike Thanks for the tutorials so far, this is very informative. SS

Hi Mike You are most definitely pushing the boundaries of what this machine is capable of. Do you plan to use these W irons and axleboxes or will they be cosmetic only and use brass W irons a bearings? Happy New Year. SS

Hi Mike Do you have any plans to experiment, using the cutter instead of the pen? I for one would be interested to see what the outcome would be as I have plans for several coaches when I get roundtuit. Happy New Year. SS

Hi Colin If you're going to use one of these machines, the standard of workmanship can only go further up than it is already. Does this also mean the move to S4 is put on hold while you have a play? Happy New Year. SS

Hi Gordon Some luverly trackwork, I think the ballasting will look somewhat better after A touch of weathering. As ever Martin and Templot come up with the goods as far as S & C templates are concerned, where would we be with out it? Happy New Year SS