Siberian Snooper

Hi Colin I think knocked together is a bit of an understatement coming from a master plastic card butcher like yourself. SS

Hi Chaz The NEC is not that daunting, just make sure you've got plenty of provisions behind the layout and you know all the possible routes to the loo and you should be alright. Once they open the doors getting anywhere in a hurry becomes nigh on impossible. SS

A lot of exhibition venues have hard floor's, when I was on the circuit (17 odd years ago) we had a couple of pieces of carpet plus two layers of under felt underneath, after a few hours even this is hard on the feet if you have to stand up to operate. SS

Hi Jeff I would use alternating keys as per single track lines as the forces will be in different directions depending on which way the deck is turned and there are very low accelerating and braking forces due to the driving mechanism being mandraulic at least on the prototype. SS

Due to my shift pattern that will not be possible for nearly a fortnight unless Steam have some unusual opening hours like 7am to 7pm. SS

I note that Steam are still quite on the subject, no update since September. SS

No, it's better! SS

Hi Barry Ten How many coaches do you have hanging on the hook in the photo? SS.

Hi Ron The craftsmanship clever does not do this plastic civil engineering masterpiece justice. Cheers SS

I think after all of this I shall go back to kit building/bashing. I was going to buy the 42XX, but after the dogs breakfast Hornby made of it I have decided that I will stick with the PDK kit that I purchased just before the Hornby announcement. I would also have purchased a 72XX, although it is outside the period I model I would have invoked rule 1, as I do like the beast's. Hornby will have to do a lot better before they get anymore of my hard earned dosh after the recent slide in standards and the cavalier attitude of Simon kohler to the incorrect number of spokes on the bogie wheels. Steam will still get my readies for the 2 Stars on pre-order. SS

Is that the 1950's or hoovers?

't would be better if they were beer glasses. SS

I visited the Bodmin show yesterday and had a good look on the Kernow stand to see if they had any 4018's for sale in the hope that I could have a butchers, but there were non, so I assume any they received from Hornby have been sent out mail order. SS

I note that there has still been no update on the Steam website, is this likely to mean that they have not yet received them yet? I would have thought they would be shouting from the roof tops if they had, had them arrive. SS

I'm hoping that all the faults on the pre production models are sorted on the production run as I have pre ordered 2 Lode stars from Steam on the strength of the quality of the 28XX and Castle models. If they are too much of a dogs breakfast Steam may get them back. SS

Will he also be providing the necessary facilities for when to much food and drink has been imbibed? SS

Hi Ron A luverly bit of Temploting there, I don't think you can beat nice flowing S & C. As ever I can't wait for the next instalment. Cheers SS

Looks like proper Cornish sunshine, the sort they tend to export over here, FOC. SS

From memory (not what it was) the shade of green between various units were very subtly different when coupled together, I assume this was down to paint variation in mixes, followed by weathering and washing. So was there an exact shade of green? SS

You get a similar noise when switching on the auxiliary compressor on an 08 shunter, brought back memories when I first heard one switched on, I looked around for an EMU.

Wheal Betsy on the western fringe of Dartmoor has an all stone chimney. It is viewable on the right hand side of the A386 between Mary Tavy and Lydford, it is also below road level, even to the top of the Chimney. http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/lean_tow.htm SS

Ah but you need that thing that most Cornese dislike parting with to get back this side of the river, money.

Is that using a tin opener or a gas axe? SS

The Plymouth oil terminal is on the Cattewater branch of the other railway in Plymouth, so would block oil trains be run over the GW? SS

Hi Spams Do you have the dimensions for the porcelain products in the first piccy? They might prove useful for Stubby. SS