Early Risers.

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Still dark here but dry and a fine but breezy day is forecast with temperatures up to 14^oC

I too am off to Wycrail so will probably see you there Chris along with Bob, Mike and Ian (RH).Hopefully the journey should take less than an hour providing the M25 behaves. This is one of my favourite shows and I've been looking forward to it.

I will probably leave by 1.45 to get home in time for a 3.00 kick off. I'm looking forward to the match but possibly not the result. Oh pessimistic me!

 

Ian (A) if you are in the UK next weekend the Tolworth show is on, details here: 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/138159-tolworth-showtrain-nov-10th-11th/?hl=%2Btolworth+%2Bshowtrain

 

Only slight downside is that the catering may be a mobile van due to building works.

 

More tea needed,

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited November 3, 2018 by grandadbob

[TheQ]

Morning Awl, check,

Bath, check

Clean underwear, check,

Clean everything else, check,

Lots of anti perspirant, check,

Ben the Border Collie patrolled, check,

Fire made up, check,

PE12 6ET entered into GPS, check

 

Spalding MRC show here I come, bye...

[Barry O]

Ey up! Looks nice weather wise outside.

As it happens Chris

Heathrow T5 isn't bad

Singapore airport..nice

Darwin..at 2am everything will be shut (ar least it was when we passed through)

Adelaide, Melbourne fine

Sydney fine

But don't upset border security and don't have any fruit in yourcarry on bag.

I sleep well on long haul. No booze, not much food lots of water and some gentle music on my headphones.

 

Hong Kong..new airport can involve a bit of walking but it is quite spacious.

So didn't fret..the airports are fine..butare you transiting through Darwin or staying there? It used to be the place they funigated the plane.

 

No exhibitions for me today but next weekend off to demo with Mick.

 

Have a great day!

Baz

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a bright and sunny but still chilly part of the world.   Not a lot to report since my last missive but IanA you might like this.

The office on the 747 that I flew on.   At the time my brother was flying them for BA, or was it still BOAC, and I got talking to the crew and ended up spending about half the flight in the cockpit.   As an introduction to flying it was fantastic.  One stewardess to 16 passengers and 3 flight crew, loads of space.  The flight deck door was open most of the flight.

 

Anyway it's time to get on with things. The cat is still away so the mice can play in the shed.

 

Hope that those of you visiting shows enjoy them.

 

Jamie

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A quick hello and goodbye, off to the Romford show.

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all,

 

Time to have a wash & brush up and then off to Wycrail; now where's my badge?

[Happy Hippo]

The OFMC are here today as the Obergrumpenfuhrer has some Guiding event in Birmingham.

 

I am in charge of catering, so I'm off to get some rashers of bacon for our lunch.

 

The weather is fine so cutting and chopping of timber  and plywood can take place outside on the driveway.

[Purley Oaks]

Morning all

 

Wet overnight but dry now. Very windy thanks to ex-hurricane Oscar.

 

I have not succumbed to anything O but am tempted by a Bachmann Scotrail DBSO. And a little excited that there may be a Hornby Q announcement soon.

 

Anyway, Jamie, your picture shows us in more innocent times.

 

There's an article by Ian Jack in today's Guardian which suggests that Britain jettisons railway enthusiasts (among many other things) because they live in the past. Do we? I'm sure we're all trying to stay hip and groovy. Actually, I'll let you into a little secret - the writer, Ian Jack, loves trains and train travel.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/03/british-icons-white-cliffs-nuclear-monarchy

 

Like GDB I'll be watching the rugby, but the Wales-Scotland match for me. Should be a good game. No idea who'll win as both teams will have to shake off some cobwebs.

 

Enjoy Wycrail those who are going and a good day to all

 

Mal

[New Haven Neil]

Morning.  Thanks for the good wishes - today is a better day than many for us recently!

 

I used to fly a lot in my Merch days as our ships seldom visited a UK port (once in my 7 year career) I often flew to or from far eastern places, Japan, Hing Kong, Sweatypore Singapore etc.  More recently we have flown to NZ three times for holidays and the last time all but killed me.  Next time we will have to afford seats with more space and of course my mashed foot will protest at the pressure reduction.  Maybe we'll go by sea!

 

Jealous about those going to shows, something I really miss.  Whenever we're in the UK it is always a weekend with no show in reach of wherever we are.

[southern42]

' Morning all from red dragon land.

 

Wet and windy.

Never mind, a busy weekend ahead will keep me occupied!

 

Have a good one.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone

 

It’s windy, but dry. Breakfast has been consumed as has the muggertea and glass of orange juice. I’ve just made a second muggertea (in a large thermal insulated cup) which I’ll take down to the workshop. I may be some time.

 

Enjoy what ever you’ve planned for the day.

 

Back later

[AndyB]

Morning all and its a decidedly achy one today after spending all day and most of the night setting up and then clearing up a fireworks display.

Glorious weather was enjoyed all day, although by the time we came to the actual display there was heavy frost / ice on a lot of the kit we'd set up. 

 

 

<RANT ON>

Whilst most members of the public are entirely sensible and give the firework cordoned area a wide berth it never ceases to amaze us how stupid some Darwin Award candidates are. 

 

Having used hundreds of meters of "DANGER" tape to block off the various styles, pathways etc onto the field where we do the display we still found one woman walking her dog in the middle of what is effectively a minefield 10 minutes before our team started to press buttons to illuminate the sky in this part of the world. 

 

"But there wasn't a sign" was her excuse. Clearly the  "DANGER" cordon tapes, the immense crowd 100 metres away watching a s@dding great bonfire wasn't enough of a clue as to what was going on.  

"But HOW did you get in here?" 

"I used my normal route"

"What by climbing through, over, or under multiple "DANGER" tapes? Did you not look / see / think that all those wires and cakes of gunpowder might not be the best place to be?" 

 

Another character was found wandering around inside our cordon looking for a toilet (in the middle of a field). Well, that was his excuse. 

So, to get there he ignored the gate to the public area and instead climbed over a hedge, crossed a road, climbed over a fence and walked into the middle of the fireworks cordon to take a p1ss? Seriously? 2 minutes later standing where he was he'd not have needed, or been able have one. 

 

<RANT OFF>

[Gwiwer]

Morning all.  It is breezy, but sunny and somewhat warmer than of late.

 

Notter Good Knight for sleeping.  Fireworks there were a-plenty but mostly at a reasonable hour.  The local golf club does a professional show which was as noisy as it was spectacular for around 20 minutes from 7pm.  No.  It was the partying next door, the loud comings and goings, the intermittent hum of the chiller unit on the shop nearby and the significant snorage emerging from both the cat and SWMBO which did for me.  I was awake until at least 2am then intermittently until 8 when the alarm suggested it was time to rise.

 

Now in the throes of cleaning and tidying ahead of an Official Tea-and-Cake Enjoying visit by some of SWMBO's senior management this afternoon.  It makes a change from avoiding the crowds headed for the egg-chasing festival up the road, I suppose.  

 

New vacuum cleaner arrived yesterday.  It is about to have its maiden voyage across the carpets.  It it does what it suggests in the instructions I shall be happy enough.  It does warn though that "Use of this item to clean pets and other animals will invalidate the guarantee and is not advised".  OK.  I wasn't going to Hoover the cat but I suppose someone might have tried .....

 

Back later.  Domestic Engineering Duties call.  

[shortliner]

Morning all and its a decidedly achy one today after spending all day and most of the night setting up and then clearing up a fireworks display.

Glorious weather was enjoyed all day, although by the time we came to the actual display there was heavy frost / ice on a lot of the kit we'd set up. 

 

 

<RANT ON>

Whilst most members of the public are entirely sensible and give the firework cordoned area a wide berth it never ceases to amaze us how stupid some Darwin Award candidates are. 

 

Having used hundreds of meters of "DANGER" tape to block off the various styles, pathways etc onto the field where we do the display we still found one woman walking her dog in the middle of what is effectively a minefield 10 minutes before our team started to press buttons to illuminate the sky in this part of the world. 

 

"But there wasn't a sign" was her excuse. Clearly the  "DANGER" cordon tapes, the immense crowd 100 metres away watching a s@dding great bonfire wasn't enough of a clue as to what was going on.  

"But HOW did you get in here?" 

"I used my normal route"

"What by climbing through, over, or under multiple "DANGER" tapes? Did you not look / see / think that all those wires and cakes of gunpowder might not be the best place to be?" 

 

Another character was found wandering around inside our cordon looking for a toilet (in the middle of a field). Well, that was his excuse. 

So, to get there he ignored the gate to the public area and instead climbed over a hedge, crossed a road, climbed over a fence and walked into the middle of the fireworks cordon to take a p1ss? Seriously? 2 minutes later standing where he was he'd not have needed, or been able have one. 

 

<RANT OFF>

 

You always have to remember that NOTHING is foolproof - the Fools will always manage to find some method of circumventing whatever precautions you set up - Try a Military Bombing Range , clearly marked on OS maps and surrounded with barbed wire fences with signs everywhere, and red flags raised to indicate that activity is taking place , including signs at 50 yard intervals hanging on the fence - and one summer day one of the sighting towers (fortunately!) spots a family sitting on the grass on a blanket beside one of the targets laying out a picnic!!!   The Range Controller (yours truly) was decidedly unamused and made his displeasure (politely) felt, whilst pointing out the errors of their ways!

Edited November 3, 2018 by shortliner

[newbryford]

I used to be involved with our local town bonfire (I ended up being number 2 in command...).

We used to have a roped cordon around the fire. But there were always the eejits that overstepped it.

Eventually we ended up with the 6 feet high HERAS fencing. (Building site stuff)

Next year we had a roped cordon outside the HERAS fencing because someone complained that they had burnt their hands on it...….

 

Then we had to patrol the roped area like guards around a prison...…

 

Town bonfire is tonight, I shall be elsewhere.

 

Cheers,

Mick

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl,... I'm back.

About 5 hours driving, 4 hours at the show, not a good ratio

 

It was however enjoyable,, with a higher percentage of layouts were of a style I like, and of those I'd put Portchullin best in show though it was a close run thing with several others. . Very crowded at times, more than usual, model railway show influence? I did retire to a chair at half time for me, to let the crowds dissipate.

 

I spent all but £10 of my muddling tokens, all on second hand items. The price increases on new stuff this year is frightening...

 

Time I think for a eyelid inspection..

[New Haven Neil]

A'noon.

 

Howling gales here now and persisting down.  Mrs NHN commented earlier that we haven't heard a single firework yet, most odd ('thinks' though - the moron next door is away on holiday).  There won't be any tonight for sure!

[pH]

Darwin..at 2am everything will be shut (at least it was when we passed through)

 

I'll raise you - Keflavik at 2 A.M. Not only was everything closed, there were no lights visible outside beyond the runways and, even if it had been light, about all you can see is lava.

[Barry O]

Lots of flashes and bangs outdoors here tonight - just like last night!

 

But nowt  like a night shoot with Challenger... watching rounds ping down the range,,, all with a nice loud Bang!

 

Baz

 

PS see England managed to get a win...as did the Black Cats..Howay the Lads!!!

[grandadbob]

Well... you couldn't make it up.

To say today has been rather good and eventful would be about right.

 

First off I headed to Wycrail. I've been to High Wycombe many times, long before I started railway muddlin, as my firm's Regional Head Office was just up the road from the show. However today, for some reason known only to what passes for my brain, I turned off the M25 onto the M4 rather than the M40 and went for a joyride. Even when I realised my mistook and headed back I took another wrong turn so ended up getting there a bit late and having to park in the overflow from the overflow car park.  After that I met the usual suspects and partook of a not very nice sausage bap. Bought some O gauge track -- yippee - and also a OO wagon kit. Enjoyed the show and left in plenty of time to get home for the rugby - I thought!  Accidents on both the M25 and A3 sorted that for me and I missed the first 15 minutes of the match.

The great thing was that Nicki and Abbie were visiting and Abbie brought me pasty and cakes from the bakery she used to do a Saturday job at. She's still friends with them and had been in there today to help out as they were short staffed. Good work ethic, my granddaughter.

The match was enjoyed particularly the result which was surprising to say the least.

Whilst watching the match The Boss handed me an envelope saying "This came in the post for you."  On opening it and reading the contents I believe I jumped in the air and shouted quite loudly "Good Oh" or words to that effect. Actually it was more akin to 'kinhell! I was admonished for that but the upshot is that very shortly a very nice 4 figure windfall will be credited to my account - and no, it's got nothing to do with deceased Nigerian millionaires.

I can foresee one or two more small purchases beginning with "O" before too long.     

 

Nope, you just couldn't make it up.

 

Beer o'clock!  

Edited November 3, 2018 by grandadbob

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Managed to visit two shows today, Romford and Wickford. Both shows were pretty good but very different in nature. The Romford show was your typical local club show with a good mix of layouts and traders. The Wickford show was a typical 'church hall' type show which despite that had some very high quality layouts. The only bugbear of the whole day was nothing to do with the exhibitions but with Essex CC highways department. Some idiot had decided to close parallel sections of the A13 and A127 at the same time. Traffic chaos ensued. Fortunately I have the local knowledge to enable me to avoid most of it, I think my companions were impressed by my knowledge of the back streets of Hornchurch and Romford. I made a few purchases at Romford including the Oxford Warwell with Sherman tank load. Thats it for now, be back later.

[The Stationmaster]

Wycrail was good - meeting lots of nice friendly RMweb folk including quite a number of our ER number.  For once I arrived early enough to get a space on hardstanding in the real car park - I'm usually in the overflow to the overflow car park - and I was early enough in the catering queue to get a bacon bap and Chrisf and I also booked  apiece of bread pudding each to be kept for us later in the day.  Top marks to the Wycrail ladies as when we returned 2+ hours later for a cuppa there were two pieces of bread pudding duly set aside on paper plates and wrapped in clingfilm and we were immediately recognised as the lucky recipients. (maybe our RMweb badges helped recognition?).

 

GDB was easy to pick out, as he approached the catering area, from his bandaged finger and I noticed that it didn't stop him unfolding money for a little bit of retail therapy. 81C Bob as usual managed to find an unmissable bargain (he is good at that), when I left Chrisf had spent nothing except on catering supplies (thanks for the tea and bread pudding Chris) and I lashed out on an expensive book (Part 3 of the breakdown crane series) and a kit.  Ian (Roundhouse)was conversed with as he kept an eye on the operators on his layout - the Czech one this time and various other RMweb folk but not of our little corner of the forum were also spoken with.  All in all a good show and a pleasant day out.

 

I duly returned home to engage in bonfire building starting off a second one which I'd intended to light first however the Good Doctor suggested lighting the original one first - which was not a success.  However the second one turned into a major success and was duly fed with much of the first one as well - it's still glowing away out there and consuming some brambles.  I think we'll have another one on the due date in the coming week as we still have a spare pallet to dispose off which will make an excellent base for a fire.  Obviously our bonfire must have encouraged others but their main aim seem to be to recreate the sound of a major WWI battle and we are currently surrounded by explosions of various intensity stupidity rating.

 

Enjoy the rest of the evening - if the barrage allows.

[jamie92208]

A good day has been had and I have got further with the scanning.  I'm gradually learning to do various things and today started scanning colour negatives as well as slides. The learning curve can be of variable gradient but I have enjoyed it especially the memories that the photos bring back.   Here are a few more from my railway trip round the US and Canada.  As of last night I had got to Cheyenne and was about to set off on what for me was an experience of a lifetime, a cab ride over Sherman Hill.  Here's the view from the fireman's seat (Yes the SDP40F's did have a fireman to tend the steam heat boiler in those days) we have just left Cheyenne with US30,on our right and heading towards us was an eastbound freight headed by a 6000 hp Centennial.

65 miles later we rolled into Laramie and here a log unit coal train was waiting to depart.

The crew changed there (They don't any more) and the fireman is seen getting down.

He name was Maxfield and after a chance conversation with a conductor in Cheyenne in 1995 and some research, I learned that he had fired one of the last trips over Sherman by a Big Boy in 1959. He was the only fireman who didn't want to retrain as an Engineer so went through to retirement as a fireman on passenger trains. He was still alive in 1995 and the guy I talked to knew him.

Anyway the day wore on back in the coaches as we travelled across Wyoming, then the Great Salt Lake at 02.00, then into Nevada and California and eventually arrived at Oakland for a bus connection to SF.  I had a great time and met some good folk. Several of us ended up having a sing song in the bar car with guitar and piano accompaniment.  I taught them Ilkley Moor but had to translate the words.  Someone I'd talked to as we left Chicago had goven me her cousin's phone number and told me to ring her when I got to SF.  Beverley answered the next morning and came to pick me up in what she described as her 'little car'.

I spent the rest of the day being chauffeured around SF and up into Marin County over the Golden Gate.  Not a bad way to spend a day.  

Here I am at Fisherman's Wharf.

 

That's as far as the slide scans got as Rachel has asked for scans of herself as a baby and toddler at 6 month intervals to see how she grew.   Obviously I spent the rest of the day fulfilling her wishes.  Then a nice meal, Neil Young's Harvest on the stereo and a log fire fuelled by home grown and chopped logs. Some Scottish Medicine is now called for.

 

It seems that those who attended shows had a good time.  GDB is obviously badly infected.  I started out with 1 loco kit, a yard of track and a point kit.

 

Goodnight all.

 

Jamie

Edited November 3, 2018 by jamie92208

[Gwiwer]

Evening all.

 

Afternoon tea was had with our guests and over some slightly awkward conversation. One of those times when no-one really had a lot to say, and for no other reason. My late aunt’s artwork, which we are now custodians of, was viewed as the subject matter and techniques were of interest. We have been advised that most of what we have could be readily sold if framed. SWMBO has a new project to work on as we have no particular interest in keeping the entire portfolio of perhaps a couple of thousand individual works.

 

Tonight has been another festival of whizz-popping though not quite matching last night’s performance. Mr. Cat seems untroubled by the sudden noises and spent an hour watching the sky from the window. For a nervous cat he copes with fireworks extremely well.

 

It seems the local boys won the egg-chasing by a single point. Tucked away in our sleepy corner Upon the Hill of Strawberries we call it a busy day if a rugby fan walks past. I saw three today. Half a mile up the road is another matter as traffic usually comes to a standstill around Twickenham Green on major event days and there are thousands of fans making their way to or from the event.

 

I am not aware of any plans for tomorrow other than waking, eating and drinking. I expect to find additional items placed on my agenda at short notice. Meanwhile g’knight all.

[laurenceb]

Night awl