Early Risers.

[Dave Hunt]

An enjoyable day cruising around bits of Wales. The museum etc. at Betws y Coed is quite good except that the Jack Nelson dioramas are in a bad state and nothing seems to be happening to restore them. Not only that but they look quite neglected with wagons, goods yard crane etc. lying on their sides, buildings leaning over etc. Those dioramas were, in their day, almost groundbreaking and it is such a shame to see them so neglected.

 

We also stopped at one of our favourite cafes on the way back. It's called Country Cook and is on the A5 just to the west of Corwen; good food at reasonable prices (with excellent and imaginative salads), spotlessly clean and with built-in entertainment as just outside the window is a row of bird feeders various that are a constant draw for an amazing range of feathered visitors - highly recommended.

 

Not sure I'll be at Stafford as early as 0900 on Sunday Andy but it looks as though there should be a good ER attendance. Let's hope that there will be ample cake stocks in view of the probable presence of the Muddy Hollow Gang.

 

Have a quiet and peaceful night everyone and happy breakfast to Baz.

 

Dave

Edited January 28, 2020 by Dave Hunt
pore speling

[Gwiwer]

Evening campers.

 

A very cold but generally better day today.  The foot has behaved and for the first time this year no-one has commented upon my method of slow-comotion.  

 

But notta good day for those trapped aboard one of GA's new trains which sat down for most of the day between Forest Gate and Maryland.  I passed the failure on my way to attend to the 497.  That being the newest London bus route which only began on Saturday and therefore received my attention on only its fourth day of operation.  Harold Wood to Harold Hill doesn't seem an unduly lengthy route and the two are already linked by the 496.  But the 497 goes by previously unserved roads and achieves TfL's ambition of bringing bus services to within 400m of homes where ever possible.  

 

A shame, then, that TfL still choose to by-pass the Hill of Strawberries where we live around 700m from the nearest bus stop, albeit only 70m as-the-avian-flies from the railway station.  

 

And whilst I was creeping past a brand new totally failed train which even the rescue loco couldn't rescue down in Eastleigh something stirred.  What we now call a multimodal, but what most of us know as a "Freightliner" or container train, decided balancing upon two strips of shiny steel wasn't what it really wanted to do.  It zig-zagged across much of the layout blocking all routes, the yards and the works and causing untold damage to track and cables.  Eastleigh is likely to be a no-go area for some time.  With a friend on duty as signaller in the "box" there I received some pictures showing it to be quite a mess.

 

Tomorrow at the House of Fun might be interesting.

 

For now I shall attempt sleep and wish you all a good night. 

Edited January 28, 2020 by Gwiwer

[petethemole]

I went by Eastleigh Station earlier, unfortunately without a camera. Bit of a mess...  Some news items.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-51282927

 

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/18193824.commuters-london-face-another-day-rail-chaos-rail-derailment-eastleigh/

[brianusa]

13 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

(An American friend of mine once referred to BC as Betsy Co-Ed, whom I thought was an American cheerleader.)

 

 

Due to the difficulty most feel with the Welsh language, it was said that it was OK to use an approximate anglicised  version which was more acceptable than forcing English upon the listener or the shattered Welsh.  Is this so?

       Brian

[Barry O]

5 hours ago, leopardml2341 said:

#Gloating

 

21° C - lovin' it

 

35°C yesterday..possibly 32°C today.....

 

Sleep well all!

 

Off for breakfast!

 

Baz

[newbryford]

6 hours ago, leopardml2341 said:

#Gloating

 

21° C - lovin' it

 

 

13C for setup on Friday at Stafford.

Shorts [*] may be worn..................

 

Mrs NB has been consulted told and our US trip  may will involve a minor (2 miles) detour to wave at the Virtual Railcam in Ashland, Virginia - as well as a visit to the local model rail shop immediately next to the tracks.

The shop is on the right beyond the grade crossing, facing the tracks. The two eating establishments either side of the shop are called "The Iron Horse" and "The Caboose"......

 

 

Have a good Wednesday folks

 

Cheers,

Mick

 

 

[*] if there's such a thing as thermal shorts.

Edited January 28, 2020 by newbryford

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. I was rushing around like a blue-@r$ed fly earlier as I was under the impression that it was a Seers meeting tonight. I was wrong, this week its Thursday. What confused me was it was Thursday last week and normally it alternates Tuesday/Thursday. At least its given me some time to catch up on things. 

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

This morning’s Grand Prix went as well as these things can and all that was on the list was procured. Once back and the shopping had been packaged away I made a muggertea and made the base for the cheesecake. After dinner I sat and made a few more alterations to the component layout, I'm using veroboard for this project, so I need to cut isolation breaks in the tracks and add a few links in too! One side looked quite cramped, whilst the opposite had a huge area with nothing in it. In so doing I’ve managed to shave off another 10mm in width. I will also need to cut fewer breaks in the tracks add fewer links and I’ve got a bit more Rome for the terminal blacks as well. 

 

Goodnight all 

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all.

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[J. S. Bach]

Nite owl from a rather cold (for me) Piedmont.

[pH]

We went to an open house this evening for a major re-development of several blocks in the centre of the town (technically a city - the standards for 'city' status are different in Canada from those in the UK). Single-storey, and a few two-storey, buildings will be replaced by 9 towers, up to 26 storeys high, plus other lower buildings. Fortunately, the station (rapid transit and commuter "heavy rail", with an attached bus loop) is right in the middle of it, but even then it will add several hundred cars to the already ridiculous commuting traffic. I'm glad I'm retired and don't have to face that kind of traffic each day. (I never drove to work - I did carpool to a job in rural Yorkshire, and during transit strikes here. Otherwise I used public transit or walked.)

 

And I learned a new word - biophilia. Apparently, people living in this new development will be offered many opportunities for biophilia (and they can't touch you for it!).

Edited January 29, 2020 by pH

[chrisf]

Good morning one and all

 

The lurgi seems to have stabilised, touch wood.  I am still coughing for most of the day but not, thank goodness, in the middle of the night.  As the nurse told me, it will go when it goes and I am not unduly worried about it.  At least I can still function, unlike last year, so it’s a case of thanks for small mercies.  I am hoping that it will not cause problems at the weekend since I am all psyched up for a visit to Stafford on Saturday.

 

Tonight’s HMRS meeting features three short presentations by local members and will be worth the modest trek to Bletchley.  On the way I will call at The Stables to secure some concert tickets.  One of the gigs I hope to attend seems to have disappeared from the website.  I am not unduly worried but I will ask the question.  Half an hour will be well spent this morning checking which tickets I already have and going through the brochure one more time to ensure that I do not miss anything.

 

The passing of Nicholas Parsons yesterday prompts a few reflections.  It occurs to me that the only other person who has held down the same job for so long or longer is Her Majesty the Queen.  She probably has her own way of dealing with those who hesitate, deviate or repeat themselves.  Nicholas Parsons was blessed with good health until not long before the end.  What an enviable position to be in!  The warmth of the tributes to him speaks for itself.  None of us knows how much longer he or she will have on earth and it will be pure luck if we can do everything we want to do, even assuming that we know what that is.  All we can do is to give it our best shot.  If we don’t do all the things on our bucket lists, at least let it be fun trying.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[BoD]

Morning all.

 

Yesterday we tried some of this vegetarian/vegan food stuff.  Overnight I think I’ve produced more methane than a whole field of cows. Bejayzus, talk about cutting out the middle man.

 

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

BoD it can't be the food as it is the saving of this planet....really! Have vegaba ever testedwhat happens after brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflour have been eaten by a human.....ooh eck!

Watched some rather large rays swimming very close to shore today (as in in less than an inch of sea water. Beach was just like crimdon..golden with a hint of sea coal but the water was lovely and warm.

 

Off to check a few things for our future travel. Qantas may have cocked up our seats!!!

Baz

 

Ps mick..drive down to Bingley..a well known company there does thermal shorts...

[45156]

Morning All

 

Just a quick check in - off to Morecambe later as some items of shopping are needed which involve a trip to the big Home Bargains there.  Also need to visit Barclays to get a statement (if their IT is working - so about a 50/50 chance).

 

I am caught up now, and am pleased to hear that Rick is a bit better.  And of course, generic greetings are on offer to all who want/desire/deserve them - so that's all of you.

 

Time to get up now, as 30747 announced yesterday that she's been asked to work today to cover colleagues with the lurgi - it matters not if she has the lurgi, she still manages to get there, and has only had one day off sick until last week in the last 16 years.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a village by the water.  Up early as I'm being allowed a day out. I'm off to Lancaster by train to sample some of Trans Pennine's new offerings. I'm due to meet a friend for lunch. It should be a good day.  Last night Beth joined several of her old scoolmates for a quiz. As she's not too keen on driving at night I drove then caught a train into Leeds. I had a great time on the station. Lots of new trains and more importantly 'proper' ones with locos. I do like the sound of the 68's. The highlight was a yellow test train that would have delighted Mick(NB). It was powered by a 37 which made a great sound as it departed. A good day.

 

Good wishes to all and may the lurgi be defeated. 

 

Jamie

[45156]

20 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

I'm off to Lancaster by train to sample some of Trans Pennine's new offerings. I'm due to meet a friend for lunch. It should be a good day.

Shame that I am otherwise occupied this morning, as it would have been nice to meet up with you, but hey ho, that's life.

 

Car got sorted yesterday, after the minor ding - Colour Wizard came up with a repair for £120 - plus VAT - I have forwarded their invoice to the woman who hit me and asked her to settle up with me.

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl Inner Temple Hare, 1040/650

 

 

Sleep .. What's that? both SWMBO and myself are now fully paid up members of the lurgi club. Coughing Sneezing runny nose etc.. We have the dentist to routine  visit Thursday, that might have to be cancelled..

 

The desk I sit by, has a roll of tissue paper permenantly affixed, it's normally used for dry ing items that have been in the oil bath, at the moment my nose is filling the bin with paper..

 

I'm glad the airconditioning has a good filter system, As I'm having the same problem as Barry O, due to the increase in vegetable matter eaten on the new diet..

 

I receved a couple of books from the widow via SWMBO, both on Highland parallel bits of metal.. Also a little receipt book from the M&GNJR Commitee. Filled in, in 1930, it includes payments for the repair 4 wheeled freight things and the repair of a metal thing acrossBreydon , most interesting, I'll have another good study of it another time and try to decipher more of the writing..

 

Continuing on with the shunts this morning, 2A is warming up at the moment.

 

Time to show you a picture of a Wherry Yacht on Breydon Water

[Robert]

Morning All,

 

We have an overcast, but mild morning today.

 

I am slightly later on parade as I took the car in for service first.

 

Have a good day everyone...

[leopardml2341]

Morning all. I'm sure that some will know what I mean by this......

 

Today is shaping up to be a not so good day as SWMBO seems to be carping at everything I say or do

 

Wish me luck

 

Edited January 29, 2020 by leopardml2341

[AndyID]

Off to ski at Big White in BC with an old work-mate tomorrow. I'm hoping it's not too cloudy. I can't ski for crepe when it's overcast.

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

It seems there is a hint of sunshine in a mainly blue sky although it is a cool 3°C.  

I have to visit the bank today to collect some tokens (modelling kind for me and other for The Boss).  I don't use cash machines as a couple round here have been tampered with recently and it's not for the first time. 

Still waiting for one parcel that the Amazon supplier says should have been delivered by now but as at 4.13 this morning the courier says they have at their local depot and it's on the way. We shall see. As it's for The Boss she has the pleasure of sitting in waiting for it.

Hopefully I will get to The Shed later to finish off running in the new loco and can then do the unthinkable and start laying more track.

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited January 29, 2020 by grandadbob

[leopardml2341]

9 hours ago, newbryford said:

 

13C for setup on Friday at Stafford.

Shorts [*] may be worn................

Cheers,

Mick

 

 

[*] if there's such a thing as thermal shorts.

There are some things that it is impossible to 'unthink' .........

[roundhouse]

Morning from a warm shed but outside its chilly. Sunny though.

 

Busy adding decals for a bit of crust earning. Also building the pantry for Blackmoor station.

 

Been having text chats with brother who is currently in Amsterdam. Hes asked me to try and get face masks for them to take back to HK as hard to get there. BA have suspended all flights to mainland China and Virgin advising people to rebook flights for China and HK. Hes on another carrier but he might end up lodging at Mums for longer if things change.