NHY 581

On a less flippant note, the idea of a pill box appeals. One if my favourites is the one on the beach at Blue Anchor in Somerset. I think it is the last of its kind but not sure on that. Easily accessible, close to the station, cafe and a couple of pubs within walking distance. Sounds like an ideal field trip to me. Rob

Oil tanker? Every thing could then be painted a uniform sticky black..... Rob.

Nurse said it would be okay......... Rob

Very astute observation, Ducky Old Boy...... This is in fact Rollie Pierre Finching, half brother of the Finching sisters. He was born out of wedlock following an unexpected liason between his father, Clarence 'Spanker' Finching and his mother Fifi La Pert, an exotic dancer of some repute from Paris. The story goes that whilst visiting Paris in a travelling show, he attended the theatre where Fifi performed and after a particularly exhilarating performance 'Spanker' attended at Fifi's dressing room. 'Spanker' showed his appreciation for Fifi, by demonstrating his correctional techniques which led to his unparalleled success as a performer in his own right. Captivated by this, Fifi reciprocated by demonstrating several techniques of her own. Rollie Finching came to Britain and was educated at Bamfylde public school in North Devon. After a hesitant start, Rollie flourished under his house master, Algy Herries, later immortalised by the author R F Delderfield in his history of the school, 'To Serve them All My Days'. Rollie joined the Royal Navy on leaving school in 1902 and by the outbreak of World War One had risen to the rank of Captain, commanding the destroyer, HMS Pugnacious. However, Rollie was snapped up by the fledgling secret service due both to his language skills (fluent in French and German) and to his runaway success as a female impersonator at Mess nights. After a short induction, Rollie was deployed overseas and made his way into the midst of the Kaisers Empire, settling in Berlin where he found instant fame as Mimi Van Der Trollop, a Dutch exotic dancer. As such, he managed to infiltrate the German High Command up to a very senior level. From 1915 until early 1918, he sent back a huge amount of information as a result of his position. Remarkably, throughout his deployment Rollie refused to remove his Royal Naval regulation beard and after three years amongst the High Command, he was finally rumbled. He was imprisoned in a castle close to the German/ French border. The night before he was due to be shot he escaped, disguised as a serving wench. He stole a new A7 tank and made for the border and subsequently crossed into Allied territory. Rollie was subsequently awarded the DSO by the British and the legion d'honour by the French. Quite bizarrely, he was mentioned in dispatches a number of times by both the British and the Germans and it was rumoured that he had been considered for an Iron Cross. Retiring from the Royal Navy as Lt. Commander in 1934, he sadly died two years later whilst riding his Brough Superior at high speed in the lanes around Brent. I hope this helps. Rob

Indeed. Felt better for it........

Indeed. However, after a particularly nasty experience with a fried egg sandwiches, I removed mine..... Rob

At my age food down the front of my shirt is an occupational hazard. However, I also have a daughter who is under two so I also have an excuse for the carnage that results from a lack of attention at meal times..... Rob

Only if you repeat after me.Churchward was an engineering God and is totally above criticism on any of his works. Here is 5239 in action without it's new recruit. DSCN3545.jpg DSCN3546.jpg DSCN3547.jpg 'Goliath seen passing the well preserved period portaloos, known locally as tinder boxes. It was not uncommon for a spark from passing locos to set fire to the roof of the privy. This let to more than one undignified departure from the 'hot seat', much to the amusement of members of the public on the promenade. Rob

How about cutting hair? I know from examples on the dear old S&D that more than a few signal men trimmed the odd barnet in between duties....even plucked the odd pheasant... (I'm not going there.....) Rob

In order to avoid such malpractice, the authorities issued a directive that all locos fitted with outside wall charts should display the attached warning Sign. These were placed at strategic locations where persons were most likely to insert their sausage. As a result, sausage related injuries were reduced by over 50% in the first six months. Albert Flange-Priser, a junior at the Swindon drawing office and responsible for the design of the sign was awarded a special gold watch by Messrs. Walls and provided with a years supply of best pork snorkers by the company for his services to sausages. When asked for a response to his award from the local paper, Albert memorably replied, 'Sausage? I just can't get enough!' Rob

Would these outside Wall Charts be of an instructional nature? You know, for the information of the shunters, where to place ones sausage in the formation so to speak....... Rob

Let's not forget the 'bravest buccaneer!' Rob

Polly Tunnels? Rob

Would this have been better with a Hall on the front.....say 4949 Porkwood Hall.....? Rob

Lady Constance Trebilcock always used to correct any one who used to refer to her as Lady Trebilcock. Twas said to be on account of how an uncouth element of her estate workers used to refer to her husband, Lord Albert Fitzgibbon Trebilcock as ' Ole Three D**ks'. Lady Trebilcock used to insist on being referred to as Lady 'Tree Bill Coe', something she maintained until she drew her last breath, at the age of 93, whilst arm wrestling with the milk man. Rob

As I was only saying to the Finchings the other evening as we placed our car keys into the ash tray.............. Rub

Ah Ha! Memsahib has taken up extreme CROCHET again has she! Best mount a fighting retreat. Nothing like an impossible rearguard action to bring out the best in people.... The Finching sisters have mobilised.... Rob

WHAT!!!!!! BLOODY LUFTWAFFE!!!!! BLUE FLIGHT SCRAMBLE, ANGELS 1 5, BUSTER BUSTER!!!!! Rob...

Indeed, Paul, this is a lovely model. Very inspirational, even to a die hard fan of the S&D such as I. Great modelling will always be just that, regardless of region or era...even GW....Gr..W....can't say it... Rob

I am intrigued by this service, Alan. Was it an actual service? Would this be a through train from Cardiff? This may be a stupid question but my knowledge of things W....West....can't say it....Western Region is poor, being a Midland/S&D/South Western type of chap. Rob

They don't like surprises. Be careful when showing signs of morale, if you get the timing wrong, it could an send out the wrong message. Almost like a sign of rebellion. No, morale, especially laughter, is best displayed in isolation. Let them think they have the upper hand. Rob

If you haven't already got a copy , June's, try and source a copy of 'The Somerset and Dorset at Midford, by Mike Arlett. Good read and has some useful notes on the various paint schemes seen at Midford, along with some very nice 4 mm drawings of the buildings. Rob

Yes the wretched western region inflicted it's brown and cream on the northern section of the S&D. I prefer to ignore this ever happened and stick with Southern colours .... Rob.

I see no reason why Robbie Savages post football career can't continue to flourish. After all, should his role as soccer pundit not take off, then it will leave more time time for his other career as the female impersonator, Lily Savage. Always enjoyed his shows, particularly his nice frocks.... Rob