TrevorP1

Gilbert, I'm presuming the extension will be non operational. If so would it be possible to build it in easily removable strips, say 4' long? These might then be quickly removed when you need access for photography or maintenance. Just a thought...

The last thing that occurs to me from the photo of the goods trains is that it is 00 rather than EM etc. The way that the track has been laid and the general 'flow' makes it look right to me. Years ago in my 20s and different life I built a couple of small layouts in EM, building my own points using the ply and rivet method. I also had a small involvement with 12" to the foot P Way so I know what it should look like. Almost 40 years later I am about to start on my first 'working' model since those days. In fact the birch ply for the boards was delivered this week. Now though, there are more demands on my time and my eyesight is rubbish. I am more likely to read a book in the evening rather than sit in the lounge balancing an old T tray, soldering iron and vice on my lap. Therefore I am thankful that we are at the dawn of a commercial 00 bullhead track system. Whatever suits the circumstances is my view. I think the important thing is the care with which every single ingredient is brought together which makes the difference.

Thank you Tony.

Very good indeed Tony. I shall have to buy the relevant BRM when it comes out. A quick question. Which year are you referring to with the trains you mention? 1957/58? I'm just wondering when the main services became all maroon.

As a young lad at Southampton Central in the '60s I remember lots of pigeon baskets. A large amount of mail went 'up' at the end of the day. The most unusual - and startling to a 12 year old - thing I saw was a coffin.

Opposite the milk dock (platform 17) is the Culross Building. It is prominent at one end of the yard. This link takes you to a PDF with scale drawings and photos. You will have to accept the conditions of use: http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-1124-1/dissemination/pdf/preconst1-70607_1.pdf If the link doesn't work for you, Google 'Culross Building, Cheney Street'.

Thanks Mike. I love all these stories about how these things were done on the ground, official and unofficial. People working together, real 'railway work'.

Sorry Tony, I should have made myself clearer. It's just something about the way the light is falling on the scene. Maybe it's just me or my monitor but I find it looks as though the light is coming from more than one place. There is a reflection on the left hand running plate and the top of the boiler but also on the right hand side of the boiler and tender. Just a personal thing, no criticism of the model itself. Trevor

I have no technical training in photography, I'm very much 'seat of the pants', so hopefully a professional will be along to help us soon! However... The light on the subject varies with the angle of the sun. As you observe, midday light can be more flattering but less 'interesting' . A low sun and, come to that winter sun, can make for much more vibrant images but equally less flattering to certain subjects. To quote the song Maggie May "The morning sun when it's in your face really shows your age". The colours of sunsets and sunrise are caused by atmospheric pollution, man made or otherwise, so that brilliant red sunset is likely 'man made'. Sunrise can be less colourful because there is less pollution in the air at that time of the day. I would assume that your location geographically would also affect this. As to your images, in the first shot the low light has caused that attractive glint along the boiler. However, I find the second one a bit visually confusing. Depending on the time of year the afternoon sun would still be relative high and it has been reflected by the window.... Not sure about that one. The first is very attractive, especially if you crop out most of that sky. Crank up the saturation and you'd have a Steam Railway centre spread!

Once upon a time I did 4 or 5 charters a year but now find other things to spend my hard-earned on. I enjoyed this day at the GC back in 2007. I don't think it stopped raining all day and it was freezing but like Tony's image above I got results which pleased me a lot. It just happens to be the 8F again and yes, the wagons are far too clean! My pet hate on charters was the 'over lit' night scenes. But hey, as has been said, more money to good causes!

For what my tuppence worth adds I'm very much in agreement with muted colours, especially in the distance. Nothing else is right! Of course this is difficult if photographing a layout lengthwise as light does not 'scale' but is perfectly possible with backscenes and scenery. I'm quite happy with photo backscenes - and use them myself - if they follow the above 'rules', especially if they are of the place that is being modelled. Even more so if the modeller has been clever enough to get out with his camera, take some photos, stitch them together and then work with a printer to get what he wants. Digital smoke doesn't do it for me but I accept that some like it. Further, steam, or more correctly water vapour, also appears at other places on a locomotive or train. For instance drain cocks, leaking glands, safety valves, injector overflows, leaking joints and drip valves on carriages. I don't recall seeing this done digitally but no doubt I will be proved wrong! There is something that I feel would improve many layouts and I accept that this is difficult. This is the actual position of the light source i.e. imitating what the sun does. The position of the sun in the sky affects colour temperature and the direction the light comes from. Photographers know this and will refer to the 'Golden Hour' before sunset. Overall even lighting is not real life but it is what many models have, even Pendon. Any thoughts on this?

I've always wondered why Malachite Green was called that as - to me - it doesn't look like the actual substance. On seeing a locomotive painted that colour a friend in the motor trade described it as Lizard S**t Green... I think it looks fine on a Spam Can, especially if towing a rake of Pullmans, but awful on Maunsell engines.

After being fitted with the Kylechap system, Woolwinder ran for a few months without any form of smoke deflector.

That looks fine to me Tony and far better than my fumbling fingers could produce.

Hope a few more tempting photos are OK... Drie Annen Hohne, the start of the climb to Brocken. The view from the top. Somewhere in the (very far) distance is Russia. Colditz Castle Serious stuff... Colditz has a brewery! The Fichtelbergbahn near the Czech border. No more temptations for a while, dinner's ready!

Managed to take in the Harz and a very quick stop at Fichtelbergbahn during a driving holiday about 4 years ago. We also stayed in Colditz Castle which I can thoroughly recommend. There is some fantastic scenic empty countryside in the former East Germany and we found the local people friendly and helpful. Go for it, you'll have no regrets!

Not forgetting Mr Bulleid's valve gear...

Chris, Tony and all. I was not the person who suggested that model railway journalists were not modellers but if the comments I did make caused offence please accept my sincere apologies. That was not my intention and for this reason I deliberately did not so much as mention even the field my contact worked in. My comments were borne of frustration with current day journalism, TV included. My parents brought me up to read. It is something I still enjoy and find relaxing. In fact I can just remember reading about Chris's model of Culkerton in the old MRC when I was about 10 or 12. I shall probably remain frustrated and have to accept that if a title were to be produced that satisfied me the staff would soon find themselves down at the Job Centre. For what it's worth, the residents of this household often have to suffer me venting my spleen at the lightweight stuff on the TV. Perhaps I should calm down and continue reading Wright Writes! Trevor

With some notable exceptions I think that's the way of most journalism these days. Some years ago I was acquainted with a person who has made a good career out of special interest journalism. He always talked about "keeping things at Sun reader level". I have several hobby interests and buy the occasional magazine. Sadly, 50% of the time I end up thinking to myself "what a waste of money that was...".

Very dimly, until Chaz mentioned combat zones I hadn't realised that we were talking Robert Capa. Doh! For anyone as daft as me this will explain... http://www.skylighters.org/photos/robertcapa.html Sorry for going a little OT Gilbert.

1969 Signalling diagram: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pwayowen/15990737357/in/photostream/

Agreed. Camera and lens technology continues to leap forward. Top quality lenses are now available relatively cheaply. I can't get over the fact that my phone can produce a better image that my Canon A1 of the 1980s! Ironic that sometimes we now use photoshop et al to introduce grain and blur the images... Take a look at this link for some real skill and think of the equipment the photographer must have lugged around plus the processing work afterwards. http://thetransporttreasury.zenfolio.com/p148215479

Many a true word...

Now that one really does show what we're up against!

Getting the correct levels will certainly be a challenge but essential to the character I think. Just for added fun I'll have the turntable to consider! Still, what is life without a challenge or two.