big jim

So true!

Finally happened, 196 testing between Tyseley and crewe, a long night, dynamic testing, checking stopping distances from 100mph in full service and emergency as well as a few other tests with the vigilance, DSD, horn etc stafford Crewe New St and back to Tyseley hopefully same again tonight, probably with the same unit

It’s through Adrien flux but it’s the underwriters who wouldn’t accept it drove the car home yesterday, very happy with it, averaged 63mpg in it its got heated front screen, air con, DAB radio, cruise control, sport mode, 1/2 leather interior, quite a step up from the red car but obviously with 1/2 the horsepower it’s not as nippy acceleration but it’s quiet and smooth on the motorway and that’s what matters

Im on my way to pick the new Mini up, insured it earlier but had a strange experience while doing so, as I’ve got a multi at policy with the Cooper S and Touareg both on with all mods declaired I thought I’d add the new one to that (basically replacing the convertible I sold in December) after a while on hold they came back and said due to the value (£1200) and the fact there were NO modifications on the diesel they couldn’t insure it, they could however do it if it was modified so I got them to quote me with a performance chip fitted which they were happy with so reluctantly (yeah right!) I’m going to have to chip it, got myself a TDI tuning performance chip off eBay cheaply that they can reblow for the Cooper diesel that will take it from 110bhp to 145bhp! normally having mods causes issues getting insurance, not the other way round!

792 has a traditional pedestal type cab which is unusual for a euro import

Forgot to put these up on Saturday, coleshill To Doncaster Iport coleshill Being unloaded in iport then I took a wagon from there to decoy tonight should be 196s but anything could happen between now and book on time!

wasnt the Ford pinto one of the most well known bad translation as in a certain country it means ‘small Willy !’ Or is it an urban myth? Edit: site sensor is being childish and doesn’t like the proper name for a manhood but will accept Willy!

Well that moved a bit quick..... just bought this off eBay, not the one I was going to look at next weekend but this came up on eBay, newer and less miles

I’m looking at getting another mini convertible for the summer, seen a couple I like on eBay Alternatively I’ve seen a mini R56 (newer shape) diesel, 2007 high mileage one for not too much money that I’d just use to go to and from the caravan and use while I’m up there to save the cost of fuel and wear and tear on the Cooper S or Touareg as both average between 30 and 35 mpg, the diesel mini will do a good 60mpg and costs £30 a year tax, weirdly the car I’ve seen happens to be in a garage next to toton depot and one of my jobs next week I have 6 hours to kill in toton so I’m going to go and have a look (if it doesn’t sell by then)

The new GP3 is a beast, it’s only available with an 8 speed auto box, the styling is a bit marmite, I like it but I certainly wouldn’t pay £30k on a mini

After a week off I wa sin last night, rail drop just south of Stone first up I travelled down from the caravan in cumbria, TPE unit in the station 08 in Bescot my train with 66759 up front It was top and tailed with 66792, I had to change ends in Stone and head back via Stafford to bescot then once in Bescot run 792 round onto 759 ready for fuelling iport tomorrow then supposedly 196 testing (if it happens) and a couple of days of the small Heath ballast

It defiantly works, facing the opposite way now also of note in the background is the Volvo estate, that’s been in silloth for a good 7 years that we’ve been coming here, it’s a left hand drive version in UK plates

This has been parked up in silloth all week

silloth is renown for it, we just missed the sun actually going behind Criffel by a few minutes

Finally after 6 months we have been able to make it to the caravan in silloth for a well deserved break, my wife is really happy about it to say the least!

guy on Twitter selling a pair I have bought from him in the past without issue, he works for GWR on the platform

Think so, I’ve been on one but never driven it or looked in the engine room, a lot of the drivers I know who sign them hate them as they are so temperamental

I really should get a few of these wagons in GB livery, missed out last time as they were off my radar as I’d never worked them for real but now i do aggregate trains in work I wouldn’t mind a short rake of them

Must admit I sold an ‘Oliver’ about 10 years ago when Dominic grew out of Thomas and even used (ie played with by a kid) it went for stupid money back then, I seem to remember I paid about £25 for it and sold it for about £100

No not today, off at nuneaton, glad you posted that pic as, as I type real time trains is showing 4O46 as stood at Bermuda park, thought it had failed!!

Purple aki, just googled him, I’d heard the urban legends about him but didn’t realise he’s real!

i wrote to Jim’ll fix it asking to meet the A-Team!

Far too over complicated those minions, the GB 73s are a bit complicated and temperamental at the best of times but are far simpler than the NR ones

Was the crew on it GB or colas?

Started first time this morning without issue, it also sold on eBay and has been paid for, just awaiting collection