P.C.M

Thanks Andy, I quite enjoy weathering the 7mm stuff. When I was first looking into going DCC I was looking at getting the Prodigy but the price of the NCE won me in the end. Seems like the NCE should do the trick. Cheers Peter.

Thanks paul, I am only going to be running one loco at a time thats good news. Cheers Peter.

So still no progress on the layout but I have finished weathering up this VAA. A quick question while I am here. I have an NCE powercab for my 00 layout. Will a Powercab be ok to use with 7mm? Cheers Peter.

Hi Damian, You are making good progress. The layout is looking good. I am not sure if you have seen these. I bought some 7mm ones for a class 26 I am planning on doing but thought the early yellow Stag stickers might be of interest I didn't know they where available. Cheers Peter.

Hi Kevin, Nice work on the class 47s. I like the 117 too, good idea to re motor with the Bachmann running gear. Cheers Peter.

No worries, some of my early ones where from my old iphone 4s which I still think was better than my old video camera. I Like the last shot must be about 20 locos on shed. Cheers Peter.

Hi Dave. I am enjoying the video's keep them coming. Cheers Peter.

Hi Lee, I am liking the look of those Heljan class 20s. I am wondering if you could do me a favour when you get the chance. I have seen a pic of a 20 next to a class 37 and the class 20 looked a bit high. I could be the angle of the pic but I am wondering if you could measure the height of one for me or plonk it next to a class 37 or class 26, you seem to do a few of them. Thanks Peter.

Hi Jeff, The layout is looking great. Really coming to life now with all the latest Scenery. Cheers Peter.

I had a look at the Paul Bartlett wagon site it says introduced 1989. I would trust that website more than others. A few pics for you.

Hi Andy, Glad to see you are going ok. Hope you a taking it easy. Still off topic i know, but from memory the class 20s on MGR trains with a Brake van had the van for propelling moves into or out of the power station or pit when loading or unloading. The guard or shunter would ride in the van and give instruction to the driver in the loco's when propelling into or out of the sidings. MGRs are coded HAAs so are air braked most class 20s were Duel braked so could haul MGRs therefore the train would be fully braked and not need a brake van for braking purposes. Cheers Peter.

Hi Martin. The Clam Tope and Rudd mentioned above are a bit late for 86. I thick they came out 89 90. The Crab wagon is I think available as a kit. I also don't remember seeing Catfish Dogfish and Marmaid wagons in the Eastleigh area on ballast work either though did see some Dogfish down at EH depot presumeaby after repair work. shark ballast ploughs where also banned due ro the juice rail. You could add a Whale ballast hopper to your Seacows, available as a kit from Cambrian. Cheers Peter.

I think the Hornby is the better model. Both of mine run better than the Bachmann one's I had. Having said that one of my Hornby models stops on the single slip now and then I think it's the Pick ups but even after tweeking them it;s no better. Cheers Peter.

Great to see this layout here, Superb weathering and scenic's. Nice work on the Grampus too, looking forwards to you next project. Cheers Peter.

During the summer of 1986 the 1D32 train from Stoke to Llandudno was often worked by D200. From pics I have found the train was normally 6 to 8 Blue grey MK1s. Here is D200 working the 1D32. The train later works down to Blaenau Ffestiniog as a 2D11 and 2D18 return. Then back to Stoke on the 1K38. Cheers Peter.

The trackwork does look very nice. I noticed you said that your class 08 isn't the best runner. Is it Bachmann or Hornby? Cheers Peter.

I wouldn't worry I am happy to keep using my i/c MK1. Cheers Peter.

Thanks Dave, I have a few more to post up whrn I get the chance. Cheers Peter.

Hi Merf, Thought you might know. I have searched flickr for pics of the train it seems between 6 and 9 MK1 s were the norn with a brake at one end and the rest SKs or TSOs sometimes a Ck. All were Blue Grey. I will leave my Inter- city MK1 in the rake for now but will drop a blue Grey one in and some point. Cheers Peter.

Ha ha I think if I could pick one up cheaper than the Hattons 127.00 pounds I would be very tempted.

Nice work on the vans, I will have to get on with mine. Cheers Peter.

Thanks for the information Rick. I remember seeing the odd Inter- City MK1 in some rakes. The only pic I have is a short set of MK1s at Southampton with one IC MK1 behind the loco. I only have the one IC mk1 at the moment, it normally goes into my set which is used on my Stoke to Llanbourne service that also does a trip down the branch. There was actually a summer dated service from Stoke to Llandudno which also did a trip down the branch, during the summer of 1986 D200 worked the train a number of times. The train was formed of MK1s but I haven't seen a pic of it with an Inter-City MK1. I think you are right the MK3 Buffets didn't appear until 88. I have an Inter-City MK3 SO that I put in my Holyhead - Euston sets. I have seen pictures of almost full rakes of MK3s and the odd one or two in the Euston sets but they seem to be more common in the early 80s. Cheers Peter.

A couple more video's. Cheers Peter.

Happy New Year Ian, The new platform area is looking good as are the other improvements. Cheers Peter.

No worries, hope it wasn't anything to bad. Cheers Peter.