PhilJ W

This was the Express Dairiy at Morden it also had a larger engine that done the bulk of the work. As well as milk tankers in and out coal for the boilers was also delivered by rail and the Ruston is probably shunting the empties. I hope that Hornby do bring out an Express Dairy liveried version, an attractive livery.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Finally sorted out the box of boxes. Five contained various items, four are fitted out as stock boxes and four empty boxes. Of the various items boxes one contained a load of new LED's still in their wrapping and another held some 00 scale diecast advertising hoardings which I think are by Master Models, in a pretty good condition as well. These will go into the display cabinet alongside other similar items from when I first started in the hobby. As some of the boxes containing 'stuff' are overfull the empty boxes are going to come in handy.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Just got the last of the boxes out of the car. Now separated into three lots, full of 'stuff', fitted out as stock boxes and empties. As some of the first mentioned are so full that the lids will not shut the last mentioned should come in useful.

They often replaced the Maunsel wheels with stronger steel wheels when removing the centre axle. Something to bear in mind when removing the centre axle on the model six wheelers.

Probably the Zoo, you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

Simon Kohler is due to give a talk at our railway enthusiasts group next Thursday so if I get the chance I intend to suggest an Express Dairies version. Also the army version will be open cab but there is an army one with closed cab in preservation, I will suggest that as well.

They are to old by the appearance of them to have come under the scrappage scheme. There was an item a couple of years ago about cars taken in under the scrappage scheme just being parked on a disused airfield and they may still be there for all we know.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A bit late on parade this morning as I found over 100 e-mails in my in box. Most of them were for a Facebook group I administer. I have to be very careful with admitting new members to this group, a local history group as there is a rather nasty piece work who tries to muscle in on such groups and take them over, mainly to promote his own photography business. I have had to check each of nearly 90 applications for anything suspicious, a tedious but neccessary task in the circumstances. Chris, I wouldn't expect you or anyone else to explain Farmageddon or any other comedy film as such films rely on complicated plots and sub plots. I'm a great fan of Tom Sharpe and Carl Hiaasen but I could never explain the plots of their novels.

I recently purchased a small 9mm gauge layout. It was of the 'rabbit warren' type and only 2' by 3'. It came complete with controller and only needed a clean of the track to get stock running on it. It needs a fair bit of work to make it presentable but as only £10 was paid for it complete I can't complain.

Agree, there was a Humber Super Snipe where someone had smashed all the glass including the curved rear window which will be difficult to replace if not impossible.

Goodnight all.

Did someone ask about these locomotives ever operating freight trains? I have just obtained an old booklet on the Chingford branch and in there is a photo dated 6 May 1939 of LNER no. 967 on a freight train. The train itself is entirely of vans but appears to be unfitted. PS the loco has a Belpair firebox and a Westinghouse pump.

Conflats were attached to some 03 and 04 classes to operate signal circuits. Though the Rustons often operated where there were no signals let alone signal circuits.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Helped paint the ceiling of one of the altered rooms in the clubhouse. Plenty of volunteers for the job, too many really but at least no one stepped into one of the paint trays on the floor, though there were a few near misses. Still have a few boxes to investigate, who knows what they contain? (Though some by the weight of them only contain fresh air.)

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. I hope talking of someone else's model railway is OK especially as that someone else is an 11-year-old with learning difficulties. I am talking of the £10 layout, all that was required to run trains was a bit of track cleaning. The rest of the layout needs a good clean as well as the locomotive emerged from one of the tunnels festooned with cobwebs! Club night tonight but no modelling will be taking place as its still out with the decorating tools.

I have one on order and Hattons have informed me Dec. 2019.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A few fireworks last night and a spent rocket bounced off the roof of the car as I rounded Sadler's Farm roundabout, no damage though. They ceased altogether on our way to the auction as there was a heavy drizzle, enough to need the wipers on full. Bright and sunny at the moment but forecast to cloud over later with rain this evening. I have been going through another of my auction purchases, a box full of boxes. Some contain various unidentifiable electric gubbins, one contains a selection of yard/street lamps (00 scale) but most with the old grain of wheat bulbs. Some are empty but are fitted out as stock boxes so should be useful. I've still got some others I haven't opened yet.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. I seemed to get something in my eye when I read the poem in Johns blog. A bit late tonight due to one of the items purchased at the auction. That item was a layout, purchased on behalf of my friends young lad. Problem was we had to get it into the car to take it home. It only just fitted in the car with various other boxes and bags. The layout itself is only 2' by 3' and is a 9mm gauge 'rabbit warren' type. It looks a bit tired and faded but the young man couldn't wait to test it, at 11 o'clock at night, and it worked! Not bad for £10, yes £10 that was all that was paid for it! Now time for bed, goodnight all.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Went to sort out a few more things for the auction this evening. Needless to say the items I was looking for were buried underneath some crates and boxes. So I set too, moved the crates and boxes found what I wanted and then put everything back. It was then that disaster struck, I caught a pile of stuff with the corner of a box and sent it all flying so I spent the rest of the afternoon picking things up. Fortunately there wasn't a lot of damage, one resin building with a chimney knocked off, chimney recovered and will be glued back when I get a round tuit. Tea to be drunk, be back later.

The photo is in black and white so its not possible to identify the exact colour or for that matter its not clear if any were lined. It appears to be an excursion, the destination board says Tilbury, made up from an odd collection of old stock dragged out of various sidings. What is unusual about the pic is that the locomotive is running solo. Having such a short wheelbase there was a considerable chance of gapping, loosing contact with the power rail which is why these locomotives normaly ran in pairs.

Morning (yet again) from Estuary-Land. Not much happening here today. This evening is the SEERS auction. A chance for members to acquire their hearts desire more old junk as well as getting rid of as much old junk valuable models as they can.

There is a pic of a rake of six wheel (Ex-LT&S?) stock being hauled by a Metropolitan District box cab locomotive. The stock was marked LMS so it would be post 1923 but the locomotive carried District Railway markings which date it as prior to 1933.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Thoughts are with John this morning on this difficult day.

Triang Transcontinental?

Goodnight all.