RedRich

Fran I've had a good look at the photos Andy Y posted on RMweb. I remember your comment on the springs on the bogies a while back and I agree Dapol should have molded them instead of using springs, as they look a bit distorted. Otherwise it is an equal to the Hornby class 60 if not better. I might even invest in a blue one as they are an iconic loco. Rich,

That's sounds very promising Des. I was planning to have an etch done for the latest weed spray coach based around the ones I already have for the GSV's. There wouldn't be as much work needed with there being no roof detail and gangways. Rich.

Looks great Stephen, it's your layout and you run what you like. They are damn fine models Dapol are really moving forward as a contender for the No 1 slot in the UK. Not quite there but not far off. Good luck with the wiring. Rich,

Des that looks really good. No doubt it will be a winner. I was thinking about something like it for the weed spray wagons. I love it. Rich,

The JLTRT kit's are top class Fran. One of the lad's in the MRSI built a MK11 kit a few years ago in BR blue, it is stunning. Pete Waterman did a series years ago on the History of Trains in the UK, it was well worth a watch and often gets repeated on Discovery Turbo. It's an interesting location to model as it would have seen traffic from all the big four companies. Rich,

Thanks for the link Steve. It's strange that it has been classified as Class 68 when there is a Class 70. Mind you it's possibly not the first time it's happened. Rich,

A lifetime's dream come true Pat. A lot of the rolling stock is now in the JLTRT range. He says it will never be finished and that is the right way to be. Keep it evolving and it stays interesting. Rich,

TBH Eamonn The Final Cut is really just songs that were rejected from The Wall sessions. The title is very apt as Richard Wright was already gone and Roger Waters left soon after. No tour followed the release of the album. From the last Wall live show in 1981 to the time they reformed for Live 8 in 2005 they hadn't played as a four piece. If you want to listen to a really ground breaking album try Meddle. It was the album that bridged the psychedelic era to the Dark side of the moon. Echos takes up the whole second side of the album and is amazing. I was watching the performance movie from the Gladiator arena ruins in Pompeii the other night and it was magic, I hadn't watched it in a while. Nick Masons book Inside out is a great read as It tells the story from a band member instead of an outsider. It's very witty in a Monty Python way and sad concerning the end of the Syd Barrett era. There are photos of Syd Barrett with the band in 1969 and David Gilmour had joined then and they were a five piece band for a short time. There are photos of Syd when he showed up in Abbey Road during the recording sessions for Wish you were here in 1974 and it is shocking to see the change, at first no one recognized him. Keith Moon, John Bonham, and Hendrix killed themselves with drink but Syd lost his mind from LSD. He died in 2000 just a shell of a man. The versions of Shine on you crazy diamond and Wish you were here that we know now came from that day. I haven't heard the version of Dark side from who you mention, I must have a listen to it. I did hear a version of it released with an edition of Q from various artists years ago and it was interesting. The night I saw them in Earls Court there was an intermission after One of these days, after about ten minutes the lights went down and the heart beat started. They played Dark side in it's entirety, it was note perfect. Rich,

Touché Eamonn, I'm listening to Wish you were here as I type, Welcome to the machine to be precise. I have Obscured by clouds lined up for the next album to get a spin. I saw them in Earls Court in 1994, they opened the second part of the show with a complete from start to finish performance of Dark side of the moon. It was epic. Rich,

Cheers Tony, I've set up Sky to record the rest of the series. I'm really looking forward to Tuesday and Wednesday when he travels from Charleville to Waterford and Kilkenny to Athy. Rich,

I saw it a few years ago myself and enjoyed it. I like Denzel Washington as an actor so it was double the delight. It was obvious that the guy who also plays Randy in My Name is Earl would cause the runaway, typecast or what. I believe it was loosely based on an incident which happened in Canada many years ago. Rich,

No Probs Ken, I'll do a bit of investigation myself later as I remember reading more. I remeber reading The Guards by Ken Bruen (I think ) a while back, it wasn't great but if you were stuck for a read it might do. There's an Irish Author called John Connolly who has released some novels about a guy called Charlie Parker who is a PI in the US, and his nickname is Bird. The books do sometimes have a supernatural story line but are also OK. Rich,

Dingle, Taken by Niamh O'Connor starts with a 3 year old boy being kidnapped outside a service station on Eden Quay in Dublin and is a good read. In the woods by Tana French is an OK read also. Rich,

Fitz look at what I'm about to devour with me tea, lovely. Rich,

That looks really sweet Alan, and as John has said there's nothing better than seeing an item of rolling stock running on the track. Really great work I can't wait to see more. Rich,

Jim that's a bit like a bald man saying he isn't bald, his head is just growing out through his hair. Good find by the way Fran. Rich,

I was listening to a show on the radio this morning and the presenters were talking about their favorite sweets from when they were kids. They were trying to describe fizzle sticks and how they weren't available any more. Now I was very partial to a fizzle stick myself when I was going to school. Anyone else got any particular favorites of their own from their youth that aren't available any more. Rich,

I've been reading a lot of books lately and amongst the many books were A clockwork orange The catcher in the rye The forgotten soldier Jaws, much different to the movie Inside out by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason The stand by Stephen King, it took ages but was well worth it. Rich,

I read Black Ice last year Dave and enjoyed it. Rich,

That's spot on des, I've no doubt they will be on the ball. I think you have made the right choice in producing your own. Rich,

TBH the bogies under the prototype wagons look more like these Sambre et Meuse Y33 bogies even though they are classed as Y23. There was a report into the derailment of the Tara Mines train in Skerries in 2008 and I remember the bogies being classified as Y23. It can get a bit confusing at times. Rich,

That's a very honest and impartial appraisal Fran. I know that a lot of the spade work was done for the 141-181 class models, especially around the cab so the 071 isn't all that new in that respect. I know the 071 isn't 100% spot on in all areas (I don't think any model is) but it looks damn fine. I had a very good up close walk around 075 from the ground last summer and when viewed from that angle the model is to a very high standard. You haven't voted for the 071 model because of your knowledge of the 85 and owning both models gives you the opportunity to make your decision. I'd hope that people would give the 071 their vote on the models pros and cons, and not because it's Irish. Voting the model on it's merits gives the model more credibility, and the 85 is a cracking model, more so then the Heljan 86. Rich,

Good luck Fitz, and enjoy it. I will be watching with lot's of interest. Rich,

Happened to a deceased member of my family. There is nothing you can do about it. Having said that he carried the memory of it for the rest of his life. Rich,

Have a good look at some real retaining walls Stephen. The retaining wall on the approach to Heuston is a good example. Nothing like the real thing to inspire. Rich,