Sunday morning at Groudle Glen

A couple of weeks ago, my Mum, sister and myself, spent a week on the Isle of Man. 

We wanted to show my sister some of the places that meant a lot to my Dad, and obviously, one of those was Groudle Glen. 

We struck luck with the weather the whole week, especially for the glen, as the overnight rain saw everything looking very green in the daytime sunshine. 

Reaching Sea Lion rocks, I took the opportunity to stand on the same bank Dad and I stood on back in 1993. Then, there wasn't much to see, other than the track. When the train departed, we wondered quite why it seemed like a good idea to hang around in the drizzle, in the middle of nowhere. It did though, and we revisited the spot many times afterwards!

Fortunately, there is now an excellent cafe. Sister was delighted to find gluten-free cherry cake on sale, which both she and my Mum scoffed. In memory of Dad of course... 

I opted for a vanilla slice, but Dad hated custard, so Little Brian wouldn't look at it!

Saturday Film Club: Sand Drags - Dome Valley Raceway

You gotta love the internet for bringing sports you've never heard of, to your attention. Here we have, drag racing - on sand! Messy madness!

My first coach

 

I've never been fussed by model coaching stock. Wagons are much more interesting, and far more interesting to build too. The paintwork is easier for a start. 

Recently, I found my first coach model. It's a Lima MK1 in my favourite blood'n'custard livery. 

The thing has been through the wars. Almost certainly operated on our very first layouts, even before The Cawood Wistow and Selby line. 

At some point, the couplings have been removed, but not replaced by Sprat & Winkles. I seem to remember this is the point where I discovered that you had to fit S&W's to the body, but this limited the curve radius the model would than traverse 

Window glazing is from Wills vac-formed units, and looks pretty good to my eye, even today, 

I'm not sure what to do with the model next. I'm not going to throw it away, too much history there! Maybe a quick tidy up, but then I find myself wondering about those roof vents. Replacing them would make a difference, and the roof is cracked anyway. 

What about the handrails? Fiddly to do, and the paint will need touching up. Can I match the shade? 

 

Carrying model road vehicles

 

I've never been a fan of fixing road vehicles to model railways. For a start, it allows me to use the models on more than one layout. 

Then, it means that the models will "move around" between shows, so the display looks slightly different each time. I've usually got too many models anyway, so the changes can be rung. We don't want visitors to see the same thing each time. 

Finally, I quite like the process of placing each model. It's a sort of ritual, an indication that the set-up is nearly done. Quite therapeutic. At least if we aren't in a rush because of traffic delays...

But the models need a home off the layout, and for the Melbridge Dock set, this is a figure carrying case from Games Workshop. Sadly, this is so old, I can't find it for sale, but there are lots of options on eBay, for a lot less money than buying through the shops.

The foam holds each model securely, but without damage, even after a lot of miles. OK, the catch that holds it shut has broken, but a luggage strap (useful things these) does that job perfectly well. 

My Dad used to have the job of putting vehicles back in the box at the end of a show. He always managed to pack them in really neatly, a trait I didn't appear to inherit!

Warehouse Wednesday: Dental laboratory

Spotted on the side of a terraced house in Skipton. I know no more, other than it's full of atmosphere. 

You can see more on Streetview.