Wykeham - Somewhere in the south!

[Walkingthedog]

You really should be more careful Barry. Whole thing looks terrific. See to tomorrow.

[jamespetts]

Summer's over - back to work :o an illuminated telephone box outside the station. Have yet to attach the door as I am looking for the right person to be entering to make a call.

IMG_1609 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

That is a joy!

[bulleidboy]

Signalman at the Manydown signal box holds out the token for single line running.
I think I need to make the token hoop out of thinner wire?
IMG_1613 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

New crew reporting for duty at the "paint shop" - only about one hundred and fifty left to paint
IMG_1614 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[jamespetts]

Those look good - but 150 is a lot of figures!

[bulleidboy]

Hi James - When Finescale Figures had their closing down sale (35% discount), I bought two or three(?) packs of seated passengers - all 3D figures, so pretty good detail. Now I have to start painting them.
I have also just bought a pack of "1960's duffle coated" trainspotters from Modelu - so I have plenty to keep me going. The loco crew shown above came from Hardy's Hobbies, who are also sadly closing down - they still have stock which is mostly individual items (people/train crew), and when there gone - there gone.

[bulleidboy]

Really slow progress at the moment I had cataract surgery on my left eye a week ago today, and although my distance vision is now superb - I no longer need to wear glasses for day to day matters - driving is fine - I cannot do closework. I will have my eyes tested in about three weeks time, which will give me a reading glass prescription. I had my right eye "done" at the end of August and it is now fine, and as I have had my eye test on the right eye and I have a reading prescription, I have ordered a pair of very cheap of half-moon reading glasses which will hopefully improve things for the time being. Painting figures is out of the question at the moment. Hopefully back to normal by the end of the month.

[Walkingthedog]

Glad you got it done Barry.

[Chops]

Even the phone card picked out!

[bulleidboy]

As most of you will be aware Wykeham is a Southern region steam layout, and I have a passion for Merchant Navy Class locomotives. However I have always liked this particular Class 66 in BR lined green named Evening Star - this was the last Class 66 built. This week one appeared on Ebay, but it was an auction not a Buy Now. I risked the bidding and won - paid £92 + Free P&P - it was described as new and never run - the box was still wrapped in the factory tissue! There are currently still six on ebay with an average price of £167.00. So I think I got a great result.

IMG_1623 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[Walkingthedog]

Great result and a very handsome loco Barry.