[neil_s_wood]

Thanks for posting the photos. Some nice items in there.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE Transport - I live up at kings cross so this was literally a 15 minute train ride.

I wish I had thought of that when I lived in Muswell Hill. I used to tube it to Finsbury Park and then take the W7. Took a lot longer than that, but then again I didn't have to walk across Alexandra Park.

As regards Ally Pally, there used to be a pretty good pub there called the Phoenix. Good views from the front.

The Burntisland layout, is that modelled on Burntisland in Fife? Thats near where I grew up and the train line is pretty spectacular when it passes through. The train goes along the coast and there is a dock at the Aluminium plant. Good place to model.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (pedromorgan @ 26 Mar 2007, 17:46) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hello neil. burntisland-yes it is. its based just before the tay bridge came along. they are modelling the stretch from the station to the ferry terminal. the loco that fell of the bridge is one of the ones they run on the layout.

The layout is wonderfully victorian. very colourfull and very well made.
i left my pictures at home but here is the linkl to the scalefour site.

http://www.scalefour.org/layouts/Burntisland/Index.html

Peter
Thanks for that link Peter. Some very nice locos and the station on that link.

 

[neil_s_wood]

Thanks for the pictures Peter. Looks good.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE As my comments seem to have touched a raw nerve -I wasn't in any way trying to be negative about specialist traders, or to dismiss their contribution. At the risk of a visitation from Neil S Woods , I don't want things to end up like in Germany . I model a prototype not a brand

But isn't this the same story with UK models. I detect a lot of brand loyalty to Hornby and Bachmann from UK modellers. I don't see any difference between the UK and Germany in this respect. Ok Maerklin have 50% of the German model rail market but Hornby would have at least that share of the UK market. What is the difference? Hornby would have similar brand loyalty. What did you mean that you didn't want things to end up like Germany? You don't want a bigger choice of models and modelling supplies? I'm not sure I understand what you mean?

Oh and there's only one of me. Wood.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE without them, we become like germany that is in the hands of a few cash cow companies.
There actually are quite a lot of small German kit and models manufacturers they are just not commonly known outside Germany. They are dwarfed by the giants like Maerklin.

I also look at an English Language German rail forum and have found out about all sorts of German cottage industry kit and part makers who are completely unknown. There is also such a thing as a Hornbyist, we have a couple here on this forum.