I fear this is another downside of the new forum and the mobile view. I can't even find the donations bar, where previously it used to be prominently viewable on the side bar all the time. Out of sight out of mind...

Good choice John @Trainfish , very tight and well produced. I expect you might have seen this, is it more representative...

https://youtu.be/ngC1VtguLe8?si=tfu-cZCLoFRMwLYA

I like this as well, very polished...

https://youtu.be/OHHiCO2KPGU?si=_e4yZuQqLgA40r-8

Cheers,

Tim

PS have you shared Ruzz Guitar before?
 

Farish CL158's in Northern livery

One of them has really crackly sound so it may well be going back.

Other than that, really nice models.


Regards,

John P

After their path met the Castle Drive, Giles and Eli gratefully climbed the worn stone steps into the shelter of the lofty, high, arched Grand Entrance. The snow clung to their boots, and they took a moment to scrape it off the soles, leaving wet footprints on the stone floor before shaking its flakes from their woollen coats, the icy crystals falling like stardust.

Their faces glowed from the cold; cheeks flushed with rosy hues. Eli's blue eyes sparkled with suppressed passion, and Giles' gaze held a controlled fire that matched the hearth waiting beyond. The outer doors stood ahead—a massive wooden portal that had witnessed centuries of arrivals and departures. Giles twisted the circular iron handle and pushed the right-hand door open. They stepped across the stone-flagged threshold, the heavy oaken iron-bound door automatically closing behind them with a muffled thud.

Inside, metal hooks lined the dark granite walls—provided for hanging outer clothes, coats, hats, and scarves. Giles unbuttoned his heavy coat, revealing layers of wool and warmth. His custom-tailored tweed jacket across his broad shoulders served as a reminder of his new role as a merchant of fine wines and spirits to the upper crust. Beneath it, a deep forest green military-style cable-knit sweater clung to his athletic physique like a second skin, evoking memories of duty and camaraderie, his outfit a comforting blend of present and past.

Eli unbuttoned her luxurious winter coat, her breath visible in the chill air. Beautifully tailored by Christian Dior yet supremely practical, it bore the faintest hint of her perfume after their wintry walk. Known for elegance and sophistication, Dior's designs epitomise timeless style. The coat itself is a rich, deep emerald green—a hue that exudes opulence and complements her auburn hair, making her a striking figure against the wintry landscape.

Beneath the heavy woollen coat, Eli had layered her attire with care. The cashmere turtleneck, a rich deep burgundy, hugged the ample curves of her upper body. Its softness was a balm against the cold, and it complemented her auburn hair and pale, freckled skin. The turtleneck's high collar shielded her neck from the biting wind.

Her Mary Quant-designed woollen weave skirt, sensible yet elegant, swirled around her ankles as she moved. The midi-length fell just below her knees, striking a balance between modesty and grace. Its tailored cut accentuated her narrow waist, hugging her curves without being overly snug. Eli's small behind was subtly emphasised, adding a touch of femininity to the ensemble.

The skirt's subtle charcoal grey hue allowed her bright blue eyes to stand out against the wintry backdrop. Whether attending indoor gatherings or venturing outdoors, the fabric provided warmth without compromising practicality, enabling Eli to move with confidence. The skirt's gentle sway echoing her every step.

But it was Eli's charcoal grey tights that truly completed her winter ensemble. Made from a blend of merino wool, Elastane, and nylon, they embraced her legs like a second skin. The merino wool provided cosy comfort, while the Elastane allowed for unrestricted movement. Nylon added durability, ensuring they would withstand everyday wear.

Giles and Eli hung their coats side by side, the fabric still damp from the snow. The Castle's ancient stones absorbed the residual moisture, as if welcoming their return. Giles adjusted his regimental tie—a pattern nodding to tradition. Meanwhile, Eli smoothed her short hair, dishevelled after removing her woollen hat, her auburn waves catching the moonlight through a side window.

In the dimly lit corridor, their eyes met—a blend of intensity and vulnerability. It was a silent promise of warmth, of shared moments. The Castle seemed to hold its breath, aware that within its ancient walls, love and history were forever intertwined.

Entering one of the pair of matching inner doors revealed the warmth and grandeur within as the burgundy-carpeted Grand Corridor stretched out, connecting all parts of the Castle. The air smelled of old polished wood and the myriad enticing scents of the Christmas season. To their left, a sweeping carved stone staircase led to the upper levels, housing grand chambers and cosy rooms. To their right, beyond the welcoming fireplace and comfortable armchairs with low tables, dark wood-panelled passages branched off, each leading to a different wing or chamber.

Giles glanced at Eli, a silent acknowledgement of their shared journey, the cold beyond left behind. But there was more—an unspoken look that passed between them. In that fleeting exchange, the ancient walls held their secret: love, silent and steadfast. The Castle embraced them with its echoes of history, the flicker of firelight, and the promise of excitement that night. As they walked along the burgundy carpet and ascended the imposing staircase, hand in hand, they knew that this was more than a Castle of carved stones and worked timber; it was a hallowed sanctuary of stories—a place where whispers of the past and dreams of the future entwined.

As she strolled through the Castle's corridors, Eli radiated both style and warmth. Her turtleneck and tights cocooned her against the chill, and the skirt's gentle swish echoed her graceful steps. Winter had met its match in Eli's carefully chosen layers as she walked with elegance and purpose.

My first ever kit wagons.

PECO KNR-5 Plate wagon kits with sides trimmed down to fit N Gauge Society kit 62 Containers A & BD to make my own Conflat P wagons.

I decided to leave the base wooden planks in place for simplicity, but I don't think it looks too bad.  My railway is unlikely to be that prototypical with a Class 28 condor train running through my little branch line as it is. 

Decals still to be applied.

8 completed so far.  Will need to wait and see if NGS re-stock the container kit to complete a rake of 13 down the line, as I bought all the kits they had in stock.

Initial weathering using Army Painter washes.

Look, folks, it's almost the end of the month and the donations pot is still nearly half empty! Have a rummage down the backs of your sofas for a bit of loose change so that @Tank doesn't have to borrow off his missus again!

Cheers,

Chris

But it's not the desktop version. The old forum had a very different mobile version, but had a button at the bottom to use the desktop site, or (on iOS, no idea on Android) you could request the desktop site, and it was indistinguishable from the site as viewed on a computer. Hence the reply button being more accessible.

This new forum is responsive - it's close to being the desktop version, but it isn't quite the same - differences like the reply button being behind the "user actions" button for example.

Quote from: scruff on Yesterday at 10:25:53 PMLoco- class 81

coach- Mk2 pullmans

Wagon- FFA? FGA? container flats

Agree @scruff

Essential wcml stock. An 85 be nice. Yes correct FFA and FGA flats

Loco - GWR Metro tank
Coach - Any GWR Kitchen or Restaurant coach.
Coach 2 (as I can't think of a wagon) GWR Sleeper stock.

With the icy temperatures plummeting well below zero centigrade, Eli and Giles reluctantly left the statue garden to retrace their path back. The snow continued to fall from the dark sky, each flake adding to the frozen landscape. Susan's warning echoed in their minds: the winter of 1962-1963, often dubbed the 'Big Freeze', would be one for the record books in the United Kingdom.

Already, on December 22nd, the exceptionally cold weather was gripping the UK, and snow blanketed Scotland on Christmas Eve before sweeping southward. The Arctic grip would show no mercy until March the following year.

As Eli and Giles trudged back through the falling snow, leaving the statue garden behind, enclosed between its Common Box hedge, the castle emerged—a beacon against the night. Its illuminated windows promised warmth, light, and respite from the relentless cold. They quickened their pace, guided by the castle's steadfast presence.

The crescent moon hung low in the frosty sky, casting a silvery glow over the snow-covered Castle Gardens. Eli and Giles, their breath visible in the cold air, walked along the winding path. The crunch of snow beneath their boots echoed through the stillness.

As they rounded a bend in the garden path, they glimpsed movement—a shadow darting across the open expanse of the castle grounds. There, under the moon's watchful eye, a fox emerged from the shadows. As the fox moved through the snow, its fur blended seamlessly with the wintry landscape. With winter a magical transformation had happened: its fur had turned into a thick, fluffy coat that was predominantly white. The fox had adapted to its surroundings, becoming a living embodiment of the season. The fox moved with a grace that seemed otherworldly, as if it were part of the night itself.

The snow crunched softly as the fox padded forward, its delicate paws leaving faint impressions. Its eyes, like twin stars, held a hint of mischief and ancient knowledge. Perhaps it was a guardian of secrets, a creature that danced between realms—the mundane and the magical.

The castle grounds lay dormant. The sleeping trees stood sentinel; their branches dusted with snow. The fox weaved through them, its tail trailing behind like a comet's tail. It paused, ears alert, as if listening to whispers carried by the wind.

Eli and Giles watched, transfixed. The fox's movements were deliberate, purposeful. It crossed the moonlit clearing, disappearing momentarily into a copse of evergreens. Then, it reappeared, a fleeting vision, before vanishing into the night.

In that frozen moment, Eli and Giles felt a connection—a bridge between their world and the hidden one. The fox, with its ancient wisdom, reminded them that magic existed even in the darkest hours. And as they continued their journey back to the Castle, they carried the memory of the fox's silent passage—a nocturnal encounter etched into their hearts.