Personally whilst I do model modern era so have a few diesels and electrics, I still appreciate steam era rolling stock and have a number of which, all of which I try to run every year on my home layout to ensure they are in full working condition. For the rest of the year they sit in a display cabinet.
For some reason I like running modern, but prefer to see Steam in a display cabinet.
Yes I am a bit strange like that.

Quote from: Newportnobby on October 31, 2025, 08:43:18 PMI do transition era so have almost equal amounts of steam and diseasels

Yep, one of the attractions of that period - you can run both.

My layout is based on 1958 to 66 or thereabouts. I have slightly more steam than diesel but not by much.
I also rather like modern image so have a growing fleet of new stuff.

I must admit that I did originally back in the late '70s when I started in N, I ran BR steam but by the '90s I was shifting back in time when along came Union Mills with a T9, 700 and 0395, Peco provided a B4 dock tank kit; Dapol did the M7 - I'd already done a hack job on a P Drummond Highland tank kit, I scratch built ex LSWR A12 "Jubilee" 0-4-2 and K10 4-4-0 from brass and using Union Mills tender drives, also hacked BHE N15 and Langley S15 SR 4-6-0 kits to make later versions of the classes, continuing the hacks 2 Scots became a Nelsons. The more recent Schools and Mogul were welcome additions
So it's not impossible to model grouping Southern.

My original philosophy was steam only but the slippery slope started with a class 31. I had a certain amount of affection for them as I used to see a lot around Cambridge in my trainspotting days, and in my opinion they were one of the few classes that looked vaguely well-proportioned and attractive. Since then I have gone further over to the dark side with a couple of 27s and a 37, with a class 105 DMU kit waiting to be built.

I suspect one reason for the relative popularity of diesels is that they are more robust and reliable with no motion to get damaged, and also easier and cheaper to manufacture. But certainly steamers are more interesting to watch at work on a layout.

Cheers,

Chris

It is November 6th at Papyrus Junction, and all is quiet. Very quiet.

Last night being the 5th, our local Bonfire Society had their fireworks display. It is always a big affair and well attended, though not on the scale of neighbouring Lewes, but we don't mind that and at least they still hold it on the 5th. It does mean, though, that we have to spend the evening calming and reassuring our dogs, but again, we don't mind that - it's usually all over in a couple of hours. Except at quarter to one this morning some idiot started letting off fireworks, we assume in Haywards Heath somewhere. It was enough to wake the dogs up and turn them back into quivering wrecks. One went and hid in the bathroom and the other clambered on to our bed, which is something she never does, and it took us ages to calm them down again. None of us got much sleep and today the dogs are firmly glued to their beds and look as if they don't care whether they get a walk or not. I don't either...

      

Cheers,

Chris

Unless for an occasion like Nov 5th, New Years Eve, Chinese New Year, Diwali etc
it's generally accepted fireworks are prohibited between 11pm and 7am.
Most folk go along with this but there's always someone who doesn't give a   about anyone else. Round here Bonfire night starts and finishes 3 weeks either side of the actual night

Ah yes Guy Fawkes night. I'd forgotten about that, as it doesn't exist here. Twas my favourite night of the year when I was a nipper. Could get penny bangers and throw em around. And yes, I survived, though a lot of kids ended up in hospital, that I remember.

Our late border collie hated all loud noises especially fireworks, so this fortnight was always a problem even though we live in the middle of nowhere..
The current border Collie puppy doesn't care, when the battle of the Somme erupted in the next village last night, while we were outside, he woofed once then got on with life..

Magnorail - why is it you plan where it's going to be laid but the kit leaves you approx 8cms short and you have to spend nearly £30 to buy a 60cm extension pack