Thursday Variery (mini blog)

Take It Away, Frank!

Even fbb has heard of Frank Sinatra and he certainly did it his way!

One thing he did his way was model railways. He had a large railway room with a large layout therein.

The layout was typical of pre WW2 and post WW2 modelling in the USA and the UK. There wasn't much modeling. You packed your baseboard with as much track as you could fit in and trains were operated at high speeds in tail chasing mode!

Subtle and sophisticated detail was rare. In Frank's case his layout was "O" gauge and his trains, track and rolling stock were made by Lionel. 

Track was three rail ...

... and the stock was made with tinplate bodies, but with a remarkably sophisticated construction. Here is a caboose (brake van) ...

... and a gas (petrol) tanker.

Some of the locos were magnificent for their time ...

... but it was "Lady Lionel" that intrigued your blogger. The locos were pink in an overtly sexist way that would be decried vehemently today.

The wagons were all decorated in pastel "girlie" colours.

Different times, eh?

Containers for Crowds' Comfort?

In Plymouth, there is a delay to road and environmentalist improvements in The Royal Parade. This road was the centre of the Post WW2 rebuild after destructive bombing.

This road served as the main town centre stopping place for the corporation's buses ...

... and still does! The buses are now owned by GoAhead.

But Plymouth Council is improving Royal Parade,  which will include new long and super duper shelters.

But the Council ain't got none! 

It's not clear whether the improvement project is delayed (no pennies!) or new shelters are delayed (no pennies or out of stock?). 

So in what seems something of a crackpot scheme, and as a temporary measure, the Council is installing shipping containers.

The "front" will be left open so waiting passengers can see the road; the rear will have two plastic windows for the vandals to smash and, to be "inclusive" there will be a shallow ramp and handrail.

How lovely.

If people live in them, why not wait for a bus in them?

The public is stunned!

Hopefully they are not tearing the metal in their frustration. But many are astounded at this expense which could have been avoided had the new shelters been installed, at least bought ready, for the get go.

How to improve your town centre? Clutter up the streets with hand-me-down shipping containers. They do, however, have potential for traffic calming!

Gold Bodge In Them Thar Hills

Poor picture, but you will get the idea. The trees are actually half trees, so what do you do with the unwanted "half" branches.

A goodly dollop of No More Nails onto which is pressed cut-off foliage ...

... to vary the height of the hedging. A fence atop the retaining wall is needed to appease the health and safety campaigners at Peterville.. Below the finished backscene is posed on the layout but awaiting some tinkering.

And it's got a fence!

It also has excellent drainpipes in blue which actually disguise the joins in the plastic wall sections.

Technical And Travel Troubles

Tomorrow, the fbbs set off trom The Underfleet, Seaton, for eight days away from the hurly burly of life at fbb mansions, where they are always on hand to respond to the demands of Mr Tubbles

Next door will provide temporary staffing for the cat and security for the premises. They have a ferocious and huge husky dog! The fbbs will board their Lochs and Glens coach ...

... (front seats Nos 1 and 2), for their journey to the Ardgartan Hotel at the head of Loch Long.

You turn left along the western shore of Loch Lomond , opposite Ben (map, upper right).

Internet is poor due to hills, not as a result of poor customer service. "Place Holder" mini blogs will be pre-posted (if possible) to which may be added any holiday "snaps" that seem of interest to a wider audience. This set-up will apply to blogs from Saturday 15th to Sunday 24th inclusive.

 Next Littlehampton Blog : Friday 14 Mar