He’s an Umpa lumpa. Or a smurf. Or whatever the USA equavalent is.
We thought it was really funny when they put the hi viz jacket on him - health and safety nazi’s presumably, even here. Get em young…
The other one is actually a pile of jackets and overalls discharged overboard by the crew while they cleaned the fire, not a sentient being.
Unfortunately the forum software chopped all the right hand side off my shots - I’m not that bad a photographer!
Neil H
Great shots nonetheless, Neil! Thanks fer lettin’ us put eyeballs on 'em!
The first photodoesn’t show up for me, Niel.
Thanks,
JimC.
That’s odd Jim, they are all hosted in the same place (railimages), and it comes up here OK. Try right click on the red x and ‘show picture’ - you never know!
Other than that, no idea - I’m a nut and bolt marine engineeer turned youth justice worker - not a computer whizz. Actually, it’s a wonder any of the pictures appear, given my comptuer skills…!!! 
Glad some of you found these of interest, bit off the beaten track for you guys!
Neil.
Neil , I can see them all ,and particularly like the first one showing off a brass polished dome in some detail .
I put that feature on some of my models , it causes some comments about “they would never…”, so I shall print your photo and show it to the killjoys .
Anyway , as they say “my bat , my ball …”
One interesting thing about the engines in the pics , there seem to be no dents or dings ; even the best museum engines seem to pick up the odd wallop . Not that those aren’t “best engines” , but I think you will agree that either they have a good hammer and paintbrush man there , or they don’t hit things.
Whatever , the engines are a great credit to the Railway , and look better than some static exhibits that are around .
Mike
It works today.
JimC.
Glad it’s working Jim.
Mike, the engines are well maintained now, there was a point a while ago that some where getting a little moth eaten, but the goverment seems to have given them enough money to maintain them well now. ALL the Beyer-Peacocks have brass domes as far as I can think - only Caledonia (Dubs 0-6-0, the odd one out!) doesn’t.
In the past several locos carried different liveries, dark green lined out looked nice, I think G H Wood carried that livery. Mannin was blue for a while, or was it Hutchinson? Hutch I think - looked awful. Caledonia is currently dark blue, looks OK, she was a very dark maroony red before. In the 70’s Ailsa period a sort of LNER lined green was used, that wasn’t too good, don’t know if any of the out of service engines still have this livery. Basically all the locos still exist, although one is sectioned in Manchester science museum, and another was stripped to the frames for spares years ago, but the frames are still around!
Many new tanks and other parts have been made for the locos, thus probably explaining the lack of 110 years of dints and dings! They are a joy to behold. Lot of different whistles too, pip squeak, hooters, and a Crosby chime whistle!
Sorry, I’m wandering. Mid life crisis!
Neil.
…Keep “Wandering”, Neil;…your note was most informative and appreciated…
I always appreciate something new and these trains are in that classification. I suppose someone is working on a G gauge plan right now with one of these cute little engines.
Keep 'em coming…
Cheers,
Darryl, Accucraft do a model of two of these in the UK…they are popular models in all scales also. Our little railways here have a lot of character.
I am glad these were of interest to you. Makes a change from my New Haven layout!
Neil.
Very informative Neil…Thanks!
Neil - Re your excellent piccies of the IoM 2-4-0’s - I have it on the best authority possible that Accucraft will be producing ‘Caledonia’ in the same [roughly 1/18th] scale pretty soon.
You are reading the blatherings of a jet-lagged man, back from Tokyo last friday, off to Portland OR via Vancouver BC next sunday, then back over to SE Ontario via Vancouver BC again, THEN back to UK, and a week later, back in Japan for another three months.
This time I’ll get some piccies of Japanese preserved steam stuff…I promise.
I’ll be collecting my three-cylinder Shay from Rod Blakeman on friday, then off up the road to collect my ‘new’ Accucraft K-27…what a day THAT will be! The Shay had a ‘lean’ and had to be fixed, so it got a David Bailey big gas tank refit, as well as his revised lubricator too. Thanks to Doug over on the OVRGS for that info.
Best wishes to all here - and see you soon, Freddyyyyyyyy!!
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS [UK & Oregon Branch]
Hi Terry
Glad you enjoyed them - and now I am gagging to see photos of the Japanese preservation scene!
I didn’t ever get to see any when I was out there, three careers ago!
The Accucraft engines are not so good on the kind of curves I have unfortunately, but I would love them to do some IoM stock, I have just got some of the W&L vans and opens, pretty good too. Impressed.
Neil.
Neil,
Do the trains run thru the Christmas and New Year holidays?
We are heading back to Scotland again this Chistmas and since the brother in law is moving station to near Lincoln area all the usual plans are in the bin.
A wee visit to the IoM would be just the thing.
Andre’
Sorry for the delay Andre, i missed your post. I will find out for you, but I don’t think they do - there are ‘Santa Specials’ just before Christmas, but i think that is the end of the season - I will post more infor when I get it!
Best regards
Neil
Neil ,
Have you thought about putting a photo or two of The Lady in the General Forum ?
Certainly qualifies as Large Scale , don’t you think ? Unique and something the Manxmen should be proud of .
Mike
Andre - unfortunately no trains at all over the Christmas holiday period - sorry.
Mike - which lady do you mean??
Thanks
Neil.
Er , sorry , it’s a big wheel .
Mike
Mike Morgan said:You refer to a lady as "it", you cad? Anyway, the curious may try http://www.gov.im/mnh/heritage/museums/laxeywheel.xml Or google Isle of Man Lady Isabella
Er , sorry , it's a big wheel . Mike
Beat me to it there - the Lady Isabella!
It’s a lot bigger in real life than the impression you get from photographs too.
Neil.