Today’s selection of inspirational(??) start with this lovely shot of a  G6 at Clapham Juction in 1949, taken by Fred Steinle.  Still one of my favourite locomotives….

Some pictures from home turf – various trains at Redhill.  First, a CEP in 1997.

The Gatwick Express normally bypassed Redhill on the quarry line, but a few passed through the station, or were diverted for operational reasons. 

An oddity – an ultrasonic test train in 1970.

The good old days.  A Q 0-6-0 shunts the sidings (photo Derek Buckett.)

And the last from Redhill.  The fate of the ‘Locomotion’ pub, once sited opposite the station.  The cars do rather date the photo.  This all happened before my arrival in deepest Redhill….

Going back in time to my childhood – the Golden Arrow pulled by Britannia 70004 passes Petts Wood (photo C. Hogg.)

And even further back in time, an evocative picture of Aldgate in 1890.

We’ll close with the inevitable modelling challenges.  First, trams in Hampshire!

This is an unusual and very modellable train.  AL3’s on delivery, photo by Eddie Bellass.

Perhaps the tallest ‘normal’ door on a building.  Flitcroft Street in London; the building was used for painting theatrical backdrops – and the door was the only way to get them out of the building.

And finally, a strange New York Central shay – supposedly all parcelled up to prevent the loco scaring horses in New York city.