Wednesday 11th December 2024

Bond Street Underground Station isn't designed to take the large amount of passengers who are heading towards the Elizabeth Line at the Central and Jubilee station,  if only they used the Elizabeth Line Station which is a three minute walk away, life would be a lot easier.
I managed to get a Christmas Dinner when I was on the night shift, having arrived 45 minutes before my shift started, one of the cleaners had a spare. It was rather good, they must have turned the heating system up to full blast as the reception was lovely and warm, staff were staggering home after the various parties, I now know what happens to the display items at the venues, yes they get nicked before they end up in the bin.
Everything had gone before I had started my lock up patrol.
 Feeling tired on Thursday morning, four shifts seems about right as I don't need to return until Monday. Payday tomorrow, oh yes I still need to collect my new specs, Lewisham here I come. Feels strange to be back in the real world.
People think just because I wear a hi-viz jacket to work that I either work for the London Underground or I'm a bus driver, the questions that they ask. Well I always try and help them or point them in the right direction. Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner that I love London Town.
So 2025 will be the year of discovery for me, I'll be able to tick off a few chores around the flat and I'm hoping to spend at least one day per week either visiting or exploring a venue. Crack on with the Shelf Queens and start a new stash.

Quote from: NARSES2 on December 12, 2024, 04:37:05 AMThat's a long kip Kit 

Sure was, I think I'd been awake for 30 hrs almost non-stop beforehand doing the derailment tests at Dover.

Friday 13th December 2024

Unlucky number for some but my first payday from the Kingdom Services Group, to celebrate I have bought on eBay the Hornby 00 gauge Chamber of Secrets model train set, secondhand and looks to be in good condition.
As stated Hornby used the Castle Class instead of the Hall Class for the first three sets and then changed to the Hall Class but the locomotive decals are not as sharp as the previous ones and when they added the front headlamp/DDC fitted they seem to have lost the plot, just track, sliding and the controller,  no station halt.
Yes you can buy the resin Hogsmeade station but the separate buildings are a bit pricey and don't fit without a bit of modifications done.
There's the Platform 9 & 3/4s which I have the Platform arches taken from the Bachmann set, I can get the other features online or build them myself from the many kits available..
My temporary layout is a twin loop with the double level crossing, Saint Dunstan Station  building  under refurbishment, café, water tower,  signal box and booking hall with waiting shelter. Two independent stations can be used. I can put the 3D card Hogwarts Castle in the space in the middle and just let the trains run around it for a now..
 A large food shop is needed, I can home my cooking skills to provide meals for my night shifts for the month, so no more pasta on it's own. Budgeting and some change leftover. A few large tins with labels,  Holiday Fund, Christmas Fund  and Spare Change,  happy days!
 Still feeling tired so I'm taking things easy for the next few days, my left leg has healed up with a very large scab on my knee, I know that I shouldn't pick at it but the urge is there. The buries have almost disappeared so that's a good sign.
Ironing board and a new mop, B&M in Stoneleigh Retail Park across the A206  will be worth a visit and I might pop into Halfords whilst I'm there, there's Curry's,  the Food Warehouse,  a bedding shop and a carpet store as well!
 I know it's Christmas when the insurance companies start ringing with new deals,  phone companies and Spam Callers.
 I am grateful for all your support and help, maybe next year I can get the chance to meet up with a few of you.
Take care of yourselves.

Whilst the Saint Dunstan Station building undergoes a renovation I have bought on eBay a secondhand Hornby R331 London Road Station, a separate footbridge (not period) and a pair of tunnels. This added to the Platform 9 & 3/4s parts that I already have.
I still intend to turn the 00/ho cardboard Castle model kit into a Station which will be incorporated into my larger layout.

I've made a booking with Uber for Christmas day, from work to home cheap at £42, I have to admit that I have been sleeping for most of the day, watching a few articles on YouTube but falling asleep after about the first 5 minutes, still got the weekend off for food shopping, has it been snowing or is that a heavy frost in Charlton Southeast London?

Heavy frost.

That Uber price is preaty good for Christmas Day, considering they've got you over a barrel. Some of their New Years quotes are 

Saturday 14th December 2024

I think Charlton had a home game, so I decided a visit to the Food Warehouse, Stoneleigh Retail Park would be a good idea. It's basically a larger version of Iceland frozen foods stores with discounts. I made a B-line for the frozen ready meals, winner winner chicken dinner! Plus a few of the liver and mash packs, ice cream and milk. Since I only had one shopping bag I will need to return tomorrow and cross off a few more items on the list.
I did pop into Halfords and their white primer is £11.41 per rattle can, I can stock up with superglue and masking tape.
I've bought a tabletop ironing board, well it's easier to carry than a full sized one plus I was feeling a bit tired with all the shopping, my stamina is returning but I wish it would hurry up sometimes.
 I think sleeping on the bus has altered my sleeping pattern, it usually takes one day to recover from a four day night shift but it's taken me two days and I was awake at 4:30am this morning.
After paying my rent and bills, I have enough money for the rest of the month until my next payday. This looks to be a bit more due to the bank holidays (double time),Christmas day and Boxing day for me but I will get to see the fireworks on New year's eve in Charlton Southeast London. Then back to work on January 1st 2025.
I should have some news on whether the security officer is returning to work or if his doctor has him on sick leave or if I will be working the day shift. 🤔
 So next week I get to play with my new train set, well new to me, old everywhere else.
Light bulb moment,  spray the BAC Sledge FRA-1 white and and the anti-flash roundels.

Quote from: McColm on December 15, 2024, 12:16:04 AMSaturday 14th December 2024

I think Charlton had a home game,

Yup. Mansfield 0-0

Monday 16th December 2024

To be on the safe side I have booked another Uber to take me to work in the evening on Christmas day, I went for the cheapest option and chose an electric car £37 from Charlton to Marylebone.
This morning I received the Hornby London Road Station and thought it's a bit weird that they only provide one subway staircase, not two. I doubled checked the paperwork that comes with the station and there's only one subway. All the other parts are in good condition.
 Some of the Christmas decorations have been removed at the London Headquarters of the Coca-Cola Group, it seems before twelfth night that the office will return to its former self. The catering staff get a good holiday from the 23rd December and return on the 6th January 2025.
 I've already had my Christmas Dinner.
The microwaves at work aren't the same as the one I have have at home so the gravey doesn't dry out on the TV Chicken Roast dinner. Yummy at 11pm!
I'm now in the twilight zone watching the buses pass by there must be a diversion as they don't often come down Wimpole Street.
I must admit that I did get to work a bit too early, maybe leave 30 minutes later on Tuesday.

Quote from: McColm on December 16, 2024, 07:50:13 PMI must admit that I did get to work a bit too early, maybe leave 30 minutes later on Tuesday.

Better early than late, you can always relax for a bit before starting your shift.

Wednesday 18th December 2024

I've been having talks with someone in the Coca-Cola marketing department about upgrading the Hornby train sets that carry their brand, pointing out that there's need for a siding and track mat,the sets are catering for the toy side but with a few improvements could appeal to the enthusiastic modeller. Now all I have to do is convince them to choose an aircraft kit for the whatif or promotion.
Another rainy night in London's Westend, Oxford Street is now open to traffic ,still as busy as ever. I wonder what will be open this time next week. Seems like ages since I worked over the Christmas holidays, if I'm still on the same site I'll book Christmas day off and come back on Boxing day, I'll have to wait and see what happens next week.
According to my emails I have two parcels waiting on my doorstep for me on Thursday morning,  one is a 40 piece cutlery set and the other the Hornby bridge and two tunnels. The Amazon delivery yesterday was very quick, it's the tabletop ironing board.
Definitely going to need a wardrobe, the central heating is wrapping the framework, with payday being a few weeks away should pick up one in the January sales. With a few tools for DIY projects.
 

Thursday 19th December 2024

After what would appear to be a very long wait I now have the Hornby Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Electric Train Set, it's the Castle Class and not the Hall Class as seen in the films.
Two items missing, the front name plate,  I can see why this has broken off due to the original packaging fortunately I have a spare. One of the station halt signs is missing. It's a sticker but I'll photocopy the other one.
The locomotive runs I had to change the controller as the original one didn't work. Looks like it was kept in the loft, signs of mould on some of the paperwork. Got an extra power clip, always comes in handy I will run this during my days off.
Back to bed, working tonight.

Friday 20th December 2024

I have been asleep for most of the day and treated myself to a Chinese takeaway, a little research into the Coca-Cola marketing of commercial aircraft and there has been quite a few die-cast models produced especially if you are a Corgi model collector.  FIFA also promoted Coca-Cola on a DC-9, Airbus A380 and various whatif liveries.
Even using the empty Coca-Cola tin cans to make aircraft models, there's an example of a two seat vintage model car made from a tin can with aftermarket wheels.
I've just woken up in the small hours of Saturday morning, I don't go back to work until Christmas Eve. My security supervisor has been giving me treats, cakes and chocolate must know something I don't as he's a hard person to please.

Quote from: McColm on December 20, 2024, 05:22:10 PMEven using the empty Coca-Cola tin cans to make aircraft models, there's an example of a two seat vintage model car made from a tin can with aftermarket wheels.

I know someone who makes and sells earings from old beverage cans. Sells them through our local craft shop and does a good trade at this time of year.

I'm pleased to read that you seem to be getting back to full capabilities after a period of "considerable uncertainty".   Keep on keeping on this way............and the compliments of the season to you!