Robin,

Is that a Southern Q class out the back? I just love the air of dereliction in that shot. Hope you're going to try and create somehting in that style!

Dave.

Dave,  It is indeed - one of a lot of ex Southern locomotives destined for the South Wales scrapyards. They were stored at the shed prior to begin routed via Gloucester as withdrawn engines were not permitted through the Severn Tunnel.

I like the wagon of sludge from the water softening plant in that photo!

That photo shows the two remaining 20ft loco turntables at the rear of the shed which were used to gain access to the workshop.

I spoke to Donald Flook at the meeting last night - Donald is an 89 year old former employee at the shed who worked in workshop - who told me midland 0-6-0s were uncoupled from their tenders and were pince barred into the shed smokebox first whilst 4-4-0s had their bogies jacked up [ wheelbase too long] and were then pince barred in cab first. Once at the workshop doors the overhead crane was used to haul the engines into position inside the workshop!!! Donald has been a mine of useful information. Later he was responsible for plant and equipment maintenance including the 60ft turntable in the roundhouse. The perimeter wall of the turntable had a small recess which could hold one man - a squeeze for 6ft Donald - and this was used to gain access to space between the turntable bridge girders in order to carry out inspection and maintenance! Then there is the problem of railway sleepers being tipped into the coaling plant hoppers.............

Robin 

Lovely pictures!

Marcus.

How's the layout coming on as no recent updates?

Pete, Most of my recent work on the layout has been on the wiring and there are only so many photos you can take on this subject:)

Tim, They are all my photos with one of my first rolls of colour film - I still have the slides. I might post some B&W too.

Wonderful, and timely, photos, Robin. I'm just about to weather a few more grey mineral wagons, and the examples here are an inspiration! Lovely, thanks for posting.

Fifty years!  Thanks for posting these very nostalgic photos.

Wot, no Brits!

seeing the prototype like that in colour and down at heel, certainly puts the scale of your project into perspective. More power to your arm and thank you for sharing those.

John, Morning Star photo added for you:)  Sorry no photo of the Dutchman......

Robin

Robin, you are so kind.

That's a very clean looking pannier and 14xx in a couple of pictures, and with GWR markings. Strange for that time. Do you remember why they were on Barrow Hill at that time?

Hi Highlandman, Clun Castle was on a special and came down doubleheaded with 6435 with 1420 following light engine.17th October 1965

That's a very clean looking pannier and 14xx in a couple of pictures, and with GWR markings. Strange for that time. Do you remember why they were on Barrow Hill at that time?

6435 and 1420 were on their way to the Dart Valley Railway.

Keith