EddieB

As far as I'm aware English Electric were never in a business arrangement with British Thompson Houston, despite both being builders of diesel locomotives. There's currently a pretty good article on the locomotives they supplied to Australia in the current issue of "Back Track" - reading it might help calm the stress of getting worked up over fibre optic telephony!

I have a fairly comprehensive stock list from the Österreichischer Museums- und Touristikbahnen (2018), but cannot find an entry for the SR van. I'm wondering whether it may have spent time at the Wien Arsenal/Military Museum before going to Strasshof. Sadly I don't think it has survived. Clearly the provenance and history of the van is likely to be of more interest than its rarity, though its status as an "erratic" (to use a geologist term) ought perhaps to have conferred its preservation.

Swanage 1994 - definitely non-standard livery and numbering!

I don't know whether you've been back to Strasshof since that visit, but the "foliage" you describe has engulfed many of the "long-termed stored" locomotives (including the one behind the ex-SR van); sadly there isn't enough manpower/funding/space to keep the stock in good order. I'm not sure whether the van itself has survived (lost in the undergrowth?). Out of interest, were all four of the ÖMV Fireless steam locos still present when you made that visit (one is behind the black and green steam locos in your fourth picture at Strasshof)? Two appear to have been scrapped by 2008, and neither of the two remaining are in good condition.

A case of quoting from the book referenced without cross-checking (although a photo caption includes the suffix letter as the loco pictured would become)! Interestingly it appears that the fifteen locos taken back to Germany were regarded as "war prizes" and still belonging to France; in 1953 they were allocated SNCF book entry numbers in the series 1-230.E.360+ (i.e. 600 below their previous running number).

Wishful thinking to be sure, but I have a funny feeling it could be McLaren's day tomorrow. Then again, I wouldn't bet against Red Bull.

Whatever happened to "Fergie Time"? In those old days, there would be enough added time to afford Manchester United every opportunity to "get all they deserved" (to quote Radio 5 commentators - not my opinion!), so rather amusing to see the tables turned last night: 3-2 up after 99 minutes, 4-3 down after 102.

Attractive locomotives, twenty-five going to État after the Armistice, with both high and low running-plate variants. According to "Les Locomotives à Vapeur du Réseau de l'État" (Collardey) they were based mainly at Rennes for express passenger and parcels trains (pour tirer sur l'étoile des trains de voyageurs et messageries) on the routes to Le Mans, Saint-Malo, Saint-Brieuc, Redon and Châteaubriant. All were still in service in 1938, becoming SNCF nos. 3-230 960-84. During WW2, fifteen were removed back to Germany (including the prototype of your model), finding themselves in the DDR after the war.

A good race, with the potential for catching/passing right up to the final VSC lap. I'm intrigued that both Lewis and George commented on the speed of Checko's Red Bull. Is there an implication that something isn't quite legal (despite Max's car having passed scrutiny previous time out)?

Another one - which looks to be a South African GMAM Garratt - prototype and available as a scale model: https://www.miniatuurshop.com/en/tekno-scania-next-gen-s530-v8-highline-w-147153207.html#product-images2-6

I'd say that the loco is a Japanese JNR D51 2-8-2 (a Mikado, appropriately enough).

Well, it's nearly Spring again and they're bringing again - and quite surprised to see in the form of a large artic with very impressive artwork on the trailer sides making local deliveries this afternoon. A little Googling found a number of images - and it appears that one well-known diesel locomotive enthusiast is already noted as a fan of these vehicles. Being in the car and with the truck heading off away from us, there wasn't opportunity to get a decent picture - but it was one of those "wow" moments for all of us. Here's a photo of the truck we saw: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcsTAs2MR5O/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D&epik=dj0yJnU9UUZqLS10UWpGV2dZaTNGd1poOS1tamVHM19ySU5sc28mcD0wJm49NF8xTEFzem5ack0tNThFeU84UklfUSZ0PUFBQUFBR1g3Q3ZB (The picture doesn't really do it justice!) Here's another example, perhaps a little more orientated to this site (Flickr link): Possibly a Japanese prototype? Finally, a more familiar locomotive type: https://www.brianmicklethwaitsnewblog.com/2021/04/07/dutch-quality-flowers-lorry-with-locomotive/

...and the one behind is a B12/3 - another Gresley re-boilering of a Great easter Railway design.

Yes, a very real locomotive. Built by BMAG (Schwartzkopff works number 4233 of 1909) as a KPEV (Prussian) G7.1, it was numbered BSL 4476 (i.e. Breslau). Under the unified classification of 1925 it was renumbered 55 545, which it carried into DR (East German) ownership after WW2. At some point it must have been taken out of service or stored, as it is shown as being back in service in 1947/48. In 1959 it was sold into industrial use, becoming WL 11 at Maxhütte, Unterwellenborn. I have no record of modifications or application of slogans, so cannot tell whether they are authentic. Confusingly, its listing as Era III (DR pre-WW2), contradicts the Communist-era (SED) slogans on the tender.

Yes, why not overturn history? If Hamilton were to concede the 2008 title to Massa, then he's surely got a stronger case to be awarded the 2021 title (yes, it still rankles). Then take away the 1994 title from Michael Schumacher after his cynical move to reverse into Damon Hill... (Lewis becomes the sole seven times champion). Why stop at F1? Did Hurst's shot really cross the goal line? Compensate by awarding Frank Lampard's disallowed goal in a later World Cup game against a united Germany. Replay England vs Argentina when Maradona handled the ball and went on to win the World Cup?