keefer

Can you remember what the train was? Just that although it seems to be a Class 6 goods, the loco's heating boiler is working.

I posted this one in the Interesting Photos on Flickr thread. Tip run by Kevin Lane, on Flickr Spoil from Dunaskin Washery being propelled towards Minnevey for tipping, on the NCB Waterside system in Ayrshire, in January 1978.

it's too busy going back in time...

Another from Kevin, 40066 on coal empties 20/01/78 Kirkaldy by Kevin Lane, on Flickr

Just figured out the angle of the first pic. The photographer is looking S/SE from the A955 Wemyss road, just east of a filling station and near (what became) Mossgiel Mushrooms. Found it on a 1968 OS map (gated access road, with weighbridge hut) but couldn't work out the houses behind the train - but these are the 1970s-built Edington Place! There were houses there before, referred to as 'The Braes' on maps - presumably old tenements as they were demolished. link to NLS Maps 1968 OS 1:1250

sorry guys, i wasn't meaning it as a quiz - just that i had no idea that this sort of scene lasted so long, i would never have been anywhere near the real date. Locos, stock and workings from at least one or two generations before......

Nearly two years on........ Came across a wonderful Flickr set by Kevin Lane, click on the photos for full details. Never would have thought that steam was still alive & well in 1978, presumably the same old scene from years before..... Banking with Barclays by Kevin Lane, on Flickr In the bleak mid-winter by Kevin Lane, on Flickr

Before clicking through to the Flickr image & comments, have a quick guess as to the year of the photo. Tip run by Kevin Lane, on Flickr

Steam depot coaling stage out of action? Nae bother tae the boys at Perth in 1958, job done! A temporary measure by Kevin Lane, on Flickr

Periscopes are covered in the Carriage Committee Minutes in the Parkin Mk1 Supplement. IIRC most regions wanted rid of them as their unreliable mechanism was a constant maintenance issue but it was the SR that held out for them to be retained. As has been mentioned, they did not feature on Mk2 vehicles. Regarding EMUs, I don't know but should be easy to spot on pictures. REP/TC brake vehicles may show signs of plating over as these were conversions from l/h stock.

Good to have you back Dave, just take it easy! This photo is interesting for what seems to be one of the newer breakdown trains, probably all Mk1 stock and all in yellow. I remember an article in RAIL magazine c.1985 where they featured the scheme to replace the mixed bag of pre-nat & otherwise worn-out Departmental stock with new conversions from redundant Mk1s. IIRC lots of features to make the vehicles easier to use/maintain and more modern messing facilities for staff.

Is that the unit that had a 305/308 driving trailer on the other end?

Take care Dave and take as long as you need. As has been said, the Flickr thread-replacement service will keep us going meantime😊

I'm sure I've read that tail lamps continued on DMUs as there was not a reliable/adequate battery back-up for the electric tail lights.

Not on Flickr but YouTube, just spotted this on a video that came up on my feed: Laying some ballast on the BSC line at Tinsley (from 10:20 on video). After this, a tamper and track crew visits to complete the job. https://youtu.be/q821GJpEVqE?si=g0uOY2U-1cm-5TLS

Great pic of a '+8' set, one of the more modellable ECML expresses (except perhaps for the Mk2d BFK). This could be a number of services to Newcastle/Bradford/Leeds/Harrogate, some of them named as 'The xxxxx Executive'. Note the high catering provision: RU (mainly for 1st Class meals) and RB as well (extra meals and Buffet counter). I think these trains were usually Deltic turns. Obviously 47s were used, maybe easier for them to keep time with only 8 coaches (and possibly limited stop?).

Having looked them up, they were used for coupler testing between June '73 and September '78 with the Tightlocks being fitted to the cab end of the DTC. They remained as HAP as they were not in normal service. After overhaul at Eastleigh they returned to normal traffic in January (6023) and February (6022) 1979. Comprehensive details of the HAP/SAP/CAP at: https://www.bloodandcustard.com/br-2hap.html

IIRC they were used to test the prototype 'Tightlock' buckeye+drum coupling, fitted to PEP-derived (and later) units.

As has been noted, almost textbook (well, Corporate Manual) application of blue livery with brown undercarriage. Note, too, that despite the provision of two 'chalkboards' for the purpose, staff still wrote the destination on the bodyside!

Don't forget too, the APT concept was gas turbine - so as well as the general delays with the whole project, it was effectively killed off with the Oil Crisis in 1973. So while the HST was a stop-gap anyway, it meant it would have to be one for longer until the electric APT could be designed. Of course, the other good thing that came out of the HST was the Mk3 carriage which came into service (loco-hauled) in 1974/5, although only on top WCML trains.

A quick search reveals the series was filmed in Rushden, Northamptonshire. Page at disused-stations seems to match: http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/r/rushden/index.shtml It was on the MR Wellingborough-Higham Ferrers branch.

*Mr Cholmondley-Warner voice* "The Southern Region's new express freight service delivers new gravel and shingle to all of the region's resort beaches, in plenty of time for the Summer season!"

There may be mention in the relevant Railway Observer, certainly were mentioned in the 1970s editions although by then, they were mainly Mk1 stock in the 99xxx series as Mike says, under central control (and were all based at Salisbury, i think). There had been a programme of upgrading the fleet to Mk1, especially as large numbers of withdrawn coaches became available - remember a lot of coaches would basically be an empty body with most doors/windows plated over. Trains in the '60s I presume would have much more pre-nat build/design stock.

Looking at Graeme Wareham's (BrushVeteran) excellent Flickr: Class 30/31 Collection (click) Those with arrows are mainly GFYE, the only ones he has in GSYP are: D5513 at West Hampstead, August 1967 D5813 at Tinsley (loco with damage, no date given) Both photos by Graeme Wareham on Flickr.

From Parkin (p.134): "Most batches [of the 1957-63 Production series] carried water in 100 gallon cylindrical tinned-copper tanks suspended from the underframe. These were of course well-lagged and could be electrically heated to prevent frost. Three tanks were used for the kitchen buffet [RKB] but two sufficed for the other vehicles. Water was lifted by compressed air supplied at 10psi by an electrcally driven ¼ hp air pump. In case of pump failure, an emergency foot pump was available usually tucked away against a partition. Underfloor water storage had long been advocated for easier maintenance and better vehicle stability but lifting mechanisms were unreliable - even these units have given trouble as the stock has aged."