IWCR

Dont copy Dapol pipework, my Terrier W9 model has the Westinghouse feed coming out of the cab doorway (correct), this is the pipe to the left of the top (steam) cylinder on the pump, the pipe on the right of this cylinder is the steam exhaust, this should go up and over the right hand tank and vanish into the R/H side of the smokebox however on my model as supplied it connects to a steam valve on top of the boiler (wrong). Pete

I would ignore all polls. they will justify the opinion of those paying for them. Some years ago where I live there was a planning application for two very large wind turbines, the applicant had an telephone poll carried out to produce a report showing general public support for these. I was one of those contacted, on going through address and post code details I was told my opinion was not wanted and would not be recorded as they already had enough results from my post code. The post code in question covers a total of 3 properties all of which were less than 400 yards from the Turbine site. Fortunately there is also the largest roost in europe of a rare bat type less than 200 yards from the site! Pete

Back in the 80's I worked for a local council. Their Policy then was a minimum of 1 1/2 off road parking spaces per property includung flats. One developer didnt want this, wanting to jam more properties in and they appealled the planning condition.. He won, central government granted the appeal and also awarded costs against the council. This was of course followed by a free for all, I dont know the current rules. Pete

HMS Prince of Wales NOT seen off the IOW this Sunday, was supposed to be but didnt leave Portsmouth as scheduled. (as mentioned in the link) Picture was taken around 18 months ago on a previous break down. Pete

Had this this morning, looking at the Penryn Castle thread at about 10.05, suddenly just went into the McAfee page, clicking return put me back in the whats new index where I had been before the Penryn page. Pete

There is a detailed painting specification in existence issued by the Isle of Wight Central Railway to Brighton works for the painting of the Terriers purchased by them. This spec is far and above anything the Central would have done themselves however the repaint was part of the purchase price. Anything the Central painted red themselves was likely a Red Oxide base colour with varnish over, there was a noted reluctance to spend money. Pete

A US problem is that many trains are relatively slow and often very long, there is always a temptation to beat the train to a crossing or your stuck there for some time. In urban areas with faster trains this is not a good idea. If you look at videos intended to give Americans some advice on driving in europe there is emphasis on NEVER try and beat the train. European trains can and do run at 100mph+ Pete

Yes I was aware of the problems with the coal mine however at the end of the day the Welsh Government has decided it wants to go green totally, this was the last significant mine, there is now no large scale coal mining at all, it and the jobs are gone. Industries which need the coal then also end. Tata have announced they will go electric (with government help) but this is a large reduction in workforce and there is nothing now tying the facility to this site. When the subsidies dry up expect total closure, it is cheaper to make the bulk iron and steel abroad where the ore is mined. Pete

The coal mine serving Port Talbot closed last year, still viable but not wanted by the Welsh government. Now with Iron Ore and the coal both needed to be imported the closure of the blast furnaces was inevitable. Government Policy, export the pollution. Pete

I suspect the layout at Axminster was because the station was there and well established with the goods yard to the south long before the Lyme Regis branch was thought of. The branch was built by a separate company and as far as the LSWR was concerned it was a lot less disruptive for the branch platform to be on the north (undeveloped) side of their station than spend large sums altering the goods yard to allow for someone else's branch platform on this side. A bridge crossing to the north avoids conflict with the main line and reduces the gradient off it although it then needed a ramp on the north side to reach the bridge height. Pete

Weathering looks very good, these vans were always filthy, the design being difficult to clean. My local preserved railway bought a number around 1980, one was a reasonably clean BR Blue, the others all-over Brake Dust brown. These were assumed to be Blue, later it was discovered one of these was actually still in BR green with only 1 or 2 replaced boards in Blue. Pete

I have seen this map sold some years ago as a reproduction along with the SR IOW, full SR and an LBSCR map. They were available loose or in a frame as shown above. No doubt similar available for other regions. The IOW maps in the Isle of Wight Steam Railway stock are mainly repros, a give away is the dot for Portsmouth Harbour station is blue, I think the originals are white. As bought they are marked as a reprint with a modern date but this is right on the edge and would be behind the frame (also easily cut off). Pete

Done some Corrugated sheets with aluminum foil pressed over the tines of a comb. Pete

No "tarred Stone Wagons". There were several Gas Works very near the railway as well as Ryde which had internal sidings, Cowes, Shanklin and St Helens had adjoining sidings, Newport received deliveries from the running line on the viaduct above which incorporated a coal chute. Perhaps the Tar traffic was to concentrate the Tar to one of these sites which could then handle tarred roadstone for road delivery or for export by sea as chemical feedstuff. Tar would not have far to go so could be delivered before it cooled if timed correctly. Pete

Most goods arrived by sea by small coaster type vessels, the passenger ferries carried small items such as mail which would travel in guards vans or passenger rated vans, fish was an incoming traffic to Ryde then carried by passenger trains, yes dedicated vans were provided by the SR. The fish likely originated from the main London markets. Fish was still arriving this way into the 60's but by then on a smaller scale not justifying the vans. Likely fruit and other perishables were also carried. The SR had a number of small coasters, barges, tugs etc but a lot of use was made by private companies vessels. Prior to the first car ferries barges were often towed behind the paddle ferry or by a dedicated tug for moving bulk items, road vehicles or livestock, at Ryde these were landed at a slipway adjacent to Esplanade station. (now the location of the Hovercraft terminal). The "Carrier" ran for several years but was not a success, the crossing was often to rough for it to operate. There are no known photos of mainland wagons on the Island (or vice-versa) but there must have been some use, there are records of bills from mainland companies for in traffic wagon repairs for IWC wagons so some of these found their way over. A traffic gone in early SR days was oil, this was carried in "Royal Daylight" private owner tankers, this appears to have originated from Newport where there were oil tanks serving the Power Station, (behind what is now the Bargemans Rest pub) These would have been served by sea to the adjacent wharf. Several Island stations had a small oil terminal for these tankers which carried Naptha (paraffin) used for domestic cooking, heating and lighting. Another Private Owner traffic was chalk from Shide Pit to Cement Mills carried in open wagons in a "Vectis Cement" livery and latterly "Blue Circle", this traffic ceased early in WW2 with the closure of the Cement Mills due to the high risk of attacks on coastal shipping delivering the product. During SR days virtually all of the Island wagon fleet was replaced with new or recently built stock, this was almost all of LBSC design which standardised the Islands fleet and allowed the SR to remove a good number of non_RCH compliant vehicles from mainland traffic. Goods brakes were ex LSWR Road vans. Pete

Initially goods came in at Medina Wharf and St Helens by sea and where moved from these by rail. Parcels and mail (including newspapers) via Ryde Pier Head then by rail. In 1932 the rebuilt Medina Wharf was opened and all coal traffic concentrated there, St Helens now dealing with general goods and some minerals (normally ballast). As a guideline there were some 475 open wagons and 60 covered vans in use at this time, other vehicles included timber wagons, tar tankers (for gas works use), ballast wagons, machinery wagons, cattle wagons, a horse box and a boat truck. In 1936 incoming general goods arrival was moved to Pickfords Wharf at Cowes and road delivered, around half of the covered goods vans then being withdrawn. St Helens remained in use for large bulk items and ballast. A small amount of general goods traffic remained between Island stations although this declined over the years. Parcel and mail traffic lasted until the end of steam mainly in the guards vans of passenger trains. Coal traffic was a mainstay throughout though declining, (down to about 150 opens by 1960), public traffic ending in May 1966 and loco coal continued until the end of steam in December. Pete

Trains in Cornwall total shambles yesterday due to Dawlish, as far as I know track etc still ok but many trains cancelled and / or long delays. Waited an hour + at Par for a westbound train, passengers eastbound were stood a lot longer when a Paddington train terminated there and turfed everyone out, station staff absent (or hiding) toilets locked up. Several people tried using the help point which seemed to link with a chinese call centre who knew nothing. 2 trains u/s with sea water damage. Today most;ly OK but some cancelled due to the sets lost. How often does this happen?, just about every passenger will qualify for full refunds, many of these being long diistance hence losses must be very high.. More than a few days a year like this would make reopening the. Tavistock route more attractive, not as a Dawlish Relacement, but as an alternaative when times are difficult and some stock .is to vunerable. Pete

Could be worth asking your neighbours to complain as well. Pete

The scenery van looks like one of two used by Chippenhams in a rail treatment train, the other may be the vehicle beyond it to the right. These were recovered from Horsham by the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, one (which was an Elephant Van) has had its underframe shortened for use under an LCDR carriage, the other remains in store for a similar project. Pete

The Southern ones are what I want, anyone know the status of the sample model shown on released pictures. The lining looks rather poor being a broad cream line rather than the narrow yellow/cream alongside a wider black as expected. Is this just a work in progress sample or is this the actual lining to be released? The actual lining positions look good for early SR, later the lower panel lining and that around the quarterlights was omitted on many vehicles however the last of these Stroudleys went in 1932 hence likely still in the earlier variation. Cant really judge the green but it should be the early lighter shade of the Maunsell Green. I do have access to parts of the body of one of these actual vehicles in SR livery, some paintwork is still visible. Pete

Thats a typical IT installation. Pete

Record?, as in write it down or draw it? Strange Concept. Pete

I was aware of a British Contractor wanting to tender for a large French build contract, Specification and Documents etc received. One clause stated that Insurance had to be held with a specified French Insurance company, on contacting them it was found this company would only insure French companies. Pete

A primary need for a gangway shield in steam days was to prevent the risk of a cinder getting lodged in an open gangway end with resultant fire risk, this was also the reason for the flexible cover over the top of the bellows, this prevents cinders lodging in the bellows folds. Pete

Appears to have a Tail Light on this end. Train probably moving away under a correct signal with the diesel trailing, perhaps Top & Tail working? Pete