IWCR

I recall reading somewhere that when the Exeter - Okehampton - Plymouth line was closed to passengers there was an intention to retain a single track line throughout as a diversion / freight route. This idea was subsequently abandoned after the scrap recovery had made some progress with mistakenly lifting both tracks. A BR official made a visit to Plymouth with the intention of inspecting the route only to be told "to late, its gone" Anyone know if there was any truth behind this story?. Pete

IOW would not be interested even if free. Wrong type of chassis. This sort of vehicle has limited preservation value, yes desirable to preserve some of each type but limited commercial use, useful as a store but needs to justify its maintenance & siding space. However it looks quite restorable if someone wants to put the time & effort in to it. Value "as is" would be scrap less transport & dismantling. Pete

My local preserved railway bought several of these around 1980 as they were being withdrawn from parcel traffic, all were a dirty brake dust brown. Underneath the dirt they were blue however whilst working on them one was found to be still in BR green livery with only replaced planks and patches around the numbers painted blue. Yes as stated earlier a very common vehicle and seen everywhere across the country, also often used as departmental vans long after the traffic used finished. Pete

Any of you Bibby people served on the Australian Bridge?. I was on her at a later date as a first trip cadet, she was then the Cast Puffin. Rather a rough old ship by then and a lot of work to keep together. Pete

The grabrails are actually brass in real life, no need to change material, yes they are polished. The prototype grabrails do vary slightly in colour depending on the exact mix of brass used from quite a yellow to more of a yellow / grey. Pete

Staines Central had a large wooden shed. This was single track but could eaisly be modified to take a second A picture on this site: https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/stainescentral Pete

re: SECR coach colours Many 6 wheel mainline coaches were modified to 4 wheelers for use on suburban services post ww1. These would likely have had a general refurbish and repaint at the same time hence these would be in the umber livery. Pete

Re Underframe Trussing Some 4 wheelers were built with trussing, generally later (hence longer) vehicles but yes the majority did not have it. Some late build 4 wheelers also had steel underframes and these normally had trussing. What was common however was trussing being fitted when a 6 wheeler was converted to a 4 wheeler, an example being the many LCDR vehicles which were converted for suburban use around 1919. Pete

Yes structurally separate bodies generally correct for wooden bodied vehicles. Steel bodied vehicles generally integral with the underframe. Yes most restored 4 and 6 wheeled bodies are on some form of more recent van chassis though some are on original underframes and at least one on a matching original van frame.. The IOW bodies shown above will be an exception to this , they will be on new timber underframes, this is in part due to them being to short for most steel frames and they are not intended for every day use. They are all original stock built new for the Isle of Wight Railway Company, one has been restored and is operational, see "Great Railway Restorations, Episode 2". The vehicle pictured at the top is currently under restoration, see the IOWSR Carriage and Wagon facebook pages for pictures. Pete

Try offering the handrail stanchion into the indent and seating the blower valve (the thing on the smokebox end of the handrail) into the hole in the smokebox, the flange on this should be flat against the smokebox side. Looks like it the handrail may need gently pushing slightly back towards the cab. If the handrail stanchion wont locate into the indent then yes a hole is missing or blocked with paint, looks like a tiny pin on the stanchion which would need a horizontal hole. Checked my Terrier and it is fine but I dont want to go pulling at the handrail to see how the stanchion is fixed. Pete

Re Routine maintenance. No, removal of the axle box is not required unless it has been damaged. The cover can be opened and the bearing and oil pad removed / replaced as need be, most routine work is just draining out any water, check the bearing is not displaced, check the pad condition and top up the oil. The box would only be removed if the wheelset was coming out or the journal needed attention, this would require a lift. Also some have a seal at the back to keep dirt out and this may need replacing. Occasionally a box may be damaged if the wagon has been derailed which can result in the axle box casting itself being broken. Pete

If properly maintained the axle boxes and bearings should last the life of the wagon. The condition of the lubrication pad and ensuring the oil remains topped up and clean is the key. Some older wagons which originally had grease boxes did have these replaced with oil boxes but this was in the way of an upgrade. Also if wheelsets were replaced with a different type this may also result in the boxes being changed if journals were different. Pete

The IWC brake van still exists, currently a garden shed on the Island. Has the double balcony and the interior still has the SR number on the wall. Yes on the IWSR wanted list. Pete

Looks good. Being picky; Pier Head box worked a double track section hence would not have a token or train staff machine. Would have block instruments on the shelf over the levers though. Pete

I also have not seen it for a long time however I believe it is in a building with displays intended for children. This has been shut every time I have visited, Pete

"Carrier". Second hand from the Tay (photo probably at Burntisland) used for a train ferry service from Langstone to St Helens for wagons during the 1880's. Not very succesful, it couldnt really cope with the open waters compared to the Tay. No known photos of any mainland wagons on the Island although there are records of some wagon repair bills for Isle of Wight Central wagons sent in by mainland companies. There is a very nice model of Burntisland about which includes "Carrier" and its dock. The floating crane pictured was the normal delivery method used by the SR, stock being landed at Medina Wharf. Earlier an Admiralty crane was used once for a loco delivery to Ryde Pier. Previously to this locos and stock were delivered by barge and offloaded using temporary track & ramps. The old train ferry birth at St Helens was a favourite for this as this still had sidings running end on to the sea. All 1966 onwards deliveries have used lorries and the car ferry. Pete

A commercial scrap yard would not be within the operational part of the railway and would likely have a private siding or use an adjoining BR siding away from the running lines, (especially so with third rail). However: Wagons etc could be scrapped on site on BR sidings by a scrap dealer with the scrap being removed by road, in earlier times just get on with it, more recently a safe working area would be needed with temporary fencing if needed. Pete

Yes the 4 plank rebuilds were for ballast as well as general engineers use. 62888 was the only original SECR (ex Price & Reeves Contractors) left at the time of withdrawl, now preserved at Havenstreet. No ex IWR wagons amongst these but there was one ex IWCR vehicle, DS 68823, this had replaced one of the SECR wagons (following accident damage?) being rebuilt with the SECR bodywork, visually very similar but with an 8' 6" wheelbase rather than 9' 0". Not aware of an Open being used as an adapter wagon, possibly something used for unloading tube cars ar Ryde in conjunction with the van?. Yes 2 bolsters used as tube stock adapters, DS 59043 and DS 59045, these lasted until 1992 and must have been amongst the oldest wagons on BR at the time. Sat at Sandown for years and possibly never used?, Shunting of Tube stock at Ryde was done with another Tube unit. Now at Havenstreet and rebuilt to full Bolster condition using parts from other incomplete LBSC bolsters. Pete

One set of 4 wheelers on the Isle of Wight, 3 ex LCDR Brake Thirds used as the Freshwater line mail set, did still have some passenger compartments but probably few passengers at the time it ran. Pete

I believe some Post Office garages also do public testing. Pete

There are 2 preserved at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and I believe one elsewhere?. https://iwsteamrailway.co.uk/heritage/our-rolling-stock/historic-wagons/ Scroll through the above link gives a good side on view of one which you should be able top scale off. Pete

I have used one of the major tyre companies having the front tyres replaced, they told me the tracking needed doing and showed me a removed tyre with it down to the wire on the inside edge, minor detail, it wasnt the make of tyre I had on the car and I knew the tracking was fine and that wear had been even, also told discs, pads and shocks needed doing, no they didnt, they looked fine and have passed 2 MOTs at a local garage since without being mentioned. Dont believe anything these people tell you, get a second opinion if you dont know enough yourself. Pete

I have just received a "Brighton", fantastic model & finish, even lining on the frames. Some minor damage, possibly from packing, a loose front brake block (top pin broken) and a loose cylinder lubricator, both easily fixed. Also have "Fishbourne", again very good but also a minor fault: one coupling rod on upside down. Both footplates appear straight. Not yet run either. Pete

The cement works ceased production in 1944 although it had been on reduced output for several years. Most of the output went by sea which had become difficult due to the war. The company had become part of Associated Portland Cement in 1900 though the Blue Circle livery was not applied until very late (late 20's?). After production ceased the works remained as an APC depot now receiving cement by boat for local use. Final closure in recent years (1980's?) The plant remained largely intact until this date. Pete

I have been looking further at the Royal Daylight traffic. The Cowes terminal planning application is dated 1904. The Anglo American Oil Company is still listed in Kellys directory at Cowes station yard in 1928. I could be wrong with the incoming point being St Helens quay, looking at the 1908 OS map there are several small oil tanks at Newport between the power station and the adjoining quayside building (currently the Bargemans Rest pub), this is at the end of the siding were the rail tankers were photographed. these could be a rail delivered terminal but more likely they took delivery by sea at the quayside and were the source of the rail traffic. This siding was gated and was originally for the power station coal deliveries, the height of the chimney on the boiler house was much reduced during its life, perhaps this had gone over to oil burning and the oil tanks were theirs for the power station with Naptha being handled as a side line. The power station closed in 1928 which is around the time the Naptha traffic also ceased. Pete