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br2975

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Everything posted by br2975

  1. I recall the Cl.123 units working Paddington - Minehead and Oxford - Minehead summer (Saturday) dated workings circa 1969/70 (lost that particular notebook), workings that had also previously been Hymek hauled. . I recall in later years, 1987, Cl.37/4s working Milford Haven / Swansea and Cardiff - Bristol trains, and also Cardiff - Pompey trains as far as Temple Meads where Cl.33s would take over for the run to the South Coast. During 1987-88 some Bristol - Cardiff portions of Pompey workings were Cl.50 hauled, especially in 1988 the 1V85 1710 ex Pompey Harbour. As for Cl.31s on the South Wales - South Coast axis. Monday 14th. May, 1979, 31286 arrived at Cardiff Central on a then daily parcels working which (IIRC) originated at Swindon. . Having shunted the motley collection of BR GUV/CCT ex-LMS 'B' and former SR vans into "8 and 9" the Cl.31 headed light to Canton and collected stock for a Cardiff - Portsmouth working. . The following day I snapped 31414 on a Pompey - Cardiff working (poor quality, but it includes Canton set C453 in the white 'refurbished' livery). . Brian R
  2. Ahh DEMU - I had an 'approach' to attend with Marc but as my daughter was delivered of twin boys on Wednesday, and they are in the Special care Baby Unit at PoWH Bridgend for monitoring their blood-sugar levels, I had to decline.. . Enjoy DEMU, there will be an exam on it when I see you next week, and the passmark is high !. . Brian
  3. L & B perchance Al. ? . Brian
  4. Late 60s early 70s Cardiff - Bristol - Pompey was almost solidly Hymek (Cl.35). . However, 1971 saw a summer Saturday working which arrived Cardiff early afternoon hauled by a Cl.33 with hauled stock. eg 12/06/71 - 6536, 19/06/71 - 6505, 26/06/71 - 6524, 03/07/71 - 6543, 10/07/71 - 6525, 17/07/71 - 6532, 24/04/71 - 6528, 31/07/71 - 6548, 07/08/71 - 6538, 14/08/71 - 6517, 21/08/71 - 6506, 28/08/71 - 6527, 04/09/71 - 6538.. . 1972 there were again summer Saturday workings, which on occasions could produce two Cl.33 hauled trains with loco hauled stock, but this was the exception.. eg 08/07/72 - 6546, 22/07/72 - 6548, 05/08/72 - 6551 . Cl.33/1 and 2x 4TC workings were rostered for Sundays during November, 1971 but did not run on either 07/11/71 or 14/11/71 but on 21/11/71 6536 + 404 + 407 worked the diagram, and 6520 + 408 + 402 the following Sunday, 28/11/71. . Hymeks were still working Cardiff - Bristol - Pompey in late 1972, I recall seeing 7074 at Pompey Harbour on Sunday 30/07/72. That day three 'Mystery Excurions' worked from South Wales to Pompey Hbr. hauled by Cl.47s 1925 (1Z70), 1938 (1Z73) and 1693 (1Z74). Boxing Day 1970 saw a 3H unit deputise on an afternoon Pompey - Cardiff working, reaching Newport 90 down, and the first time I rode on one, from Newport - Cardiff, and the sound stayed with me ... On Saturday 04/03/72 I took the 1620 ex Cardiff (to Bristol) hauled by 7039, the reason being to bunk Marsh Jct. for the stored/withdrawn hydraulics, which on that day included 815, 831, 867, 869, 6308, 6319, 6328, 6330, 6334, 6337, 6348, 7003, 7008, 7013, 7021, 7025, 7040, 7041, 7043, 7047, 7051, 7056, 7057, 7065, 7067, 7078, The writing was on the wall for the Hymeks with Cl.31s 5695, 5824, 5826, 5828 at Bath Rd. The attachment shows D7005 at the head of a more typical Cardiff - Pompey train on 07/08/71. . Brian R
  5. Yes, and don't I know it............ waiting at traffic lights Broad St. Cardiff yesterday as "Tug 39" screamed overhead on a rake of empty BAA/BBA heading for Margam, no warning, no camera !!!!! . Brian R
  6. Al . Very impressed - smacks of 'Dowlais Central' to me .............. went to Dowlais once, "it was closed !" . See you at L & B . Brian R
  7. Cardiff to Bristol Saturday 4th. March, 1972 The intention was to ‘bunk’ Marsh Jct. for the remaining stored ‘Warships’ and North British “six-three-ersâ€. By this time 15 Hymeks had also been consigned to store there, displaced by the increasing numbers of BR Sulzer Type 2s (Cl.25) and Bruch Type 2s (Cl.31) several of the former being sighted at Newport and STJ with a number of the latter at Bath Rd. By now we were used to the sight of Cl.25s in South Wales as they’d first arrived in late October 1970 – but Cl.31 5842 at Canton was a turn up, and a ‘cop’ for yours truly. Cardiff General 1041 1584, 1753, 1911, 1915 3604, 3753, 3819 6957, 6996, 6997 7039 our train loco (Cardiff-Portsmouth Hbr) 86B Ebbw Jct. 1905, 1917 7011, 7085 5179, 5180, 7513, 7514, 7624 Newport 3593 East Usk Yard 1916 East Usk / Llanwern / Undy 1636 6987, 6988 7090 Severn Tunnel Jct. 1043, 1047 1697 3754, 4182 5182 Scrapyard near Stapleton Rd. 2123 Dr. day’s Bridge Jct. 1594, 1701 Bristol T.M. 181 1608, 1644, 1741 7007, 7068 82A Bristol Bath Rd. 147, 168, 171 818 1551 2122 3000, 3003, 3513, 3810 5695, 5824, 5826, 5828 7031, 7500, 7588 Marsh Jct. 815, 831, 867, 869 6308, 6319, 6328, 6330, 6334, 6337, 6348, 7003, 7008, 7013, 7021, 7025, 7040, 7041, 7043, 7047, 7051, 7056, 7057, 7065, 7067, 7078 Bristol T.M. 98, 158 1012, 1021, 1030, 1048, 1062, 1588, 1641 7019, 7038 51302+59469+51317, 51360+59512+51402, 51573+595??+51582, 55034 Lawrence Hill 21 Severn Tunnel East 1925 Severn Tunnel Jct. 1060, 1628, 1636, 1697, 3754, 4162, 4170, 4182, 5182, 5227, 6972, 7023, 7080 East Usk Yard 1902, 7091+7100 7511+7512 86B Ebbw Jct. 12 1601, 1723, 3185, 3189, 3806 5179, 5180, 7513, 7514, 7624 6944, 6987, 6988 Between Newport & Cardiff 1027, 1669, 3256 6992+6998 Cardiff General 141 1742 86A Canton (from footbridge) 40, 156, 1658, 1812, 1951 5842 6994, 6995 7093 Brian R
  8. Leon, . I think you'll need a 'bund' around your fuel tanks - namely a low wall, in theory high enough to hold the contents of the tank(s) if it/they leaked. . There's enough 'cack' floating in the Roath Dock without one of your Transrail bods adding to it ! (tee hee !) . Unfortunately I don't have a decent shot of a 'bund' but a low wall, with a ladder up and over it would do. . Brian
  9. Leon (sorry to hijack your thread) and 'alleras' . I also found these shots taken over a 15 years period, that show, in out of the way places H & S signage hasn't quite caught up. . The older photo was taken circa 1990 and shows a Canton 08 running light from the Cardiff Rod Mill to the Queen Alexandra Dock to collect empty BDA wagons. It is negotiating the swingbridge that crosses the lock seperating the Roath Dock (to the right) and Roath Basin (to your left). . As far as I recall there were no signs warning motorists to look out for trains, but there were lights to stop cars and trains when the bridge was open to allow vessels access to Roath Basin. ! . This line closed a short time later and trains had to run to Tidal and reverse in order to make the same journey. . The second photo shows 08689 returning to Tidal after dropping TEA tanks at the now mothballed 'Minimet' oil terminal located on the Cardiff docks 'foreshore'. . The loco is crossing Cold Stores Road (yep that's what it's called) without protection for road traffic entering the Coastal Containers terminal which is on the south arm of the Queen Alexandra dock. . The driver has a clear view in this direction, so just blasts his horn/whistle and crawls across. . The shot of 08653 taking TEA tanks from Tidal to 'Minimet' shows the rear of the cold stores and highlights the blind junction for trains travelling in the opposite direction - hence the shunter climibing aboard after seeing the train out. . 08653 had been delayed as it was required to top 'n' tail an excurison from Tidal to 'the foreshore' earlier and the tanks would have been taken out in the morning, not as here at about 3.00pm on a Saturday. . There is a small stop sign to the right of the train, intended for loco drivers. . The yellow hatched markings are so that lorries queuing to enter Coastal Containers don't obstruct the crossing - little chance of that these days, even their rail traffic has disappeared and the only trains out here now are 66s on emtpy BAA/BBA wagons running around on 'the foreshore' so the loco can be at the front when returning to Tidal and Llanwern with slabs loaded at Fletchers Wharf on the south arm of the Roath Dock. The cold stores could be one of your buildings Leon - altho steel traffic offers some rail business, whereas cold meat ??????? . Hope these are of interest. . Brian
  10. Leon . In light of 'alleras' remarks in the last post, perhaps these may be of assistance. BTW Another 'WAG' social evening is on the cards for about a month's time - I'll keep you posted. . Brian
  11. Cardiff General 27th. February, 1971 . Cl.45/6 - 31, 137, Cl.43 - 846, Cl.52 - 1014, 1030 Cl.47 - 1611, 1645 Cl.08 - 4012, 4176, Cl.37 - 6601,6910,6957,6978 Cl.35 - 7069, Cl.116 - 50089+59039+50131, 50839+59347+50892, 50848+59356+50901, 51138+59448+51151, Cl.120 - 50691+59277+50728, Cl.119 - 51066+59425+51094 . Brian R
  12. Leon . Keep an eye on those weeds - you don't want it looking like this, fifteen years later ! . Brian
  13. Friday 26th. February 1971 . My 'alma mater' - Cantonian H.S. Cardiff was located alongside the Penarth Harbour & Dock Line between Radyr and Cardiff, between the present Waun-gron Parc and Fairwater stations, the nearest railway landmark being Waterhall Jct (one of two in S.Wales). . At lunchtime we'd adjourn to the South Wales main line near the former Ely (Main Line) station. . Fri. 26/02/71 WATERHALL Jct (a.m) 1905, 6876, 7091 ELY (MAIN LINE) 846, 1016, 1051, 1922, 6875, 7033 WATERHALL Jct. (p.m) 6601, 6886, 7072 ELY (MAIN LINE) 1029, 6969+6973, 7098 . Brian R
  14. Dave, . Progress is such - you must have TOO MUCH time on your hands. And that wasn't me getting out of the Mk.1 Cortina, my first 'company' car was an 850cc Mini, SKG966S ! (How sad is that ?) . Brian R.
  15. Leon, . Search You Tube for the videos and stills of Bob/Rob Masterman, most of which was/were shot in South Wales. He has a number of clips of the MOD trains to and from West Wales, and also footage of the wagons being shunted by a Cl.66 at Haverfordwest. . I can thoroughly recommend his site, especially Cardiff and the Valleys during the 1960s with green, and early blue DMU's - especially under the overall roof at Cardiff Queen St. not to mention lots of Cl.37s in green and check out the pics of Cardiff Long Dyke and Newtown Goods. . Brian R
  16. . Brian. Somewhere, I have details of the duties for the remaining South Wales 'nine-fivers' for summer 1967, including those based at Landore and Eastern depot. . I'll try and find them. . I don't know where the Rhondda based 'nine-fiver' in the book would work from, but I think it was a Radyr based job which served Treforest coal yard and Pontypridd, as the next nearest worked off the small yard at Stormstown (Abercynon). . There was a belief, I'm told, that because they were made for trip working, but with a top speed of 45mph (IIRC) that staff believed they'd haul the same as a pannier or Cl.08 - but at a higher speed. WRONG ! I recall watching them occasionally crawling up the bank from Newtown/Long Dyke into Cardiff General literally screaming and occasionally emitting flames on a par with an Amercian GE U-Boat. . The power for the daily trip to Radyr could be identified before it hove (sorry crawled) into view - an 08 would emit that low throbbing noise and the 'nine-fivers' would scream at a much higher pitch. . The last one I saw out on the mainline was D9555 on an evening in early December 1969 shunting Canton Brickyard Siding (or Mileage Yard) on the opposite side of the SWML to Canton TMD. The loco stood for a while under the footbridge, and a couple of us stood over the loco allowing the exhaust to keep us warm ! . . . . . . . . most articles and books would have you believe that the class had been gone six months earlier. . Brian R
  17. Now the Heljan effort has arrived, there's no doubt that the magazines will trot out the usual "all withdrawn April/May 1969 and either scrapped or sold" . During the demise of the "nine-fivers" (no one in South Wales called them enything else in those days) I made some notes from my, and my friend's sightings. . At the time I was a pupil at Cantonian High School, Cardiff adjacent to the Ninian Park - Radyr (then) freight line, and despite the locos having been officially withdrawn, those stored at Canton were in almost daily use throughout 1969, passing my school just after 11.00am Mon-Fri on the Long Dyke/Newtown - Radyr trip. When one was unavailable the rostered Cl.08 would be pressed into use. The train would often load to 50slu. . These are my sightings............. . B.R. Swindon (later TOPS Class 14) 650 h.p. 0-6-0DH Disposition / Use and Disposal of locomotives in the South Wales area post ????? withdrawl. By July, 1968 the following were still in service in South Wales; Ebbw Jct. ????? D9535 (under repair) Canton ????? D9500/08/09/18/30 and D9514 (under repair) Barry- D9518 During October, 1968 the following were withdrawn ????? D9508/09/17/19/30 with D9526 placed in store. This left eleven locos in service, all in S. Wales, namely ????? D9500/02/14/18/21/24/27/35/36/38/55. On 30/11/1968 D9526 was reported withdrawn. The date the remainder with withdrawn from capital stock varies between 26/04/69 and 03/05/69, possibly due to actual dates and/or ???period ending????? D9500 ???stored??? at Worcester shed late December, 1966 until 18/01/67 when reinstated to Bristol Bath Rd. 82A. Transferred to Canton 86A May, 1967. Stored at Canton 86A 14/04/69, officially withdrawn 03/05/69 but still in use daily off Canton 86A Sept. 1969, working trips between Long Dyke / Newtown and Radyr. Reported sold Nov. 1969 to NCB Ashington. D9505 ???stored??? at Worcester shed late December, 1966, Transferred to 50B Hull Daireycoates, 29/12/66 and moved from Worcester 18/01/67 (Recorded as withdrawn at 50B 09/01/67and/or more likely 01/04/68) but reported working the Cardiff-Marshfield milk turn 23/07/68. Eventually sold to APCM Earles Works, Hope, Derbys. Sept. 1968 together with D95xx for ??4,000 each. Later sold on to the Hunslet Engine Co. Leeds, refurbished and both exported to Belgium. D9509 ???stored??? at Worcester shed late December, 1966. Reinsted 18/01/67 to Bristol Bath Rd. 82A. Transferred to Canton 86A August, 1967. Withdrawn 09/11/68, still stored on the fuel tank road, Canton 86A, 19/12/69. During April, 1970, together with D9535, used on a track renewal programme between Hereford & Craven Arms. Towed ex Canton 86A, with D9519, to Geo. Cohen, Kettering 08/12/70 and scrapped there Feb. 1971. D9517 ???stored??? at Worcester shed late December, 1966. Reinstated to Bristol Bath Rd. 82A 18/01/67. Transferred to Canton Aug. 1967. Reported working at Ebbw Vale 26/10/68. Withdrawn 09/11/68 (or 05/10/68 ?) yet still in use as the Canton 86A shed pilot 18th. Sept. 1969 D9519 Transferred from Landore 87E to Canton 86A July, 1967. To store Sept. 1968, reported withdrawn variously as 05/10/68 and 03/05/69, but still stored on the fuel tank road, Canton 86A, 19/12/69. Towed ex Canton 86A, with D9509, to Geo. Cohen, Kettering 08/12/70 and scrapped there Jan. 1971. D9521 Transferred from Bristol Bath Rd. 82A to Landore 87E July, 1967 and stored from 24/03/69. Officially withdrawn 26/04/69 or 03/05/69 still stored on the fuel tank road, Canton 86A, 19/12/69. Eventually sold to NCB Ashington March, 1970. Returned to South Wales 11/11/2004 when it moved from the Swanage Railway to the Barry Island Steam Railway. D9524 Transferred from Canton 86A to Landore 87E Sept. 1967. Withdrawn 26/04/69 or 03/05/69 still stored at Landore 87E 29/11/69 Sold July, 1970 to B.P. Chemicals, Grangemouth, as No.8. Rebuilt and re-engined by Andrew Barclay & Sons 1974; eventually out of use by 1981. Preserved. D9525 In use at Malvern Link 6th Sept. 1966 on P.W. train D9526 Transferred from Bristol Bath Rd. 82A to Canton 86A May, 1967. Stored from Nov. 1968. Reported withdrawn variously as 30/11/68 and 25/01/69 still stored Canton 29/11/69, sold to APCM Wesbury, Wilts. works Dec. 1969. Spent a short time at the APCM Dunstable Works, Beds. and returned to Westbury under its own power, 27/01/1973. D9530 New to Canton Feb. 1965. Reported withdrawn variously as 05/10/68 and 09/11/68, yet still stored at Landore 87E 29/11/69. The IRS show this loco as being sold from Canton 86A to Gulf Oil, Roath Dock, Cardiff (date u/k) then moving to the Gulf Oil, Waterston Refinery on 26/09/69. It went from Waterston to BR Swindon on 05/08/71 for overhaul and returned to Waterston on 07/10/71. Loco sold by Gulf, to NCB Mardy Colliery, Maerdy Oct. 1975 (apparently via A.R.Adams of Newport) and transferred via Canton (repairs) where I photographed it. The loco was at Canton again circa May-Jul. 1976 but was moved to Ebbw Jct. depot during Jul. 1976. It returned to Mardy Colly on 16/08/76. The loco was repaired again at Canton circa Aug. 1977 - Nov. 1977. Eventually scrapped at Mardy Colliery circa Apr. 1982. D9535 Transferred from Bristol Bath Rd. 82A to Canton 86A Dec. 1966. Stored from Dec. 1968. Reported withdrawn variously as 21/12/68 and 25/01/69, but still stored on the fuel tank road, Canton 86A 19/12/69, During April, 1970, together with D9509, used on a track renewal programme between Hereford & Craven Arms. Loco in use as 86A Canton depot pilot????? during Aug. 1970 and was on display at the 86A Canton Open Day 07/11/70. Eventually sold to NCB Weetslade, Nov. 1970. D9536 Transferred Landore 87E to Bristol Bath Rd. Jan. 1966. Stored from 14/04/69. Reported withdrawn variously as 26/04/69 and 03/05/69 still stored at Landore 87E 29/11/69. Reported sold to NCB Ashington, March 1970. D9538 Transferred from Canton 86A to Landore 87E Feb. 1969. Stored from 14/04/69. Reported withdrawn variously as 26/04/69 and 03/05/69.Still stored at Landore 87E 29/11/69 but then transferred to Canton 86A where it was receiving attention in the main shed on 19/12/69 before sale to Shell Refining Co. Thames Haven, Essex. Shell sold the loco to BSC Ebbw Vale , and after repair by BR Swindon, it arrived at Ebbw Vale 22/02/71. It departed for the BSC Ironstone Quarries system during April, 1976 where it was used as a source of spares for similar locos. D9555 Transferred from Bristol Bath Rd. 82A to Canton 86A May, 1967. Then transferred to Landore, July, 1967. Stored from 21/04/69 and reported as withdrawn variously 26/04/69 and/or 03/05/69; still stored at Canton 29/11/69 and in use as shed pilot 19/12/69. Eventually sold to NCB Backworth, March 1970. Brian R . Cardiff
  18. Good lad Leon . Glad to see you drink the 'light' (bitter) and not 'dark' ! . BTW Have a look in the 'Media' section (and amongst the W.A.G. posts) I've posted some info on two DVD's on sale at Ian Allan, Cardiff by B.N.T. Video of loco-hauled services in the South Wales area. . Vol.1 covers the Rhymney Valley between 1993-2006 and Vol.2 the Taff vale line between 1996-2003 all with both freight and passenger workings, and both very good and nostalgic Brian
  19. Portbury Dock - Rugeley Power Station ? . Brian R
  20. Leon, . I'm on a roll now ....... . So just a couple more (humour me, please ?) . The shots blow show the following; . (i) Taken from Seawall Road looking west (Willows High School is to the right) we're looking at part of the original Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) building and pipework that lead to what our American friends would call the 'bag house' where dust and impurities extracted from the steel making process are collected, for disposal. The lower building in front of the EAF is the (original/old) scrap bay. This view was taken 20yrs ago and would be impossible today due to trees having grown along the fence line. . Those who saw the recent Christmas Special of 'Doctor Who' where The Doctor and The Master fought it out on 'the wasteland' may find this area familiar, as part of the confrontation was apparently filmed inside the now redundant EAF building. . (ii) Shows how little clearance there is between trains and the east side of the (Castle Works) Rod Mill. . (iii) A view inside the (Castle Works) Rod Mill, Coil Warehouse - an idea of the size can be gained by the number of SEA/SPA wagons inside. . (iv) A 1995 aerial view of the Tremorfa Steelworks, and to the left (west) Tidal Sidings. The blue buildings would contain the 15" / 16" and Bar & Section Mills. To their right the lower, grey roofed building was the one time nail works, the new (Celsa UK) EAF or 'melt shop' is built on the former nail works and sidings which were known as 'The Prairie'. . Brian
  21. Jamie,. Leon is right, the photographs were taken in the Celsa (UK) Cardiff plants at (i) Tremorfa, and (ii)Castle Works - Cardiff Rod Mill. From the top, the photos show . 08854 stabled inside the Tremorfa 16inch billet bank North end of Tremorfa stock bay East side of Cardiff Rod Mill East side of Cardiff Rod Mill Tremorfa ???A????? warehouse ????? south end. Tremorfa Electric Arc Furnace building 08951 shunting the Tremorfa (new) scrap bay 08466 shunting the Cardiff Rod Mill coil warehouse 08466 shunting wire coil past the Cardiff Rod Mill spooler building 08782 shunting hot billets into the Cardiff Rod Mill billet warehouse Tremorfa wagon repair shop. . This shot shows 08466 being removed, by road, for repair . Brian
  22. And for those interested in such things, the pilots snapped in my previous posts included 08466, 08782, 08854 and 08782. . Brian R
  23. And here are a few more, some stray a bit off the topic, but convey some atmosphere (he hopes) . Brian
  24. Leon . Here are a few shots to be going on with - various buildings, from different angles. . If you want more, let me know. . Brian
  25. I did my work experiance at ASW over ten years ago. I did mine there in 1973, well actually with GKN at the then Castle Works, and we spent part of our time over at Tremorfa. . That was five years before East Moors closed, and steel had to be sourced elsewhere, hence the building of the electric arc furnace at Tremorfa. . As for the pics, I'll sort something out and get back to you. . Brian
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