2750Papyrus

I think I also have to go with the L1, a fairly late but classic looking 4-4-0. More than 25 years ago I picked up a representation of a Claud from a swap meet, using a cut down B12 body mounted on a L1 chassis. Quite good for its time, but would now be worth more as an original L1.

I think it has to be a Beyer-Garratt, representing a unique type of locomotive from the Gorton foundry in addition to representing the LMS.

I also thought about the Metropolitan. I think maybe London Transport would have preserved one or two more Met steam locos if the LNER hadn't taken over steam operated services and the locos that pulled them, as they were largely responsible for the spread of "Metroland" out into rural Middlesex and Buckinghamshire. From the several classes, I will go for the 4-4-4 tank engine - an unusual wheel arrangement which looks well balanced.

That's a an impressive looking loco but the boiler looks long. What was their steaming like?

My first butterfly of the year in Bedfordshire this morning, a Brimstone.

Oh Golly, GN time. And you say we only have one choice? I agree that a model of the J6 is long overdue, given the number of pre-grouping 0-6-0s recently released or announced, but there are other classes perhaps more worthy of preservation. The fact there is only one non-streamlined Gresley pacific preserved argues strongly that an original A1 should have been preserved. The K3 and O2 have claims for pioneering 3 cylinder propulsion (and conjugated valve gear). However, I am drawn to the earlier 2-6-0s, which have a claim to be the first modern mixed traffic engine (as they had outside valve gear). The original K1s were rebuilt with larger boilers to become K2 so my choice has to be the latter.

That's a fine looking model loco, in a great setting. A few years ago we would have marvelled at such a model at an exhibition. I won't be rude about panniers, but will instead look forward to a similar standard model of, say, a J52.

A difficult choice. The Jersey Lilies were reputedly one of the best looking engines of their generation, though personally I prefer the 4-6-0 version or an Immingham, and the A5 is a classic big tank engine. However, the B3s must take my vote for their puissant appearance, and Valour had a double claim for preservation, being a war memorial as well as an impressive locomotive. I wonder why the LNER didn't take this action, though they didn't include Robinson amongst the named A1s either.

Whilst the B16 is a good shout, there are a lot of black 4-6-0s in preservation. One of the first issues of Railway Modeller my Dad and I took (April 1954?) contained a drawing of a NE Z class Atlantic. This really appealed to me because of its size and elegance and I pleaded with him to build me one! Many years later, I bought a kit built one in LNER green livery, no 714, from a shop near Goodge Street. So my vote has to go to the Z class Atlantic.

Email from Pen and Sword this morning to advise of the publication of "Thompson, His Life and Locomotives". Should be a good read. Their website mentions a similar book about Peppercorn, due this summer.

Another vote for 9875 Midlothian. A long time ago, I bought a model which had been assembled and primed, but never painted. When I'm feeling brave enough, it will be my first attempt at painting and lining a loco. What to do about applying the name, though?

This Lockdown has affected my wife, she now has this ridiculous idea that I’m playing too much golf. Actually, it came to a head at about 11.30 last night, she suddenly shouted at me: ‘Golf, golf, golf. All you ever think about is golf!’ It frightened the life out of me. I mean, you don’t expect to meet somebody on the 14th green at that time of night.

Another vote for a George.

There is also "Great Western Horse Power" by Janet Russell, but it doesn't help a great deal. The main focus of the book is on the use of horses for the collection and delivery of goods; in 1950-51 there were still more than 100 owned horses at Cardiff and 200 belonging to contractors but there is no reference to their use for shunting work. The section on shunting horses covers two pages only. Here, the only Welsh reference is Newport, where the GW and Monmouth Railway shared two shunt horses with a driver and divided the cost of 82sh (£4.10) per week between them. However, the section on stables suggests that these were hired in when additional help was required, as there was apparently stabling there for more than 36 horses - but no breakdown as to what they were used for.

I wasn't going to vote in this poll because I don't know enough about the Midland (though my maternal grandad reputedly drove a horse and cart for them). The I remembered the M&GN classes J40 and J41........ So a vote for a little 3F tender engine after all!

My son got sent home from school today. He had been suspended for running around the girls toilets with his willy hanging out. Seems he had done it for a bet. Suspension seemed to be a bit harsh, so I rang the headmaster to explain that it was just a bit of tomfoolery gone too far. However, he was having none of it & stuck by the suspension. Getting a bit peeved, I asked him if he would rather have him thieving & smashing the school up like others I could mention. "No", he said, "I would rather have him teaching the year 5 chemistry that he is paid to do".

Child?

Whilst I have a Silver Jubilee set in the to-do box, my vote has to go to the Coronation. A complete matching train; the latest issue of Steam Railway has a feature on the restoration of the beaver-tail observation car, surely a candidate for restoration project of the year.

Very nice, a favourite loco of mine. I wish they had survived to the days of the GC Windcutters.

I have to go for Gresley corridor stock as well, gleaming with an apple green loco on the front.

We used to have a tabby cat, who never had both brain cells on line at the same time. On one occasion, she leapt from the stairs at the upper aquarium and she would spend ages watching the two catfish in the lower tank.

GN (or LNE) quad-arts, please. Saw them so often as a child but didn't ride in them till the North Norfolk.

ECJS clerestories for me too.

Most impressive.

Mullie's post has reminded me that, many years ago, I appeared in a pageant at the Royal Albert Hall. This was Boy Scout, written and produced by Ralph Reader, and I (and many others) played the parts of a football supporter, an Indian and a ghost Indian. I seem to remember that an orange juice carton, filled with water and dropped from the top of the building, made a very satisfactory splash and noise on impact. In recent years Mrs 2750 and I have attended various concerts and ballet performances, particularly when able to book box seats. Sadly, our latest booking has just been cancelled, having previously been rescheduled on two occasions. So rather than a B17, my choice also has to be Albert Hall.