lazythread

C13934 - the pigeon van lives on in preservation and has been restored on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. It's number is 70754.

I forgot that LURS have published all the back issues of Undergroung News on their website - if you go to the February 1978 edition it gives full details including the individual car numbers of the trains. The Queen did have her own train, including unit 244. It was the Hatton Cross inauguration that used a 1973 stock specially for the opening journey as they were not yet in general service.

I commuted from Hounslow West to Barons Court, from August 1976 until late 1980 and the '59's were there in force to Heathrow for a while. LURS will know the date of the last '59 on the Piccadilly, I'm away from my books otherwise I'd look it up. It may well have been the special 3-car 1962 stock Aldwych unit - 1750-2750-1751 - as I think Aldwych was the last to get 1973 stock. They put a 1973 stock train into service specially to open Heathrow and then I believe it went straight back into Northfields. Piccadilly 1938 tube stock made it to Hatton Cross - just - they didn't have destination plates made up and displayed HOUNSLOW on the front.

After the gangway was added, 54287 was paired with Metro-Cammell class 101 DMBC 53155 to form unit L211. I rode on it a couple of times on the Marlow branch around 1990. 53155 was unique as the only Class 101 brake to gain a first class section.

Hi David, congratulations on reaching 1000 pages. J1055 shows experimental window treatment on BSO E9249 - a very useful colour shot. I am not sure if this was the only coach so treated. Regards

I'm giving Pop Up Designs a shout out here. First, for their great laser cut kits of Scottish prototypes. I was looking for some suitable station buildings and canopies for a freelance layout and found exactly what I needed. Second, for their lightning fast service. I've ordered twice from them, both times my order arrived next day. I have no connection with them other than as a very happy repeat customer. https://www.popupdesigns.co.uk/product-category/railway-scale-models/

That's a great video!! Looking closely at the pannier, it seems to me that the chassis is binding, which is why it runs unevenly at slow speed. It seems to stiffen up when the right hand coupling rods are at the bottom of their rotation. There may be nothing wrong with your trackwork. I may be wrong but hope this helps.

The website is back up again.

Don't know if you'd get a Sulzer engine in a Hymek, they're too short. I believe the Maybach MD870 engine can go up to 2000HP, so remove the boiler and add an eth generator or an auxiliary engine. Now a Maybach MD870 will fit a Baby Deltic. Type 3/4 power with eth and air brakes.......

Thank you - very good memories.

Hi Andy, I worked in Charles House from 1976 to 1989, not for MI5 though. A few hours were spent in the Radnor and a few sandwiches were bought from Franks. Nice work!

Love your diesel shunter conversion. There were 10 similar Hudswell Clarke shunters, BR class D2/12. One survives, D2511 on the Keighley and Worth Valley railway.

The two Brian Hardy books were published by LURS in the 1980s, "UNDERGROUND" issues 14 and 15 which cover the Standard Stock in pictures. They come up for sale occasionally. Part 1 covers 1922-45 (ISSN 0306-8609) and Part 2, 1945 onwards (ISBN 1 870324 15 3). They are well worth seeking out.

Was the guards compartment air conditioned by any chance? Looks like a warm day.

C8600 at Stocksfield is simply stunning Dave, thanks for including it.