Sunbird24

Only just seen this and cannot add much except to say that two of the Sharp Stewart locos, numbers 6 & 7 were part of a batch for Swedish Railways. One of these not only survives but is still in occasional use! More details such as pictures, maps and scale drawings on my web pages specific to the T&WR at: https://searail.malayanrailways.com/Railsing/Thetford and Watton Railway/Thetford and Watton Railway.htm There is a lot more information in local newspapers of the day, these are currently being archived and will eventually become available online but this is a slow process. There may be some hints on the livery in articles covering such events as opening ceremonies but I have not found them yet.

Just came upon this thread while searching for information about all locos fitted with condensers for operating in the London Underground system. I note you mention the 5 Massey Bromley E10 locos as 59, 101, 233, 586 & 588 and mention it as I have found a photo of 233 condenser fitted and also one of 101 so fitted. Do we know which others were so fitted later? Is there a listing of which locos were so fitted and when? I have data on more than 700 locos so fitted between 1863 and 1901 but no data on the LB&SCR locos so fitted except a photo of A1x 677 appears so fitted but with small pipes. Some were used on the East London Line. Does anyone know which ones? SER 180 was so fitted but I have no info on the rest of the Q class. This has been edited due to an error on my part so the original question has changed. The attached photos are not mine but for reference only, the first is in the GERS Collection 7026 338 and the second is as stated on the image.

Another update, Ross Ibbotson's book has now been published and is available now, details on my Searail web site, above. I have recently received copies of the Peter Hodge collection along with permission to use them. They include photographs of very good quality of the North Borneo Railway between 1967 and 1971 and I hope to be able to add these to my site in the not too distant future.

I have heard back from Ross. He is on the final chapter now and hopes to hand over the manuscript (to the publishers) in July. The remaining process can take anything from a few weeks to a few years, depending on how much work has been done beforehand. Interesting article on why it might take so long; http://www.barbaradoyen.com/book-publishing/how-long-does-it-take-to-publish-my-book

Thanks guys. 2 books available at a price http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ross-Ibbotson/e/B002U0JKT0 I have e-mailed Ross regarding the latest book and await his reply.

I can provide a few updates and more information on this railway as I have been involved in Asian Railway research for many years and also visited the system. The old depot at Tanjung Aru no longer exists, having been replaced by a new facility at Kinarut last year. It has mostly been demolished already and new buildings are going up. All that remains (as of last month) is two short lengths of track containing one Vulcan locomotive 6-014, a 4-wheel coach and a wagon. The PW depot is now the steam depot where 6-015 and 6-016 reside. The latter is serviceable and in regular use but the former was withdrawn for overhaul in 2012. It is currently awaiting new superheater tubes which are being manufactured in Japan. The foreman is hoping to have another siding installed to take 6-014 which will otherwise be cut up on site by the developers! During my visit last month only one diesel was available for the Tanjung Aru to Beaufort service so many trains are cancelled. Only the Beaufort to Tenom service is running normally as that section used lightweight stock of which there is still plenty apparently. The New locomotives are out of service with worn out wheels. I also have full details of the Sarawak railway and a lot of information on the industrial railways. As far as the forestry systems go that subject is to be covered in a book due any time soon, in fact it may already be out. The author supplied me with a lot of information and pictures but asked me not to publish anything until his book has been published so that information has to stay under wraps for the time being. I have written my own history of the North Borneo Railway which also has links to the full details of the Australian invasion of Borneo and a lot of old pictures from that campaign. It also has links to lists of much of the motive power and a lot of pictures which are already in the public domain. http://searail.malayanrailways.com/Borneo/NBR2013.htm Any more questions please feel free to ask.