D860 VICTORIOUS

I bought D5705 (from Hattons) back in 2015 for what was a good price,at a time when Heljan diesels seemed to have fallen out of favour. I don't have a layout,so the loco has only had a few runs on a length of track on the dining table,it runs smoothly and silently.I suppose the Class 28 could fall into the category of "how many people actually remember them and what would the likely demand be?". Reading the above,sounds like quite a lot,and I'd guess that when the preserved example is up and running that demand would increase.

I know politics should really be kept off of this forum,but aren't they interlinked with the subject matter? I probably take a too-simplistic view,but I remember reports in recent memory to the effect that China was able to "dump" cheap steel into the UK.Now the prevailing attitude in the Western world is "be wary of China". In my lifetime,so many industries have been allowed to falter,and some to virtually collapse.I often heard "rising costs" were cited as a reason,I don't know about that but maybe more effort should have been made to contain costs,then perhaps we wouldn't be so reliant on imports. The loss of so many jobs at Port Talbot is a tragedy for those concerned,irrespective of any views on carbon footprint etc.Of course,the UK has had to modernise,but so many of the jobs lost in recent times will never be coming back.I doubt whether an occupation such as writing a "fashion blog" will help sustain the UK economy in years to come. Do you all remember the talk about "The Establishment"? In my view,they're alive and well,doing very nicely thank you and laughing at the rest of us....

Last bought items from Hattons back in August,and the lady I spoke with couldn't have been more helpful and friendly-outstanding customer service. Best wishes to the staff for the future.

She's a bad mama jama -Carl Carlton

Something I'd never noticed in all the photos I've bought of the class,and study of my own (poor) pics of 22's. Referring to "Diesel Hydraulics Class 22" softback book,a prelude to a hardback book on the class,a pic of D6355 at Paddington appears to show this loco without the circular cutout,although the pic is a bit shadowy on the front of the loco. Other pics in this book of the D6334 series onward, all except D6355-D6357 appear to show the cutout,including D6334 in all-over green with headcode boxes. Maybe someone knowledgeable can throw some light on the purpose of this cutout...? And credit to Dapol for including it,even if the loco numbers are not right.

21st October 1972 Ealing Broadway-Manchester Piccadilly-Ealing Broadway 55 66 100 290 295 307 401 403 415 420 434 441 442 D1011 D1068 1552 1555 1579 1599 1616 1640 1651 1657 1661 1674 1680 1688 1695 1709 1754 1780 1808 1857 1929 3068 3113 3217 3250 3576 3601 3602 3761 3764 3772 3800 3908 3952 3954 3963 3966 3968 3970 3971 4150 4178 5026 5042 5050 5064 5141 5197 5238 5554 5682 5688 5803 5809 5818 6566 D7017 D7044 D7054 D7096 8013 8066 8147 8176 E3004 E3013 84002 E3049 E3060 E3080 E3092 83014 E3107 E3141 E3152 E3185 Manchester Victoria 327 345 3842 5020 5210 Longsight 84 203 222 291 1612 1815 1953 3771 3778 3909 4144 5177 5203 8598 84010 E3054 E3060 E3077 E3080 E3094 E3125 E3133 Reddish 301 1832 5052 5084 7594 7653 76003 E26007 E26016 E26021 E26029 E26036 E26039 E26041 E26047 E26052 E26055 Haulage : 1599 Ealing- BNS,E3080 BNS-Manchester P, E3060 Manchester P.-BNS, 1579 BNS-Ealing B. Another BR "Merrymaker" excursion,probably for the sum of 75p. Depot visits were made by bus,using the Ian Allan "Locoshed Directory".Am glad I got to see some 76's resting at their home depot,unfortunately never saw them at work. What carefree days.....!

The fourth coach in picture C492,The Royal Scot,appears to be a catering coach. Can anyone identify which type?

Your love is king Sade

Maid in Heaven Be Bop Deluxe

On this day in history 23rd August 1972 Ealing Broadway-Barry Island-Ealing Broadway 121 163 174 D1004 D1011 D1041 D1042 D1065 1200 1593 1600 1607 1636 1650 1679 1691 1720 1730 1740 1812 1818 1881 1901 1910 1912 1921 1933 1999 3263 3423 3598 3606 3747 3748 3753 3807 3831 3948 3955 3965 3967 4175 5179 5182 7511 7515 7520 7521 7656 7657 7677 5538 5680 5686 5688 5692 5812 5814 6508 6602 6784 6829 6882 6888 6906 6914 6917 6927 6930 6933 6948 6979 D7011 D7030 D7037 D7076 20(R&H) Canton Depot 81 126 150 1579 1604 1605 1641 1666 1716 1920 3256 3261 3262 3419 3422 3424 3430 3434 3515 4010 4176 6839 6875 6876 6925 6972 6977 6989 6990 6992 6994 6996 6999 D7052* D7070 D7091* D7094 D7095 D7099 (*=condemned) 7518 Cardiff Station 97 111 137 D1005 D1019 D1044 D1067 1588 1592 1597 1600 1660 1731 1740 1916 1924 1933 1935 3262 3756 5180&7675 D/H 6600 6889 6906 6908 6930 6939 6974 6982 Haulage ; not much of a day out for 1605,it did both ways! All of this on a "Merrymaker" which probably cost about 75p,,,!

Jeremy Vine a "celebrity"? 😂😄

A few weeks back,I was informed by the Urology Clinic that a Consultant did want to see me,but that would not be possible until the end of this year/beginning of next.The nurse I spoke to was extremely polite and apologetic,but long waits are how things are. I'd contacted my Private provider who said they could likely help,and that's exactly what's happened. I had an initial consultation last Monday,at which I was listened to and given careful explanations of the way forward. I wasn't keen at first,but I've now started on medication which has the aim of shrinking the Prostate.This will take some while to demonstrate any effect,but I've also been informed that surgery is going to be a likely outcome. At least I now have some progress,though discomfort will persist for a while yet. On reading the fact sheet I was given,I was surprised to see how prevalent Prostate Cancer and related problems are.I suppose in an ideal world the NHS could give men of,say,fifty or over,some form of regular check,but I'd say that's not realistic right now. To reiterate what's been said before in this thread,if you're at all concerned that this problem may be affecting you,get checked out!!

A splendid photo,far better than the one I took on 24th June 1973,with my trusty Instamatic. I visited Swindon Works and Marsh Jct. on this date,with D7054 were D7009,D7023 ,D7055,D7068,D7074,D7076,D7089,D7093,D7096 and D7097.Plus 824,and just visible in one of my pictures,part of a Pullman unit. Haulage that day : 1954 Ealing Broadway-Swindon,1940 Temple Meads -Paddington.Nothing noted for Swindon-Bristol.. D7032 noted at OOC on 25th November 1973.

Don't agree with any of your comments. If you're able to "deduce my biases" then you must be a good mind reader.If I view a documentary on Rail,the NHS,politics or whatever,I view it with an open mind,and hopefully being able to learn something. I would expect these type of documentaries to give facts and information that the viewer can use to form their own opinion,and why on earth I should need to factor Elton's bias into my analysis of the programme is beyond me.

Not really wanting to get into politics here,though I found the programme informative and enlightening,for me Elton is a really tiresome individual-just my opinion.At least he had the good grace to admit to being a "leftie Metropolitan liberal".I don't see that as a reason for him to witter on with his biased viewpoint. Yes,how easy it is for an alleged "comedian" (never found the bloke remotely funny) to make jokes about Michael Portillo,who probably wasn't most people's fave politician,but wasn't it him as a Minister who prevented BR from closing the Settle-Carlisle line? Also,no mention of the damage being inflicted on the Rail system by the long-running strikes.Then again,that probably doesn't fit in with Channel 4's and Elton's left-leaning bias. Just saying...