Poor Old Bruce

References to "underground caves or caverns", where esle would they be???

That was after 1923, not 1946. I didn't appreciate that, thanks.

The LNER 1946 renumbering scheme only applied to locomotives.

Try the Local Studies Libraries or County Record Office. One or both usually hold copies of Ordnance Survey maps of various dates at 25in to the mile. Some of the more important towns were done at 125in to the mile. These will show track the layout at the respective date and the LSL or CRO should hold copies of most or all of the published versions. A word of caution to the effect that you should double check with other sources e.g. signalling diagrams as it it not unknown for the OS maps to miss out some details like the occasional crossover.

Or even a bit of angle iron cut to the required length.

Thank you Mike and Ian, much appreciated. Apologies for not saying that the date would be about 1984

Two for the 'Where are these please?' category. I think they are not far away from each other and the sign on the first is headed 'North Eastern Railway'. Edit to add date about 1984 and to add information from Mike Wiltshire that this is Castleford Gates... ... and this is Whitwood Junction

Finningley, between Doncaster and Gainsborough GNR, 2 October 1984.

Interesting picture. I can make out it's Meadow Hall (i.e. Sheffield / Tinsley area) and can assume it's of MS&LR origin but when was it taken please?

Goods Yard Box at Nottingham, GNR, 8 Aug 1979

That looks like the Kings Cross to York excursion in 1964 which was advertised a Duchess. Alas some bean-counter on the LMR decided that the Duchesses would be withdrawn en masse. The first that most railtour participents (like me!) knew about it was when a BR Standard tender emerged out of Gas Works Tunnel. It would have made a nice swansong if a Duchess could have been let loose down Stoke Bank on the return journey.

Give us a clue then

Rectory Junction, GNR, 8 Aug 1979

I'm sure there is a published photo of a Kirtley 0-4-4WT on a passenger train at Ripley but can't find it at the mo. IIRC taken by Casserley some time in the 1920s so Derby did let one out on the line at some time. If it worked to Ripley, it quite likely worked to Wirksworth and Melbourne as well if the Rail Motor diagram is anything to go by. I wouldn't have thought the type was a suitable choice for the works shunter unless there was a shortage of other types but then what do I know?

Introduced in 1984???

Merry Christmas to everybody. Allington Junction, GNR, 8 Aug 1979

There are several published photos showing whole trains of 6-wheel coaches in the late 1920s, still in LNWR livery to boot.

Don't forget a Spinner to pilot a Compound, although the 2-4-0s did last a lot longer and would be more suitable for a BLT layout

Barkston East Junction, GNR, 8 Aug 1979.

Honington Junction, GNR, 8 Aug 1979

I,ve got pictures of the Sleaford boxes somewhere but not for today so we jump to Rauceby, GNR, 8 Aug 1979.

Tea, buns and ice cream Edit: Probably Lyon's fruit pies as well!

Heckington, between Boston and Sleaford, GNR, 8 Aug 1979

Just being pedantic I know but these cranes were rated at 75 Tons (Imperial Tons) when built but that changed to 76 tonnes (metric tonnes) at metication. Metric tonnes being a bit lighter than imperial ones. Sorry!

the cranes would have been lined black like mixed traffic locos and the coaches and/or vans probably plain black with any markings in yellow