Grasscroft Halt

I've just come across this thread looking for something slightly different, but enjoyed it as I have some memories of Talywain in the early 1970s. Unfortunately I missed the Blaenserchan line but have one or two images that I thought you might find helpful. The first (5410) is a (slightly shaky) view inside the workshop at the rear of the shed. It was unusual even then to find so much dereliction yet with tools and equipment lying around. The second (5412) shows derelict wagons at the rear of the wagon repair shop with evidence of kilns from the long-closed British Iron Works behind. The third (7524) shows the engine shed with ISLWYN visible and the terraced housing of British behind. Only the row just visible on the extreme left is still standing today. As I recall, by the time of these photos, ISLWYN was the only working engine (just) and the only work was shunting the landsale yard. The final one (7520) shows ILLTYD in the shed showing one reason why there are few photos inside the shed - it was rather dark and what light there was came in the wrong direction. All the photos date from 9th July 1974. Hope you enjoy these! Regards, David Beilby

The 1960 Sectional Appendix shows: Stafford No. 1 to Stafford No. 4 on the down fast and slow Stafford No. 1 to "Stop and Await Instructions Board", down Salop sidings on Nos. 1 and 2 down through sidings Stafford No. 4 to Stafford No. 1 on up fast, slow and goods loop Stafford No. 4 to Stafford No. 5 on down fast and slow and Nos. 4 and 6 platforms Stafford No. 5 to Stafford No. 4 on up fast and slow and Nos. 1 and 6 platforms There is also a local instruction permitting trains of up to 12 wagons, in clear weather only, to be propelled between Stafford No. 1 and Cox, Long importers siding at Bickerscote. All these is Greek to me as I'm not at all familiar with Stafford, but hopefully it means something to someone! Regards, David B

Regarding the splendid mixed DMU formation, I've never seen any explanation of the different lining styles on the Metro-Cammell units. Was it one particular workshop or was it adopted for a period before the change to blue. Does anyone know? The style seems to have been more prevalent on the North Eastern region, but maybe that's because MC units were. I aways thought it made a big difference to their appearance. Regards, David

Thanks for this nostalgic reminder of a harsh winter, which I'm sure I associate with getting my new yellow Combined Volume and transferring my meagre collection of numbers with a red fountain pen (funny what you remember). Plenty of Trans-Pennine steam that winter with my primary school in pole position right by the line to keep an eye on things! Best Wishes for Christmas to all, David (B!)

I've been a regular and satisfied viewer but this is the first time I've commented on this thread. Seeing this shot reminds me of the time we were testing the Class 91 locos and in particular the TDM equipment used for push-pull operation (although I was there for the brakes). In the earlier days the TDM connection would regularly drop out and the train would come to a standstill. On one such occasion this happened near one of the level crossings north of Peterborough - either the one you've shown or the one just south, I can't remember now. The train came to a halt straddling the level crossing - the motorists were not amused. The technicians did manage to get the train started before too long and obviously the TDM equipment has become a lot more reliable. It didn't help that the signals were being communicated through dirty RCH jumpers on stock (Mk 3 sleepers) that hadn't seen much use for some time. Regards, David (another one)