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TRACTION 238


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Welcome to the March/April issue of TRACTION - issue 238.

 

The ‘Peaks’ were undoubtedly one of the most successful of Britain’s main line diesel locomotives. I remember my first sighting of one at Manchester Piccadilly on an express from Euston in July 1961. It was D5, one of the first ten of the type that later became Class 44. The ‘Peaks’ were anything but standard, of course, with no less than three basic sub-types and a surprising variety of front ends. The subject of Alex Fisher’s article ‘THE LIFE STORY OF D11 – UNLUCKY 13’ was ostensibly the first of the production batch, but its appearance also varied from the majority of the class. Why unlucky 13? Read the article!

 

Diesel shunting locomotives have never commanded the attention they deserve among enthusiasts but in this issue we aim to put this right. Ian Buck recalls his time in the maintenance depot with ‘THE SELHURST SHUNTERS’, whilst Jeff Nicholls reviews Dapol’s superb ‘O GAUGE CLASS 08’ that he suggests is a ‘game changer’ for O Gauge modellers.

 

David J. Hayes, although not a model railway enthusiast, was inspired by photos in TRACTION MODELLING of the ‘Black Country Blues’ layout and has written a detailed article about oil train operations in the West Midlands to the Gulf Oil Depot known as ‘ALBION G.O.D.’ The first part appears in this issue whilst the second will follow in TRACTION 239.

 

Shirebrook, located in the Nottinghamshire coalfield, was once a popular destination for enthusiasts wanting to watch the heavy coal traffic from the surrounding collieries. Duncan Hunnisett was inspired to build a superb layout and TRACTION MODELLING showcases ‘SHIREBROOK IN N GAUGE’ as an example of what can be achieved in this scale.

 

To complement the modelling feature Chris Booth’s article ‘41J: A TAKE OF TWO DEPOTS’ starts with a look at the steam shed at Langwith Junction. In early diesel days a temporary servicing facility was set up in an old goods shed nearby before a purpose built depot was constructed.

 

Colin Boocock continues the story of his railway career in ‘ENGINEER IN SCOTLAND - MANAGING CHANGE’. Several interesting things are revealed such as why DMUs between Edinburgh and Dundee were replaced by Class 26 hauled passenger trains .

 

Electric multiple units rarely get as much attention as their diesel counterparts so Nick Ross decided it was time to redress the balance. His article ‘CLASS 310 UNITS REMEMBERED, 1965-2007’ tells the story of this highly successful EMU which had a surprisingly interesting and widespread career.

 

The railways of the South West, and especially Cornwall, have long held a place in the hearts of enthusiasts; many of us have memories of summer holidays, locomotive hauled trains on the main line and multiple units on those unusual branch lines. Gavin Morrison was drawn back many times and we feature some of his photographs in ‘PASSENGER AND MAIL TRAINS IN CORNWALL’.

 

 

The next issue of TRACTION - (May/June issue 239) will be on sale on Friday 7th April.

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David J. Hayes, although not a model railway enthusiast, was inspired by photos in TRACTION MODELLING of the ‘Black Country Blues’ layout and has written a detailed article about oil train operations in the West Midlands to the Gulf Oil Depot known as ‘ALBION G.O.D.’ The first part appears in this issue whilst the second will follow in TRACTION 239.

 

 

Excellent! If it's anything like David's previous articles there will be some interesting content there. Time for a gratuitous TEA shot from BCB.

 

TEAs_1s.jpg

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Another excellent issue, Shirebrook is a great model. Spent a few occasions there in my youth whilst staying at relatives in Nottingham.

Train to Alfreton and Mansfield Parkway then bus to Shirebrook, going home was easier as my Uncle was a sales rep and gricer so picked me up after his visits. We even blagged a look round the Depot shed.

 

Plenty more to read yet.

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