RMweb Gold russ p Posted March 31, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2022 I've seen pictures of BSs converted to tool vans for use with breakdown cranes . All the pictures I've seen were in yellow with black chevrons. We're any red or were they converted after the red livery had finished? Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted March 31, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2022 None in red that I remember (note that I do not claim exhaustive knowledge in this matter, but the Canton vans were in the departmental rail blue/red where the grey would have been on a passenger coach livery. They were not just converted for use with cranes, and Canton had a pair used for less serious derailments (‘they’re off the road over the docks, oh, and Allied Carpets are having a sale as well’). These carried the tools, jacks, ropes/cables, and packing timbers as well as serving as mess vans. Cooking and sleeping facilities were needed in breakdown trains where the men were on duty for as long as the job lasted, which was until the line was cleared and returned to traffic, and for major incidents this could be several days. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted March 31, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2022 11 minutes ago, The Johnster said: None in red that I remember (note that I do not claim exhaustive knowledge in this matter, but the Canton vans were in the departmental rail blue/red where the grey would have been on a passenger coach livery. They were not just converted for use with cranes, and Canton had a pair used for less serious derailments (‘they’re off the road over the docks, oh, and Allied Carpets are having a sale as well’). These carried the tools, jacks, ropes/cables, and packing timbers as well as serving as mess vans. Cooking and sleeping facilities were needed in breakdown trains where the men were on duty for as long as the job lasted, which was until the line was cleared and returned to traffic, and for major incidents this could be several days. I've got one of those Hornby Gresleys with my Bachmann crane at the moment but could do with something a bit better. Our steam crane at Thornaby had what appeared to be a Thompson austerity BG with sliding doors. That was red until it was scrapped in the late 80s but apparently wasn't converted until 73 so too late for me We also had mk1 tool vans which were yellow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Davexoc Posted March 31, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 31, 2022 1 hour ago, The Johnster said: They were not just converted for use with cranes, and Canton had a pair used for less serious derailments (‘they’re off the road over the docks, oh, and Allied Carpets are having a sale as well’). These carried the tools, jacks, ropes/cables, and packing timbers as well as serving as mess vans. Cooking and sleeping facilities were needed in breakdown trains where the men were on duty for as long as the job lasted, which was until the line was cleared and returned to traffic, and for major incidents this could be several days. I only remember yellow at OC. The steam crane was replaced in the very early 80s, but I can't remember what vehicles it ran with. As for major incidents, the one that comes to mind was a stone working somewhere near Frome. The Bath Road crane was lifting and soft ground led to it requiring recovery itself by both OC and CF IIRC. The crews were actually swapped over part way through because they were out for that long..... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Davexoc Posted April 1, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 1, 2022 Now you know how there is a prototype for everything. there is a bookazine out from Key Publishing that is about departmental coaching stock and track machines. A quick flick through in WHS, and there in the BTU section is a converted Mk1 BSK in faded red livery parked up at Carnforth in 1981..... So in answer to your question - Yes, red ones did exist.... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted April 1, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2022 3 minutes ago, Davexoc said: Now you know how there is a prototype for everything. there is a bookazine out from Key Publishing that is about departmental coaching stock and track machines. A quick flick through in WHS, and there in the BTU section is a converted Mk1 BSK in faded red livery parked up at Carnforth in 1981..... So in answer to your question - Yes, red ones did exist.... Anyone any idea when mk1 corridor coaches were first converted to BTUs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 https://www.departmentals.com/ Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted April 2, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 2, 2022 11 hours ago, hmrspaul said: https://www.departmentals.com/ Paul Thanks Paul A few ideas on there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now