Jim’s “out and about with GBRf” thread

[Jack374]

Great set of pics Jim, I was on North Stafford Jn footbridge, ta for the tones and wave!

 

 

 

2 hours ago, big jim said:

interesting to note that on the trip back from Derby I saw a DB livery 60 in chaddesden, DCR in summerhill loop, Drax livery at Burton, and a Puma livery and DB in Kingsbury!

 

I saw the DCR too and a very claggy silver 60066, and thought same as you, how wonderful we’ve got 3 different FOCs running multiple 'tugs', when in circa-2009 EWS were running as few as 4 I believe…

 

 

25 minutes ago, big jim said:

it’s a weed killer train, looking at the labels that module this end contains the chemicals, the centre is the operating area and the end is an office/messroom 

 

I don’t know if there is more of it looking at the extra brackets over the buffers, will have to wait and see 

 

There are 3 full wagons' worth, it made its inaugural journey this summer to Tonbridge then did a few test runs and came back to Derby. Here it is on its first trip (Flickr link):

 

 

Whether they’re the same 3 wagons I’m not sure, I’d be able to say if I knew the 'original' 3 numbers (to compare to pics from today). Odd that now only the middle modules remain if so!

 

Thanks,

Jack.

[big jim]

Cracking pics jack, how long does my arm look in the waving pic though! 
 

the wagons are 95378, 79 and 80 

 

This morning it was originally marshalled with the module wagon to the rear but it had a couple of overhanging pipe brackets that looking at your previous pictures of the train were to do with the extra tanks on the other wagon, they looked like they may have fouled the loco end once we ran round so we reformed it with the loaded wagon in the middle before we left the rtc just to be sure 

[newbryford]

2 hours ago, big jim said:

Cracking pics jack, how long does my arm look in the waving pic though! 
 

 

Do you have a false hand on the end of a stick for such occurrences?

[Jack374]

2 hours ago, big jim said:

Cracking pics jack, how long does my arm look in the waving pic though! 
 

the wagons are 95378, 79 and 80 

 

This morning it was originally marshalled with the module wagon to the rear but it had a couple of overhanging pipe brackets that looking at your previous pictures of the train were to do with the extra tanks on the other wagon, they looked like they may have fouled the loco end once we ran round so we reformed it with the loaded wagon in the middle before we left the rtc just to be sure 

I agree with Mick about your arm!

 

Interesting you had to re-marshal…would that mean it is out of gauge or is it 'allowed' at the drawhook ends as long as the rest is within gauge? Surely it would require runner vehicles in that case though…I dunno, pure speculation on my part!

 

The wagons appear to be the same set…found this Flickr pic from Tonbridge when they last escaped the RTC…

 

 

Jack.

[big jim]

The module I moved today must sit in the middle normally and the brackets look to have room between the ends and the tanks on the adjacent wagon, I think once it’s formed properly it’s pretty much a permanent fixed formation going by all the pipes and gubbins that are between the wagons, certainly splitting it would involve a lot more than disconnecting the brake pipe and coupling to get them apart! 
 

effectively the outer wagons today were acting as barriers/runners (certainly at one end anyway) 

[adb968008]

1 hour ago, Jack374 said:

I agree with Mick about your arm!

 

Interesting you had to re-marshal…would that mean it is out of gauge or is it 'allowed' at the drawhook ends as long as the rest is within gauge? Surely it would require runner vehicles in that case though…I dunno, pure speculation on my part!

 

The wagons appear to be the same set…found this Flickr pic from Tonbridge when they last escaped the RTC…

 

 

Jack.

Two tanks sitting on a kfa wagon… something for Revolution trains…?

The other wagon, does that make it the first container carrying people since the unions blocked guards in their container pod in the mid-1960’s ?

Edited October 4, 2021 by adb968008

[big jim]

i was wondering what the ride would be like too, compared to the 60s id like to think that the technology available today would result in a smooth ride be it some sort of shock absorbing floor or decent seating etc 

[big jim]

11 hours ago, newbryford said:

 

Do you have a false hand on the end of a stick for such occurrences?

[Fat Controller]

10 hours ago, adb968008 said:

Two tanks sitting on a kfa wagon… something for Revolution trains…?

The other wagon, does that make it the first container carrying people since the unions blocked guards in their container pod in the mid-1960’s ?

There have been containers modified as Propelling Wagons. One such was used on the East Usk branch in Newport.

[WessexEclectic]

19 hours ago, big jim said:

Some from today, a wagon move from derby to bescot, should have been toton but the only spare loco was a class 60 in Bescot, shame!

...

I then took it down to chaddesden to churn round where 66794 was sat, first time I’ve seen it painted

...

Into the station to change ends and head back to the train 

 

Is/was the Outside Siding run around not available or not big enough? TIA.

 

Couple of articles on the new Smart Weed System Train here and here .

[big jim]

All roads were full in Chad! 

[Railfreight1998]

23 hours ago, adb968008 said:

Two tanks sitting on a kfa wagon… something for Revolution trains…?

The other wagon, does that make it the first container carrying people since the unions blocked guards in their container pod in the mid-1960’s ?

Not quite a wagon, but some of the weedkilling pods used on mpv sets have a cabin for an operator to sit in.

 

12 hours ago, Fat Controller said:

There have been containers modified as Propelling Wagons. One such was used on the East Usk branch in Newport.

 

(Flickr link)

 

Think it was modified to replace a shark (probably the last one on DBs books).

[CovDriver]

Was that you on the 196 this morning departing New St via the Derby tunnel on your way back to Tyseley.

I was sitting in the dip on the Down Coventry waiting time to arrive into New St. 

That's some acceleration on thos 196's.

 

Cheers 

 

Colin 

[big jim]

Yeah that was me, they go well with 4 engines!

 

Some from yesterday 

 

couple of cats in crewe

 

and on the 196 in new st

 

Stafford

 

 

Down to nuneaton and back to crewe, unusually platform 6 

 

rhen as there was a possession south of Stafford we did a run stafford to crewe and back then sat there for 3 1/2 hours 

back into Tyseley 

 

RHTT later but may also have to go and conduct an intermodal too

 

[TomScrut]

1 hour ago, big jim said:

196 in new st

 

I know taste is subjective and all that, but I really don't understand how some people like the appearance of say a 150 and then think these look awful!

 

I wish Northern had got theirs with this front end too, looks better than the 195/331 end IMO (although I do quite like that too).

 

I hope somebody does a model of the CAF units TBH.

[big jim]

They are a smart looking unit but the livery is a bit too fussy in my opinion, they look much better in the plain TFW white and red, still need yellow ends though!

[Dunsignalling]

2 hours ago, big jim said:

They are a smart looking unit but the livery is a bit too fussy in my opinion, they look much better in the plain TFW white and red, still need yellow ends though!

The black and orange without the fiddly lattice bits would be a lot tidier.

 

John

[5BarVT]

I think we’re supposed to realise that the lattice bits say WM for West Midland.

Too subtle for me!

Paul.

[big jim]

The hotel I’m staying in is in longbridge on the old rover site, looking from the bedroom window you can see where the old line went into the plant from the mainline

 

the ‘high street’ in longbridge is part of the new build development of the area and is one of the most soul less places I’ve ever had to stay, the public open space is a mass of concrete and roughly planted trees and green areas that just doesn’t make sense, there is no sense of history there other than some of the street names have old Austin/rover names, there is some sort of ‘timeline’ laid out in plaques on one of the walkways but a lot of them are missing! 
 

anyway some from last night, a trip to reddich with Marcus37 to get it signed off 

 

I was supposed to stay on it to the end of the circuit but was needed to go and work the trafford park to Coventry as it was diverted and the driver didn’t sign the route so I got off at new at and went over to bescot 

 

marcus getting in the way again

 

Nice to have new st to myself!

 

bescot 

 

coventry

 

and that was that, RHTT job tonight 

[5BarVT]

1 hour ago, big jim said:

the ‘high street’ in longbridge is part of the new build development of the area and is one of the most soul less places I’ve ever had to stay, the public open space is a mass of concrete and roughly planted trees and green areas that just doesn’t make sense, there is no sense of history there other than some of the street names have old Austin/rover names, there is some sort of ‘timeline’ laid out in plaques on one of the walkways but a lot of them are missing! 

They say people don’t learn from history - sounds just like the town planning mistakes of the early 60s with walkways and concrete.

Paul.

[big jim]

I’ll get some pictures later, it’s just got no soul, I like places with charity shops, independent places etc, this is just Greggs (not complaining about that), Poundland, kfc, specsavers, pure gym, Sainsburys, and a coupe of chain pubs all built round a car park, apparently it’s now the ‘financial district’ of Birmingham 

 

when I went for a run last night I went out toward lickey and there were some lovely places on the edge of the town both houses and pubs/restaurants 

 

it must be bad I’m actually looking forward to riding to redditch later for a look round there! 

 

 

[big jim]

As promised here are some pics of longbridge, don’t get me wrong it’s nice that the area has been redeveloped but it’s just so concrete! 

 

The big building looks to be pretty much on the old trackbed of the line into the plant which went to the left of the photo 

 

 

 

 

although I did spot a charity shop so I’ll have a look in there tomorrow

 

There is a walkway under the A38 railway bridge 

 

 

went a bit further afield and found the remains of what looked like some sort of conveyer from one part of the factory to a now demolished bit, that was quite impressive 

 

behind it is the remaining bit of plant that looked to be part of the new MG group, but it looked pretty derelict to be honest apart from a few new cars parked up there, not sure if it’s where they assemble/finish the MG cars that come in from abroad 

 

 

By contrast redditch was quite nice, I normally only see the outside of the kingfisher shopping centre when I stop there or pass through but the rest of the town isn’t too bad from what I saw riding in  on the bike, no pics though 

RHTT later, first night on my own so hoping I can remember how to start the MPV up and get it moving! 

 

 

 

[big jim]

Some from last night, first full night of RHTT, didn’t know if I was coming or going!

 

came off the bike on the way to the depot when the tyre got caught on the edge of the tarmac on the cycle path, landed on my arm and hip, a bit achy this afternoon! 

 

kings Norton before the off 

 

37 passing by

 

First bit was to Coventry, waiting in international

 

Coventry 

 

Coventry to hednesford via stetchford, aston, bescot 

 

Back to new st 

 

away to nuneaton and back to redditch 

 

Reddich to Lichfield

 

Back to new st

 

and eventually back to kings Norton!

 

same again tonight but I think it goes to rugeley, it’s running earlier that much i do know 

 

got it every day next week too, going to drive to lodge near kings Norton with the bike on the roof as I don’t think I can carry a whole weeks worth of lodge gear in my backpack on Monday, just about managed 3 days worth this week! 

[5BarVT]

Hope the ‘fall’ gets better soon.

Do you have to operate the leaf fall stuff or are there other operators on board for that?

Paul.

[big jim]

There is an operator on board too, ive got a trainee/road learner with me this week and next so thankfully the MPV has 3 seats in each cab otherwise it would be a long night stood up!