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4630

 

Is that Mountfield to Soton train running from Mountfield, Sussex? And, does it carry gypsum? To where, for what purpose?

 

Apologies for a fusillade of questions, but I have memories of the "mines branch" at Mountfield, from the 70/80s.

 

And, the Redbridge picture is a right shock, given that I haven't got off the train there in 35+ years. it appears that the odd small shrub has grown into a whopping great tree in the intervening period!

 

I had business at the sleeper works and foundry, when we recovered a "runway beam system" from there, to create a "shed trolley system" for the Waterloo and City depot. The wiring on the old trains was so fragile that, the intended trolley sockets may never have been fitted in the end. The original means of powering-up W&C trains "off the juice" was similar to a London Underground "gap jumper", but even more basic and dangerous, involving a wander-lead, and whacking great clamps that were attached terminals in a cabinet on the train - enough live, exposed, conductors to make your hair stand on end!

 

Kevin

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4630

 

Is that Mountfield to Soton train running from Mountfield, Sussex? And, does it carry gypsum? To where, for what purpose?

 

Apologies for a fusillade of questions, but I have memories of the "mines branch" at Mountfield, from the 70/80s.

 

 

Probably empties going to Soton Docks for imported gypsum for the works at Robertsbridge/Mountfield. (Although there is the possibility that it is exporting gypsum)

 

Although Robertsbridge is a gypsum mine, it can be cheaper to use imports or FGD gypsum which is a by-product of power station de-sulphurisation plants.

 

Similarly, the British Gypsum works at Kirkby Thore uses FGD gypsum from power stations instead of locally mined stuff. We used to have a daily Fidler's Ferry PS-Kirkby Thore service, but that has all but disappeared with the wind-down of FFPS (and lesser use through the summer months)

 

For others - gypsum is used in the manufacture of plaster and plasterboard.

 

Cheers,

Mick

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Much obliged to you both. I tried to find it in RTT, but failed.

 

I feel a "for old times sake" trip to Mountfield coming on. Last time I photographed trains there was while we were working on the Hastings Line electrification!

 

Kevin

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There is one in there, honest.

 

626Q ex Wembley, heading for Carlisle, passing MK this evening. A very long train of cars and vans, with both double and single deck wagons.

 

I'm guessing that the 66 conveyed the train from Felixstowe or another dock, and the 90 needed to return north, but that's only a guess.

 

K

post-26817-0-31216500-1471028230_thumb.jpg

Edited by Nearholmer
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With 4N58 / 12 50 Tyne Coal Terminal - North Blyth suddenly shown as 'activated' on RTT, I decided to venture out despite the forecast for rain  ( after a week of glorious sunshine ) 

 

However, my day was certainly brightened up by the sight of GBRf 66779 'Evening Star' powering 4N58. 

 

 

Winning, Northumberland - 2 15pm

 

post-7898-0-13926300-1471617054_thumb.jpg

 

 

'9F' printed on the cabside is a nice touch.

 

 

post-7898-0-13289100-1471617141_thumb.jpg

 

 

...crossing the road into Battleship Wharf, North Blyth

 

 

post-7898-0-49325000-1471617225_thumb.jpg

 

 

post-7898-0-52302900-1471617273_thumb.jpg

 

If you want to catch 66779 later today it will be working either 6Z89 16 29  North Blyth - Drax or 6B70 16 55 North Blyth - West Burton PS. I'm not sure which of these 2 trains are running today.

 

Mal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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10.00am today.  GBRf 66740 'Sarah' has arrived in the loop at Newsham, Northumberland with 6S45 /  9.25  North Blyth Alcan - Fort William where it will run around before proceeding north.

 

post-7898-0-28777700-1471685750_thumb.jpg

 

 

66740 has uncoupled and moves forward to run around...

 

 

post-7898-0-69405500-1471685872_thumb.jpg

 

 

post-7898-0-78370000-1471685922_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kevin, it was taken with my Nikon Coolpix L810. It does have a x26 zoom, but I find picture quality declines after about half that figure.

 

Don't know the actual setting was I'm afraid, but you can overdo the zoom like this.......

 

post-6880-0-93815700-1471727254.jpg

 

66529 climbing to the Battledown flyover - the train is just over a mile away in this shot. I was leaning the camera on the footbridge I was on; don't have a tripod.

Edited by Peter Kazmierczak
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Peter

 

Well, a swift bit of googling tells me this about your camera:

 

"Focal length 4.0-104.0mm (angle of view equivalent to that of 22.5-585 mm lens in 35mm [135] format)"

 

I'd guessed c500mm (thinking 35mm equivalent), and I reckon you must have had it "well wound out", although, on reflection perhaps c300mm equivalent.

 

The picture is very good indeed, a lot more than just "a class 66 on a container train".

 

Kevin

Edited by Nearholmer
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On probably the worst day (weatherwise) this month, EWS 66059 approaches Heathrow Airport Jn on 19th August at around 11.30 on the up relief. The train is empty Mendip Rail bogie boxes.

 

Anyone know what working this is please? Tried the usual channels (Realtime trains etc) but can't find it listed.

 

Thanks in anticipation.

 

post-6880-0-08491600-1472222413.jpg

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A trio of GBRf ones in London yesterday (it was a hot one!)

 

66742 on Ferme Park to Tonbridge WY

 

29185951571_7fef3c6264_c.jpg

66742 West Hampstead 26-8-16 (V29818) by Tim Easter, on Flickr

 

66762 on 6M54 Colnbrook to Bardon Hill

 

29265699585_48890b1d5a_c.jpg

66762 Gladstone Park 26-8-16 (V29850) by Tim Easter, on Flickr

 

66730 on 6M79 Angerstein to Bardon Hill

 

29157486012_6461104270_c.jpg

66730 Acton Canal Wharf 26-8-16 (V29859) by Tim Easter, on Flickr

 

Cheers,

Tim

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With 4N58 / 12 50 Tyne Coal Terminal - North Blyth suddenly shown as 'activated' on RTT, I decided to venture out despite the forecast for rain  ( after a week of glorious sunshine ) 

 

However, my day was certainly brightened up by the sight of GBRf 66779 'Evening Star' powering 4N58. 

 

 

Winning, Northumberland - 2 15pm

 

attachicon.gif66779 'Evening Star' 19.8.16 005.jpg

 

 

'9F' printed on the cabside is a nice touch.

 

 

attachicon.gif66779 'Evening Star' 19.8.16 008.jpg

 

 

...crossing the road into Battleship Wharf, North Blyth

 

 

attachicon.gif66779 'Evening Star' 19.8.16 010.jpg

 

 

attachicon.gif66779 'Evening Star' 19.8.16 011.jpg

 

If you want to catch 66779 later today it will be working either 6Z89 16 29  North Blyth - Drax or 6B70 16 55 North Blyth - West Burton PS. I'm not sure which of these 2 trains are running today.

 

Mal

After the short visit north of the Tyne, Evening Star had a light engine stroll to Doncaster. Seen here at Rounton Gates, North Yorkshire. Piccy by my son Jamie.

post-9992-0-74492600-1472324741_thumb.jpg

 

Mike Wiltshire

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