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RCD vans


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That was a joke Ronnie so no need to disagree!

When the SNCF's X3800 autorail was introduced in 1950 it rapidly acquired the nickname of "Picasso". That's generally assumed to be because the off-centre driving cab kiosk was thought to look a bit like one of Picasso's noses. That was though a feature of several early French diesel mechanical autorails where the driver had to sit over the engine to operate the gear box and clutch.  In reality it seems that it was the number of experimental paint schemes tried on it early on that originally led to its nickname amongst railway workers that has stuck ever since. .

 

attachicon.gifPicasso CFBS_Fete_06.jpg

attachicon.gifPicasso X38000.jpg

 

Despite their slightly odd appearance these railcars were very successful for local services before they were withdrawn in the late 1980s and are still very popular with preserved and tourist lines. 251 of them were built between 1950 and 1961 and some 38 of them are still around including the one still in service with SNCF - X3997- which is used as a mobile track circuit testing vehicle. 

I saw one of those in Bagnoles de L'Orne in August 1980; does anyone know (Oldudders?) what number it was so I can underline it in my Iain Allaine Volume Cobeano. SNCF Cartes de Toilette (1981 Volume)? Merci.......

Sadly, when I returned to Bagnoles about 6 years back, the line had been lifted and SWMBO wouldn't let me go exploring the route,,,,,pah!.

P

Edited by Mallard60022
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Could the RCD unit be utilised for the Odour deficient members of the public at exhibitions. Perhaps linking in the detector wagon with a tank wagon filled with perfume or some other sweet smelling liquid. It would relieve the nostril attacks whilst at the barriers.

 

The new Hunslet Barclay Wee Killing train........................? :whistle:

 

Just a thought.

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Could the RCD unit be utilised for the Odour deficient members of the public at exhibitions. Perhaps linking in the detector wagon with a tank wagon filled with perfume or some other sweet smelling liquid. It would relieve the nostril attacks whilst at the barriers.

 

Perhaps an Odour Detector van at the entrance of a show, with those that "fail" then invited to walk through a fumigator vehicle, suitably converted from GWR Bloater.

 

That way only those requiring treatment would be affected, rather than everyone being assailed by a cocktail of aromas.

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Could the RCD unit be utilised for the Odour deficient members of the public at exhibitions. Perhaps linking in the detector wagon with a tank wagon filled with perfume or some other sweet smelling liquid. It would relieve the nostril attacks whilst at the barriers.

 

The new Hunslet Barclay Wee Killing train........................? :whistle:

 

Just a thought.

 

Perhaps an Odour Detector van at the entrance of a show, with those that "fail" then invited to walk through a fumigator vehicle, suitably converted from GWR Bloater.

 

That way only those requiring treatment would be affected, rather than everyone being assailed by a cocktail of aromas.

Perhaps a WSV  could be built for them.

Ten bonus points for the first person to say what the code 'WSV' means!

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Could the RCD unit be utilised for the Odour deficient members of the public at exhibitions? 

By definition “Odour deficient” would be someone lacking in odour. Friday night’s “8 out of 10 cats” host, Jimmy Carr, suggested if you meet anyone with BO you should ask them what part of France they came from. Therefore this question is too technically complex for this topic and might be better on a continental thread?

Whilst, in theory, RCD vans could work abroad there is no known photographic evidence.

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Do we need a SLRV?  By this I mean Spectacle Leg Repair Vehicle which would be loaded up with lot of sellotape and elastoplast for reattaching the side-pieces of spotters' glasses...

Would this have the code, Glassfish?

Edited by andytrains
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Just going back, briefly, to the origins of this thread. Once a rivet counter had been identified, what was the next move?

 

Public outing? A subtle nod from the driver? A spot of paint for the engineers to identify him by?

 

Also, would the identification of a rivet counter, upset the calibration of the detector van?

 

Lastly, what was marked on the last switch Marty McFly flicked turning on the Giant amplifier in "Back to the Future"?

 

Questions, questions, questions.

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