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In the dying light of the day ..

A special train of box vans for the peat works arrives at Bleakhouse Road: Photo: Chris Nevard, courtesy Hornby Magazine

Quiet time at Kirkby Malham

Waiting for the off

Backstreet Boys ..

Meanwhile, on the east coast of Scotland another Sulzer 6LDA fills the quayside with a distinctive rhythm ..

The Beast Of Blacker Lane. Manning Wardle 16-inch Special moves onto the shed road at Blacker Lane D.P.

Military manoeuvres ..

Another visit to the narrow gauge yard at Bridport. It must be Sunday as the shed is locked up and the place is deserted.

5514, a rather grubby Small Prairie, crosses the canal at Worseter with a 'local stopper' from Gloucester.

And continuing with the East Anglian theme, we have a view of a J70 at Ewe, a now forgotten extension of the Wisbech and Upwell tramway. Rob

The WCML around Elvanfoot, between Beattock Summit and Crawford in the days of Class 50s. Many thanks to hexagon for identifying two of the workings (see his post below). I've added the details to the captions. Bodsbury Aug 73 J3342 Bodsbury Aug 73 J3343 Elvanfoot Class 50s 445 and 419 down Aug 73 J3344 1S53 0815 Birmingham to Glasgow Central/Edinburgh Elvanfoot Class 50s 415 and 409 up Aug 73 J3345 1M30 1140 Glasgow Central to Euston Elvanfoot River Clyde bridge 2 Class 50s down Aug 73 J3346 David

Evening everyone. I always said I would keep the thread updated with news of any published material planned regarding the layout. I'm really excited to say, that I have been asked by BRM to write an article on the layout (all 40+ft of it) which is planned to be published in the autumn.

It's June 1972, probably the 10th this morning and we are at Fenny Comptom watching trains while waiting to see Clun Castle on a special working. Fenny Compton Class 33 6513 down oil June 72 J2936 Fenny Compton Class 47 1758 June 72 J2937 Fenny Compton 7029 Clun Castle Birmingham to Didcot Celebration Steam Run June 72 J2938 Fenny Compton 7029 Clun Castle Birmingham to Didcot Celebration Steam Run June 72 J2940 Fenny Compton Class 47 1753 Birmingham to Paddington June 72 J2944 Fenny Compton Class 117 Reading to Birmingham June 72 J2945 dmu class corrected David

April 1963 at Corby Glen for this afternoon. Corby Glen Class 31 D5571 down freight April 63 J030 Corby Glen Class 33 up l e April 63 J031 Corby Glen Class 55 up 10.00 Edinburgh to Kings X The Flying Scotsman April 63 J033 Corby Glen Class 55 12.17 Harrogate 12.33 ex Bradford to Kings X April 63 J034 Corby Glen Class 47 down 13.15 Kings X to Leeds Central April 63 J035 Corby Glen Class 40 down freight April 63 J041 David

Chaloners Whin Junction, south of York in 1966 and 1967 for this tea time. Chaloners Whin Junction Class 25 D7509 up freight Oct 66 J652 Chaloners Whin Junction Class 55 D9007 down Oct 66 J656 12.00 Kings X to Edinburgh Chaloners Whin Junction Class 40 D258 up freight Oct 66 J657 Chaloners Whin Junction Class 47 D1523 down March 67 J797 11.00 Kings X to Newcastle Chaloners Whin Junction Class 101 Leeds to Scarborough March 67 J801

Grassington in 1965,1966 and 1967 along with Cracoe in 1973. Cracoe Tilcon Class 31 running round Aug 73 J3360 Grassington BR Class 4MT 75039 Aug 65 J289 Grassington Class 4 75041 Dec 66 J721 Grassington Class 4 75041 Dec 66 J722 Grassington Class 4 75021 July 67 J938 David

Some trains at Hathern on the Midland north of Loughborough. Hathern rear view of down ex pass Aug 72 C1042 Hathern Class 120 Nottingham to Birmingham Aug 72 J3013 HathernClass 20s 8013 & 8196 up limestone Aug 72 J3014 Hathern Class 45 84 up Sheffield to St Pancras Aug 72 J3015 Hathern Class 47 1810 down mgr Aug 72 J3016 Hathern Class 45 81 up Aug 72 J3017 David

Near Nottingham now, at Sneinton junction, just east of Nottingham Midland and Radcliffe on Trent on the line to Grantham. Sneinton Junction Class 120 Crewe to Lincoln June 78 C3893 Sneinton Junction 25211 westbound freight June 78 C3894 Sneinton Junction Class 114 Nottingham to Grantham and Class 25 shunting June 78 C3895 Radcliffe on Trent Class 120 Nottingham to Skegness June 75 J4383 Radcliffe on Trent Class 47 Parkeston Quay to Manchester Feb78 J5920 47011 David

Now we go back to the East Midlands with photos at Stanton Ironworks, Stanton Gate on the Erewash Valley line and near Sutton Bonnington on the Midland north of Loughborough. Stanton Ironworks Rolls Royce Sentinel 0-6-0 diesel in scrap iron furnace shop April 69 J1626 Stanton Iron Works level crossing Sentinel April 78 J5987 Stanton Gate LMS Ivatt Class 4 2-6-0 down empty coal, in mist April 66 J449 Sutton Bonnington Class 45 up Jan 71 C452 Sutton Bonnington Class Class 45 down empties Jan 71 C453 David

More Kirkby Malham in 1908

Confectionery Crossing... Fry's Sentinel, No.7492 make a rare appearance on the road crossing outside the gates of the Somerdale site, as it propels one of the firm's registered 'GWR Mink A' vans towards Keynsham station. From there the van will be collected by a local pick-up goods and taken into Bristol, before being marshaled into one of the many express freight service for the North - with it's confectionery contents travel as far as Glasgow or Edinburgh! The 'Mink A' van is one of the latest releases from Rapido Trains UK, and was suitably weathered prior to staging this photo; I used various weathering powders to replicate the faded/bleached paintwork often seen on GWR goods vehicles after a few months in service.

Grubby workhorses waiting for their next turn

York between 50 and 59 years ago. York Class 55 D9015 09.05 Kings X to Edinburgh Aug 65 J222 York B1 Aug 66 J587 York Class 45 D29 Newcatle to Cardiff? Oct 66 J670 York A3 4472 Flying Scotsman up light engine Oct 66 J673 York Class 45 31 St Pancras to Scarborough special and Class 45 Newcastle to Cardiff? May 74 J3687 David

Back to railways now to visit the Stray at Harrogate in 1965 and 1966. The photos were taken with Dad's half frame camera so some are not quite as good as usual in terms of detail. Harrogate Class 104 Bradford to Harogate July 65 J211 Harrogate Class 101 Darlington to Leeds Aug 65 J274 Harrogate B1 61319 Harrogate to Kings X Feb 66 J444 Harrogate Class 46 D171 up White Rose April 66 J472 Harrogate LMS Class 5 45061 Harrogate to Kings X July 66 J569 David

Before clearing away the unfixed buildings and model structures, so that I can get on with some more sawing, gluing and screwing, I took a few quick snaps that might be of interest:

In Scotland for this morning. Some of the photos may of use to those who have model harbours on their layouts. The first of the Stranraer photos was taken while I was a student, we had arrived there in a coach from Manchester on the way to Northern Ireland for a Biology field trip very early in the morning so we all went for a walk, I took a few photos. I remember we were all hungry and it was too early for anywhere to be open, in the end we found a bakery (not a shop) which let us have some very freshly baked rolls. Stannergate Dundee Class 101 Arbroath to Dundee Aug 74 J3934 Stirling Class 27 up Aug 73 J3337 seen from the castle Stonehaven (nea)r Aug 74 J3926 Stranraer harbour Class 27 April 70 C211 Stranraer Harbour July 74 J3833 Stranraer Harbour July 74 J3834 David

I think the conversation between kits and ready to run will be ongoing! I believe they both have a place in our hobby. I like making kits, it gives me something to do, it’s a sense of achievement and I can see progress and improvement (generally) in my ability. But I have no issue in seeing something in a shop, or online, and thinking, ‘ooh, I’d like one of those’. This week I finished a kit by @macgeordie of an LNER Thompson 6-wheel NPCCS BZ. It came with everything needed less wheels and couplings and included a CD-ROM of build images and instructions. The only thing I did differently to the instructions was that, to represent the door bumps/stops, I drilled out the half-etched holes and soldered in .45mm wire as opposed to pressing them out. I think they look a bit neater. It's finished in BR Maroon (Tamiya TS-11) and lined with a pen. The kit also provides for glazing (a transparent sheet with the window outlines printed on it) but I opted for cut glass. Like the two Siphon G’s I recently completed, it was a pleasure to build. I think it captures the look of the prototype really well. I seem to have a bit of a thing for 6 wheels stock and think this one compares favourably with a Comet Models Stove R that I completed a couple of years ago. In due course they'll both be weathered. Kind regards, Iain

Well! Painting and finishing off has taken some considerable time, between being a slow business in itself and other things getting in the way. I decided to finish it in the later light blue livery (at least my rendition of it) and the result can only be described as being on the 'very nearly' side of acceptable, but from 3 ft away with your eyes screwed up it's just about OK. Jim

Some black and white photos taken around Trent on the Midland for this afternoon. Trent 2P 40458 up pass c1950 JVol7309 Trent 4F 43850 down coal photo taken from train c1951 JVol2262 South ofTrent crossing bridge over River Trent LMS Garratt c1949 JVol1028 Trent Fairburn 4MTT 42184 up pass c1950 JVol7311 Trent Lane Junction East Midlands Gas Board shunter c1950 JVol7335 David

Peascliffe Tunnel on the ECML north of Grantham, 1970, 1977 and 1983. Peascliffe Tunnel Class 40 up car train Dec 70 C435 Peascliffe Tunnel Class 47 down ex pass April 77 C3278 Peascliffe Tunnel Class 254 43079 Kings X to Leeds, going away July 83 C6114 Peascliffe Tunnel 31209 up bullion July 83 C6115 Peascliffe Tunnel Class 31 up empty cartics July 83 C 6116 David

Around the Southern for this afternoon together with a ship which provided passengers for boat trains. Graveney Class 411 Ramsgate to Victoria Feb 77 J5630 Hollingbourne Class 414 6077 Lenham to Maidstone30th April 78 C3812 Hollingbourne Class 414 6105 Maidstone to Lenham 30th April 78 C3813 Hollingbourne Class 414s 6077 and 6105 30th April 78 C3814 Swale Class 414 6159 Sheerness to Sittingbourne 25th July 78 C3918 going away Queen Mary approaching Southampton circa 1962 JV558 David

Another look at Grantham this morning. GranthamClass 105 Grantham to Skegness and Class 114 to Nottingham Sept 71 J2776 Grantham Class 55 up Sept 71 J2777 08.10 Newcastle to Kings X 9011 Grantham Class 114 Nottingham to Skegness May 72 J2926 Grantham Class 55 down Flying Scotsman Jan 77 J5617 55019 Grantham HST up Oct 83 C6289 David

Photos taken around Gateshead for this morning. Gateshead 08217 46037 etc Aug 82 C5819 Gateshead Redheugh incline Jan 84 C6333 The incline goes under the arches of the King Edward Bridge, in the foreground it is behind the bushes. Gateshead Bensham Class 37 westbound ballast Jan 84 C6361 Gateshead Stadium Class 101 to Newcastle and T&W Metro to Heworth 15th Aug 85 C7128 Gateshead Stadium T&W Metro Heworth to St James 15th Aug 85 C7129 David

Shildon in August 1975 during the S&D 150 Event celebrating 150 years since the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened. Note - the first one is from June 74 on a RCHS trip. I can hardly believe that it is now 49 years ago and that the 200th anniversary is next year. Shildon June 75 J4453 Shildon LNER A4 4498 Sir NIgel Gresley 24th Aug 75 C2339 Shildon LNWR 790 Hardwicke 24th Aug 75 C2342 Shildon Head Wrightson 0-4-0VB 24th Aug 75 C2347 Shildon B1 1306 Mayflower 24th Aug 75 C2356 Shildon CR 419 24th Aug 75 C2375 David

It is hard to classify this batch so it is probably simplest to say the Ongar branch and the maltings which were once rail served at Snape in Suffolk. Ongar Dec 76 J5576 Ongar LT Epping to Ongar Dec 76 J5577 Ongar LT train Epping to Onger Feb 77 J5635 Snape inner yard of maltings Oct 73 J3432 Snape front of maltings Oct 73 J3433 Snape maltings March 76 C5620 David

Five places beginning with "S" this time, though one is not a real railway. Sandilands Lincs pull along train Aug 52 J1679 I think this was my first train, aged 3 (just)! The photo was taken on my birthday Sandy Class 31 down freight Apr 74 J3646 Sandy Class 46 10.15 Kings X to Leeds Apr 74 J3645 Saxby Class 105 etc Norwich to Birmingham going away Sept 70 J2381 Scarrington Lane crossing Aslockton Class 114 Nottingham to Grantham Sept 75 J4930 Scremerston Class 254 up Aug 81 C5482 David

Photos of electric locos this morning along the WCML. Elmhurst 84004 down freight Jan 76 J5036 Elmhurst Class 86 up Jan 76 J5037 Hincaster Junction 87033 up June 76 J5263 Hincaster Junction 86207 down June 76 J5264 Sandon Trent and Mersey canal Class 86 down June 76 J5331 David

I've been making a little progress on my layout recently. I had to get some of the previously made buildings and structures in place to check positioning and working out the track bed board sizes that needed to be cut. Before clearing them away to be able to get on with the wood mangling (sawing, gluing and screwing) I took a few snaps. Although I posted them on my layout thread I doubt many visit it (being N/2mm and mainly third rail electrics) so here's a couple of them that might be of interest to Tony's followers:

J15 on Upbech Quay, I think the crew have gone to the pub behind.

Some photos at Butterley , The Midland Railway Trust in 1978 and 1982. Once again a reminder that in those days people were allowed to walk almost anywhere they liked. Butterley 6203 27th May 78 C3845 Butterley 4F 44027 27th May 78 C3848 Butterley 673 27th May 78 C3851 Butterley 27th May 78 C3858 Butterley 16440 Aug 82 C5841 Butterley 16440 Aug 82 C5847 David

The layout is looking a bit like a messy building site - well, I guess it is ATM. And I need to go out for some more timber for the lower station track-bed supports. Here's a shot taken through the end window down the length of the entire scenic section of the layout.

The ECML around Little Bytham in 1971 and 1973 once again this evening. Little Bytham Class 40 down March 71 J2528 Little Bytham Class 47 poss 1515 down 14.20 Kings X to York May 71 J2652 Little Bytham Class 55 9018 11.30 Kings X to Leeds and Harrogate May 71 J2654 Little Bytham Class 47 1973 12.00 Kings X to Aberdeen May 71 J2657 Little Bytham Class 47 1101 14.10 Newcastle to Kings X May 73 J3193 David

The river, alongside Bridport Town Station.

Just across the border in Scotland at Burnmouth on the ECML in the 70s. Burnmouth Class 55 up May 74 J3702 Headcode not recognised 55019 Burnmouth Class 55 55007 down May 74 J3704 10.00 Kings X to Edinburgh "The Flying Scotsman" Burnmouth Class 40 up freightliner Aug 74 J3995 Burnmouth Class 47 up ex passAug 77 C3510 Burnmouth 40085 up freight Aug 77 C3511 David

This evening's batch were taken at Trunmpington, just to the south of Cambridge. As usual Dad was using his track permit for some of them. Trumpington B1 1286 up vans 1948 JVol1243 Trumpington B12 down troop train c1948 JVol1253 Trumpington B17 1641 Gayton Hall Cambridge to Liverpool St 1948 JVol1194 Trumpington C12 7375 down goods c1948 JVol1259 Trumpington D16 up pass Cambridge to Liverpool St 1948 JVol1216 David

Around Little Bytham on Stoke Bank 1970-1973 with both blue and green diesels. Little Bytham Class 47 1747 up oil May 70 J2123 Little Bytham Class 47 1940 up Jan 72 J2808 A very odd headcode. Little Bytham Class 55 9003 up Jan 72 J2809 08.10 Newcastle to Kings X Little Bytham Class55 9013 down 16.00 Kings X to Edinburgh May 73 J3194 Little Bytham Class 47 1578 up 15.25 Leeds to Kings X May 73 J3195 David

General Information Announcement For many, many months now I have been ploughing through this thread from page 1 to reinstate all pictures lost before the hard drive collapse of March 2022. Yesterday evening I completed the task..... In summary: All my main pictures have now been reinstated (as they are saved on my computer as well as the cloud). Most of the mobile phone ones have been as well but there are gaps as sometimes I would take and post whilst in the railway room but not save. Naturally not be able to do the 3rd party pictures.

Around Grantham in black and white about 1950/1. Grantham rear of down pullman c1951 JVol1173 Grantham A4 l e for down Northumbrian c1951 JVol7010 60015 Quicksilver Grantham Barrowby Road A2/2 60504 Mons Meg down ex pass c1950 JVol7366 Grantham Barrowby Road Junction A1 down ex pass c1950 JVol3176 Grantham Barrowby Road Junction A1 up pullman c1950 JVol3168 David

Black and white late 1940s photos at Cambridge from Dad come next. One is at March Cambridge B1 up Yarmouth to Liverpool St c1948 JVol1202 Cambridge B17 1624 up pass c1948 JVol7270 Cambridge J15 ecs 1947 JVol1438 March J20 1947 JVol1429 Cambridge K3 ord pass 1947 JVol1430 David