Bill Donald

Yes, the number is what I have. You have an extremely rare wagon plate too! Only four of these brake vans were ever built, by the LMS at their Earlstown wagon works in 1944. Although they were an RCH design, as a post-war standard brake van. Despite their design, they were issued with an LMS diagram (2046 if my memory is correct). Each one was delivered to the LMS, LNER, GWR, and SR. Further details can be found in Bob Essery's excellent LMS Wagons - the definitive reference on the subject. I've no idea what happened to the other three vehicles - be nice if one turned up on one of the preserved lines and was renumbered and re-united with 26500. Another point worth mentioning from the modelling standpoint is the storage of brake vans in connection with the Quayside branch. The short siding at the extreme eastern end of the grain dock, viz., the stub in Trafalgar South yard on the south side of the two lines through to Red Barns, was used predominantly as a holding point for brake vans. Generally there would be at least three brake vans there. My mother mentioned playing on them in the 1930's so it must have been a long established practice. Furthermore, the platform adjacent to this stub siding was a builders merchant yard with stacks of roof slates, chimney pots, timber window frames, glass and so on. Just another piece of information for modelling authenticity. I dare say these will be quite a challenge to represent in 4mm scale. Bill Donald Dublin, Ireland.

Sorry but I can't make anything out, even at extreme zoom in Corel PhotoPaint. From memory, the only thing I recall was the standard BR freight vehicle designation on a brake van, although in the case of the 1944 RCH brake van, the running number was an E prefix rather than B. I've a note of the number somewhere if interested. Using modellers licence however, I wouldn't raise any eyebrows at a legend reading something like: TO WORK NEWCASTLE QUAYSIDE BRANCH. Bill Donald Dublin, Ireland.

Well to be fair the TEA project dates from 1960 or so, which means I've accumulated a lot of information. Ultimately the aim is to publish this work, which given my failing eyesight due to macula degeneration, can't be put off for much longer. And yes, the Ponteland portion will deal with some of the less well-publicised aspects you've mentioned. Bill ,Donald Dublin, Ireland.

Mysterious Man in Dublin? LOL. I've been called worse I suppose. I'll be back at the SLS in Newcastle in early 2014 to give a presentation on the Riverside and Ponteland Branches. This will make a total of five presentations (about 10 hours in total) on the Tyneside Electrified Area (TEA) to the SLS. Incidentally, the RCTS Newcastle Branch has me giving part 2 (of 3 presentations) on the TEA passenger lines. This will take place very close to the SLS one in early 2014. These RCTS presentations are very similar to those given to the SLS starting in 2010 - so if you missed them, here's a chance to catch them again. I'd suggest you keep your eyes on the respective web sites for the precise dates which are likely to be late January early February. Bill Donald Dublin, Ireland.