Strathwood

If a Highland Railway Small Ben or Loch were produced, they could use some common parts perhaps and this would also stimulate further interest in the Highland Railway and hopefully also boost sales of the Jones Goods along the way and vice versa. I for one would be up for a few. Just a thought... Kevin

My vote for the most distressed maroon Warship goes to D867 Zenith. Kevin

They have arrived, not by rail but by truck... Speedlink Volume 2 The Air-braked 'New' Batches Speedlink was launched in 1977 as an attempt to arrest the decline in British Rail's wagonload freight business. One of the things that distinguished Speedlink workings from almost all of the freight services that had preceded them was that all the wagons used were air braked. At its peak in the mid 1980s, it carried over 8 million tonnes annually. Despite this, Speedlink was never profitable, and in the run up to railway privatisation the service was abandoned in 1991. This is the second in a four-book series, each one complete in itself, which will provide a comprehensive survey of the whole Speedlink wagon fleet. This volume looks at the types on order in 1977 and delivered subsequently. It will also cover existing stock either fully or partially converted to be compatible on these services and include their former identities. Full coverage of each type is given, particularly livery changes and conversions where appropriate. Wagons produced under 15 Design Codes are covered in this second volume. Among the types included are; 100T Bogie Steel Carriers, 80T Bogie Plate Wagon, 49T Borail Wagon, Flatrol Nuclear Flask Wagon, 32.5T Hopper Coal Wagon, 31T Open Goods Wagon, 12T Pipe Wagon, 31T Plate Wagon, 45T Vanfit and14T Van (Ammunition). Written by wagon expert David Larkin and heavily illustrated throughout, this series is an invaluable source of reference for all those interested in the post steam era on Britain's railways. Those modeling the railway scene from the 1970s to the 1990s will also find these books essential reading. 160 Pages lavishly illustrated with 300+ Black & White photographs throughout. HARDBACK https://strathwood.co.uk/products/speedlink-volume-2-the-air-braked-new-batches

STEAMING THROUGH BROMLEY A tribute to a railway photographic legend by Mike King & Mary Casserley Like many railway enthusiasts, I had been aware of the names of Henry Casserley (HCC) and Richard Casserley (RMC) for many years. I had corresponded with both gentlemen and included a number of their photographs in several of my own rolling stock books. I never thought that I might have the opportunity of selecting and captioning them “en masse” and was both pleased and honoured when Mary Casserley asked if I would do just that for what would become the third book commissioned by her, of her late grandfather’s photographs; following on from “Steaming Through Berkhamsted” and “Steaming Through the Chilterns”. Of course, little did I know that those pictures taken between August 1931 and May 1939, while HCC resided at Bromley, would number in excess of 1800 images! So, it has proved to be quite a task – but one that I have enjoyed immensely. 160 Pages packed with both B&W photographs bringing the Southern Railway of the 1930s back to life. HARDBACK Mike King https://strathwood.co.uk/products/steaming-through-bromley-a-tribute-to-a-railway-photographic-legend

Living variously at Feltham, Hounslow and Brentford during the 1960s and 1970s meant that the footbridge at Southall was one of my many haunts too as it was easily reached by pushbike, as were Ealing Broadway, Old Oak, Willesden, Cricklewood & Stonebridge Park. Used to hang about to enjoy the evening Bristol & South Wales Pullmans from the bridge at Southall, then peddle like mad to get home in time for tea before it went in the bin. Kevin

Just arrived into stock with our new much reduced print runs going forward, we have Signalling Along the South Western The LSWR through to Southern and BR Periods. This weighty tome (384 pages) has been many years in the making and is compiled by a recognised expert on the subject from the signalling fraternity. The preorders exceed 200 copies out of the print run of 500 meaning it is unlikely to hang about long in stock. Full details can be found here. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/signalling-along-the-south-western-the-lswr-through-to-southern-and-br-periods Kevin

Great stuff thanks for taking the time to reply, as a London lad visiting Sarf Wales we never hung about for long in any one place after the trip from Paddington. Always trying to fit a quart into the pint pot by bunking as many locations as possible. As such we bagged a lot of numbers but often missed so many other workings, especially the early morning and evening ones. Would have been the same for Cardiff lads visiting London I suppose. Also being a feckless youth of the day, I had no ideas about the freight duties, except what turned up when it did, very often with no idea of where it was going or came from. None of the info fed down to our level I am afraid, the downside of only being ten in 1968 and just about three years into spotting proper. Wish I still had all my notes or ABCs from the day, far too many international work moves during the 1980s and 1990s saw them all thrown out or lost along the way. The memories linger on though, thankfully. Kevin

That sparks another point, sorry for the pun (not really) Warships of both production classes were rarer cops to the west of Severn Tunnel Junction as I recall, I never saw one west of Canton for sure. Likewise, in their latter days D800-D802 and D830 were almost unknown anywhere near Paddington or even Reading, although they were to be seen in the capital at Waterloo on the LSWR mainline, Majestic excepted. Its unique nature meant it was not welcome in many places, perhaps in case of failure. Does anyone know what its usual duties were on the run up to being withdrawn? I only copped at Swindon Works and saw it for the last time there too just before she was cut up after the 1971 open day. Kevin

They were certainly seen at Bescot and sometimes at New Street from time to time although as I recall it was the NBL Class 43s rather than the 42s as these were heavily used on the LSWR mainline to Waterloo and helping out on their usual WR duties to be spared elsewhere that often. Some crews were not trained on both types either, hence 43s being very rare on the Southern.

JUST ABOUT TO GO OUT OF PRINT FOR GOOD SOUTHERN NOUVEAU - And the Lineside last few copies available at £34.95 This week's book of the week is a must have for all fans and modellers of the Southern, make sure you don't miss out on your copy. 392 Pages well illustrated throughout with both B&W archive photographs, drawings and plans in HARDBACK Order yours right now with Strathwood for just £34.95 and be equipped to upgrade your modelling, check out our wide range of titles, gift ideas and our special bonus book offer deal too. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/southern-nouveau-and-the-lineside?_pos=1&_psq=southern+nou&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Kevin

Just released and in stock we have The 50 Class 50s compiled from the personal collection of Bernard Mills, perhaps more famous in Hydraulic circles, but Bernard kept on recording their replacements in the shape of Class 50s. This volume begins on the London Midland Region and takes them through to their last hurrah under Network South East. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/the-50-class-50s Kevin

JUST OUT THIS WEEK The Glorious Years of the GWR in stock now at £27.50 This week's book of the week is a must have for all fans and modellers of the Great Western, make sure you don't miss out on your copy. 176 Pages well illustrated throughout with both colour and B&W archive photographs in HARDBACK Order yours right now with Strathwood for just £27.50 and check out our wide range of 2000+ titles, gift ideas and our special bonus book offer deal too. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/the-glorious-years-of-the-gwr Kevin

JUST OUT THIS WEEK The Glorious Years of the GWR in stock now at £27.50 This week's book of the week is a must have for all fans and modellers of the Great Western, make sure you don't miss out on your copy. 176 Pages well illustrated throughout with both colour and B&W archive photographs in HARDBACK Order yours right now with Strathwood for just £27.50 and check out our wide range of 2000+ titles, gift ideas and our special bonus book offer deal too. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/the-glorious-years-of-the-gwr Kevin

Here is one for fans of the railway scene from 1970 to 1985 and follows on from the first three volumes which are now all pretty much sold out, so don't hang about will you. The Beaten Track Volume 4: The Traction and Extremities of Britain's Rail Network 1970-1985 https://strathwood.co.uk/products/the-beaten-track-volume-4-the-traction-and-extremities-of-britains-rail-network-1970-1985 Kevin

Today is the last day of our 3 for 2 promotion on our range of 175+ DVDs, i.e. purchase any three lowest price one is FREE. Be quick as it ends at midnight. Kevin