keefer

@DOCJACOB @Trestrol It'll be an RU. I don't think the Gresley bogies had a higher max. speed than BR2 (90mph I think) but they did give a better ride for longer. The BR bogies were perfectly good ex-works but once in traffic, the ride would get progressively worse as bearing surfaces/knife-edges wore down in service. The ECML RB (and eventually RBR) would either have Commonwealth or B4/B5 bogies

I hadn't really paid attention to the fact that it's a WCML train, never mind the fact it's The Royal Scot! That made me think of alternatives and I was mistaken. It's not an RB but an RB(K) - similar to an RB but converted from the dia.17 RF coaches that the LMR insisted on having. I was remembering the RB were numbered in the 16xx/17xx range however the RB(K) were also in this range. While typing this, found my copy of Parkin - M1643 was a dia.28 RB(K). The dia.28 conversions from RF started in 1970 and 1643 had been done by the date of the pic. The main visual difference from an RB (which you can't see here) is there are 4 full-size saloon windows and end vestibule doors, the RF was unique in this respect. RB/ RU had blank 'emergency' saloon doors and unevenly spaced/sized windows. The corridor side 'kitchen' windows were slightly different from RB - RB(K) shown in this pic: https://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/Coaches/Mk1-Coaching-Stock/Mk1-RF-Restaurant-First/i-d7RPSNX/A (note the two 3' windows between the two kitchen doors). So we were both incorrect but got there in the end!🙂

I thought more like an RB, so maybe M1643? The corridor side of an RKB had pairs of windows between the doors: http://www.eastbank.org.uk/images/Coaches/CS0201.jpg

Bad one in 1977: https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=444

I did wonder about this but assumed that by this time, the l/h trains went via Stirling especially when they became push-pull. Leaving Perth-Edinburgh via Ladybank to DMUs?

The Blue Pullman units were fully air-conditioned with the equipment powered by the auxiliary engines. It is also why the inter-coach gangways were so bulky and 'locked' together - they allowed unimpeded access between coaches while maintaining the 'closed' atmosphere that a/c requires to work most efficiently. Remember a/c is not just there to keep cool in warm temperatures - it is there to (theoretically) provide a defined & constant temperature & airflow in an enclosed space regardless of the weather conditions outside, so will also include heating elements as required.

I think it is an RMB, showing the two-bay end i.e. just to the right will be the two half-height windows (opposite the buffet counter). The other end of the coach has the toilets. Note also the normal second class seating. A BSOT will have a half-width window between the door and first seating bay. An RBR doesn't have end vestibule doors.

Just saw the report on STV News and was amazed that it was accurate! Crash at Aviemore involving the famous steam engine Flying Scotsman after it shunted into the stationary carriages. Makes a change! 😊

Not sure it's a Dundee train as those weren't diagrammed for a buffet car (they didn't even have 1st class). Also heading into Edinburgh on the Up South line, so maybe an Inverness train or Edinburgh portion of a train from the WCML? Fife/Dundee/Aberdeen trains usually used the North lines (the two tracks on the left).

There was a Sectional Appendix instruction that parked cl.40s must be chocked as they couldn't even rely on the handbrake to hold them.

Particularly the cardan shafts between gearbox and bogie final drive. One half of the shaft slides 'inside' the other but if the shaft has to extend too far, you can imagine it separating and dropping out completely.

That's a masterpiece! Might be slightly better with the objects in silhouette but then you wouldn't see the lettering on the sign.

Also signalling diagram (although from 1941) From Harsig's Signalling Page (Station headshunt/siding not shown, leading from the GF-operated points)

@Jeff Smith Mill Hill East 1961 1:2500 OS map at NLS maps Station and goods yard: Station and headshunt into gasworks: (The headshunt leads to two long sidings, adjacent to the running line, just off the left of the map)

Unless that's what I was thinking of - I can't be sure, was a few years ago! Good spot on the Motorail though.

One of the Flickr comments suggests ex-NER Van dia.171? (I've no idea if that's right or not)

I'm sure I've seen a photo where INTERCITY was painted on one of the wooden boards.

Some pages at disused-stations about the Rothbury branch: http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/r/rothbury/index.shtml (Main page about Rothbury which has further links to Scotsgap, Fontburn etc.)

The ER certainly liked to hold on to their headcodes! May 1980 is very late for the blinds to be intact, never mind actually in use. And the cl.313 & 315 even had them too.

@DaveF Must've been a thrill to catch KESTREL in use! Did you have any idea it was out and about, or just pure chance?

They might have been on one side only (with roof exhaust panel on the left)? The more recent photo linked above is of the other side. More digging required🙂 EDIT: 1982 pic of other side at departmentals.com https://www.departmentals.com/photo/975325

Never even noticed the panel! 😄

I don't think there were any cl.116 TSL left at this time but might be a former cl.127 car. Although those units were Red Triangle coded (to keep hydraulic units separate from mechanical), they were actually Blue Square, so would be able to work with 101s without modification. Another alternative could be a declassified 115 or 117 TCL.

Another view courtesy of Brian Daniels' Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/9TKJE6 ADB975325 at Paddington: (I've been aware of this pic for years and never noticed the 'appendages'!)

Haven't seen many pics of the HST-Genny, this is a new one on me! Does anyone know what's going on here? (i.e. what are those slightly-out-of-gauge yellow things?):