keefer

new pic of D5125 on RAILSCOT: http://www.railbrit.co.uk/imageenlarge/imagecomplete2.php?id=38747

i think you're correct, the morecombe units were the test-bed for AC traction, albeit at 6.25kV? apologies michael, the way i read the info was that the MSJA units had been converted - re-reading, it seems the pantos were changed to SF type to match the new catenary installed as a precursor to the line and infrastructure being made 25kV - the units were still 1500v DC incidentally, which of these units (if any) were converted from former watford stock? i'm a bit confused with this, as some o/h units clearly have bogies with shoe-beam brackets visible as an aside, is this the only time SF pantos have been used on DC on BR?

not heard them referred to as cl.505, but i'm sure i've read about them being (nominally if not actually carried) as 301 when they were converted to AC. other articles i've seen on them just refer to MSJA stock. the original cross-arm panto was changed to single-arm stone-faiveley type in 1970 in readiness of the conversion from 1500V DC to 25kV AC (may 1971)

lazing on a sunday afternoon - queen

something 'bout you baby i like - status quo

have a 'QI' system set up complete with large screens and klaxon. for extra deviousness, deliberately load the layout with as many 'prototype for everything' scenarios as possible. if everyone did it, a ceremonial 'alan davies' could be awarded to the character with the least points!

big photo on robertcwp's flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertcwp/4448603854/sizes/o/in/photostream/

i thought there was something on the SEMG site, but only an article on the vehicles themselves, not the signs: http://www.semgonline.com/RlyMag/NewRestBuffetCarSets.pdf but did find this on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAd4AcB1t1M shows 'the white horse' and 'the jolly tar'

with ref. to the earlier discussion of triple-headers, saw this on RAILSCOT: http://www.railbrit.co.uk/imageenlarge/imagecomplete2.php?id=37563 perhaps someone with keener eyes than me can confirm the HBS-ness of the front 2!

three coins in the fountain - frank sinatra

think so, seems to be an un-refurbed loco, which would be in plain rail blue with domino headbox

i think the MU jumpers/socket may be the same shade of orange as the ETH jumpers the 50s gained the headlamp as part of the refurbishment. i think the first 7 were in rail blue, the rest came out in large-logo, so yes you need the headlamp. your photo shows the louvred area where (i think) the original air filtration at no.2 end was, this was removed during the refurb and the area plated over. the bodyside window next to the three grilles on the secondmans side was replaced by a grille and the sandbox filler points at each corner would be filled in. headcode box on refurb would be plated flush, painted grey with white lenses in black grommets from no.1 end: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianews/5846238643/in/set-72157626751407866 from no.2 end: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianews/5846728282/in/set-72157626751407866 note, individual locos may have different livery details at different times, so get a pic of the one you want!

forgot i had this one, at the kirkland yard HQ of the kingdom of fife RPS no idea what it is though!

from wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Medal_(lifesaving) which also mentions the Edward Medal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Medal which was given specifically for those in the mines or industry. following a link to the national archive gives this page: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/medals-civilian-gallantry.htm which mentions that the Edward Medal was "for miners, quarrymen and later dock workers, railwaymen, etc." , though when 'later' was, i don't know

for you - status quo

the oakwood press books covering the 'st. andrews railway' or 'anstruther & st. andrews railway' have several (b/w) pics of DMUs in the early (flat with small numbers etc) blue, possibly also pics of wrap-round yellow ends. (can't find my copies, so working from memory)

just trying to think of where i've seen it, but there's a pic somewhere of an all green 33 on the front of a TC set, might be in the 'fleet survey' for types 1-3? EDIT found it. p60 of BR fleet survey 4 types 1-3 (haresnape, batty/ian allan 1989). an un-i/d 33/0 on a waterloo-b'mouth near lymington jn. 30/3/67, train is TC stock. photo by john a.m. vaughan

atlantic cartier just off SE coast of ireland http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?mmsi=266017000&header=true

meant that they

friends will be friends - queen

"The side door vans you mentioned were used at Central, but they had vans with ramps between them so the cars could be driven from one to another" sounds like the train vans would be GUVs - these had folding end doors and drop-down flaps which would provide a 'road' through the train for cars. re: the unloading vans http://www.jhowie.fo...ntralother.html stated as an adapted well wagon, with the rudimentary 'body' presumably to ensure any vehicles are in gauge

slow train - status quo

electric avenue - eddy grant