simon47603

Hi Jim Just wondering were 70802 and 70804 both stabled overnight at Bescot on Friday 11th of April. As I could see a Colas 70 and part of another Colas loco which, I think was at the other end of the Train. I could see them from a very quick glance from the M5? Thanks Simon

Hi PGH Absolutely Fantastic. You should consider getting a book published! However one slight complaint! SWMBO is going to kill me, as I've spent the last hour looking at this thread instead of doing the Ironing! And it's your fault!! Simon

Tin Hat time. What's caused the Jet Stream to shift, well you have to look at the big ball of Fire in the sky. This Solar Cycle SC24, should have been a maximum output cycle. However it has behaved like a Solar Minimum as SunSpot Activity has dramatically diminished! The next Solar Cycle,SC25 is due to be a minimum! Certain people and organisations have been going about Global Warming, the Ice Caps are melting the seas are rising,...blah blah! The truth is that we did have a period of warming from 1978 to 1998, due to an increase in solar activity. Then the warming leveled off from 1998 to 2003 and since then we have seen a decline in temperature and a real increase of severe weather! Now most Warmies will deny this, but in the 20th Century, from 1910 to 1940 we had a similar period of warming followed by a cool period from 1940 to 1978. In the seventies their was a real worry that we were going to enter a full blown Ice Age! This pattern you will notice last roughly 30 years or so. So we should have expected to enter a period of cooling by now as this is simply natural variation. However, I have never believed in Humans are responsible for Global warming, I'm not a denier, I am a Realist. The Medieval Warm period was warmer than it is now and the Roman Warm period was warmer than the Medieval Warm period! Since before Christmas, their have been a few articles have appeared in the media, regarding the deminishing Solar output, I.e. The lack of Sunspots, the last time we had a downturn in solar activity, it was devastating. We now call it The Little Ice Age. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulhudson/posts/Real-risk-of-a-Maunder-minimum-Little-Ice-Age-says-leading-scientist http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2541599/Is-mini-ice-age-way-Scientists-warn-Sun-gone-sleep-say-cause-temperatures-plunge.html If you think the weathers bad now, think again http://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/storminess-of-the-little-ice-age/ http://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/what-was-life-like-in-the-little-ice-age/ http://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/what-was-life-like-in-the-little-ice-agepart-ii/ Plus Wiki version http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Ice_Age Unless the Suns solar activity picks up, we are in for a rough time, hopefully it will be thirty years. However it could last 300! By the way the Polar Ice Caps are getting bigger! Just to get this back on thread: http://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2014/02/08/dawlish-railway-then-now/ http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=eng_faculty_publications&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fuk.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dytff1-tyc-sc%26p%3Dillustrated%2520london%2520news%2520dawlish%2520railway%26type%3D#search=%22illustrated%20london%20news%20dawlish%20railway%22

Just a guess, but it may be at Landore for its repaint?

We'll that is good news. But here's the question, are new spare parts readily available? Can't see DBS releasing any Traction Motors or an Engine to a revival. Without a reliable supply of spare parts, Wabtec will have to canibalise a few to get the majority going again. Or are Wabtec looking at doing a complete rebuild like the Class 57?

Hi Jules Thanks for that, sorry I'm a'bit late in coming back. I've been flat out in work lately! What thickness is the wood you have used for the Cassettes? And how wide will you now make the cassettes? Ta Simon

Hi Jules Thank you for the pictures. That looks as simple as one could possibly make it. Have you encountered any problems using this system? Simon

Hi Jules Absolute cracking layout and pictures. May I ask how you connect the cassettes to the layout?. Do you simply butt up them up to one another and then connect the crocodile clips to the end of the cassette? Thanks Simon

Thank you Mick Simon

Hi Guys Slightly off topic. but would anyone know what DRS 37's are currently sitting in ADJ yard? Ta Simon

I would have to say it was more than slightly bent! The 08 was 08898. It was sent to rescue one of the cut down 08/9's. It was recovered to Landore. Where it was stored for a while before it was moved to Bescot. http://www.flickr.com/photos/barry13092/3309208542/

Hi Charlie & Arran It's been over 12 months since the last post. Where are you now on the PCA Cement Tanks? Thanks Simon

By the looks of it, that's the end of 47500!!

Hi Matchless See if you can lay your hands on, A Locoman's Log 1937-85, by Bill Alcock. Published by Silverlink Publishing. The Author was based at Alsager from January 1940 until May 41. Slightly out of your time frame I know, but it gives you a real flavour of the Depot and its workings. Plus I have to say it is one of the best Railwaymens Books, I have ever read. Best Wishes Simon

Hi Guys. On Saturday evening. I spent a couple of hours unloading at Royal Mails Park Royal Distribution Centre, near Wembley Freight Yard. Saw a few engineering trains go past. However as I was putting my truck on a bay, a southbound Ballast Train came past Top/N/Tailed by two Class 70's. roughly about 20:30. They were dropping down the bank, taking the tunnel that goes under the WCML. Not sure where it ends up though, I suspect it loops round to Acton? Would anyone know what the Locos were and what working they were on? Ta Simon

I just checked out their website it's on the 1st and 2nd of September, all it says is, their will be model railway layouts and Ivor the Engine show! Nothing else but that. Simon

Whilst waiting on the A52 bridge by Toton this afternoon. Had a quick 20 second look over towards the depot. I saw a very clean and shiny DBS liviered Tug, being towed by an 08. Its a pity that the majority of the the tugs there will never turn a wheel in anger again! Simon

Thanks Beast So I am seeing things! Ta Simon

Hi Guys. Last night at about 8pm. whilst waiting at Tram Inn Level Crossing. Which is south of Hereford, on the Marches Line. A Class 70 came through, towing 66618 and a 66/5 heading North. The thing is, I am sure it was 70018? Has it been fixed or am I seeing things? And would anyone know what the 66/5 was as well. Ta Simon

My apologies for this bit of info being a week late. Last Wednesday evening, (the 18th) at around 6pm. I passed Kenfig Hill Industrial estate whilst on the M4. On the GWML, heading east was a 66 hauled Steel train with a EWS liveried 60 in the consist. Unfortunately the pair were to far away. So was unable to id them. Would anyone know what they were and where they were going? And what 60 has come down from Toton instead? Many thanks Simon

60011 was in Margam Yard at 10 am today. Simon

Hi Guys Both 60011 and 60099, were at Margam yard this morning at 11.30 Simon

Hi Leon On the11/5/98, I spent the evening at Cardiff Central. I have a photo of 37412 in Railfreight Grey with the Transrail Big T logo on the side, rolling through the station. I know that it then, went on to Canton. I cant remember ever seeing a Tinsley 37/4 at Canton, or for that matter a Laira based one either. Simon

Hi David, See if you can lay your hands on a copy of North Wales Coast Diesels, by Steve Morris. Published by Ty Mawr publications. There are shots of the depot throughtout the book. Plus plenty of good information all the different classes of locomotive's, that have visited the area over the past 50 years. You could also try to get a copy of Paul Bolgers book of BR STEAM MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS, LONDON MIDLAND REGION. As this has a track plan of the depot. And shots of the depot. It was orginally published by Ian Allen, But has been recently republished by Book Law Publications. I hope this helps. Simon