Iain Mac

Hi Bill, I walked and surveyed that section back 2005 and have photos from then on record and added therefore to the WRHA archive. I don't wish to publicises my email here but I'm sure Bruce or Matt can give you it if you would like to view these items. I'll forwarded them willingly. St Margarets Ash Siding I assume is the correct phrase but the enginemen I know referred to it as Maggies Bing? Mac. P.s Matt, that goes for you as well. If Alan gets you that mem stick they're all on there.

Absolutely Colin. My assumption would be that given the gradient the trailing points where sprung and the double affair derailed on entry, effectively acting as a set of catches, and the reverse prevented unsecured vehicles from existing? Conjecture meets pure guess work there I'm afraid so, yeah. Open to further descriptions please all...... Mac.

I'm fairly confident that is crossing just north of St Boswells and to the south of Ravenswood Jcn. The next shot in sequence on the page is of interest, I would of thought, as it shows the siding complex at Maggies Bing and Bortwick box ahead of the kettle. Others I'm sure would refer to her as the Scotsman although that maybes doesn't quiet rattle your plumbs mate? Its nice all the same is my point. Mac.

Er. Bridge 76 actually Roy south of Bowshank tunnel. On the drawing board now along with 75 Bowshank north and south portals. Mac.

No clue who but I was a little confused over this one. It is a V2 on the BCR stub. Now its either recessed or kicking a hot box off would be the explanations I could come up with? Mac.

Did Mr Robotham or Mr Cross write them?

9f as mentioned by Brindles for me. Looks a good bit of clearance to the wheels from the footplate which does really indicate a spaceship. Mac.

I'll get my coat..........

Na mate. At the risk of ridicule, Deltics make me weak!!!! I'm an EE man. Flag, mast and nails....... Mac.

I am now nursing a semi............ Mac.

Check the dissuesed stations site too for Waverley Route stations. They link direct to the you tube footage and others of interest. Mac.

1:762 scale mapping available shortly. I believe that to be Pattersons No 2 siding. The Tannery siding diverged further away from the running line post 1868 ish? and was covered from the 20's onwards. This is as far as research has established thus far. The other reason to draw you to No2 siding and not No 3 is that the photographer is on a bridge, none existing to the north of No 3. I believe this to be No2 taken from bridge 98. Mac. Well, I say believe. What I mean is, it is..........

Try Ettrick gallery too. Got broken muscles, too hard a graft recently. Mac.

That's a south bound approaching Falahill summit. The Up refuge sidings can be seen as the dark line above the A3. I've seen a photo of the traction combination before on the south bank at Fala so I'll revisit that to see if it is the same (that can be viewed) consist. I have to say I stopped chasing ice cream vans a substantial number of years ago so that knowledge escapes me. Train engine on the front and pilot inside as mentioned by Bill conforming to the original NB practice. I believe this to be something to do with the train crew mileage payments but maybe someone else can confirm this. KLF reference a nice touch, pure quality............. Mac.

Our colour archive shot at Falahill of the down train is from August 17th 68 so must be of the last service. Good catch for Mr.Turnbull there........... From the shadows on the spoil runs opposite the cottages I would say mid afternoon is spot on. Mac.

I believe I should now be able to narrow this down. It appears to be a Saturdays only Blackpool to Dundee service which although I haven't found the exact formation match we (the WRHA) have photos of in our archive. This service ran in both up and down directions. We have a black and white shot at Glenesk junction with (I think) D222 in the up direction. She is still carrying her nameplates and with small yellow panel. She has 9 on with a mix of maroon and blue-grey. The next one we have in both black and white and colour of a down direction service at Falahill. The consist is of 11 mk I's the fifth vehicle being an ex southern green BSK. Loco identity not possible but a disc headcode, full yellow end D2XX machine. (edit, not a namer). Both credited as summer 68. I hope this narrows the search down but I guess the service may have run as a 1ZXX or some other special I.D. Both above described are N.Turnbull shots and I don't know about posting them. They are archive shots so legal but morally? I'll scan and forward to Matt and he can decide. Mac.

It's a north bound service with the sun coming from the west/south west so I would say anytime from midday onwards. I would think therefor not an illuminations special. I'll have a look through our archive images to see if I can find the same train photographed elsewhere. No promises but its worth a try. D260-266 sounds on the money for me though. Mac.

I'm with Chard on the loco origin. No sign of spilt boxes so centre or more likely discs. No sign that I can make out of name bolts so over to the 40 fans to narrow down further. A green BSK on mk I bogies with no signs of mods so an early vehicle would fit the suggested exchange theory. Train I.D ? Nae clue. I could only assume it was either being bagged by enthusiasts or was a special? Football or Rugby being a possibility. Sept 68 it is for the sport researchers out there............... Keep an eye on the WRHA blog for the next few days gentlemen. Small Acorns are now developing into samplings. Sorry Chard, not a Peak or any other 1co-co1 at this time. Mac.

Time machine? So its like the Borders then in 2012. Awaiting the day that a meaningful, prospective, affluent time will return. Or the railway as I prefer to call it. Hey ho, shruggy shoulders..... I might have been on a politics course recently. Na, didn't learn nowt! Mac.

You don't require told now really do you Richard Hammond? Look after my 'general interest' material please. Mac.

Aye, too true. You'd of levelled her at the 204 Stig!!! Climbing well for a single chimney and I note the 'permissive' speed was only a guide line. One more thing. Steele Road, the best Bobby Hest Banks ever had, period. Mac.

Stop it now please. I'm in danger of making a mess.

Give us something to fail........ I would dearly love to see it on site in all seriousness, pity two didn't survive thought and a rake of 50 odd vans for us! Mac.

Bit of a lazy shot though really. Could of got one of an engine working hard against the bank. (Duck, cover).?.

WD 2-10-0 & 2-8-0 where not unheard of if not quite regulars. Plenty to view on Railscot site mainly in the Hawick area. The rumour was of spreading the road but that's also the supposed reason the Brits got finished off the route? Well before my time and its surfacemen I know surviving more as footplate so? Mac.