IWCR

Hello The L&B had 2 cranes & one match truck. One was permanently at Lynton station as a yard crane, the other and match as a travelling crane based at Pilton yard, Barnstaple Photo of crane at Lynton: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tF9Gz-gdMxM/S-qOeQOHUjI/AAAAAAAAAIM/t6PTC00mozo/s1600/LB1015.jpg Photo of crane at Barnstaple http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tF9Gz-gdMxM/S9QybrRHMjI/AAAAAAAAAHE/aNH2MoJMQE8/s1600/L%26B+Crane+%40Pilton.jpg Photo from Backwoods minatures website: http://www.backwoodsminiatures.com/xcraneset.jpg There are other photos in the various L&B books including one of both cranes and the match being moved to Barnstaple station for shipping out after closure, where the two jibs were sharing the match truck one was too high and struck the footbridge at a crossing. The quarry example I can only remember as a magazine article, I think it was in Wales somewhere with the derelict remains still being present in the 1970's. Pete

Some of the vans used with these guns in WW2 were UK loading gauge continental stock which had run on the cross channel train ferries then requisitioned after having been stranded in the UK with the fall of France. Pete

Branch Lines to Newport has photos taken at Newport in Sep 1953 showing SECR 6371 (Saloon composite) with a Tourist board and LBSC 4163 (6 Comp brake Third) with the Tourist destination board, both vehicles are part of set 495, the other carriages in this set (not pictured) were SECR 4135 (4 Comp brake Third) and SECR 2443 (8 1/2 Comp Third). Pete

Yes the 6 coach set would work all the way. E1 hauled to Newport, then an O2 for Freshwater, although the Freshwater line had some nasty gradients these were short and not a problem for a through train. Freshwaters platform was extended several times over the years to allow for the bigger trains. The smaller station stops were omitted. Although the Tourist was noted as normally being a Ventnor line set post 1949, the replacement set 496 (a Newport one) which was only 4 carriages had the SECR composite 6375 within its makeup, this still has the mounting brackets fitted for the Tourist headboard. Photos of the Tourist in the last few weeks of the Freshwater line show set 495, also a 4 coach Newport set hence the use of a Ventnor line set was not exclusive. Pete

Hello Pre BR the Tourist was normally run with an LCDR 4 coach bogie set, often set 495 or 496, reinforced with the LBSC saloon or the ex IWCR railmotor carriage. After 1949 the train was normally run with one of the standard Ventnor line 6 coach sets. The use of the LBSC saloon in public traffic after this was very infrequent. Pete

Try looking for Lone Star items on Ebay, this was a diecast range of push along model railway items in 000 scale (almost N, slightly narrower track by about 0.5mm) Various steam & diesel locos including a pannier tank and a Jinty. (A Jinty on Ebay now for £2 + £3 postage) Later they moved to powered models which I would expect to be dearer. Pete

You dont need planning permission to demolish a modern bungalow, you would of course need to own it. You do need planning permission to build the replacements. The requirement for these is to fund the purchase / demolition. Great news for the L&B regarding planning however its a long way from reinstating the line. The next stage is the TWA, as stated this could include Compulsory Purchase Powers but this is not a given. To be granted these it must be shown that the requirement for the properties is essential and that the overall scheme has such a public benefit that it over-rides the property owners rights. The desires of such as ourselves to see the line relayed is irrelevant. Regardless of how individual property owners are seen (some probably rightly) as unreasonable, it is actually their land. Worst case, you wait; as long as it takes. Other railway extensions had similar problems, a change of ownership of the problem property soon resulted in a ready agreement. Pete .

Another thing to watch is how the item you want to plate is suspended, (generally by fine wire) but ensure the areas you want plated are well surrounded by the electrolyte and are well clear from other items which could screen them, to close to another conducting surface will result in a thin or patchy coating in that area. Pete

You are getting some copper down. The surface to be plated must be spotless and grease / oil free. It should be polished first then cleaned (I use an acid dip) If you wish mask any areas you dont want plated, this will help concentrate the deposition on the areas required. 20 minutes is way to short and the voltage is low, I normally use a battery charger at 6v or 12V. I have not tried plating Lead but it should be OK You may see fine bubbles on the plating surface, if so gently shake to lose these. If a lot of dynamic bubbles, less volts. Pete

More repeats than the telly these days Pete

A side view would be useful Pete

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has two working terriers, both currently in SR Olive green. (1 early, 1 late) Both have carried pre-grouping liveries, (Freshwater Yarmouth & Newport Rly green and Isle of Wight Central Rly black), one has also run in both SR wartime black and then BR black. The O2 currently in BR black has run in SR Malachite and SR Olive green, likely to be Malachite again after the next overhaul. The policy is portray any appropriate (IOW) livery over a period of time. Pete

I recall an "entrance exam" prior to a marine engineering course. Not really an exam as such but a very simple multiple choice assessment test. Probably only to show course candidates had at least half a clue about basics. I took this at a recruitment assessment and was later given exactly the same test on my first visit to the company office. This was also 1978 Pete

There is an Lynton & Barnstaple crane kit available, this is modelled on the WW1 war department cranes. Post war these were sold off, L&B had two, the Ffestiniog one, there was the remains of one in a disused quarry up till recent times. Backwoods Minatures make this. Not sure of their current availability, the owner of Backwoods I believe has retired and the 009 range is being/has been sold to another. Not cheap but looks a very nice kit, you get two cranes and one match truck (as per L&B) I have one, not started it yet. Pete

Regarding the Dora WW2 German gun as modeled earlier. This is available in 1/35 scale as a (very large) plastic kit. I have read of a purchaser of one of these in Canada having some serious explaining to do to customs following the interception of his order for an after market metal barrel for the model, this was rifled, just over 20mm bore and several feet long. The saving grace was it was made of aluminium. Pete

1) There is no money 2) See 1) This was an MP announced idea (not new) following the recent government statement about reopening of (some) Beeching closed lines. The local council have expressed interest and indeed some 10 years ago did produce a assessment of extensions to Newport & Ventnor, conclusions were Newport would cover operating costs, Ventnor probably not, neither would contribute towards capital costs. Talk of Trams, Light rail, guided busways etc have all come from various individuals, advisers or small groups. See 1), The Isle of Wight Council has no money, not even for a token contribution. Any funding would have to come from central government, no chance. Private funding requires a return, the existing line makes a significant loss. The priority is to sort the existing Island Lines system which is suffering badly from years of infrastructure neglect. With improvements and probably new(er) stock it should be possible to reduce the loss hence be less of a burden on the operating TOC. The previous MP was very keen on having Island Line as a separate stand alone franchise operating as a Community Railway, who pays for this? See 1) Note: There is no subsidy for Island Line which is a part of South Western Railway. Pete

Political talk only following the Government talk about reversing some Beeching Cuts. Note: this was about SOME routes, not a free for all and was intended to encourage local councils etc. The Isle of Wight Council (like many) has no money to even contribute for anything like this Some years ago a report was produced looking at both Ventnor and Newport reopening as part of Island line. The conclusion was that Newport would cover operating costs, Ventnor probably not. Little if any contribution to capital costs from either. Substantial public money would be needed, it would have to come entirely from central or regional government, little chance of that. The steam railway in principal, would like to extend to Newport eventually but recognises the problems and costs are prohibitive at this time, this would be as a heritage railway although working with a commercial operator could be possible. The priority for everyone at the moment is to secure the future of the existing Island Line operation, hopefully later this year firm proposals on this will be finalised. Nice to have extensions can be considered once this has been achieved. Pete

The 18" gun preserved at Fort Nelson is not on a true railway gun carriage. It is on a test mounting, these were used at the ranges to mount and test fire different gun barrels. It is not suitable for movements over the mainline railways and has minimal provision for elevation etc. Pete

Possibly also a drop in customers. I for one have traveled on several steam trips including some high profile ones. Not once in recent years has the advertised trip and/or haulage been delivered. No apologies, no partial refund offers. I have no desire to spend a large sum of money including hotel accomodation to sit on a slow train being pushed by a diesel. If a diesel is advertised as part of the trip, no problem, if a hidden extra, Id rather not bother. Pete

Correct, initial repaints in Red did include the lining both at waist & above windows. This however did not really work, in particular the above window lining being very difficult to apply with any consistency on the mouldings and fitting it below door ventilator cowls. Even steel sheeted vehicles had the upper sheeting over & down to the moulding over the window hence no easier. Waist lining was better but still up & down over the mouldings if present. Soon dropped as impractical. A livery which looks good on flush sided vehicles, not for a fully panneled one. Pete

Another constraint is the size of the big end assembly, this has to fit over the crankpin but still have enough room under it to clear track level obstructions when at bottom centre. For inside cylinder engines it also has to clear the firebox front when at back centre. Not to much of a problem for a large wheel outside cylinder engine but a definite limiting factor for a small wheel inside cylinder loco. Pete

Hello I dont think any M7s were air braked. Isle of Wight 02s were though (2 had push pull equipment) and obviously many LBSC locos. The air supply for brake and control is all from the same Westinghouse pump. This fed a storage reservoir which supplied air to the drivers brake valve and the control system. A vacuum braked engine with air push pull equipment would normally have a small Westinghouse pump as it supplies control air only. An air braked engine would normally have a larger pump as a lot more air is needed. Air is supplied from the storage reservoir to both the engines cab and the cab of the driving trailer The control air system operates via a control valve operated by the driver when in the Driving Trailer, this activates a dual acting air cylinder on the engine which moves the regulator. An air whistle is also fitted to the Driving Trailer. The fireman remaining on the engine would operate the reversing leaver according to bellcode instructions from the driver. The Driving Trailer also uses the storage air to supply a standard Drivers Brake valve which operates the train brake. When working engine first the pin connecting the push pull operating cylinder to the regulator is removed and the engine worked normally. Pete

The SECR ex birdcage stock on the Isle of Wight did receive BR green. These were however an earlier type (1911) and shorter than the ones being produced. (54' frames) Pete

K's did do LBSCR 4 wheelers, these were Stroudleys. I have a 4 set somewhere still unbuilt. There were two 4 sets of these on the Island. Close coupled between vehicles. . Details varied between batches of Stroudleys, the IOW ones were: Brakes diagram 147, Thirds diagram 145, Composites ex full seconds. All 26ft over headstocks Im not sure the exact diagram the K's ones are but they are a reasonable match in appearance. One thing to note is that in 1911 the LBSC started reducing the guards ducketts in width to improve clearaces, All IOW vehicles had the reduced width. Set 495 Brake Thirds 4144 & 4145, Third 1793 & Composite 6387 Set 496 Brake Thirds 4142 & 4143, Third 1794 & Composite 6388 Arrived 1924 withdrawn 1931 Pete

SR Olive Green did vary. The early green followed on from the LSWR electric stock green. At a later date this was replaced with a slightly darker shade. Added to this was the practice of periodic revarnishing which also had the effect of darkening the colour. Then the effect of weathering and sunlight which takes out some of the yellow from the olive. Lettering was Gold Leaf, this is very bright when new but will look different depending on lighting conditions. Again revarnishing will dull and darken this. These carriages do look good in the photos. Pete