Steve O.

Deltics, 47s, then HSTs at Chester-le-Street, mid 1970s, from grandparents' house in (appropriately) Station View. You could hear them coming and I'd rush out to see the trains sweep over the viaduct at what seemed like 1,000 miles per hour. My grandparents didn't even register them. We actually lived closer to the Consett line but too infrequent and far to hear and run out... did catch / dodge the 37s (and occasional 25?) while looking for iron ore pebbles on the line though. My Dad would take me to Gateshead shed, and to Marley Hill ('early Tanfield') when there was the big hole between the pit and the turntable area, got me into steam too. Sharing one from @Trev52A (bottom photo, over the viaduct).

Rowley (formerly Cold Rowley).

Hi, there was some 'light' passenger traffic on heavy industrial lines too - like the services to / from Consett whether by Beamish or Derwent Valley. Some listings here (though a 10-year-old page so some links are duff) https://www.lner.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9233&start=15 I know they're 'generic' but I couldn't resist buying a set of the Hornby LNER 6-wheelers from Olivia's trains. I missed the Hattons GERs / didn't fancy a repaint / fettle. Went for... R40081 1st Teak, R40082 3rd, R40082A 3rd, R40083, Brake 3rd, R40084 4-Wheel Brake Baggage Coach...to run behind an 'as-newbuild' G5 bought earlier https://www.themodelcentre.com/35-251z (rule #1 applies...) Birtley Modellers had a wonderful 'what-if' of an NER terminus "Ravensworth Junction" back in the day...

Been there, done that too....

Hi, found this site covering prototype (UK and overseas) new fuel/electrical technology for rail. Articles on/by Stadler, Wabtec, UP, HS2, OBB, DB, Cummins, Hitachi, and their suppliers. No affiliation but could be interesting for those interested in the 12":1ft engineering. Cheers, Steve. (please move if in the wrong spot) https://www.electricandhybridrail.com/

Ordered successfully from Boston, Massachusetts!

Hi, Los Angeles Airport (LAX) is nearing the completion of a new people-mover, linking the 405 freeway, rental cars, Metro Redline and all 7 terminals. This is of course about 50 years late. Why? theories abound... Official detailed plans from LAX. Quick-read fact sheet. Aug 2022 update (civil engineering viewpoint, 1-time access pre paywall) More recent updates (with photos). For a more 'rose-tinted' / 'blue-sky' view of LA's rail transit to 2060, try this one. (Sorry if I'm duplicating a thread, or in the wrong one. Cheers, Steve.)

The yellow's nice! I have three of these grey ones, not sure which Cardiff colliery was home turf though!

Don't forget these beauties from Triang Hornby... https://www.hattons.co.uk/85859/hornby_r102mineral_20t_mineral_wagon_in_ncb_black_3471/stockdetail

Nice use of a three-way point, should be in "When the real thing looks like a model".

...and me. Thanks Ben! Cheers, Steve O.

Hi, just found this thread... how do I order? (couldn't find a link, sorry). Cheers, Steve.

With Morecambe & Wise and James Hunt?

Thanks to all for the perceptive input - each comment has that "Ah, in which case..." moment which I like to think means progress through peer review. 'In general'... Rails are easier than roads (no steering), so if we can do it for road cars (likely, soon), we can do it easier for trains. The wagon can't unload itself, so there'll likely be a human present who can switch points in a yard. Visionaries are sometimes right, eventually (though history forgets those who weren't). I truly appreciate Dr. Gerbil-Fritters for finding that 1972 article! BR was there first!

[Hi Mod, please move if this is in the wrong spot, thanks] https://www.fastcompany.com/90713785/former-spacex-engineers-raised-50-million-to-build-a-tesla-for-freight-trains Battery-powered, autonomous, single-car freight. Easier to implement than autonomous road vehicles (if legislation passed). The savior of the short line? Cheers, Steve O.