griffgriff

Many thanks for your patience. My views are my own but the great thing about being a tax payer is they are just as reliant as anyone else’s. My second point was more wildly aimed. Namely political (not necessarily party political either) in that we don’t seam to have benefitted from any ideas dreamed up by economists recently. It would be an idealistic mistake to believe the bean counters wouldn’t be part of the equation. Politicos love them. You mention the cheapest solution became HS2… a cheaper option would not build it at all. I’m not saying we should or shouldn’t here, I shall go with the majority, but it’s shrinking by the day it seems. Are we at the point where we get one of those great transport compromises that please no one? The first point is also political…. It depends on the how much impact our society is wiling to pay. You have the view that some of the environmental solutions are unnecessary but many people do. Maybe that’s why construction costs are so high, as you stated, Hobson’s choice? ….or 21C thinking? I’m not so sure. The Green lobby is much more powerful in Europe. Perhaps voters of a slightly more blue hue might be a factor? I admit I’m a cynic …. I guess experience has made me that way. Griff

I completely get it…. but don’t forget the additional maintenance and cost of high speed rail. It being the uk it’s going to cost a bundle if construction costs are anything to go by. £200M a km for HS2 again a European average of only £25M a km…. I know middle England is a little pricey but ouch. I guess we’ll see in the course of time. Griff

Well I’ll believe you…. My experience (and this is only my opinion and observation) is high speed rail is more expensive and I’m less likely to use it. I trust Warmsley has relied upon solid economics arguments… another observation …. economists in the uk haven’t exactly conversed themselves in glory over the years so I hope reliable ones have been followed in this case. Griff

A late vote for A…. The cutting is easier Griff

You don’t need more trains but you can have more of them. Besides, high speed rail is power thirsty …. Maybe we need to consider that as a factor. Slower trains may be more economical and cheaper?

Best put a stop to the scrapping of any more Mk3s! Griff

Speedlink from Eastleigh would have gone to Severn Tunnel Junction but later to Gloucester when STJ closed. There was a lot of petroleum traffic from other locations other than Fawley…. South Wales and Ripple Lane (there was a Shell company train that serviced the depot at Mitcheldever). As already mentioned, there were lots of Aggregate flows. In the 80s some still would have been in former short wheel base iron ore wagons. Lots of ballast working too. Steel traffic to the ports was common, although normally along the the Bristol to Southampton line serving Poole. Lots of cement traffic with Blue Circle and other companies serving depots at various locations. Military traffic, as already noted, was common with all 3 services of the armed forces using rail. Matchwood has already been mentioned but traffic also originated from Salisbury Plane and various armament depots around the area belonging to the RAF and Navy. Plenty to get your teeth into. Griff

Exactly the method…. Glue has moved on a little but back in the day many would suggest to use super glue to tack the end in place then secure the joint using epoxy. Griff

No, but only a handful…. 4? Mostly for a short while. IIRC 50 149 A 31, 37 and was there a 60 for photographic purposes? Griff

I love the tone some people on here take…. https://www.themodelcentre.com/jan-sale/rail/oo-gauge?cat=15526 A fair representation of types here. Please remember this is a ‘toy train” forum. Academic rigour I’ll leave at work! Griff

Without the figures I couldn’t tell you but larger locos are just as likely to found in the bargain bin as anything else. Griff

If this carries on it won’t be DOO but COO (customer only operation) where one gets in their car and drives. You’d think there would be a drive* to improve this eco (both ecological / economic) method of transport but no! * Sorry

Very interesting and thanks for your efforts. There are some very reasonable suggestions in there and some that don’t make sense (except they do because people voted from them ;) ) I shall digest the who list at my leisure but one thing that manufacturers might take note of…. The limited appeal of large express passenger locomotives. Griff

…or neither? … or indeed both….. Anyone for a tree? Griff

IMHO Hornby are well out of date with these Coke products… Coke Zero these days surely!

It depends on how much credence you have in the word of someone who tests trains on the floor ;)

I like that…. Perhaps there could be a post nationalised pack featuring vehicles from the big 4 in BR liveries…. or even the last survivors?

I don’t know if you’ve wandered too far off….. grenade throwing is on my list of unacceptable behaviour at exhibitions

I feel I should apologise for having a model of 47 299

@longchap you might need to amend your post for the same reason you gave? Griff

Don’t do what Hornby did and stick it on a mk1 chassis …… out of interest, what kind of trussing did they have? Whatever the solution it’s an impressive cut’n’shut and will make for a handsome coach. Griff

A good DCC chip does wonders for these mechanisms :)

The light makes it look a little turquoise. Griff

I was only pulling your leg…. You are, of course, quite right about paint. It’s a lot of hassle for a trader to lug about. There are many more profitable items to deal in.

But you only need yellow ;)