corneliuslundie

We need to remember that for a long time the management of BR and the civil service were both hell bent on closing as much of the "unprofitable" railway as possible in the mistaken belief that it would make the main lines more viable. It took a long time for the penny to drop. And to that end many timetables were adjusted to discourage traffic etc. It sounds like the kind of thing a politician would have done but it was actually the railway management which pursued that approach. So getting back to the GCR, once it had been decided that it was not "profitable" timetables were reduced, connections broken, trains run at inconvenient times etc So then, look, no passengers. We can close it. Yet look what Chiltern have managed with what is left. Hopefully our railway management is no longer like that. We may criticise the likes of Branson but he tried hard to make a successful business. And the management of the "nationalised" lines seem often to be doing quite well. But there are still structural problems and the ever present need with private companies to keep the shareholders happy (the only "duty" of the directors) rather than serve the passengers. And it is obvious that some of the companies are better managed than others. So, back to HS2, much depends on the approach taken by the management when it is opened, whether it is regarded as a big opportunity or a big problem. And the biggest problem is likely to be government interference and dithering. But anyway, let's get back to seeing progress. My thanks to those who post videos, photos and updates. As has been said, the Colne Valley viaduct is an excellent example of what British engineering is capable of (assuming that there are some British engineers involved). As are the tunnels, even if most of them should not have been necessary. Jonathan

Na . . . North of Watford or Hatfield is "The North" So obviously anywhere south of Hatfield is "The South" Hat, coat . . . J

I assume that you know about the Broad Gauge Society: http://www.broadgauge.org.uk/ They produce kits in 4 mm/ft and offer a lot of information (I am not a member as I model too modern a period). Jonathan

I thought for a minute that was an artist's impression. Sun, surely not? And that sky? Definitely not real. Jonathan

I avoid changing at New Street if I can, especially since the last crazy rebuilding which means that if you leave the platform at the wrong end you have to go out through a barrier and find a different barrier to pass through to get to your platform. International is much easier. And if I am going to London and am not in a hurry i prefer to walk to Moor Street (just by where Curzon Street will be) and use a civilised train, Chiltern, to a civilised terminus, Marylebone. Though these days I avoid London if possible. I had long enough commuting there. But for anyone going from London to north of Birmingham I suspect that for some years there will still be through trains from Euston avoiding Birmingham altogether, as now. If/when HS2 gets to Euston and there is more capacity then things might change, but I doubt if i shall live to see that. The sad thing about HS2 is that a large part of the cost remains but much of the benefit is being lost because of short term decisions. Jonathan

So you didn't spend your time at Fenners then? J

And are they retrospective anyway? I think not. Jonathan

There is also the capacity/stock utilisation issue. Faster running should allow more trains to be run, if at the same speed. And faster running means shorter journey times so the same service cam be provided with less stock. Jonathan

I have realised (thanks to my wife and Google Maps) that it is the bridge a little to the south of the station. Possibly delivering food to "The Lobster Pot", the "Sunray" hotel or the "Bath House" cafe. Or maybe the burger bar nearer the station. Perhaps he expected a long wait at the level crossing! Odd that I have had several holidays in Barmouth and had completely forgotten that bridge. Thanks both for the links. Jonathan

What two and a half months since a bridge bash. Never mind, one today: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67829166 Trying to work out exactly where it is as there are no overbridges near the station. Jonathan

In C1383 is that a livery or just a thick coating of cement dust? I note that in C1385 the 0-4-0 shunter is also a very light colour but the class 11 is darker. And Happy Christmas to you - and to all who follow this thread. Jonathan

Yes, many thanks for all the effort you put in, often after a long night, to post photos for us to enjoy and study. Jonathan

Nadolig Llawen i bawb ar y Traeth Mawr

Time for an update. Sarn is more or less in working order and “complete” so I have transferred my attention to Nantcwmdu. But I was sidetracked by spotting a cassette box in a local recycling shop – ideal for storing 4 mm stock. So I cut up plywood and plastic sheet to create partitions. I mentioned this to a friend and was given two of those wooden boxes which are sold containing art materials. Also ideal as stock boxes so more partitions. Then my wife came home with another cassette box so more partitions. So now I actually have room to store all my rolling stock properly with space for a few more wagons. In the mean time I have completed adding the cosmetic spike heads to the track on the station board and painted the sleepers and added ballast to the two tracks through the station – though the goods yard track needs different ballast, less tidy and more like mud. And attention has transferred to the “country” board which also needs the cosmetic spike heads fixing, the sleepers painting and ballast laying so that I can get on with the scenery. Also on the workbench is early stages of a model of Gwalia Stores from St Fagans folk museum, which seems an ideal prototype for the shop in Nantcwmdu main street. The challenge is the shop windows and doors and I am making them from Perspex, with framing added in plastic strip etc. A slow process. Not much to report on the club Montgomery layout. We have been having a rethink about it for some time, as it will not fit in the clubroom as designed as it is about 3 ft too long. But after a lot of mulling things over, including whether we actually want to build a layout which we will be unable to take to exhibitions as originally intended as none of us will be young enough to hire a van, we have re-arranged it along two sides of the clubroom and intend to build a non-scenic link between the two parts. So I intend in the new year to complete the ex Mid Wales Railway brake van, a six-wheeled carriage kit and a few wagon kits. But don’t hold your breath. So nothing worth photographing I am afraid. Maybe next time.

I have Len Tavender's Coal Trade Wagons but this is the first time I have heard of his Railway Equipment Drawings. It seems to be as rare as hens' teeth, not in stock anywhere secondhand. J

55003: now that is how a Deltic should look. J

Now that would make an impressive background for a model - if you had a high enough ceiling. And as you say an interesting collection of wagons. Thanks for your painstaking analysis. Jonathan

At Long Stanton I'll stand well clear of the doors no more J

I understand that the HMRS GNR steward is unwell. He may be the same person who you tried to contact as he is/was very active in the GNR Society. Jonathan

More seriously, I did read that they increased the number of 197s being fitted with ERTMS from the original figure which was the same as the number of 158s. but it seems short-sighted not to fit them all now when ERTMS will be installed steadily on other parts of the system in the next few years. Jonathan

Has it clearance for future electrification? J

Presumably you want your satnav in a position where you can see it without taking your eyes too far off the road. Therefore on the edge of the windscreen makes more sense than lower down. Mind you I prefer proper maps, though they are not exactly convenient in a car. J

How about a working 4 mm/ft version of that train? J

Is there going to be a show in 2024? I was told some time ago that it was hoped to do one. Well worth the trip from mid Wales. Jonathan

I can build dumb buffered wagons like that - unfortunately. J