corneliuslundie

At least the locos got a free wash. J

Presumably these are going to travel First Class. Jonathan

Re timber loads, when did sheeting stop? There are photos in the late Grouping period of wagons with round timber unsheeted, and definitely not in the goods yard but in transit. For example, page 102 of the recently published "Corners of the Cambrian book, a view of a train from Kerry approaching Abermule. Jonathan

His question was: "So what interesting loads, pre 1923, have people come across that are identifiable and not an anonymous lump under a tarpaulin?" My thought therefore was "what random loads would have been seen which would not have been under tarpaulins. Some of those I listed might have been or might not and sugar beet was carried in anything available in season though probably sheeted if in opens. Night soil would have been sheeted, hence the need for an odour generator so it doesn't fall into the "anonymous" category. And I was ignoring "special loads" such as enormous girders, ships' propellers and big gun barrels. J

And of course animals in cattle wagons. In some areas pit props. If there is a local factory the relevant products such as farm equipment, traction engines, mining equipment, narrow gauge locos, chains for ships (there was a big factory in south Wales). Sugar beet in East Anglia in season. But some loads would go in vans or, on the GWR, Siphons. From a gas works coke and waste products (tankers). Back then even night soil (suitable aroma needed of course). Jonathan

And wasn't it called something like the Midland Railway? J

Well, the first Parliament was in Machynlleth! J

It wasn't the actual footboards which were the issue, but the solebars after I had removed the old footboard supports and replaced them with brass ones. It wasn't obvious as a problem until the paint dried. If I had known in advance I would have tried to keep the new paint to the solebars, but as some of the body paintwork had been damaged a bit I touched that up too. Anyway, this is Chris's thread, not mine. But it gives me a chance to say that I like the siphons. It is a pity the Cambrian ones are too modern for Chris. Chris

I was distracted watching the video by the four people on the platform who took absolutely no notice of the passing locos. Interesting that the starter stayed green. Is it in fact a manual signal? Jonathan

It may be the angle of the last photo but it looks as if the footboards are not parallel. Guess why I noticed? I have had a lot of trouble with lower footboards, both their getting brittle over time and getting them properly aligned. And the overall width has sometimes been a problem. My outside framed GWR brakevan for Sarn will not go into the back siding because the footboard catches on the scenery, even though the scenery is outside the loading gauge, An I have had to replace the time expired footboards on a pair of Rhymney brake vans but cannot now match the paintwork for the rest of the vehicles when touching up the underframe. It wouldn't be a problem but I have no more Rhymney lettering so am loth to completely repaint the vehicles. But the reason for the post is a bit of a warning that it is very easy to make the footboards too wide as one allows something strong enough to support them and uses available brass angle. And drawings do not by any means always give the overall width over the footboards. Jonathan

I love the contrast between the skies in C5593 and C5881. J

"a horse by train in a horsebox" Better than the horse sharing your compartment though. J

Why can't we have trains like J430 any more? J

There are no photographs of any use to you in the WRRC collections to which I have access, nor in those which have been passed to me for use in the two Cambrian Drawings volumes. The photo in Mike Lloyd's book is not in our collection. And there is nothing useful in the HMRS photo collection either. Mike Lloyd did make detailed examination of the carriages he drew as there is correspondence about different profiles of beading in different batches of the 45 ft bogie carriages. Jonathan David

Thanks for the Montreux photos. I have been there and have travelled twice on the line up the local mountain, at one time branded as the Marmot line. Is that the Rochers de Naye line? I remember lost of yurts at the top, for hire. Jonathan

Surprised to see an A4 at Cambridge. Diverted via the Joint Line?? Jonathan

Been there. Hundreds of links bent up from soft iron wire. Nearly there now though I keep finding the odd wagon which has escaped. Looks like the ideal distraction for tonight's party political programme. But I wouldn't bet on it. Jonathan

How long before someone suggests turning the temporary works beside the Colne Valley viaduct into a permanent road viaduct? J

But when did journals with 6 ft 6 in. centres become common? J

A very quick check of Cambrian and Rhymney drawings brings up either 6 ft 1 in. between the solebars or 6 ft 3/8 in., which doesn't allow much for the etched W irons. Jonathan

I chickened out of the sprung underframe and used some EMGS W irons. I then chickened out again and used some spare Slaters plastic Gloucester brake gear from my bits box. My feeling is that if a rigid 9 ft wheelbase wagon won't stay on the track it is the track which is at fault. I am sure that if I had managed to use the etched underframe it would have looked a bit better - if one could get close enough to see the difference. But the body is very nice. Jonathan

C14660 seems to be passenger rather than freight. J

"It is captioned as exp pass, which seems to agree with the lamps but....." Yes, definitely odd with that open behind the tender, and I am not sure if the second vehicle isn't a goods van judging by the roof profile. Jonathan

j5963: The track laying is nearly as good as mine! Jonathan

That Newbattle wagon was a long way from home. Jonathan