corneliuslundie

"A study revealed the red lights had been jumped a staggering 3,000 times during one 10-day period." From that report of the buggy in the barrier. There must be more stupid people than I ever imagined. Jonathan

" there should be no element of “risk”, or risk taking" Sorry, but that is nonsense. There is no such thing as zero risk. One can as was said reduce risk to a practicable minimum. After that you pout more and more resources in for less and less effect, often virtually none, and can easily create other risks which you have not thought about. The classic example in our field is "safety" requirements pushing up the cost of train travel so that people travel by much more dangerous roads. That does not mean that one should intentionally take known risks. Jonathan

It does make it a bit difficult to run the trains, too. Jonathan

Come on Deltic s[potters. Don't let David beat you. Jonathan

Didcot now but how long will there be a power station there? Jonathan

Did the sleeper get to its destinations? I thought Scotrand's railways closed down. Jonathan

Of course, in any country with a sane government ANY new railway line would be electrified from the start. Jonathan

That is often because of existing property boundaries centuries old, usually based on field boundaries, whereas in the USA they were starting with a clean sheet and the developer 9usually the railway) owned all the land. Jonathan

Having seen that I make no apologies for causing a deviation. A wonderful film to see. Jonathan

I am surprised that WMR does not need the 196s. I have a vague feeling that at one time it was suggested that it would be ex ATW 175s but presumably that went by the wayside after the fires. But don't quote me on that as it may be a complete fiction of my imagining. Jonathan

If train simulation programs are anything to go by, many rural American routes seem to have crossings every mile or so, often ungated. Or at least they used to since most routes are historic. And of course as has been mentioned previously there is still the problem in a number of cities and towns of the railway line running up the main street. I don't think we have had that problem in the UK for many years, probably since early tramways were converted to proper railways. A late example in south Wales was Argoed where the tramway had run up the high street and was converted to a siding serving the goods yard when the "proper" railway was built. But there are plenty of photos of south Wales villages with a tramway in the main road outside the houses. A slight diversion but it illustrates how one gets to the undesirable situation in many American towns. If the railway is not in the main street it often has a road parallel on either side, with level crossings at intervals. Jonathan

!it would be nice to think of more pleasant days in summer and autumn! Yes. Many thanks for the photos. Jonathan

I agree about track. Until around 1900 almost all track was ballasted so you couldn't see the sleepers, so simulating Vignoles track would not be a problem. The most important thing in my view is a source of wheels and axles, and of course track gauges though you could make your own - after all you need is consistency, you aren't going to be running your stock on the local club's ;layout. Building wagons and carriages will not be very different from any other gauge. Locos are more difficult, but again not very different, just wider and older. I say go for it. If it doesn't work out you shouldn't have spent a fortune. Jonathan

If they had left the brakes off perhaps they could have collected the car at the next level crossing. Seriously, a very good demonstration of how long it takes a heavy freight to stop. Jonathan

And still parroting out that "freeing up £36billion for other transport schemes" rubbish. I m a y live long enough to see it but I doubt it. Jonathan

That would make a great model, especially those chimneys. Anyone fancy a challenge? (a bit far from Wales for me). Jonathan

An interesting horse box in JVol1196. Any thoughts on identity anyone? Ans a surprise (to me anyway) to see big LMS locos at Cambridge, since the LMS services reaching the town were pretty local services . Or would the goods trains have come from Bletchley? Jonathan

Is that Midland or Rhymney though? Jonathan

Nice. I never managed to visit the Blonay-Chamby line when I was in the area so great to see some pics. Jonathan

Seeing that view of the long viaduct, I am surprised that the residents of the nearby housing complex didn't demand a tunnel instead. Sshh - don't suggest it. Jonathan

Thanks for the Dent photos. I can see why it attracted David Jenkinson. Interesting containers on the first train. Jonathan

Re what JIB1970 says about government handling of transport, hardly surprising when the transport portfolio has frequently been seen as the last stop before the Chiltern Hundreds. Whatever the party, we haven't actually had any very bright transport ministers for as long as I can remember. Jonathan

They could have cleaned the loco for you when they stole the 47. J

At that period probably an open carriage truck. The Cambrian had two but of course you would want one from the other end, GWR or LBSCR. Jonathan

Yes, and a compartment for those nasty smokers. 5 ft 6 in. between compartments for the lower orders, 6 ft 5 in. for the smokers, and a couple of nice basket chairs in the saloon. Plus luggage space and a lavatory of course. Ideal for taking the family yo Traeth Mawr, with the Brougham on a flat wagon at the end of the train of course. Jonathan