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Detroit Rock City, Kiss

According to the original Flickr caption, it`s 2x08 + 2x12 = 40.

Snow blind, Black Sabbath

Why is it the BBC seem to use reporters with specific knowledge of the topic, for everytopci. If necessary moving them from one end of the country to the other, on a daily basis in some cases. But when it comes to all things transport related, especially railways, the nearest hack will do. No effort seems to be made to research the subject. Any news item relating to railways gets the same old background photo of some third rail trackwork and a few lines of ill informed words, most of which seems like guesswork. A discovery like Hillhouse would make an interesting article, not just for railway enthusiasts, but also local historians and industrial archaeologists, if only someone could be bothered to do their homework.

Dirty deeds done dirt cheap, AC-DC

Fire, Krokus

I see what you mean about the buck-eye coupling. I hadn`t noticed before.

Agreed, the buffing plates were fitted later. The original high level air pipes were connected to the locos bufferbeam by pipes fixed to the cab front. These were also altered later, to match the other locos in the sub-class. I presume D6580 was also repainted blue at the same time. There are a couple of photos on this site of D6580 in green livery. The exterior metal pipe work and small buffing plate can be seen clearlyHeljan also made a model of it, I think the catologue number was 3346.

D6580 was the first loco fitted with push-pull equipment and was used for testing. It was the only class 33/1 to carry green livery. If you have a blue 4TC set there would be no need to repaint the loco. A smaller than usual yellow warning panel was applied, it fitted between the high level air pipes/ MU cables. The loco was converted in 1965.

You`d have thought they would have found somewhere a bit bigger to hold Eurovision.

Can't take the hurt, Mammoth

There are two articles on Kent coal trains in issues 253 and 254 of Traction magazine. They cover the workings from the north to the Southern Region, as well as returning traffic, both loaded and empty, back north. Traffic for the paper manufacturing industry is also covered.

I once signed a partition to protest about graffiti.

The change from a class 6 to a class 8 headcode would be as a direct result of the reclassification of freight trains. Class 6 was a fully fitted freight train. Classes 7 & 8 were partially fitted, class 9 totally unfitted. Around the mid 80s classes 7 & 8 were reclassified as fully fitted, but with differing speeds. Class 6 remained 60 mph, class 7 for trains timed to run at 45mph and class 8 35mph. MGR trains which had previously been class 6 whether loaded or empty became class 7 when loaded but remained class 6 when empty. The maximum speed of loaded HAAs was 45mph, but empty 55mph. Later HDAs were permitted to run at 60mph, loaded or empty, provided the train was only made up of HDAs. Class 9 trains could run partially or fully fitted, but not exceed 35mph.

The longer type of shades are used at locations prone to long periods of direct sunlight. That part of the ECML would have got a lot of sun as it faces south. They are still used today to help Drivers to observe signals from a distance. Strong sunlight from any angle can affect the ability to see the aspect clearly. These days , modern signals use some type of LEDs that make shades of any length redudant.

Shadow play, Rory Gallagher

I always get two choices from the wife. Take it or leave it.

Shadow of love, The Damned

Easy living, Uriah Heep

COUNTRYSIDE Legal term to describe the murder of Piers Morgan

Only one woman, The Marbles

Grove Park is a busy place, if you see a parking space you` ve got to get in there quick.

Days of no trust, Magnum

I remember seeing a DVD or a video of early AC electric locos changing traction at Stafford. The bay platform on the up side at the south end of the station were used as holding sidings. I can't remember what the programme was called, nor can I remember what trains were involved. Station master may be right about Birmingham trains. I seem to recall the diesels were predominantly class 40s, so it must have been quite early in the electrification scheme.

Eyes of the world, Rainbow