RonnieS

Obviously this is a "lash up" to show the other guys but one red bit goes under the baseboard and the other red bit inside the panel. 24 numbered wires! By cutting a small aperture in the panel the cable can be connected. I intend a "WORKS" box as previous but painted a metallic paint (maybe Hammerite?)

Early work towards the other control panel will include this time saving device.

The sidings/goods yard is now about 50% complete with more to the right of this plan to be added. A turntable has been mooted!

Whilst I was exploring Cyprus the gang continued progressing. The mountains are more mountainous!

I just found out the Layout has a name! BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN. Scenic work has been continuing. Nelson and Clive have really gone to town and photographs will appear shortly.

More information on the line has come to light from the RAILWAY BYLINES March '02 and The GREAT WESTERN JOURNAL Autumn '05

Yes I have Trix wheel cleaner and I follow it up with Isopropyl Alcohol on a cotton bud . I also clean the track with it. I used to use meths but it stinks. Yours was a good point and if anyone has a similar prob in the future and revisits this thread it may solve it.

I was really pleased with 4592 (Bachmann small prairie) and the fact that it hauled 32 wagons around my Old Mills layout unmodified. So when the chance to acquire a green one s/h at a good price happened, I snapped it up BUT it suffered the Baccy slippery wheels syndrome and would haul only 14 before slipping to a standstill! I took off the front bogie------15 wagons-------I checked the balance ----40 grammes bunker heavy. I turned it around. Haulage bunker first with bogie reattached-------24 wagons! Body off------ Turned a 15mm diameter lump of lead to fit smokebox--------- balance perfect. Chimney first-------24 wagons! Now Old Mills is 23 ft long and a complete circuit is about 50 feet so I have done 10 circuits with 25 wagons (slight slip on the curved bits) but as yet no improvement. Has anyone any tips on curing slippery wheels syndrome?

The Z is Mk1 Maybe the coach on the 11.15 Newspaper is an Hawksworth as it is not Z marked?

I guess you already had this from '62?

The Western Region Allocated Sleepers for the period you require info on were:- D1 MK 1 Sleeper 1st W2062/63, 2104/5/6,26,27/28,30. D5 MK 1 Sleeper Composite W2400/1/2/3/18/19/20/21/22/23/27/37/38. D10 MK 1 Sleeper 2nd W2542-78, 2605/6 J18 Hawksworth Sleeper 1st W9082/3/4/5 There may have been a few older ones or ex LMS types but unlikely?

I am not sure this is what you are looking for? The first bit is from a 1961 Doc "Paddington workings" I could pm you the whole doc if you wish. The sample formation is from Wizard's comet Hawksworth SLF Sleeper instructions Easily downloadable from their site

Might be Major to get it heavier?

I did add some lead to improve the haulage. Under the floor of the cab is a void...you can get 10g in there. Also under the DCC facility plug in the smokebox...another 11g. A Masterpiece crew (being metal) add a bit more. Still spins the wheels a bit at 32 wagons but surefooted on 29.

This is listed under Shunting Engines!

And to further "Muddy the water" we have Bank Engines! So Bank Trains, Bank Engines and Banking Engines

I also recall another "odd" train. Dad and other railwaymen called it the "Roundup" it collected missing goods vehicles (mainly brake vans). I believe a circular went out asking the whereabouts of various stuff and a loco was sent out to collect. Must have been a "Q"!

We better say West Midlands Term as the Black Country is the area where the 30ft coal seam comes to the surface - so West Bromwich, Oldbury, Blackheath, Cradley Heath, Old Hill, Bilston, Dudley, Tipton, Wednesfield and parts of Halesowen, Wednesbury and Walsall are Black Country but not Wolverhampton, Stourbridge and Smethwick.

I was trying to get a bit more info from the (later) code 9T33. the 9 stands for Local Goods (formerly J or K) but what was the T? It might be trip? Not the area code as T was Newport and Cardiff in the enclosed booklet.

Just received this (1961) info so at the risk of Duplicating your info. I have to thank you for pointing us in the direction of Oxley

Wow! thanks I found a 1962 BR(WR) ref so Bank Train was an official term. It appears to be trip working?

I am almost sure your interpretation is right

Having reread the book it appears it may have been the "odd job man "as the duties for "No 2 Bank" relate to a 12 hour shift and include station pilot, shunting local yards a, bit of pick up work etc. I think later dates may have had a no in the duty roster? At least The Bristol area did. (I model the North Somerset line)

I don't think so. From the book the duties of the bank train.

I was loaned a copy of THE GWR AT STOURBRIDGE and in it is a reference to Bank Trains (not banking engines) I am not quite sure what this means? However thinking back to 1961 when my Dad was a railway shunter/goods guard I do recall a local/pick up goods referred to as "33 Bank". I could find nothing on a GOOOLE search. Maybe the more knowledgeable here may be able help in qualifying the term?