br2975

"Can we cab you mister ?"

Nope Gareth, not on the bridge in your pic of D9510 - and now the bridge has followed the 'nine-fivers' into oblivion. My notes for D9510 show it was allocated to Canton, from new on 18th. September, 1964, exactly one month before Gareth's photo. . By 24th. December, 1966 it was stored at Worcester - and from 20th May 1967 was transferred to Hull Daireycoates from where it was withdrawn the following April. . It was sold to BSC for use at Buckminster Quarries and delivered to High Dyke circa December, 1968. . Brian R

Gareths photos of 'nine-fivers' (Class 14 to the youngsters) has re-ignited the spark - despite their shortcomings, as an enthusiast I liked them; as they were a sort of 'half-way house' between a shunter and a real engine. . It's amazing how little has ever been written about them, as although they were here today and gone tomorrow - it was in the 1960s when there were still enthusiasts recording sightings, workings etc. . For years other enthusiasts were disbelieving when I said they worked on in the Cardiff area well after their official withdrawal dates. . I remember being on the footbridge at Canton, one freezing November night in 1969, warming myself over the exhaust from one officially withdrawn example as it ticked over at the entrance to Canton Mileage Siding(s). My notes show the following South Wales duties ( 24 ) for the class during the summer of 1967 . CANTON allocated locos (i) - Ebbw Jct trips to Uskmouth Branch (ii) - Ebbw Jct trips to Bedwas Colliery & Trehomas Coke Ovens (iii) - Pontypool Road trips to Abergavenny (iv) - Pontypool Road trips to Glascoed (v) - Aberbeeg trip pilot (vi) - Aberbeeg banker (vii) - Severn Tunnel Jct trips to Chepstow & Tintern Quarry. (viii) - Cardiff area - trips to Barry, Barry Docks & Radyr (ix) - Cardiff area - trips to Ely Paper Mill, Newtown Yard & Radyr (x) - Cardiff area - trips to Penarth Town & Penarth Cement Works (xi) - Radyr trips to Cathays, Gabalfa Coal Yard and Stanton & Staveley (Mynachdy Road) (xii) - Radyr trips to Aber Jct. (xiii) - Radyr trips to Treforest Estate, Treforest Coal Yard, Pontypridd & Maritime Colliery. (xiv) - Barry trips to Aberthaw (xv) - Abercynon trips to Lady Windsor Colliery Ynysybwl. (xvi) - Aberdare trips to Mountain Ash (xvii) - Aberdare trips to Abercwmboi (Phurnacite Plant) (xviii) - Treherbert - local trips Rhondda Valley LANDORE allocated locos (i) Landore trips to Landore steelworks, Margam & Neath (ii) Swansea Eastern Depot trips to Mond Nickel & Felin Fran (iii) - Swansea Eastern Depot 'control' (iv) - Margam trips to Glyncorrwg (v) - Margam trips to Cymmer Afan (vi) - Margam trips to Swansea Eastern Depot Brian R

No smells ? . Gareth, you're forgiven. . I still remember seeing one of these for the first time, undergoing attention at Canton - and being confused by the numbering. . Perhaps one day, someone like Bachmann will make the LMS verison (12033 etc) and I can renumber one, or two. . Thanks again - I'm sat staring at my screen, twiddling my thumbs, waiting to see what's next....... . Brian R

Gareth, . Only one criticism ...... your photos of Radyr shed have failed to capture only one important thing ............ "the smell" . Everything else is there, the lines of silent locos, virtually no one about, the atmosphere. . This was the reward for walking along the rat infested rubbish strewn lane beside the Taff, from Radyr Court Road. . I had given up ever seeing such photos. . Brian R. PS Have you by any chance got any with one of the 15101 series shunters at Radyr ?

Brilliant, absolutely priceless Gareth . Not just these two "nine-fivers" but your earlier post of the two alongside the coal stage at Radyr. . Just as I remember Radyr, when bunking around the place on Sunday mornings in the mid to late 60s. . Brian R

Re post #468 . I suspect the Cl.22 and three coaches are at Ashton Gate (Bristol). . Brian R

A few more shots - as requested. . Sorry about the quality . Brian R

That's why I adopted a purchasing strategy ............... having spent a small fortune over the years on models I liked the look of, but were wholly inapropriate for anything other than a display cabinet or the back of an already full drawer ................................ . Brian R

These locos were owned and operated by BR for 5 years at most, for the next 45 years (that's 9 times longer) they have been in private hands, be it industrial or preservation. Their 'history' didn't stop on 3rd. May 1969 when the last were withdrawn. . I may cringe at some of the liveries now carried, but then I don't own those locos, and the owners are free to paint them however they like. . If Heljan want to produce one in pink with lumious yellow spots, so be it - I won't buy it. Brian R

Re Post #2419 . I doubt very much that the loco in front is "5873" . As the highest numbered in the class was D5862. . Brian R

Quite possible . The following are some of the Hymeks allocated to Newton Abbott at various times from about 1963. . D7002/37/68-72/74/86/90/95-99, D7100 . Brian R

"Nobleman" waits at Platform 1, Cardiff Central with an up 'Padd' - circa July 1973. . Brian R

Cardiff Corporation Tramways had several depots over the years, but the two principal depots were at Roath (Newport Road) and Clare Road (at its junction with Pendyrus St.) Grangetown. . Roath was demolished many years ago, whereas Clare Road still stands after being used as a trolley bus depot, then the council vehicle workshops. . The depot is currently being converted into shops etc. . Brian R . PS One other Cardiff (horse) tram depot survives at the junctions of Clive St. / South Clive St. / Ferry Road & York Place, Grangetown - currently serving as a bed shop.

"Hussar" on a Padd - Swansea awaits the 'off' at Cardiff circa 1973. . Brian R

Seconded . Brian R

Unusually, despite searching my notes, I'm unable to provide any info on this one - other than it's Cardiff General, Platform 1, and an up Padd. . Brian R EDIT:- D1008 'Western Harrier' at Cardiff General 24th. April, 1973 (the station became Cardiff Central the following week)

Two of my pastimes combined. . 7098 stands forlorn near Penarth Curve North (back of Canton TMD) 15th. September, 1973. . In the background can be seen Ninian Park, my ultimate destination on this day - to suffer a dire 0-0 draw with Fulham. On Saturday 26th. February 1977 I peered over the wall in the background,which was at the rear of 'The Bob Bank' in order to salute the passing of the "Western Tribute" on its' return from Swansea. Half an hour later, Cardiff City kicked off against Everton in the 5th. round of the F.A. Cup - losing 0-2 to a brace of Duncan McKenzie goals. . Brian R

Thought I might as well chip in with one or two of my Instamatic memories........ . D7005 waits time at Cardiff General with a morning Portsmouth Harbour working, Saturday 28th. August 1971. . Brian R EDIT:- to include correct date.

The worst depot to reach without personal transport for me was Margam, middle of nowhere minimum 4-5 miles form Port Talbot, no bus service within walking distance......... . Toton was a hike, but not as bad. . Landore was a good stretch of the legs, through a somewhat salubrious area...... but as my 1979 shot shows, we were always allowed in. Only depot I can recall being booted out of was Haymarket - and we had a permit !! . Whereas at Motherwell a driver offered us a cab ride to Carstairs in his pair of 20s. . At Radyr I once had a driving lesson on PWM651 . Late 1971 early 1972, did 'exit stage left' at St.Phillips Marsh - pursued by the BTP . Brian R

Go for it Leon. . A modern facility would be reasonably easy to build - Plastruct 'H' and 'I' beams and some of the small 'box cladding' walling sections that come in Pikestuff kits ? . Brian R

Anybody fancy a red one ? . The former W160172, seen in 2002. Brian R

Phil - you're sooooo brave ! . Brian R

Off to the Doncaster Show any minute - Welsh shirt packed for this evenings festivities. . Looking forward to some unbiased reporting by the England team's self appointed publicist - John Inverdale. . Not looking forward to Catherine Jenkins killing the best anthem on the planet. Brian R

A phrase containing the words "nail" - "on" and "head" springs to mind. . Brian R