br2975

Good afternoon Mr. G Smoke esq. . Are these the premises to which you referred ? . On an old map in my possession they are referred to as being used by " HM Submarine Miners " . Just think - a decent developer could have turned these into something plush and expensive................ . Brian R

"Gunny" - I think the old barracks building is the one whose gable end can be seen above and behind the pub in your photo. . In the 80s I spent some time photting the remaining industries along Dumballs Road and down to the New Sea Lock - research for a 7mm Glamorganshire Canal Railway layout (the stock survives, as do 4 or 5 Polaroid snaps.. . I'll have to find them and fire up the scanner . Brian R

P.S. folks . He hasn't seen what they go for - yet ! . P.P.S. . Try chipping one !!

"Gunny" - is that your boat tied up outside ?

This is what you'll need next http://factorydirecttrains.com/broadwaylimitedtrackmobileho.aspx Big Bro aka Brian R

There is one, maybe two DB services from Tidal that may/can carry steel products from Celsa . 23:30 Tidal - Attercliffe EWS Sidings (Sheffield), or the 00:24 Tidal - Masboro' (Rotherham) . There's also 05:36 Tidal - Dagenham Down Yard, but I don't know what that loads/carries. . Most services into/out of Tidal are predominantly scrap trains. . Brian R

Train originated at Trostre about 01:30, empty to Newport ADJ (run around) then ADJ - Cardiff Docks (Ryans) where it is normally due at 0737. . Departs again loaded about 11:20ish for Newport ADJ (run around) then to Trostre. . The path also allows for a service to and from Llanwern, but I don't know what form of steel that loads. . Brian R

And a pleasure Chris, to read your contributions on the subject in Denis Dunstone's book of Alan Jarvis' photographs. . Brian R

John Where exactly did you see the wagons, and what was pulling them ? (that may help) There are some (few) mainline services from Tidal distributing steel products from Celsa. Celsa traffic doesn't normally run onto the docks proper - only uses the link from Tremorfa - Castle Works via 'Splott jct' . The 09 in my photo above was hauling billets to Tidal for reversal to Castle Works (Rod Mill) at the time Celsa were restarting production ater the purchase of the plants but were still not casting billets at Tremorfa. . Brian R

You could have got that done Monday night, if you hadn't had visitors. Been fettling my light pelmet this evening as well. . Brian R aka Big Bro'

Two more photos from research material acquired by our club when we built a 4mm layout of Clarence Road. . (i) - 82044 runs around its train at Clarence Road. The photo bears the date 29/03/1956. It is working Barry Duty "BF" - one of seven jobs rostered for Bary Cl.3 tanks at the time, five off Barry and two off Merthyr. This is one of the later batch delivered 1955 (?) with an enlarged bunker. . (ii) - 6438 stands at Clarence Road. The rear of the photo reads 31/08/1956. I would hazard a guess and say this may be Abercynon Duty "JB" aka 'The St.Fagans Pullman' which during its perambulation around Pontypridd, Cardiff and Penarth visited Clarence Road 8 or 9 times on a weekday, less on a Saturday. I don't know the provenance of these photos which we acquired many years ago - but if I've trodden on anyones toes by reproducing them here, please let me know and I'll either remove or credit them accordingly. . Brian R

(a) - Oh ! how wish I'd known that, I could have laid my scratchbuilt 'GreenBat' to rest - seen off by an undoubtedly superior model. (b) - Yes, I stood and watched your layout on both days. Brian R

Nice avatar of 37425 mate - looks familiar (tee hee) . Brian R

Bro' . Do you remember this particular spotting occasion (the date was Wednesday 19th August, 1987) ? . 47432+35470+5005+4963+4932+5031+4959+4977+4862+4880+35286 (Arsenal FC Footex, returning from Manchester United, took Shrewsbury line, reverses back into Plat.6 ? for loco change to 86412 86426+92207+80425+80356+80366+80416+80369+80342+80354+80401+80457+92015+92228+ 92225 (1S09 dn West Coast Postal arrived Plat.6 0003hrs.) 86249+92344+80438+80372+80382+80402+80344+80431+80395+80348+80321+80353+80425+ 80458+92371 (1M44 up West Coast Postal arrived Plat.5 0015hrs. dep. 0040hrs.) Shall I leave it to you to recount the story of us and 'the Gooners' ? Brian R aka Big Bro

Bro' . As discussed Saturday 14th. February, 1987 The following were late evening visits in order to record the consist of newspaper / parcels trains PADDINGTON 2035hrsPlatform 10 93362(Westbury)+93411(Taunton)+93952(Taunton)+93725(Gloucester)+93948(Stroud)+93878 (Stroud,)Gloucester) Platform 9 93383(Chippenham)+93623(Swindon)+93644(Bristol)+93384(Bristol)+93834(Bristol)+94021(Bath)+ 95205(Bath)+84318 (?)+47534 Platform ? 80670(Transfers Milford)+84558(Haverfordwest+Whitland)+84125(Swansea)+93652(Swansea)+93938(Llanelli)+93367(Bridgend)+93506(Cardiff)+93694(Newport)+84416(Newport). ST. PANCRAS 2115hrs45062+93628(?)+93887(?)+93110(?)+93105(Bradford & Leeds) 45142+93149(Sheffield,Mexboro,Barnsley)+93766(?)+93593(?)+93916(Hull,Selby,Leeds overflow) KING’S CROSS 2125hrs, 47640+93680(Grantham)+93825(Grantham)+93642(Newark)+93138(Lincoln)+93180(Doncaster, Retford,Worksop,Gainsbro’)+84094(Grimsby,Cleethropes)+93824(?)+84185(?)+80699(?) PADDINGTON 2250hrs. 47194+93293(Bridgend)+93711(Cardiff)+93192(Cardiff)+93914(Cardiff)+93852(Newport)+93265(Lydney,Chepstow)+93962+84332+94030 47620+93152(Exeter)+80769(Exeter)+93793(Paignton,Torquay)+93374(Newton Abbot)+84611+84369+80589+84126+93953

Late 1980s view of the site of Clarence Road station, looking towards 'the blocks'. . The road running acrposs the picture from left to right is James St. to the left and Clarence Road to the right. . The Cardiff 4mm club occupy premises down the street opposite. . The building with the ornate tower was formerly the Avondale Hotel. . Brian R

Who remembers the excellent series of LMS Society articles published in the Railway Modeller during the 1964ish - 1969ish period ? In one such article Bob Essery mentioned that the term 'Jocko' originated on the Midland Railway and referred to any shunting loco, he went on to say that even an 8F shunting a coal stage could be referred to as "the coal bank Jocko". . Brian R

"Ryans" is located on the south side of the Roath Dock. . There was once a loop and loading / unloading facilities here, but over the years the loop etc fell into decline and is now but a single line. . The nearest loop is further along the 'branch' adjacent to Longships Road (on the foreshore) so trains run here either before or after loading / unloading at "Ryans" and returning to Tidal. . This 2004 shot shows the location, with the '09' taking imported billets to the then recently reopened Cardiff Rod Mill, followed by 60059 on the Cardiff ABP - Newport ADJ. . Brian R

Well as I refused to renew my season ticket for the mighty Bluebirds (now read Redbirds) my weekends are now only restricted by two train mad four year olds. . Last time I was at Donny there was a Tommy in the paint shop and D6854 awaiting repair after its mishap at Quintinshill !!!!!!

Phil. . My 1971-1972 WTT shows:- . 6M34 23:25 MX Company (air braked) Cardiff Tidal Sidings - Soho Pool and 6V80 07:28 MX Company (air braked) Soho Pool - Cardiff Tidal Sidings At this time, and until at least 1973 Gulf were based on the foreshore near South East Junction, Cardiff Docks. My 1977 Driver's Manual (Loads Book) shows:- . 6M39 23:45 SX Company (air braked) Cardiff Tidal Sidings - Soho Pool "Loaded Rail Cars" - Texaco and 6V80 08:05 MX or 07:40 SO Company (air braked) Soho Pool - Cardiff Tidal Sidings "Empty Rail Cars" - Texaco Texaco appear to have taken over the Gulf facility referred to above post 1973 and prior to 1977. . Unfortunately, I don't know what tanks were used - as the trains joined the SWML at Pengam and never passed Cardiff central/general and were generally outside my normal spotting hours !! Perhaps someone can tells us whether 'rail cars' were 100 ton bogie tanks. . Brian R

Nice. . Where are they unloading Leon, Fletcher's Wharf by the Roath Dock ? . Sadly, I don't get the opportunity to visit the docks anymore. . Brian

Phil Give the driver a break...... probably a failure in the Birmingham area ? . 8M28 was the WFO Radyr-Stanton Gate, and 6V80 the return Soho Pool - Cardiff, Tidal Sidings (Gulf ?) tanks. . Brian R

Curran's first apparent loco was 'Leighton' 0-4-0ST P 968/1902 aquired from A.R.Adams sometime between 1935 and 1943., their last steam loco 'Phoenix' was hired a couple of times from A.R.Adams between 1950 and 1959. . Their last loco was "Edward Curran" 0-4-0DM JF 4000012/1947. . Brian R

Combined with allegedly singing in the old 'Bomb and Dagger' removes Miss Bassey from 'Tiger Bay' Brian R

You've got too much time on your hands now !