br2975

Well, Ryan Giggs would have more of them than his total of Welsh caps. . But then, Alex Ferguson has since retired, so he doesn't decide who turns out for Wales anymore. . Brian R

Look out for the excellent 'Railfreight Today' series of DVD's. . Initially release singly during the late 80s / early 90s, they were released a few years back as a boxed set, and could be bought for a pittance at places like 'The Works' . "Railfreight Today - Wales" contains quite extensive footage of the Amlwch Branch - IIRC featuring a Cl.47. . http://www.amazon.co.uk/10-Pack-freight-including-Freight/dp/B000OCYFDC Brian R

"And management in Swindon now a'bed would think themselves accursed.................." . Another indescretion they didn't catch . Brian R

Leekman beat me to it - but as I'd already scanned the entry in the Cardiff Division Sectional Appendix 1969, only the 'accomodation crossings' are shown on the scan below, the level crossings were at Bucknell, Llangadog, Ffairfach, Llandebie and Pantyffynnon.. . I've also attached a scan of part of the 'Lucas' headlight mounting arrangement for Cl.03 shunters 03119 / 120 / 141 / 142 / 144 / 145 / 151 / 152 - the drawing is dated 10/12/1976. I suspect the Cl.37s used the same, readily available headlight. . Finally, a Landore Cl.37 complete with headlight rolls an 'up' freight along the SWML through "bomb alley" near St. Fagans during the mid 70s. . Brian R

37411 rolls through Crockherbtown with the 06:59 Rhymney - Radyr, 10th March, 2006. . Brian R

Are they intended to hand down vertically from the buffer beam, for the 'free' end of the vacuum pipes to clip onto, to prevent them swinging whilst the chariot is in motion. ??? . Brian R

The No.1 Branch was/is very local to me - being brought up a couple of fields from the line at the Waterhall Jct end; by that time we had one or two trains a day, from Creigiau Quarry to East Moors Works via Radyr. Waterhall Jct being my alternative to Ely (Main Line) as a spotting location - due to being able to bunk into the Cymric Trading yard and play on the narrow gauge track and wagons. . Much of the No.1 Branch is still passable - if you wear waders ! . Over the years there have been murmurings of it re-opening to Creigiau, with a Park & Ride at the M4 Jct.33 services - perhaps the proposed Cardiff LDP will allow for it - I personally would forgo this re-opening, if it stopped the LDP !!. . The Valleys were 'notorious' for strange coaches, such as the low roofed immigrant from the BPGV that haunted Brynmwawr and worked excursions to Barry Island occasionally in the late 1950s, and at least one BR(SR) green BR Mark 1 in the mid-60s. As for the pre-grouping auto-coaches and workmens coaches, I wish I'd been around to experience them. . Brian R

The only 'Dukedog' I'm aware of to run in the area was 9017. . On 12th. May, 1956 - the Gloucester Railway Society ran a special over the following routes - using ex-TVR 0-6-2T No.391, Dean Gods 2538 and 'Dukedog' 9017. . Gloucester - Newport - Risca - Aberbeeg - Brynmawr - Merthyr Tydfil - ( via Hirwaun ?) - Neath - (via Duffryn Rhondda tunnel ?) - Treherbert - Pontypridd - Caerphilly (works) - (Aber Jct - Penrhos - Ty'n Y Caeau Jct ??) - St. Fagans - Cardiff General - Newport -Gloucester. . There are photos in existence of Dean Goods 2538 arriving at Treherbert from Neath, and south of Merthyr. . There are also photos of 391 at Caerphilly Works platform. http://railphotoprints.zenfolio.com/p608550011/h2A856A06#h2a856a06 . The Cardiff - Gloucester leg was worked by 9017, and the loco was captured waiting to take over the train, at Cardiff General, by John Hodge. Brian R

I wouldn't discount this scenario out of hand. , During WWII ambulance trains were routed over the Llantrisant No.1 Branch (from Waterhall Jct - Common Branch Jct.) conveying injured U.S. troops to Rhydlafar Hospital (later The Prince of Wales Orthopaedic Hospital). . The U.S.A.C. 12th. Field Hospital had been despatched to Rhydlafar in late 1943 to establish medical facilities in/around the existing hospital which first opened in 1917, during WWI. Their journey in the UK was by train - but where they left the train, I don't know. . The 12th. Field Hospital were 'relieved' at Rhydlafar by the 348th. Station Hospital at the start of 1944. . The nearest potential railhead to Rhydlafar Hospital was Crofft Y Genau Siding (or as the GWR would have it - Croft Y Guinea) - on the No.1 Branch; the access road or dirt track from Crofft Y Genau Road down to the lineside still exists near the road overbridge, but the single ended siding would appear to have been be too short to accomodate such a train. EDIT:- The siding was facing 'up' trains e.g. those approaching from Waterhall Jct to Common Branch Jct. . EDIT:- The next closest siding was at Pant Y Gored, about a mile further on, but that was closed/lifted by 1940. I don't know if there was a loop at Creigiau Quarry in those days, so this limits any run-round facilities on the branch. . Logic would have it that ambulance trains from the Channel ports would run through Cardiff General, then Penarth Curve(s) through Ninian Park Halt to Waterhall Jct to access the branch - without the need to run around. . Accessing the branch via Llantrisant and Common Branch Jct would require a run around at Common Branch Jct. (but in fairness would then allow the train to exit the branch at Waterhall Jct. with loco facing the 'up' direction) As there were no run around facilities at the Waterhall Jct. end of the branch I wouldn't be surprised that trains, having unloaded their injured passengers and medical staff would continue on to Common Branch Jct. and run around there, before travelling via Cross Inn, Cowbridge Road, Mwyndy Jct and regaining the SWML at Llantrisant with the loco now at the head end of the train for the 'up' direction. . Traffic was so light on the branch that such trains wouldn't cause any great interference with the then couple of coal trains and 1or2 stone trains using the branch each day. . The branch saw a few enthusiasts specials over the years, including a SLS special in the early 1950s employing a 64XX and two pre-grouping auto trailers (ex C.R. or T.V.R.). . The TVR also trialled their steam railmotors on the branch before the were put into daily service. You 'may' find more in the Oakwood Press books "Taff Vale lines to Penarth" or "Llantrisant Branches of the Taff Vale Railway" Ambulance trains also ran to Creigiau station on the former Barry Railway main line, most probably leaving the GWML at St. Fagans then negotiating Ty'n Y Caeau Junction to reach Creigiau, from where the injured were conveyed by ambulance to Rhydlafar Hospital. Run around facilities would be available at Creigiau. Hope this helps. . Brian R

Apart from your modelling inspiration Marc, Pontardulais has one other claim to fame. . Max Boyce's second LP - "We all had doctors papers" was recorded live at Pontardulais RFC. It was released in October 1975 and went into the LP Chart at No.9, rising to No.1 (for one week only) - thus becoming the only comedy LP ever to top the UK Album Chart. .. Brian R . Sorry about the diversion Marc - If your added track is overgrown and derelict- or set in concrete or granite setts - , I think it will look fine. . To me, overgrown / inset track doesn't appear as intrusive as when all the sleepers are visible, and emphasised by ballast etc. . Says he, laying granite setts throughout the current project................ and now driven close to the edge (of the board ?). .

If I remember correctly, the Sectional Appendix (I have a copy at home) stated that the headlights fitted to locos and units for use on the Central Wales line were only to be used between certain identified locations, and when negotiating named level crossings - they weren't (according to 'authority') to be used indiscriminately. . I may also have BR drawings of the lights as fitted to the Cl.03s - which I believe was a standard Lucas part. . Cue, research. . Brian R

"The 4mm Coal Wagon" by Wild Swan describes using the round insulation foam for lagging pipes, cut lengthwise and then trimmed to fit wagons, then black coloured PVA is painted on top, coated with sieved coal. . I may be able to help you out there (I have the book in my collection) - just remind me at some stage. . Don't forget, some collieries shipped out differing grades of coal - others may have a single (e.g. power station) contract shipping but one grade. . Throw in a few Internal Use wagons as well Marc, an excuse for some beaten up seven plank wooden bodied models (that wouldn't suit any other project) languishing in the scrap box ? . Brian

Marc Something of an operational master stroke for a minimalist layout. . The "through line" across the top of your plan - ( if based upon / inspired by Pontardulais ) can employ empties going right to the left, fulls left to right and a 'paddy train' with some converted exGWR / LMS and even a SR van and in addition the exchange sidings would be just off stage to the right - and could be shunted along the "through line". . Most weekdays there were generally two engines in steam as well - you're made ! . A Hunslet 18" or two, and a hired in Landore or Margam BR Cl.08 such as 08818 (on hire June 1980). . Photo evidence (I can pass them on to you) shows 16tonners, 241/2. tonners and even several iron ore tipplers working to Graig Merthyr from Pontardulais. . Plenty of variety for the, builder, operator and viewer. . Brian R

Nice choice Marc. . I visited Pontardulais a few times - on one memorable occasion I caught the first Cardiff - Swansea (Western Welsh) bus at Ely Bridge, then changed to a Swansea - Gorseinon bus to get to Brynlliw Colliery where they still had a Peckett shunting the pit and exchange sidings. . I left the bus, and walked through the drizzle (as my mother used to refer to it "wet rain") to the pit, to find no railway activity at all. . Unperturbed, I walked on in the direction of Pontardulais, where I found all the locos out of steam and cold, in and around the shed yard adajacent to the level crossing. . A local codger chatted and updated me as to the lack of activity - "stop fortnight see" .................................. Probably the most atmospheric book when it comes to photos of the the South Wales coalfield railways, and containing several of Pontardulais and the Graig Merthyr line - "Visions of Steam" by Peter Cavalier & Geoff Silcock. . The yard area at Pontardulais contained a fair amount of light FB rail was well. . Will it be ready by October ? . Which reminds me, I must carry on laying granite setts - and get them finished by the tenth month too. . Good luck Brian R

After paying to endure something that contravened the 'sale of goods act' (i.e. advertised as Premier League Football) I couldn't bring myself to watch it again on MoTD - did some modelling instead ! Malky Mackay's OK - but word is he's not 'whiter than white' when it came to his departure from Cardiff City. . Brian R

FOR SALE . The David Moyes lamp . Sits nicely in the middle of the table.

Cardiff City 0 v West Ham Utd. 2 . The footballing equivalent of two bald men fighting over a comb. . Obviously West Ham neede the comb more than we did . The honeymoon is over Mr Solskjaer . Brian

I know but I did type that in full, but I have a broken keyboard and the , , and , keys don't work ! Brian

Impending storm ? We use 'black as the hobs' (in case you're puzzled, I don't know either !) Brian R

Excellent - please, keep them coming . Brian R

I wondered how long it would take a polyglot to work it out. It's more a 'literal' translation than an accurate one - but hopefully the name will reflect the industrial setting ? Brian R

Hence the contruction of a new shed to house my proposed 4mm 1971/1972 South Walian empire aka "Twll Cach" Brian R

(i) It bears a striking resemblance to the inside of an Eccles Cake (ii) They must be tame sheep grazing in a field - in most of South Wales they graze where they bl**dy well like, and deposit their excrement in a similar manner. "In a previous life" my daughter attended a neighbourhood PACT meeting in the Garw Valley - where the most contentious issue was a flock of feral sheep terrorising Pontycymmer - mob handed they would enter gardens and back yards, rip open bin bags, knock over bins, cr*p everywhere and weren't scared of humans shouting and waving their arms ! Brian R

Two days late - but what the heck ! . On 5th. January, 1973 I recorded the following (some of which were ex store at OOC) at the Barry Docks West Pond site of Woodham Bros. awaiting scrapping. . I have included the Regional prefixes; E96310, S96399, S96359, S96389, S96366, S96379, S96390, S96382, S96365, S96414, S96398, S96362, S96360, S96411, E96337, S96408, S96376, S96377, W96355. . The following locos were awaiting rescue, and 'marked up' with their respective society / prospective purchasers details, as follows; 75069 Severn Valley Railway 41312 South Wales Fund 34039 S.G.Tawes, Leicester. 41313 Ivatt Trust 80078 Swanage Fund 34081 92 Squadron 80064 Dart Valley Railway 80080 Steamport Brian R

I can only add that it's even better in the flesh. . Brian R