br2975

Monday 24/05/1971 Cardiff, Ely (Main Line) Cl.45:- 30, Cl.52:- 1020, 1025, Cl.47:- 1592, 1927, 1938, 1956, Cl.37:- 6984, Cl.35:- 7062, 7077+7078, South Wales Pullman set:- (60095+60649+60739+60749+60748+60738+60648+60098) 24/05/1985 Cardiff, CantonTMD C616 (51782+59681+51790), W55033 08780, 31324, 33208, 37154 / 163 / 251, 56047+56036 (passing). 24/05/1987 Sun. Cardiff, Canton TMD 1940hrs. 08354/486/490, 37069/257/428/430, 47198/200/220/486/599/615 C591 (51102+59382+51059), C590 (51058+59418+51087) Brian R

Freehold New Jersey's most favoured son.............. . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CSFSX-Qh54 . Undoubtedly Bruce at his politicised best, but even I'm giving The Boss a rest this time around ! . As he's is also a follower of the faith (model railways) perhaps he'll show up at the L&B Show ? Brian R.

Well if the registration is NHY 581 we'll know for sure ! Brian R

Well done Wigan; well done Roberto, bet you never thought you'd lead them to a Wembley win when you signed in '95; and nice one Dave, I bet today was the last thing on your mind when you were stretchered off in a final over 50 years ago.

Whilst I won't be seen buying OR even wearing a red Cardiff City shirt anytime soon - there is an alternative view....... . Newton Heath Loco - changed from green and yellow to red and white, changed their name to Manchester Utd. . St. Domingos changed their name to Everton . Manchester City haven't always been known by that name. . Real Madrid started as a cricket club for ex-pat Brits . Riverside FC changed their name to Cardiff City FC over 100 years ago, so why aren't the fans harkening back to that ? get my drift ?

This is what Cardiff has waited 50 years for ( me, 40+ years). . Thousands take to the streets to celebrate into the night. . I know my memory is fading with age, but I didn't recall seeing many of those faces at Spotland in a blizard, or freezing at Plainmoor or standing a crowd of 1,800 at The New Den on a Tuesday night for a Mickey Mouse Leyland Daft Milk monitor cup game...... . Overnight, I seem to have turned into one of the folk I least like ...... a Premiership supporter ! . Brian R . PS Well done "The County" - back in the league after a 25 yrs absence.

Aah Gareth Bale - schoolmate of an 'egg chaser' named Warburton. . That would look good in their games master's CV - he brought on the hottest property in the Premiership and a British (and Irish) Lions captain.

The cut down Cl.03 locos operated in pairs, coupled cab to cab as in "Rivercider's" photo. . Between the two cab backs were a number of pipes that formed the multiple working equipment (operated by a pneumatic system) allowing one driver to operate both locos - a third loco would often be used, but required an additional driver. . I have a BR drawing of the m.u. pipe system somewhere. . Brian R

Whatever happened to 3:00pm on a Saturday ? . Whatever happened to 'traditional' semi-finals at Villa Park, Hillsborough etc. ? . But, having watched Cardiff City in an F.A. Cup Semi-Final, F.A. Cup Final, League Cup Final and Play-Off Final - all at the new Wembley, I must admit, for the unfashionable sides like us, there is some 'magic' about the occasion whatever time the kick-off. . Brian R

JOB DONE !

Here is a photo of a sand wagon at Laira, dated 1967 - note the return to Margam brand. . http://www.flickr.com/photos/glevumblues/6492952369/in/set-72157623160462696/ . And a photo of the sand house road at Canton. . http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-walker/8053139196/ . Brian

Cardiff City v Charlton Athletic Cardiff City Stadium Tuesday 16th. April 2013 . One small step for man - a giant leap in football . Almost there ..... just one more point !

In this link is a modern aerial view of Canton TMD. http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/v/wales/cardiff/CardiffCantonTMD-db73393.jpg.html . The South Wales main line is to the left, the first building to the right of the SWML is the former servicing shed - and in the bottom corner closest to us the sand shed juts out - close to where the Arriva Mk.2 coach is parked. . Brian R

Steve - do you intend to include the aged railwayman, with a lame leg that lurked beneath the footbridge; only to emerge now and again to politely ask trainspotters to "go away" ! . Brian R

In short, yes. . In 1968 when the 'nine-fivers' (Class 14 to the younger generation) were in their last days, several were stored on the sand house road at the west end of Canton's servicing shed. The road also accomodated a couple of BR sand wagons (bauxite liveried) with supplies for drying. . There is a photo somewhere on the web of D9500 taken here in March 1968 parked with two tipplers. . Brian R

I should chuckle - the location is at the end of 'my street'. . Brian R

Could I have a better Saturday ? . Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Cardiff City (takes us seven points clear, with a game in hand). . Swansea City 0-2 Arsenal . Wales 30-3 England . And a nearly complete full size plan for my 'magnum opus' across the shed floor .......... . Brian R . "Every day, when I wake up. I thank the Lord I'm Welsh"

"Can we cab you mister ?" Brian R

Brian. . He's still there, oil can in hand ! . Brian . PS chaps, I can vouch for the overwhelming atmosphere generated by Abercynon (Fach).

The 1971/72 WTT shows two local Llantrisant trips "O96" and "O98" allowed three daily return trips to the 'Dowlais Works' Cardiff - most likely conveing limestone from Creigiau Quarry and iron ore from Llanharry . The vans based at Llantrisant would be added to provide a 'fitted head' for thses trains, which reversed at Pengam running unfitted for the last mile or so to the Dowlais (East Moors) Works. Brian R

And how about these bedraggled specimens ? . http://www.flickr.com/photos/ben_salter/4929485959/sizes/l/in/pool-99267925@N00/ . Brian R . PS . Re- The photo of "Sir Gomer" at NCB Mountain Ash above, those aren't sixteen tonners, they were specially built for the NCB as end tippers only, on a variety of underframes, mainly redundant tank wagons.

The sort of thing that leaves me confused ...... buffer shanks look a bit too long - but it does accomodate tension lock couplers ..................................

From Rob Daniels excellent Flickr site:- Porth http://www.flickr.com/photos/robdaniels/5372218800/in/photostream/ And especially for 'Danemouth' Dave some interior shots of Radyr Jct. http://www.flickr.com/photos/robdaniels/5370454794/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/robdaniels/5370454128/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/robdaniels/5369846239/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/robdaniels/5370442528/in/photostream/ Brian R

I forgot to mention in my earlier post, one other inspirational layout (for me). . D.E.Lloyds' - "Augher Valley" . Featured in the RM during the early 60s, but apart from me, who remembers it, where was it set and what scale ? . Brian R

Looks like I wasn't alone, and the "Inter City" bag was also popular in the West Country. http://www.flickr.com/photos/auchlander/5978032539/in/photostream/