br2975

Alexandra Dock Jct. / Maesglas / Mon. (Monmouthshire) Bank were a few of the yards to the west of Newport......East Usk yard mainly served the Uskmouth Branch and to a lesser degree the Nettlefolds Branch........ East Usk is still used for (Freightliner) coal trains to run around in order to access Uskmouth Power Station at the far end of the Uskmouth Branch; and also for DB(S) steel trains to/from Llanwern to access the branch when carrying steel import/export traffic to/from Birdport, for which propelling move I believe a brake van is (or was) still kept at east Usk. ...... Brian R

Just to show 'naturol' was really at Swansea today . . . . . . . . . Unfortunately two less than happy grandsons and a disinterested wife foreshortened my visit - but not after MIB Models had relieved me of some folding stuff ! . Brian R

1st September, 2006. . A day 'photting' around Hamilton, Ont. . Brian R . PS I didn't think this thread is limited to the UK - or is it ?

30th August, 1971 Cardiff to Hereford Open day at Bulmer's in conjunction with the WLS. . Cardiff General Cl.47:- 1533, 1644, 1648, 1688 Cl.52:- 1028 Cardiff, Long Dyke Cl.08:- 3260, 3264, 3268, 3756 Newport, Ebbw Jct. Cl.08:- 3196 Cl.25:- 5137, 7624, 7625, 7677 Cl.37:- 6602, 6923, 6930, 6939 Cl.47:- 1590, 1606, 1670, 1812 Cl.52:- 1029 Abergavenny Cl.47:- 1578 H.P.Bulmer, Hereford Cl.05:- 2578 'Cider Queen' Cl.08:- 3949 Cl.37:- 6986 Cl.35:- 7086 Cl.47:- 1844 Brian R

29th August, 1971 Seen from the footbraidge at Cardiff (Canton) Cl.08:- 4010, 4019 (Cardiff General station pilot) Cl.45:- 32, 37, 49 Cl.47:- 1646, 1901, 1918 Cl.35:- 7009, 7011, 7029, 7039, 7075

29th August, 1972 and a family outing from Cardiff - Paddington . Hauled Cardiff - Padd by Cl.47:- 1661 Long Dyke Cl.08:- 3258, 3259, 3265, 3595 Pengam Cl.47:- 1752, 1929 Cardiff - Newport Cl.25:- 5180+7675 Cl.37:- 6929 Cl.08:- 3748 Newport, Ebbw Jct. Cl.25:- 7510, 7516, 7624 Cl.37:- 6931 Cl.53:- 1200 Cl.08:- 3816, 3972, 4016 Newport, High St. Cl.24:- 5041 Cl.31:- 5531 Cl.37:- 6955, 6957, 6978 Cl.45:- 107 Cl.08:- 3990 Newport, East Usk Yard Cl.25:- 5181, 7509+7515, 7521 Severn Tunnel Jct. Cl.31:- 5562 Cl.47:- 1616, 1722 Cl.08:- 4001 Swindon Works Cl.35:- 7077 Swindon 82C Cl.08:- 3183, 3513, 3991, 4119, 4165 Cl.25:- 7588 Cl.31:- 5692 Cl.46:- 154 Cl.47:- 1687 Cl.35:- 7094 Didcot Cl.47:- 1919 Cl.52:- 1060 Cl.08:- 3761 Reading Cl.31:- 5687 Cl.33:- 6552 Cl.47:- 1589, 1606, 1637, 1676, 1745 Cl.52:- 1055, 1066 Cl.08:- 3831, 3948, 3967 Hanwell Cl.31:- 5690, 5814 Maidenhead Cl.31:- 5818 Langley Cl.47:- 1865 (6V68) Southall Cl.37:- 6828Cl.47:- 1889 Slough Cl.08:- 3955 West Drayton Cl.47:- 1935 Cl.08:- 3598, Acton Cl.31:- 5554 Cl.47:- 1674, 1910 Cl.08:- 3600, 3954, 3999, 4179 Ealing Broadway Cl.47:- 1652 Old Oak Common Cl.47:- 1681 Cl.35:- 7026, 7029 Cl.08:- 3966 Royal Oak Cl.08:- 3599 Paddington Cl.31:- 5528, 5535 Cl.47:- 1604, 1614, 1648, 1655, 1673, 1684, 1859, 1911 Cl.52:- 1021 Cl.08:- 3602

Cardiff - Newport 28th. August, 1971 Cardiff General Cl.45/6:- 32, 70, 90, 129, 147 Cl.52:- 1048 Cl.47:- 1594/99, 1609/11/18/23/25/30/44/47/49/65/68, 1710/39, 1919/25 Cl.08:- 3747/56, 4019 Cl.37:- 7005/17/39/86 Cl.37:- 6975 Cardiff, Long Dyke Cl.08:- 3260/64/68 Marshfield Cl.47:- 1603 Cl.35:- 7016 Newport, Ebbw Jct. Cl.52:- 1068 Cl.47:- 1670 Cl.08:- 3355, 4021 Cl.37:- 6979 Newport High St. Cl.45/6:- 45, 156 Cl.47:- 1672, 1944 Cl.08:- 3762 Brian R

Nidge. Having an idea that our 'mystery' destination was somewhere in the 'West Country' and the hydraulics day's were numbered was the only reason a fifteen year old went on a daytrip with his parents and six year old brother (also it didn't eat into my Saturday job wages !)..It appears that out of those recorded on the Teignmouth trip ;- 811, 842, 845 & 862 at least, were working.That summer Warships had a regular working into Cardiff from Paignton, including:- 844 - 29/05/71, 862 - 24/06/71, 855 - 30/06/71, 832 - 25/07/71, 845 - 14/08/71, 855 - 21/08/71. Come 23/10/71 and several of us 'bunked' Marsh Jct where the following 'Warships' were in store:- 808, 815, 819, 822, 831, 833, 843, 844, 845, 854, 855, 857, 858, 865, 868, 869.In addition, 811 was stabled at Severn Tunnel Jct that day.Brian

One of British Rail's major marketing coups during the late 60s and early 70s were 'Mystery Excursions'. . For a nominal sum one could travel to exotic destinations around the country. . These excursions were very popular with the South Wales public and could regularly see three or four trains originating from places such as Swansea, Merthyr, Treherbert and Cardiff descending upon some tranquil seaside resort or bustling city. . Part of the fun for enthusiasts without access to a 'weekly notice' was to read the pick-up points and try to work out the eventual destination. e.g. Cardiff, Newport, Pontypool and Abergavenny implied the North wales coast in summer, Blackpool in the autumn or Liverpool/Manchester in winter; whereas pick-ups at Newport, Cardiff, Bridgend would imply a trip to Tenby. So it was that on Sunday 22nd August 1971 my parents and I found ourselves on such an excursion, the eventual destination (for them) being Teignmouth. I had other ideas, bunking Newton Abbot for the warships and 'six threers'. Sunday 22nd. August, 1971 ‘Mystery Excursion’ Cardiff General – Teignmouth Cardiff – Newport Cl.08:- 3268, 3756, 4019 Cl.37:- 6987 Newport, Ebbw Jct. 86B Cl.25:- 5182 Cl.35:- 7097 Cl.37:- 6876, 6987 Cl.47:- 1588, 1606 Cl.52:- 1038, 1066, 1068 Newport, East Usk yard Cl.08:- 3998, 4014 Severn Tunnel Jct. Cl.08:- 3189, 3972, 4162, 4175, 4182, Cl.25:- 7624 Cl.35:- 7050, 7070, 7090, 7093 Cl.46:- 137, 142, 162 Cl.47:- 1613, 1664, 1913, 1816, 1942 Cl.52:- 1002 Patchway Cl.42:- 862 Stapleton Road Cl.35:- 7003 Lawrence Hill Cl.03:- 2121 Bristol, Temple Meads Cl.35:- 7087 Cl.45:- 85 Cl.47:- 1655 Bristol, Bath Road 82A Cl.45/6:- 25, 61, 161 Cl.47:- 1643 Cl.52:- 1022 Bridgewater (British Cellophane) Cl.03:- 2133 Taunton Cl.08:- 4122 Exeter St. Davids Cl.08:- 4017, 4160 Cl.22:- 6330, 6334, 6338, 6339, 6356 Cl.42:- 812 Cl.52:- 1039 Teignmouth Cl.42:- 811 Cl.46:- 157 Cl.47:- 1717, 1832 Cl.52:- 1032, 1064, 1071 Here I made what at the time seemed like a bad move. Intending to catch a train to Newton Abbot and ‘do’ the shed – the train I caught, sailed through Newton without stopping and finally came to a stand at Torquay. Torquay Cl.42:- 845 Cl.45:- 132 A quick change saw me retrace my route to Newton Abbot Newton Abbot Cl.45:- 18, 77 Newton Abbot 83A Cl.08:- 3808, 4022, 4167 Cl.22:- 6337 Cl.42/3:- 807, 814, 818, 822, 839, 842, 851, 853, 855 Cl.45/6:- 93, 107, 130, 132, 158 Cl.47:- 1662, 1840,1905 & 1917 the last three had worked the mystery excursions. Cl.52:- 1027 Access to Newton Abbot shed was through a door in the brick wall which was almost directly opposite 'the office, from which it was seperated by a couple of shed roads. Peering around the door I saw 6337 moving into the shed, and used it for 'cover'. There was no need to worry, I wandered around the shed and adjacent 'works' unmolested by the invisible staff. . Brian R .

A summer saturday, 21st. August, 1971 at Cardiff General . Cl.45/46:- 14, 29, 85, 125, 132, 185 Cl.42/43:- 855 Cl.52:- 1000, 1010, 1060, 1062, 1065 Cl.47:- 1586, 1587, 1588, 1596, 1601, 1615, 1629, 1644, 1646, 1652, 1663, 1665, 1668, 1701, 1906, 1916, 1919, 1942 Cl.08:- 3260, 3747 Cl.33:- 6506 Cl.37:- 6607, 6921, 6956, 6957, 6972, 6974, 6982, 6985, 6989, 6990, 6996 Cl.35:- 7014, 7057, 7080, 7088 NOTES 6506 was working a sumer dated Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff. 855 was believed working a Paignton - Cardiff and return. 6607 & 6957, 6972 & 6982, 1000 & 1916 were all 'double headed'. 7057 was hauling Cl.120 (Swindon) Cross Country unit 50675+59262+50716 Brian R

Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society Midlands Trip Sunday, 19th August, 1973 Gloucester GL 30 3010, 3114, 3601, 3964, 3993, 4025, 4173, 4175, 6879 7504, 7508 Stourbridge Jct. S.P. 1708, 3111, 3867, 3995 7614, 7623, 7628, 7641 Birmingham New St. 40, 1873, 5228, 7570 E3092 Wolverhampton S.P. 81003 formerly E3004, E3050, E3077, E3093, E3110, E3116, E3137, E3159, E3181 Bescot Yard 1725, 3974, 5064, 5091, 5169, 5183, 5229, 5239, 5243, 5251, 5291, 7609, 7616, 7622, 7630, 7644 8068, 8088 E3189 81012 fromerly E3014 Bescot BS 1540, 1547, 1627, 1641, 1678, 1709, 1742, 3108, 3115, 3116, 3191, 3364, 3397, 3752, 3757, 3780, 3781, 3925, 3977, 3979, 3980, 5062, 5295, 7538, 7603, 7631, 7647, Vauxhall & Duddeston 3700 Tyseley TS 1701, 1746, 1944, 3582, 3908, 3952, 7537, 7561, 7621 (4)5428 ex-LMS Black 5 1247 ex GNR 0-6-0ST Saltley SY 23, 72, 143, 161, 171, 1556, 1582, 1621, 1683, 1733, 1755, 1815, 1837, 1904, 1981, 3167, 3975, 4150, 5226, 5240, 5276, 5292, 5293, 5299,5682, 7536, 7560, 7612, 6778, 8015, 8115 Passing Saltley 1601, 5225+5268 Burton-on-Trent BU 3050, 3059, 6821, 8003, 8035, 8062, 8135, 8147, 8151, 8153, 8157, 8158, 8165, 8176, 8192. Burton Wagon Works 3790 Derby Midland 3570, 8196, Derby (Etches Park) DY 28, 100 1622, 1802, 2397, 2399, 3082, 3090, 3175, 3246, 3351, 3426, 3577, 3578, 3782, 3910, 4138, 5049, 5055, 5059, 5060, 5145, 5218, 8039, 8071 Derby Research Centre 832 ‘Onslaught’ 5901 APT-E S15705 Toton TO 1,2,3,4,5,7,9,10, 36, 37, 45, 50, 62, 75, 83, 90, 95, 102, 108, 114, 117, 119, 126, 128, 131, 45104 formerly 59, 45109 formerly 85. 1565, 1803, 1804, 1807, 1811, 1812, 1834, 1851, 1852, 3029, 3039, 3044, 3056, 3345, 3362, 3363, 3514, 3788, 3789, 3852, 3997, 5852, 7595, 8002, 8008, 8009, 8036, 8038, 8044, 8045, 8064, 8067, 8075, 8081, 8114, 8134, 8137, 8138, 8140, 8142, 8144, 8145, 8146, 8148, 8149, 8154, 8156, 8170, 8172, 8173, 8180, 8186, 8187, 8190, 8193, 8194 Westhouses WU 1808, 1809 3505 8011, 8013, 8043, 8063, 8073, 8077, 8111, 8122, 8150, 8152, 8155, 8160, 8161, 8163, 8175, 8188, 8189, 8195 Nottingham S.P. NM 44, 67, 75, 122, 126, 148, 153, 1806, 1810, 3404, 3909, 5235, 5241, 5244, 5246, 7617 5567, 8001, 8006, 8016, 8037, 8040, 8047, 8066, 8070, 8076, 8139, 8141, 8143, 8162, 8164, 8166, 8168, 8171, 8177, 8178, 8199. Mantle Lane S.P. (Coalville) 3025, 8012, 8014, 8042, 8069, 8072, 8087, 8136, 8167, 8181, 8182, 8183, 8198 Nuneaton S.P. 3020, 3576, 5164, 5248 E3086, E3126 Photo No.1 shows 1808, 8152 & 8011 at Westhouses that day. Photo No.2 shows 8087 and 8183 heading the six pairs of Cl.20s stabled at Mantle Lane. Brian R

A day early, as I won't be in a position to post tomorrow. . Cardiff & Newport area 18th August, 1971 . Cardiff General 55 (45144),105 (45064), 1555 (47439), 1612 (47479), 4010 (08842), 4019 (08851), 6886 (37186,37889), 6997 (37297,37420) 7046 Cardiff, Long Dyke Jct. 1816 (47335) 7082 Pengam 6975 (37275) Cardiff Docks 3268 (08198), 3357 (08287) Cardiff Docks Birds (Long Marston) Ltd. 2125, 2757 Newport, Ebbw Jct. 169 (46032) 1684 (47097), 1716 (47489), 3762 (08595), 5182 (25032), 6605 (37305,37407), 6930 (37230), 6954 (37254) Newport High St. 38 (45032), 59 (45104), 144 (46007), 156 (46019), 157 (46020), 193 (46056) 1001, 1014, 1038, 1040, 1066 1552 (47436), 1587 (47464), 1591 (47024,47557,47721), 1593 (47467), 1594 (47468), 1598 (47471), 1609 (47030,47618,47836,47780), 1627 (47481), 1641 (47057), 1665 (47080), 1672 (47086), 1677 (47091), 1684 (47097), 1730 (47138), 1913 (47236), 1939 (47496), 1959 (47513), 3355 (08285) 6602 (37302,37416), 6606 (37306,37273), 6607 (37307,37403), 6876 (37176,37883), 6921 (37221), 6927 (37227,37379), 6954 (37254), 6957 (37257,37668), 6970 (37270,37409), 6974 (37274,37402), 6981 (37281,37428), 6985 (37285), 6995 (37295,37406), 7016, 7059, 7070, 7090, 7095 7625 (25275) + 7677 (25327) Brian R

I'm not aware of other layouts due to appear at the Swansea Waterfront Museum Show - but my brothers circular 4mm 'Castle Works' will be there. . I don't think it is solely a model railway exhibition - but I stand to be corrected. . Brian R

I would collect me coat, but having been tarred with a large brush, daren't put it on !Brian R

3rd. August, 1987 from 09:00 SWML Cardiff West Jct. (between Cardiff Central and Canton TMD) 08804 31160+7180+5038+5025+5027+34530 37159, 37227, 37248 47334, 47609 . C300 (53080+59030+53122) C302 (53086+59036+53128) C317 (53858+59034+53911) C320 (53869+59035+53922) C422 (51360+59512+51402) C450 (51352+59539+51394) C480 (51312+59470+51327) C591 (51059+59382+51102) S805 (51462+51530) C941 (51562+59694+51922) . 150265 155302 . 43005+41011+41012+40205+42015+42016+42017+44005+43126 43024+?+43056 43027+41032+41031+40327+42216+42045+42046+42047+44015+43072 . Twenty five years ago today (frightening)- I parked up my job car and locals permitting chilled watching the trains go by ! . Brian R

I appreciate that different modellers have differing skills, others have a varying degree of knowledge........................................................................................................I also accept that other modellers create models of prototypes and eras which are of little interest to me............................................................................................................To this end I know there are subjects in the wider hobby of model railways that may not arouse my interest............................................................................................................As a result few things annoy me, but many may not grab my attention.....................................................................But I would be reluctant to state that something 'annoys' me as I prefer to encourage other modellers, not alienate them..........................................................................................................................Brian R

You were spoilt - we lived in a cardboard box, in the middle of the road, worked 25 hours a day .........

No doubt that's where the name came from - as I've heard it called both 'the Lamberton Mill' and 'a Lamberton Mill'...............Lamberton Street is built on part of the former BSC East Moors site in Cardiff................Brian R

The GKN 'nail factory' was at Tremorfa underneath where the new Celsa (UK) melt shop stands, and as Mike says it was supplied from the Castle Works. GKN did have coil wagons for internal use, but whether that included wire/rod for the nail factory I don't know. The nail factory was, without doubt, the noisiest working environment I ever encountered, and the whole building appeared to move with the machines. My dad was a cabinet maker/joiner and I could only remember him using GKN nails, with the distinctive 'castle' logo on the boxes - try finding any now. As well as nails, angles, flats etc, GKN also produced colliery arches - I'm not sure whether that was in the Lamberton Mill. Brian R

Paul, Have you tried the 'Mystery Photos' page of the RCTS website ? There are a number of photos on the site taken on a railtour, 31st. May, 1969. There is a search facility - just search on 'Bristol' in the location box. The negatives are No's Y-100-18 to Y-100-37 These links should get you to the page (over to you Mr Starter !). http://www.rcts.org.uk/features/mysteryphotos/show.htm?location=Bristol&serial=7&img=Y-100-23 http://www.rcts.org.uk/features/mysteryphotos/show.htm?location=Bristol&serial=8&img=Y-100-24 Brian R

Mark Billet traffic to/from the Brymbo works at Wrexham was a staple of the 'twin bolster' conversions. . But they did appear elsewhere, as in my attached shot taken during my 'Sixth Form work experience' using the trusty 'Instamatic' on 12th. April, 1973 showing billets being shunted into the GKN 'Castle Works' Cardiff by one of their ex-PLA Yorkshire Engine Co. 0-6-0DE's. . As mentioned above billets are generally 4" to 5" square, and vary in length. . The billets in this 1973 were for re-heating and re-rolling, probably into a wire form, and then treating in some pretty nasty solutions contained in vats in the building away to my left. . Watching the mill in action was a sight to see - and when they had a cobble, the activity to keep the mill running was amazing. . Brian R PS I've added a more recent shot of billets outward bound from Cardiff, for re-rolling into rails at Scunthorpe.

I would think Maesteg was included solely for operational necessity being the poorest performing 'valley line'.Who would ever have imagined overhead wires at Coryton ?Some of us can renmember when BR were considering closing the Rhymney line north of Bargoed, now it has reached capacity.Last week Cardiff County Council published its' Local Development Plan which suggests/allows the construction of up to 45,000 new homes in the Cardiff area.The largest concentration is 7,500 homes west of Pentrebane/north of St. Fagans and another concentration south of Creigiau.The plan makes reference to a 'park and ride' in the area near the M4 Jct.33 services - notwithstanding that an similar expensive facility adjacent to the A48 at Pentwyn went down like ratner's share value !Perhaps we could see a section of the former Llantrisant No.1 Branch from Waterhall Jct. reinstated as far as Creigiau, and strung with knitting .... financed by the WAG using the money they haven't had to spend on electrification ?Brian R

Not all of us (well poor may be, but not all out of work).Actually, Ms Greening was quick to credit the lobbying done by WAG Transport Secretary Cheryl Gillan which resulted in the stringing of Cardiff - Swanesa (both via the SWML & VoG) and all the valley lines.Oh and by the way, Westminster have offered to pay for these additional works, letting the WAG continue underwriting our prescriptions..... and visitors using the new trains can continue paying for their carrier bags.Brian RThere is a downside..... rumour had it sometime ago that should the valleys be electrified, the commuters will be rid of Pacers and Sprinters and will gain Cl.313s instead, or, if they get really lucky cascaded 319s.

As an addition to Arthur's informative post above, here is an example of the products currently rolled by Celsa (UK) at their Tremorfa 'section mill' in Cardiff. . http://www.celsauk.com/Products.mvc/Introduction . Brian R

Leon, . 37416 was allocated to Canton during 1994 (it was definitely on the books on April 23rd.) at which time it was in 'Mainline' livery and carried the unofficial name 'Mt Fuji' which I believe 'may' have been applied when it was based at Tinsley. . I took the attached photos in a ten minute spell at canton in the early 90s - unfortunately I don't have the date to hand. . 37416 came off the servicing shed and reversed into the carriage shed. . 37422 came off the carriage shed and ran down onto the servicing shed. . Shortly after a pair of 31s led by 31408 (I think the other was 31456) struggled past heading down the mainline on a 'crankex'. . I hope this helps. . Brian R.