br2975

Not at all Wayne - following your thread with interest, and as yet I've not re-kindled my steelworks interest . . . . . but tracklaying on "Coldblow Lane" is progressing, but disrupted by Cardiff City v Southampton this evening. Keep up the good work. Brian R

Watched this footage - notice Mr Thomas' smirk at 1:07 when the cow tries to drown out his words !!!! Brian R

Slightly O.T. During the late 80s and 'in another life' my colleagues and I would attend Moreton-on-Lugg in relation to IED (improvised explosive device) training and refreshers. It was quite strange to find parts of the site littered with bullet riddled cars, some on their sides and rooves having suffered blast damage. As for what they did to the Cl.47 and coaching stock . . . . . . In fact there is good footage of 47971 and a rake of stock passing thro' Cardiff Central en-route for Swansea Burrows for use in another of our multi-services anti-terrorism exercises during 1998 on the lateste B.N.T. dvd production fo Cardiff central between 1993 and the present (highly recommended) - but as for that exercise, my lips are sealed ! Brian R

Ben Ashworth's shot of the 2251 hauled goods at Kerne Bridge drew my then smouldering interest in the FoD network into prominence. . As for "BR Steam in Dean" - undoubtedly one of THE most inspirational books I own. . And I don't model the FoD ! Brian R

I've never liked Neil Warnock (can't put my finger on a reason). . Albeit, QPR deserved their promotion to the Premiership. . But Cardiff got their own back - we let QPR have Jay Bothroyd. . Mark my words, when he does play, he'll spend half the game sat on his @rse, arms in the air shouting 'aww ref' . Good riddance. . Oh and the Tractor Boys, what did you do to deserve Michael Chopra ? . He'll score a few, but I bet the 'bookies' around Portman Road are rubbing their hands with glee as he approaches their door. . Swansea, Norwich, QPR all going out last night, almost preictable - "let's concentrate on staying in the premiership, without any distractions" . Brian R

You're more than welcome Wayne I've been into 'rehab' at 'The Priory' on a 'detox' regime of late, and have almost got the subject of 'steelworks' out of my system. The boards for my 'new' layout are built, and I'll be in touch soon for your views and opinions. In the meantime, good luck with your project,and the contents of my notes, photos and files are at your disposal should you need anything. Brian R

I hope you are not intending to display the finished article. . Those H & S fanatics will have apoplexy with all that asbestos boiler cladding blowing in the breeze ! Brian R

Late on Saturday 19th August, 1973 I left Cardiff, by coach, on a tour of Midlands depots and stabling points. Starting at Gloucester late on Saturday 19th. we moved onto Stourbridge, arriving very, very early on Sunday 20th. August, 1973 I haven't included details of DMU and EMU sightings. 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 . 102 (out of 228) Class 20s in one day - wow ! Brian R

I'm very impressed by the finish of the 9F and by the moth eaten panelling of the 'spamcan' so typical of when the nameplates were flame cut from the bodyside. . The thread set me thinking about the number of scrapyards in South Wales that cut locos during my spotting days, off the top of my head we had (i) Birds, Pontymister -Risca (ii) John Cashmore - Newport (iii) Buttigeigs - Newport (iv) Woodfields - Newport (v) United Wagon Works - Newport (vi) Bill Way - Peterston (vii) Bird's Forty Acre site - Cardiff, later at Rover Way (vii) Western Metals, Ferry Road, Cardiff (viii) Woodham Bros. - Barry (ix) R..S.Tyley - Barry (x) Birds, Tremains, Bridgend, later becoming .... (x) R.S.Hayes, Bridgend (xi) T,W.Ward - Giant's Grave, Briton Ferry (xii) george Cohen, Morriston (xiii) Bird's Morriston. . . . . . . and also BR (WR) at Barry ? and Caerphilly Works. . My favourites were those in Newport Docks, Cashmores could dispose of a loco in the blink of an eye so weekly visits were 'de rigeur' - I can recall such oddities as a Crosti 9f facing a BR (WR) built Pontnewynydd 'Noah's Ark' brake van, and where i first saw, not one, but three USA tanks30067/30069/30071 as we sailed down the Usk on board the sand dredger 'Isca'. Then there were the staging posts for locos en-route to the scrapyards, such as 85B Gloucester Horton Road,86E Severn Tunnel Jct. and Swansea East Dock, where they were marshalled into trains for specific scrapyards. . . . . . I could hardly contain myself on sighting my first Q1 at STJ I've attached a shot of Manston at Woodhams, taken during the mid-70s. Keep it up Brian R

I should have added that the wagons were rebuilds of BPA Bogie Plate's, carried out in the late 80s, for carrying things like aluminium slabs/ingots. . Looking at the deck, it would be eminently suitable for carrying 'rebar' as well, perhaps that was the reason they gravitated to Tidal ? Brian R

Just checked my notes, the two ASW brake vans were B954532 & B954734. . B954532 was parked, gutted, outside the ASW wagon repair shop on 12th. April, 2002. . ASW also had an ex-BR(GWR) Toad, W35377 which was used for re-railing duties and numbered "RR1". . This wagon usually hid within the safety of the works (billet bank) in order to prevent the theft of it's contents e.g. generator, compressor, tools, packing, floodlights etc. . Brian R

You're not wrong ! Brian R

The wagon to the left of B954734 was a BDA/BEA bolster. The wagon to the right, with the high ends is another steel carrier, a BNA, but I can't recall which one. The photo shows another BNA, 965068, at Tidal during 2005. Hope this answers your question ? Brian R

Leon, The photo was taken from Maindy Road Lane, looking across to North Road. The lane ran from the railway bridge on North Road, near the Bearmach premises and joined Maindy Road where that road made a bit of a 'dog leg' I believe there's now student accomodation where the industrial units are in the background. One memory I have of Cathays C & W, was showing our club layout at the "Taff Vale 150" open day there, and being called away to collect a competition prize from the then local BR manager (ISTR it may have been John Davies). I'd correctly answered the question "which station has the longest platform in Wales ?" The prize was free first class travel to any station in the UK for two adults, and two children; and I was asked "where will you go ?" . My reply was "I've just remebered a long lost aunt in Kyle of Lochalsh" . . . . . never even raised a titter, but I had my tickets made out "Waun-gron Park to Kyle of Lochalsh - return". . Travelled to Inverness and hired a motor home for a week, toured the Highlands .... brilliant. Unfrotunately, we returned from Waverley on a sleeper to Bristol TM and as we had first class tickets, piled into the lounge car - and ended up having a debate with the steward, who denied us entry as we needed sleeper reservations; threatened to call the BTP and have me removed. Then, when I got to my seat in a TSO, I was handed a questionnaire by BR staff, asking my views on the service !!!!!! I couldn't really complain, as I worked out the tickets were worth £800 plus at 1990 values. Brian R

And here's one I mentioned earlier. . B955153 branded "TO WORK BETWEEN / BARRY SHOPS AND SOUTH / WALES CRIPPLE POINTS" . It was taken (through the fence and into the sun, unfortunately)at Cathays C & W. . I haven't got the exact date to hand, but the stored Cl.155 unit may narrow it down !!!!!!!! . What a place Cathays C & W was, always something different. . Brian R

Allocations of brake vans, South Wales. Metals & Automotive Sector 1989 954616, 954739, 955104, Tidal Sidings 954734, Newport East Usk 955045, Ebbw Vale Metals & Automotive Sector 1993 954734, 955026, Tidal Sidings 955101, Newport East Usk Yd. trips to Isis Link, Orb Works on the East Usk Branch. Speedlink Distribution 1989 955127, Newport East Usk Coal Sector 1989 955153, Barry (MGR cripple working) Not allocated by sector 1989 954898, Radyr Yard (spare) Condemned, awaiting disposal 1993. 954702, 955152, Radyr Yard. . 954734 was one of two vans later sold to Allied Steel & Wire, intended for transporting group visits around the two works. One was gutted (by vandals ?) and 954734 languished in Tidal Sidings after ASW went to the wall in 2002. The picture shows it at Tidal in November, 2004 I hope this helps . Brian R

Leon, As has been said, the general (later) use for brake vans revolved mainly around either (i) dangerous goods e.g. nuclear flask traffic, or (ii) propelling moves. . If I remember, there were a couple of Metals Sector brake vans based at Tidal Sidings during the very late 80s / early 90s, but I don't know what their regular duties were; most likely they were based there 'just in case'. . There was also a van based at Barry WRD for use in moving 'crippled wagons' to/from repair; I saw it at Cathays, again in the late 80s/ early 90s. I may have their details somewhere, if you want them, just let me know. Brian R

'Harrington jacket' Ben Sherman shirt, Two-tone Levi 'Sta-Prest' trousers Loafers (with tassles). . All topped of with a 'pork pie hat' . So attired, with chest inflated, walking into 'Kwik Snax' Wood St. Cardiff before a leisurely stroll to the 'old' Ninian Park Hotel in order to irrigate the vocal chords prior to spending two-hours of a Saturday afternoon watching Brian Clark and John Toshack from the 'Grange End'. And no BSkyB to inflate footballers heads to such an extent they forget their roots. Brian R

As with other freight stock BR livery dictated unfitted brake vans were painted grey, fitted were painted bauxite. . Obviously there will be the odd exception to the rule (as in most lerge organisations). . Brian R

In fact Steve, it was at the previous year's Cardiff Show, 2009 IIRC. Paul has tarted it up a bit since that show, and if there's a chance would show it again - he had a few offers/enquiries, but nothing really concrete. Perhaps it could make a return at this years show, his current layout Waungron Park is not quite finished, and his circular steelworks was shown at the last cardiff Show. The houses/flats were drawn up using his CAD system, he does building drawings, extensions, planning applications as part of his day job, and then printed them out using a large printer. That worked fine as any deficiencies were hidden by the scaffolding. Decent photos of the signal box have always proved elusive, unless someone can point us in the right direction ?. Brian R

The current "Great Western Journal" continues it's multi-part feature of Paddington, and contains R.A.F. aerial views from 1948/49 of (i) Paddington (ii) Paddington Goods, and (iii) Royal Oak / Ranelagh Bridge Yard. All three photo captions contain the negative references should you wish to obtain copies. Although of the 'diesel era' there are two decent prints available at:- http://www.railphotoprints.co.uk/index/detail/9948/1034-Y-RanelaghBridge-1974-RPC688.jpg.html http://www.railphotoprints.co.uk/index/detail/549/D7033-D860-RanelaghBridgeSP-130763-RP068.jpg.html And a 'rough sketch plan'modified for modelling purposes ? at:- http://stephenfay.railnuts.com/files/2009/08/ranleagh-bridge.jpgHTH Brian R

Tuesday 9th. June, 1987. 10.15hrs. CARDIFF WEST (CLARE RD. BRIDGE) (53855+59363+53908), (53129+59039+53087), (51348+59479+51390), (53122+59030+53080), (51414+59490+51372), (51087+59418+51058), (53091+59041+53133), (51147+59444+51134), (53133+59041+53091), (51128+59357+51141) 37280, 37896 empty mgr, 37693 up l/e, 56053(railfrieght livery)+56032(blue livery) 47584+18947+18943+35191+17052+7185+18820+80565 43124 + (Set 38)+ 43037 50001+94029+84718+802xx + 'up' empty vans for OOC (stock obscured by):- 37280+977352+18735+80417+80328+CAV 33013+7216+35195+5041+18716+4847 47619+5255+5467+5254+6608+5295+5346+13493+92374(NEX white waist stripe) CANTON TMD 37427/28/29, 47118 (Eastfield Scottie emblem), 56041 CANTON MILEAGE YARD 08822 + VTG ‘hoods’ on Tidal Sidings trip working Brian R

Tuesday 8th. June, 1971 . Tidal Sidings, Cardiff . Cl.45 - 40 Cl.08 - 3257, 3258, 3259, 3262, 3263 HS4000 'Kestrel' . 'Kestrel' carried a consignment note which read:- "Contract No.50/16031 Transport No.466049 Item No. Equipment No. Gross Weight 87 tonnes Net Weight 86.5 tonnes Size 20.27 x 2.8 x 3.78 metres, 3.975 metres on stands" 'Kestrel' was subsequently moved to the Queen Alexandra Dock by 3258 & 3260 for shipping to the USSR on Friday 11th. June, 1971. Brian R

That's my brother, Paul's layout (aka 'naturol'). Brian R

Al For all the world it's Dowlais Central, only a bit more inviting ! Is that the same 'Railway Arms' as in 'Up the junction' by Squeeze ? Looks great Brian