br2975

. Having worked as a barman in the late lamented and infamous "Bulldog" during my 6th Form years ( allegedly the inspiration for Jurassic Park ) - I have never touched 'Dark' since - always 'Light' (Bitter) or 'S.A.' . Now, I'll settle for a "Reverend James"

. Show closed at 16:00 . We were away by 16:20, and I was in the house for 20:20. . After two days standing on a concrete 'workshop' floor by back, and thighs 'are in half' ! . Not to distract from an enjoyable weekend as guests of the MIOG folks.. . However, as a town, Crew could brand itself "the land that time forgot !". . This was offset by a pleasurable time by diverting the attention of both Happy Hippo and SM42 from the matter in hand; namely by regaling them with age old 'war stories'. . Thank you again for the boxes young Hippo.

Tonight, I shall retire early . Tomorrow, it will be the tedious journey via the A449, M50, M5 and M6 to Crewe, and setting up Rolley Minor's opus at the Heritage Centre, in advance of this weekend's MIOG event. . Word is, Hippos may be sighted in the area on the day of rest. . Nos da.

. Not quite - I have purchased items there, but solely for my grandsons - as it was (years ago) there post swimming lessons treat, started by their parents - so who was I to 'rock their boat' ?

. And what a great choice it is; 8E46 the erstwhile 12:50 Radyr (Quarry) - Normanby Park block coal for A.F.S.Co. .

. I can safely boast that I have never purchased myself anything in a Ronald MacDonald's emporium.

. We had a saying on our shift . "Managers only manage, whereas leaders inspire !"

. Actually, no. . At retirement I was working with a PC who was qualified to Sergeant - and also bore an uncanny resemblance to one Marlon Dingle. Chris was a good, all round copper, great knowledge, great aptitude, great demeanour and would make an excellent Sergeant. But He refused to pursue his promotion, because "I want to be a copper, and do police work - I'm not going to write worthless essays about irrelevant subjects, just to get some stripes" . Promotion within 'Police UK plc' is based solely upon the ability to "talk the talk" there is absolutely no emphasisi on being able to "walk the walk".

. Yes, the SMT (Senior Management Teams) all know it goes on - and there are many first line supervisors (sergeants) and Inspectors who would love to get to grips with the wasters; because everyone knows who they are. BUT 'Police UK plc' is run by the HR Departments, who are sh*t scared of litigation and employment tribunals -so they advise/force the managers to take the line of least resistance; cave in to the sick, lame and lazy. . The genuine rank and file workers are so demoralised, because they carry their own workload (which is constantly burgeoning) but also carry the workload of a malingerer as well. . Morale within the police service is lower than a snakes belly, and has been for years. . I was an elected Police Federation representative for almost half my service, and the Fed gave me basic training in representing officers subject to Poor Performance or Attendance Regulations. I once had a 'face to face' with the then Chief Constable (probably the best senior officer my force had during my service - and well known to Hippo the Younger), Our Chief was presenting a 'State of The Union Address' and touched upon Performance and Attendance issues. He saw me smirking, and knowing me well, pulled me up "Well Sir, the Fed has trained me in the basics when it comes to representing my members who become to subject performance, attendance and discipline investigations - whereas the force gives no such training, or support to their first line supervisors or managers - so, in first and second stage meetings I invariably run rings around your sergeants and inspectors" He agreed, and I followed up with; "As my subscription paying members expect a robust representation, they get one, in fact all too easily due to the failings of the force - and by default I know that I have kept officers in the force whose services should have been dispensed with; not because I'm good, but because the force is weak." He agreed. And years later, both retired, we are still on good and first name terms.

. Perhaps I ought not mention the female officer who calmly informed her Inspector that after 18 months service (probationary period is 2 years), she had come to realise she was afraid of the dark. So, and with no medical evidence to support her claim, the management team presented her with a specialist role, working 9-5 M-F. . Or the officers who actually refuse lawful orders, refuse to turn up for duty on their cancelled rest days, refuse to carry out duties 'because it's not in my remit' . Then there are the sick, lame and lazy - those who 'have to work from home' . I know of a Detective Sergeant who 'can't come in today, I'll work from home to care for my dog in this heatwave' . Or "I can't come in this morning, my twelve year old son refuises to go to school" . "I won't be in today, my son has a dental appointment" - but he's 17 !! . Then there's the DC told to perform a task by her DS - who promptly replied "No, F**k Off" and stormed out of the building. If you thought that following yesterday's report misogyny and racism were the two biggest issues facing the police today, then you were wrong. . Oh no ! - in " UK Police plc " - the tail wags the dog.

. "Police UK" now want recruits to either hold a degree, or be prepared to study for a policing degree. . In addition, 'Police UK' now recruit 'direct entrants' to the rank of Inspector, and also to the role of 'Detective' - both of which require the candidate to hold a degree. . Only last week, a direct entry 'detective' candidate for my local force was being 'shown around' by a middle service officer; who was aghast to find that the applicant was under the impression she would only work 9-5 Monday - Friday, with weekends off and turned peuce when told she would also be expected work Christmas Day, New Years Eve and every other Bank Holiday and on cancelled rest days , if required. The direct entrant had to sit down when then told she would need to 'book her annual summer leave' almost two years in advance, as Police Regulations require the annual leave rota to be published 'at least' one year hence. . NOW, if that naievty isn't bad enough....... . Remember my reference to university degrees above ? . The Cathays area of Cardiff is known as 'studentland' as it contains literally thousands of HMOs (Houses of Multi Occupancy) occupied by students, working towards their degrees or doctorates. . South Wales Police are currently running a high-vis operation in the Cathays area whereby PCSOs call on HMOs and speak with the student occuapnts, 'advising' ('warning' is to overbearing a term) them to lock their windows and doors when they go out, in order to prevent their homes being burgled and their laptops, tablets, phones, digital cameras, printers and game consoles being stolen. Yes PCSOs areadvising the potential senior police officers, and detectives of tomorrow on basic crime prevention ! . Oh, and I have many, many more such stories.................................... .

. And this, my friends is what has diminished my interest in RMWeb of late. . I find more, and more simplistic posts requesting information on a subject, or subjects that is easily identifiable, and accessible, with minimal research BUT More and more 'modellers' (term used loosely) are adopting the 'post a question on line - and get some other mug to find and upload the information for me' . The reasoning behind some questions, is so predictable; e.g. "Hi - can anyone tell me whether a Freightliner Class 70 ever pulled a B.R. Mk.1 chocolate and cream buffet car ?" . Which translated equates to; "I've made an impulse purchase of a B.R. Mk.1 buffet in chocolate and cream, and now need to justify its' presence on my Freightliner layout, if and when I'm challenged." . Were a modeller to post; "Can anyone assist with the Pontypridd & Ynysybwl Light Railway coaching stock liovery please ? I've got the relevant books, but none make reference to the livery, and the Glamorgan Archives cannot help either" It indicates he's done all he can, and is now at a loose end. Now this, is an enquiry in which I'd help, if I could. . And as for the lack of thanks by many who pose the questions that irk me so much......................... . Steps down, and pushes soapbox into the corner; then exits stage left !

. If 'Life meant Life' this sceanario would never arise. . I may not support capital punishment, But I strongly advocate 'life meaning, life' (not 13 years as it currently equates)

. Not for me it isn't. . Crimes are committed by humans. The victims are invariably human. The witnesses are human. The investigators are human. The judges are human. The juries are human. . All of the above, being human are gifted with human frailties, and human prejudices. . In my mind, it only takes the execution of one innocent man (or woman) following a miscarriage of justice, to negate the argument for 'capital punishment' . Unlike (probably) any other member of TNM, I have investigated murders, and on one occasion, the convictions were overturned, as being unsound. Another man, who didn't feature in the original enquiry later admitted the offence. "Nothing concentrates a man's mind like knowing he hangs in the morning" - but imagine his mind if he knows he is innocent ?

. The following is worth considering.................... . At July 13th. 1963 tonnages of coal and coke moved in the Cardiff Division had increased from 12,688m tons to 12,993m tons, and of iron and steel from 3,0003m tons to 3,754m tons compared to the same period for 1962. In total, freight tonnage in the division had risen from 17,329m tons to 18,104m tons. 52% of the Cardiff Division freight receipts are from coal and coke traffic, which totals 19m tons per annum. Of these 19m tons, 3.3m tons goes for export shipment; 3.6m tons goes to public utilities; 10.6m tons goes to ‘large’ industries; 1.5m tons (principally household fuel) goes to 212 coal handling stations and depots; of which only 54 pass more than 7,500tons per year, more than half deal with less than 5,000tons per annum. Approx 300 block trains run per day. 17% of the Cardiff Division freight receipts are from iron and steel related traffic. It was planned to reduce the facilities handling other traffic to 12 central depots for wagonload traffic, which accounted for 11% of the Cardiff Division’s freight receipts, and 7 depots for sundries traffic which accounts for 2% of the Division’s receipts.. The likely locations of the wagonload depots (at 1964) were: Ludlow, Hereford, Pontypool Road, Newport, Cardiff, Merthyr, Pontypridd, Bridgend, Swansea, Llanelly, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest. The likely locations of the sundries depots (at 1964) were Hereford, Newport, Cardiff, Merthyr, Swansea, Llanelly and Carmarthen. Parcels traffic was to be concentrated (1964) at just Pontypool Road and Cardiff. . Many stations along the South Wales Main Line e.g. Ely, St. Fagans even Llantrisant were slated for closure pre-Beeching, as a means to speed up the movement of freight along the SWML. . Many of the 1960s closures in South Wales were pusued with great vigour, but little foresight as highlighted by David Maidment, who referred topost Beeching 'slash and burn' policy, championed by Stanley Raymond. . However, it must be remembered that traffic on certain routes was 'on the wain' - eg 2nd. October, 1967 Glyn Neath – Hirwaun Pond closed. It was being used by only one through train per day, the 15:30 Aberdare – Jersey Marine. From 20th. November, 1967 , Caerphilly – Machen closed. Latterly used by just three Dowlais Cae Harris – Newport trains per day since 2nd. January, 1967. Trains diverted via Penrhos Junc. Radyr and Cardiff General. . The 'Reorganisation of freight working in South Wales' (a.k.a. 'Blockplan') identified the many issues, and set out to alleviate them, where possible. . As certain Hippos, and local RCTS members know, to their cost- I can 'Bore for Britain' on the late 60s, early 70s reorganisation

Excert from the 1969 Western Region, Cardiff Division, Sectional Appendix . Tail Traffic - Bridgend to Cymmer Afan "One empty Siphon G in connection with Racing Pigeon traffic may be attached to a passenger carrying multiple unit diesel train from Bridgend to Cymmer Afan provided the train is formed of a single power car and a 3-car set (power car / trailer / power car ) and all engines are in full working order. Under no circumstances must the vehicle be conveyed if the power / weight ratio falls below that set out above." . By1969 the Bridgend - Cymmer ( - Treherbert ) service was worked by a pair of Canton allocated Cl.121 'bubble cars' albeit the school contract ( which kept the branch open as far as Cymmer ) employed an 'almost' dedicated 3 car set, which, if I recall correctly was W50090+59040+50132. . How about this, South Wales again, circa 1967........ . 00:50 SuO Padd - Swansea dropped off 7 bogies at Cardiff, A BG and 3x GUVs solely for Cardiff 2x GUVs for Treherbert, and 1x GUV for Rymney. . According to the 'WR Van Loading Book' the Rhymney van was loaded as follows Rhymmney 'Transfer incl. Bargoed, Brithdir, Caerphilly, Abertridwr, Hengoed, Llanbradach, Pontlotty, Pengam,Rhymmney, Senghenydd, Tirphil, Y. Mynach . The Rhymney GUV left Cardiff behind 2F65 05:10 SuO Cardiff - Rhymney DMU. I believe it returned to Cardiff on 2F51 08:30 Su Rhymney - Penarth DMU . A few years earlier, a Sunday turn existed at Rhymney, ( when the signing on point still stabled 3 or so EE Type 3s at weekends, so pre-1967 ) requiring a driver to book on, shunt the van(s) off the first up Cardiff DMU and stable the van(s) for unloading. . The driver then apparently booked off.

. Content over quality - any day. . Post any that you have.....

. My apologies John - it appears I have underestimated your abilities all these years........, I didn't realise you were also an expert on Association Football.

. Yes, they are GPV's. . The main destination for GPVs in South Wales was Llantrisant as ICI had magazines in Brofiscin Quarry from where the explosives were distributed, mainly to the NCB, but also quarries etc. . The GPVs came from Penrhyndeudraeth, via Coton Hill and Severn Tunnel Jcn from whence they were usually tripped by the early morning Llantrisant - STJ and return freight. . The GPVs in the photo would be empty, judging by the drirection they are heading. . Identifying the working is difficult, as 9C94 was a Radyr - Cwmbargoed out and back job, which normally wouldn't pass Ninian Park Halt. . The working 'could' have come from Llantrisant along the SWML, then come off the SWML at Leckwith Jcn. (out of shot to the left) and could now be going to run round at Penarth Curve North thence head to Radyr (unlikely) or negotiate the back of Canton Depot to Radyr Branch Jcn then head for Radyr or STJ. . The switching of locos between diagrams hereabouts occasionally makes positively identifying workings difficult.

. At the time, Shocvans were still in regular use on tinplate traffic. . The (then) recent freight reorganisation in South Wales decreed all empty 'Shocvans' returning to South Wales would be directed to Briton Ferry, from where they were distributed as traffic demanded either Trostre or Velindre, or from BSC tinplate warehouses e.g. Morriston. . The 'Tadpoles' (ex Banana vans, for fitted head) were mainly used locally from Llantrisant on iron ore and lime/limestone trains to East Moors to allow the trains of unfitted hoppers to run as Class 8 - but, at Pengam the train reversed, the 'Tadpoles' at the front, stayed put, and were then on the rear, and the train ran Class 9 to Tidal, and East Moors.

. Yes, Bill Way also had a yard on the east arm of the Bute East Dock, at the 'top' or north end of the dock. . The 'trollies' were a feature of the location for many years. . The yard is now beneath a dual carriageway. . Bill Way was a distinctive character, he had a terrible bend in his one forearm - obviously a bad break that was never reset properly.

. When built, and opened as a replacement for the 'Dowlais' works near Merthyr, the new integrated plant in Cardiff was officially known as "The NEW Dowlais Works" . Now, the original works name was pronounced correctly, as "Dow - Lice" But, Cardiffians have a habit of b*stardising Welsh names, and the Cardiff plant's name was always pronounced as "Dow-luss" no "Dow-lice" and the 'NEW' was never used. This name remained, as mentioned, until closure in 1978 - which did little for failing reputation of the then Prime Minister, James Callaghan, in whose Cardiff South East constituency the works were located.

. The more likely reason he ( I ) doesn't go to Ninian Park to watch Cardiff City anymore, is because they haven't played there for the last 14 years. .

. More correctly - Mabinogi or Mabinogion - I did a thesis on it, for my 'A' Levels.

. Having arrived on this mortal coil, in Ely, then moving later to a brand new council flat in Fairwater.................everywhere else in Cardiff was posh to me !