br2975

One down, only two to go. . This Thursday will see the final scheduled trainload of Welsh mined coal; from Cwmbargoed D.P. (Ffos-y-fran) to Margam, for Tata Steel, Port Talbot. . However, coke will continue to be imported through the Port Talbot deep water harbour until the blast furnaces at Port Talbot cease production later this year. . Importing the coke, instead of mining it here in Wales boosts our 'green credentials' . In order to reduce our footprint further, our leaders at Cardiff Bay are now planning to force Welsh farmers to reduce their livestock herds by 10% and grow trees instead. . All this crossed my mind earlier as I stood in an empty Welsh field, surrounded by trees, awaiting the arrival of the late running 6C83 11:30 Cwmbargoed - Margam, the antepenultimate Welsh coal train. . Welcome to Wales.............................

. I recently misted my trackwork with diluted IPA prior to ballasting, using diluted PVA dribbled on with a hypodermic syringe . It stained my sleepers with a white effect. . The trackwork was Peco Code 75, sprayed first a dark brown. . I then reverted to using a "wet water" mix of water & washing up liquid to mist over first, and the white staining was no longer an issue.

Despite having an inherited interest in railways, genetically handed down from my dad - I never started 'spotting' per se until Jeff Evans, a school friend, suggested we go 'train spotting' . Our grandstand was a footbridge linking Finchley Road and Wroughton Place, that spanned the South Wales main Line just on the down side of the former Ely (Main Line) station on the western outskirts of Cardiff. . The year was 1964, and the first number into my book was 8750 pannier, 3790, shunting the coal yard (one siding). . Then Jeff let out a cry of 'double peg' - the meaning of which had me totally flumouxed - and shortly after, a great green beast hove into view from the St. Fagans direction . I wrote down the number, 92220, and saw that this monster had a nameplate, but was dragging a long line of dirty brown vans. . I was hooked. . For our next spotting adventure Jeff suggested "Pwllmelin Road bridge, by the Top Shops" as we should get some steamers. . Our OP (observation position) was on a dirt lane running behind Waterhall Junction Signal Box, where we were disappointed by the failure to see any of nearby Radyr shed's steam fleet, by then one of the largest allocations on the Western region. . All I came away with, was my first railway photo, an EE Type 3 ( they weren't Clas 37s, Growlers, or Tractors back then ) propelling a brake van towards Penarth Curve North. . I've never looked back - I've pursued my hobby across four continents, seen many sights and made many friends. . Photo No.1 The footbridge at 'Ely (Main Line)' where it all started - as it is today. This bridge was humorously christened the "BRMB" ( Brian R's Memorial Bridge ) in my honour, by one of my friends - I'm still waiting for a commerative blue plaque to be fitted ! . Photo No.2 My first railway photo, Waterhall Junction 1964 . Photo No.3 Waterhall Junction today, looking towards Radyr.

. I need to secure some supplies, so may well pop in. . If not, a social afternoon 'in town' ( bus pass, the use of ! ) may be called for ?

My brother Paul ( 'naturol' of this parish ) and I were the original organisers of the 'Cardiff Small Model Railway Shows' which were held at the Pontcanna Scout HQ in Cardiff. . We were assisted by Messrs Lord & Butler. . In the aftermath of the pandemic we considered the possibility of reviving the event, but after lengthy discussions decided against it. . 'NHY581" has mentioned to me that he would be willing to consider staging a similar event to the one time 'Cardiff Small Model Railway Show' . My brother Paul, and I support Rob's (NHY581) consideration of staging such an event, and would be prepared to assist in the background, if and where we can. . We are all of the opinion that there is a local need for such a small, friendly, one day event with exhibitors, demonstrations, societies and a trader or two. . Brian R

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0F 1944/1928 was delivered 9th. January, 1928 to J. & J. Colman Ltd. Carrow Works, Norwich . It as fitted with a reducing valve. . Livery when delivered was; Caledonian blue, picked black and edged yellow - named "Gamma". . Sold 11/1952 to Midland Tar Distillers. . Hope this helps ? . Brian R

Here is the link to Karl Crowther's "Hebble Vale" https://emgauge70s.co.uk/layout_hebble.html

. Get a back copy of MRJ 230 where Karl Crowther describes how he used, joined and painted Wills stone sheets on his Hebble Vale layout.. . Consider the article the most informative and useful so far published. . You can find his work at:- https://emgauge70s.co.uk/layout_hebble.html

. And I can recall very little Latin from my schooldays, other than "caveat emptor"

. Perhaps it was this ? . Posted September 6, 2020 (edited) . I use lendons as it is just up the road from me, as he does spares etc, which Lord and butler dont, and i tend to not go to lord and butler any more due to the following reasons 1- I have to drive right across cardiff to go there pain in the backside on a saturday fuel cost etc, only time I need to go across cardiff if im in work at cbyc or with sea cadets 2 - Dont have what I want -they dont do spares, and sometimes their s/h range needs lot to be desired. 3- I've found in the past that their S/H locos need full strip downs and overhauling, so I dont use them anymore, but rob at lendons is always very helpful with me, and he also does loco remags as well, plus he does ringfield etc spares so I will give him definate thumbs up :D, and he's local so a bonus, he is starting up a second hand range so will keep a keen eye out on his site. edit i'm longer welcome at l&b due to my comments, i'm entitled to my own opinion and said it as a customer.

. Under an assumed name...............Gimli.

Whilst thumbing through my 'phone earlier, it dawned on me that two years ago today on my ride back from Dolan Springs Az. to Las Vegas I met an interesting American chap, who was quick to point out he was a former US government employee, trained in intelligence, surveillance and counter surveillance techniques. . My new found friend gave me a potted history of Area 51, where an alien known as Elron has lived for many years since crashing his spaceship near Kingman. . Through Elron we have developed fiber optics, the printed circuit and stealth technology. . It appears 'Vernon Von Brown' sic invented the jet engine ( someone tell Frank Whittle ) and only joined the Nazi party because they would fund his space programme. . I was astounded to learn from this font of knowledge that during the Vietnam conflict, the US government were concerned at their aircrew losses at the hands of Russian made MIG fighters. . So, the CIA were tasked with obtaining a MIG, and flipped one of Saddam Hussein's Iraqi pilots, ( irrespective of the fact Saddam came to power 4 years after the US left Saigon ) who flew the MIG to Israel, from where it was smuggled to Area 51 and the defector disappeared "into the programme". . The MIG was deconstructed ( an Americanism for dismantled, I believe ) and it was established by the USAF via Area 51 staff, that the MIG was no better than an F4 Phantom, but the Russian pilots flying in Vietnam were better trained than their US adversaries......so the Red Flag programme was introduced at Nellis AFB to improve US fighter pilot skills. . My new found friend claimed "these skills will lead to NATO success when Putin invades......Kosovo in the coming weeks" - ( would this be after he invades Ukraine ? I thought ) This has to be the best hours entertainment I've had this week, and was worth travelling 5,000 miles to hear. . I wonder what happened to my 'friend' ? .

Me too .. It's a lot closer to the real thing than a lot of other 0% stuff sold over the bar. . I suspect it's because it doesn't have the same effect after 5 or 6 that the 'full fat' Guinness does.

. On my return after retirement, I worked with a most entitled PW, middle aged, approaching retirement. . She had never married, and moved around the force from department to department after wearing out her welcome at each new job. . She too suffered with a bad back (lack of backbone most likely). . An Inspector friend of mine disliked her so much, he went through her personal record and found that with 27 years service, she had spent 9 years (one third of her service) on the sick. . She once let slip that her parents had made their wills, and found her parents had decided to divide everything 50/50 between her, and her brother to which she announced; "That's disgusting, my brother has a better job than me, and earns twice what I earn, he doesn't need the money....it's so unfair" . I sat at my desk one morning drinking coffee and eating a toasted cinammon and raisin bagle "Who's eating cinammon bagles ?" she demanded. "Me, why ?" "The smell makes me heave, and wretch - I can't stand them" Ever after, if cinammon and raisin bagles were on offer, I'd buy two packs, and freeze them to toast two, not just one, whenever she condescended to come to work. . As for the embarrassing story of her and two matelots on a courtesy call, that will need to wait until after the watershed..........................

With almost forty years in policing (in different roles) I found the most pressure and stress was not a result of the matters I dealt with on a daily, or more seriously, occasional basis - but was generated by poor, sometimes incompetent managers and supervisors; many of whom were ignorant of Police Regulations & Determinations which governed how and when police officers can be deployed, or rostered and annual leave enitlements. . Many police managers have still to grasp the fact that Hallowe'en, Bonfire Night, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve fall on the same date each year. . Managerial decisions such as which Constables will have their rest day cancelled, or who will do what is still often made by 'names in a hat' as opposed to a decision based upon who worked what previously, or similar. . I retired first in 2009, then for the second time in 2019 - and things have declined markedly since. . In the meantime, policing has not become the hotbed of racism, misoginy and grooming the media would have you believe, but has become dominated by 'entitled constables' who do as little as possible, and often refuse to turn up for work, or perform their role............. with impunity, because HR (the department that 'really' runs the police) are too scared to deal with such officers, thereby emboldening these 'entitled' problem children. . eg A police officer who claims to have a bad back (NOT an injury sustained whilst on duty), cannot work on the streets as a result, and was allowed to work from home until the force bought two different specialist chairs for her desk, as she couldn't sit in either for long periods. However, the same officer could endure a 7 hour flight to Jamaica for a holiday, and goes skiing each year. When confronted with this, her HR department state "what she does outside work is irrelevant"

. Oh my days, dahhhling, no one, I mean no one in Penarth is killing the planet by burning fossil fuels these days; they charge their Tesla's using the solar panels on the roofs of their homes, or by other green means - whilst eating their plant based diets, laced with quinoa.

. If there is a 'formal night' during the cruise - Mrs br2975 'expects, nay, commands' I take and wear a dinner suit. . However, passenger's attitudes towards formal nights vary from line to line; with the tee shirt , faded short and flip flop wearing exceptions usually standing out..

. We went several years ago, in January (not on a cruise). . -13'C at Gulfloss felt far colder than -22'C at Levi in Finland. . Gulfloss falls.

Literally 'The Night Mail' . My first sight of a Transport for Wales Metro 'tram train' working, and drawing power from the overhead. . Taken at 01:10 this morning, as it arrived at Radyr to collect newly delivered classmate 398005, and then remove it one stop up the line to the TfW Metro depot at Taffs Well. .

Today 20142 & 20189 together with two brake force runners top and tailed TfW Metro unit 398005 from Old Dalby to Radyr station. . The unit was bound for the TfW depot at Taffs Well, the next station up the line from Radyr. . The ensemble arived in Platform 2 at Radyr at around 00:10 on Saturday, 27th. January (2024) . 20189 and the leading brake force runner were cut off, and reversed into Platfrom 3 and shut down. . Another TfW Metro unit, 398007 then arrived from Taffs Well, drawing power from the overhead - the first time I have seen this on the CVL, and crossed into Platform 2 to work 398007 back to Taffs Well. . Here are some rather dodgy 'phone' images of the 'action' . There will be a few more such workings, with one scheduled for a weeks time. .

I would suggest the Western is at Reading.

. Aaaaargh ! . Crittall windows were fitted to my childhood home, and were fitted to our current house (been here since 1979) when we moved in. . My father, a cabinet maker and joiner, renewed all our windows with timber framed ones as a stopgap - until we could afford uPVC all around.. . Cost in 1980 for timber, glass, putty, primer, paint and a new front door for a three bed semi.... a tad under £400. . At the start of the pandemic, we decided to replace our then uPVC windows. . One salesman who offered us a quote was a former school chum, working for Anglian. . George scribbled on his pad, scrolled around his company tablet, then came up with a figure................... £18k . I burst into hysterics, which caught George off guard. . "What's so funny ?" he asked. . "I didn't pay that for the house !" . We went elsewhere, paid a lot less, and were more than satisfied with what we got.

. Reminds me of a house I visited many moons ago in the "Strangetown" area of Cardiff; from where a very intelligant, attractive, single, self employed lady ran an 'escort' agency. . The house was decorated throughout by Laura Ashley, and spotlessly clean, as she employed both a cleaner, and a gardner. . When asked by my 'boss' why I didn't "put her on the book for running a brothel" - I took great delight in telling him, as she was the only woman using the premises, it didn't constitute a brothel, so there were "no offences disclosed"

Once upon a time I worked for the then South Glamorgan Highways & General Engineering Group, surveying, designing and setting out new roads, and road improvements. . A carriageway width of 7.3m was the norm for most urban roads.

. Obviously written by someone who's never been a copper.