br2975

. Reading this book by Tony Sayers will explain all you need to know about the genesis, construction, operations and decline of the 'nine-fivers' under British Railways, and would have saved 'The Johnster' an hours worth of typing................ escpecially as Tony Sayer's research is not quite co-terminus with The Johnsters' supposition. .

. The origins of the D95xx can be traced back to the late 1950s, and initially there were plns for some 400. . Before the "Reshaping of Britain's Railways" was published, the railway was relieved of common carrier status, both of which hit the railway hard. . Beeching had identified the loss making shunting and trip work which was to be the bread and butter of the D95xx ( the cost of which years later contributed to the demise of 'Speedlink' also ) . As I have written elsewhere, the D95xx were designed solely with 'shunting and trip working in mind' - hence they were built on a shoestring sans multiple working and train heating, when compared to the much more expensive 'standard' EE Type 1s and the Claytons. . As a point of interest, a EE Type 1 (Cl.20), Tinsley's D8069 was trialled in South Wales between 6th. - 22nd. June, 1965 and was apparently found wanting. . It was the lack of MU and train heating that prevented the D95xx being cascaded to other less onerous tasks such as branchline working. . The brake issue of the D95xx had been identified, and was being resolved when it became apparent their life expectancy was being calcuated in months, not years, so only a few were remedied. . The same goes for other niggles, which meant railwaymen became wary of them, they had been identified, and some were overcome, but the cost to benefit ratio was too hgh to continue. . As with any new class, the niggles would have been ironed out with time, but with traffic drying up, time was not on the side of the D95xxs . I know of only 4 occasions where D95xxs 'ran away' (Gelli G.F. / Glyncorrwg / The Western Valley and Adam Street). . They were not intended for incline working, and their usual duties in South Wales reflect that eg the Aber Jcn. tripper normally ran loco and van from and to Radyr via 'The Big Hill'. . Enthusiasts blather on about seeing D95xx standing idle on sheds and stabling points around South Wales, never earning their keep; but such is the nature of the enthusiast beast that he only visited South Wales on a weekend, late Saturday or on a Sunday - when the freight operation was virtually non-existent, with D955xs, EE Type 3s and 350hp shunters all standing idle together.. . I have detailed BR info on the duties / turns / workings of the remaining South Wales D95xxs from 1966 onwards, and the intensity of some diagrams belies the enthusiasts claims. . . One final contentious point; The D95xx were designed and built at Swindon, one of the greates and most experienced railway works in the world. They were deployed to brand new state of the art depots ( Canton, Landore, Bath Road etc), where they were maintained by time served artisans, with the best tools and equipment. If the D95xxs were a failure as a result of this, how do we account for 'outside industry' with staff not always as well versed as BR artisans, with lesser facilities, working in dark and dirty sheds getting the D95xxs to perform better and more reliably than British Railways ?

I'm not sure if this clip by former Canton manager Ian Walmsley has been linked to the thread previously. . But, it's well worth a watch.............. especially for the closing tune, Dr. Joseph Parry's beautiful tale of unrequited love - "Myfanwy" - something that brings a tear to every Welshman's eye. . .

Earlier this evening, St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates, and very sensibly, stood to one side .

. Sadly, a 7mm 'Toad' is somethng I never got around to; being a hindrance for my then 'Timesaver' layout.

"br2975" has returned from foreign climes, thoroughly drained. . The New Year was seen in in Murcia, whence the singing of Auld Lang Syne immediately heralds in br2975's birthday. . This year "br2975" cannot recall the walk home from bar to bed, escorted by his grandsons. . The remainder of the party were lost in transit, with br2975's daughter picking a fight with a manhole cover ! . Things recovered in time for an evening of Spanish football at the Estadio Enrique Roca, home of CF Real Murcia, which turned out to be even more dire than the questionable product served up by br2975's beloved 'Bluebirds' . January 5th. was spent in that wonderful city of Cartagena, for the Cabalgata de Reyes, namely the arrival (by sea) of the Magi in the late morning, a short walk to the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) from where they address the gathered (youthful) throng. . Virtually everyone walking the streets on the 5th. is carrying a 'Roscon de Reyes" ( a circular Day of The Kings Cake) . In the evening, watched by tens of thousands the Magi, and their supporters, accompanied by marching bands, dance troupes, societies and a myriad of floats, process through the streets throwing sweets and other goodies to the 8 - 10 deep crowds. . Once the children of Spain have retired to bed, and left a (very) clean pair of shoes on display, the kings deliver their presents, before 'The Day of the Kings, January 6th. (Epiphany) . Immediately the parade had passed, we retired to a restaurant, emerging just over an hour later to find the innumerable crowd barriers all stacked and being loaded onto lorries by fork trucks, thousands of plastic 'patio' chairs stacked awaiting collection, and the streets being swept of confetti. . I have yet to find a nation that 'does' fiestas and events as well as the Spaniards. . . All topped off by an Easyjet touch down at Bristol, at 18:40 and being home in the house in Cardiff within an hour and forty minutes (sticking to Welsh speed limits !)

. Excellent. . And, I saw that set at Reddish, 52 years ago today ! .

. Night time paths have existed since June this year (and have been used) for several trips for both Cl.756 units on test from Canton to Radyr and return 5Q00 to 5Q07; and the Cl.398 sets 3Q01 from Ponty to 3Q06 back to Taffs Well Depot (initially these were 5Q56 etc) . As trains haven't run for some time on most of the CVL, staff are required to initially renew their route knowledge. . The route and signalling will have changed drastically since staff last operated much of the CVLs. . The route refreshing will, I am told, initially be carried out using Cl.150 Sprinters, and then driver/staff training with Cl.756 and Cl.398 units. . Last week a Cl.67 worked several light engine moves between Canton and Radyr via Cardiff Queen St. in order to test the effects on a University MRI scanner that is located close to the lineside, I suspect this may be the scanner at the CUBRIC, Maindy Road facility ( on the site of the former Cathays C&W ) inside which I recently spent two 90 minute sessions ! . Those wishing to keep up to date with the TfW CVL 'Metro' developments, and other rail related matters in the area ( both current and historic ) may wish to join the Facebook group "Railways in South Wales". https://www.facebook.com/groups/1481784582093228

TfW update on the 'Metro' work https://tfw.wales/projects/metro/south-wales-metro And on the Treherbert line in particular; https://tfw.wales/projects/metro/south-wales-metro/treherbert-line-transformation

. Yep, that's the one.

Warships west of Cardiff, were, at one time a daily event, but as far west as Swansea ?. . During early 1971 I used to try and get to see the daily 8F37 12:01 Severn Tunnel Jcn. – Margam as it passed through the site of the former Ely (Main Line) station about 1:00pm, and which was an almost 'solid Warship turn'. From my notes, some examples were:- 25/02/71 - 864, 865; 26/02/71 - 846; 27/02/71 - 846, 02/03/71 - 837, 03/03/71 - 808; 05/03/71 - 865; 06/03/71 - 809; 10/03/71 - 844; 11/03/71 - 807; 13/03/71 - 857; 15/03/71 - 857; 16/03/71 - 833; 23/03/71 - 859; 05/04/71 – 841 . They were more commonplace on the SWML west of Cardiff than on the valleys network . eg I only ever saw one at Radyr, on the morning of Wednesday 26th. May, 1971 809 'Champion' ( 7C22/8B22 ) ***** (see note below at "A") together with 154 1613, 1914, 5179+5180, 6603, 6906, 6927, 6930, 6982, 7058,. . But I missed another at Radyr, later in 1971 when on .; Tuesday 17th. August, 1971. D854 Tiger, worked 0C22 L/E Bath Rd. Avonmouth 7C22 07.05 Avonmouth - Radyr ( empty coke hoppers ) 8B41 10.20 Radyr - Filton C.C.D. ** 0F74 L/E Filton - Bath Rd. . However, the WTT showed the following 8B41 09:52 Radyr Quarry - Bristol West Depot / Filton or Wapping Wharf, (household coal) as required. 8B22 10:20 Radyr Quarry - Avonmouth. ( coke hoppers ) So it appears 8B41 ran in the path of 8B22 on this date ? . NOTE "A" On Thursday 27th. May, 1971, the day after I saw D809 at Radyr, D809 worked an extended 7C36 05:10 Acton-East Usk which would/should have been be empty household coal wagons to East Usk Yard. However, D809 continued west, its' train included a raft of Ford Palvans, undoubtedly from Dagenham bound for Danygraig, Swansea, and no doubt added at Acton, or Stoke Gifford where 7C36 stood for an hour for wagon examination. Stranger still is that following 7C36 down the GWML / SWML would be 7C37 06:30 Southall - Jersey Marine which would sensibly have taken these wagons forward from STJ where both trains had stopped. Sadly, 50yrs on I doubt we'll find out why 7C36 continued past East Usk. . D810 'Cockade' worked 8C37 11.35 STJ-Margam as late as the 1st December 72, the day before it worked it's last train. . Warships were common at Barry as well; where 6E69 / 8E69 Barry Docks - Temple Mills freight, but often mainly banana vans, was also an almost 'solid' Warship working for a number of years. . Passenger wise, I only recall Warships working as far as Cardiff, and in later years the most common was; 1C36 08.45 Kingswear - Cardiff and 1B04 13.10 Cardiff - Paignton and that was a 'summer dated' working. I am aware of Warships reaching Ebbw Vale on several occasions, crewed by Severn Tunnel men, D826 'Jupiter' has been captured on film passing Rogerstone circa 1968, and in 1968 another reached British Benzole, Trethomas on a trainload of fitted 21 tonners.. . As for Warships at Swansea, I am aware of them working STJ - Jersey Marine jobs, and may have details somewhere, but it would take some finding. I have seen a photo of D836 'Powerful' waiting for the road at Newport on 13 April 1971 with 7V04 the 10.22 Eastleigh - Jersey Marine coal empties, and also on Wednesday 18th. August, 1971 D858 'Valorous' worked; 7C26 08.45 Plymouth Friary - Severn Tunnel Jct. 0O67 21.50 Severn Tunnel Jct. - Jersey Marine. I don't know what it worked back from Jersey Marine. . As for the original D6xx series............... . The photo attached is taken at Pantyffynnon, and quite rare . D601,D602 & D604 were transferred from Laira to Landore 8/1967. D602 made the move on 04/08/1967. D601 moved on 21/08/1967, worked to Newport by a Western hauling a South west - North West passenger service, and D604 made the move on 18/09/1967. It was reported that they reached Llandrindod Wells on at least two occasions. All returned to Laira in 11/1967. D601 & D602 left Landore for Laira on 22/11/1967 and were together at Bristol Bath Road on 24/11/1967. All were withdrawn 31/12/1967. D602 was painted in blue with a small yellow warning panel, whereas D601 & D604 were in green with a small yellow warning panel. The loco nearest the camera in this shot doesn't appear to have a light stripe along the tumblehome and has a BR arrow symbol amidships so is most likely D602. So, this photo was taken sometime between 19/09/1967 and 22/11/1967. The W.R. had recently lost a number of Cl.37s to the NER and ScR and it was thought (mistakenly) that the Warships would make a suitable replacement. (RCTS Courtney Haydon collection) . For the sake of completeness; On Thursday, 22nd. July, 1968, Hymek Cl.35 D7055 passed Cardiff General with withdrawn Warships D600 'Active' & D601 'Ark Royal' in tow, bound for Woodham Bros. scrap yard, Barry Docks . Although this reply wanders a bit off the subject, I hope it helps ? .

. It still goes on, at Ffos-y-fran / Cwmbargoed. . Although the opencast has ceased extracting coal at the end of November 2023, Britain's last domestic coal flow (using the stockpiled coal) to Tata, Margam needs to be shunted around at Cwmbargoed DP; albeit the train of HTA hoppers stays in one. . If you want to see the last train of British mined coal, it will be leaving Cwmbargoed in the next week or so.

. The major reason for Merthyr Tydfil's village elders imposing enforcement notices on the operators at Ffos-y-fran was the pollution and nuisance caused to nearby residents. . To which end I suspect it will be highly unlikely that same parish council will now allow the biggest hole in Britain ( Ffos-y-fran, not Merthyr ! ) to be used for landfill. . And with the Taff Bargoed line serving no great centres of population, other than Nelson, I suspect there will not be a reintroduced passenger service from there, down the helter skelter to Ystrad Mynach (High Level) either. .

. "We all had doctors papers" . The first, and only comedy album to top the UK album chart. . And of course, the sleeve was drawn by "Gren" creater of Aberflyarff, Cwmbyhere, Ponty, Pop, Nigel, Bromide Lil, Ivan Nuts-Trampler and the Efflew Valley . He's sold over 2 million albums in the meantime. .

. 'twas the following that inspired my Twll Cach and the Efflew Valley. . "In our little valley, they closed the colliery down, And the pithead baths is a supermarket now, Empty journies red with rust, rode to rest amidst the dust, And the pithead baths is a supermarket now" .

. I have also toyed with the idea of a West Wales milk branch, . You know, a timeless scene to allow anything from a pannier, 45xx to a Hymek, somewhere more remote even than the FoD.

. And look what it has led me to.......................... .

. The wife was refunded; we let the vendor take it up with Mr. A Mazon Esq.

Whilst we were away on our holibobs, the Big River delivery chap once put our parcel in the green recycling wheelie bin and recorded the fact in the appropriate manner. . You can guess what happened between his delivery and our return home. . "A long time ago In a landfill far, far away !"

My personal view, as a Welshman with but a smattering of my native tongue............... outside rural mid, and north Wales, the Welsh language appears to be the domain of the middle class 'Taffia' and the 'Crachach'. . If you are a former sports man (or woman) and you speak Welsh, the Welsh media is your licence to print money. . Has the ability to converse fluently in Welsh held me back ? . The answer must be 'no' . If being unable to understand Welsh language programmes on S4C is a hindrance, it has not effected me in the slightest. . My daughter is fluent, it has helped her on several occasions, usually when in the company of other Welsh speakers (members of the 'Taffia') who, because my daughter's strong Cardiff accent belies her ability to 'siarad Gymraeg' has challenged Welsh speaker's derogatory comments made against or about her....... much to their embarrassment, as she leaves their company with a cheery "Hwyl Fawr" .

Such police boxes were uncommon in the South Wales area, albeit there were a handful, generally the light was blue.

. "My bad" . "My bad" . For a bloke who professes to be as eloquent as you John, what in heaven's name is "My bad" ? . Act your age, and use 'The King's English'

. Are you sure about the LNWR Ramsbottom tank being named after the wife of the owner of Cardiff Docks ?. . As for the BrAIn's pub, "The Marchioness of Bute" - it was nowhere near Clive Road, which is in Canton. . The 'Marchioness of Bute' was well over a mile away, in Frederick Street, in the city centre. . The only pub on Clive Road was the 'Duke of Clarence' ( named for Prince Albert Victor, grandson of Queen Victoria and whose full title was "Duke of Clarence and Avondale" ) which, is now flat, and the ground forms the foundations for a block of apartments. .

. Tell them not to hold their breath. . Even if action is taken regarding the 'alleged' lack of a Test Certificate, the punishment will be minimal.

. An RTA (Road Traffic Accident) in a car park can be a difficult one. . The wording of Section 170 of The Road Traffic Act, 1988 includes - "............ owing to the presence of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road, or other public place, an accident occurs by which— (a).................... or (b) damage is caused. . The difficult one here is defining a 'public place' to suit the RTA . A 'public place' is 'a place to which the public has access (at the material time) whther upon payment, or otherwise. . e.g. A football stadium is private property, but once the turnstiles open, and during a match, that private property becomes a public place. . Similarly, a Retail Park car park is private property but can be deemed a public place when the stores are open. . This scenario is a minefield, when it comes to the law - take for example Max-Power Rallies on Retail Park car parks when the Retail Park is closed for business ? . This is compounded by the police failing to train their (civilian) call handlers in the finer points; and these undertrained 'call handlers' are under pressure to real with as many callers as possible. . Sadly, many police officers are now no longer trained in such matters either . My brother was victim of a FTS (Fail to Stop) RTA very recently (on a public road) and despite having the VRM of the offending car, was told the same 'it's not a police matter, report it to your insurance' In his case it was a clear offence contrary to Sec.170 of The Road Traffic Act. He made a formal complaint to the local force, who have admitted their 'call handler' was in the wrong and labelled it as a 'misunderstanding' and a 'training issue' - which means the force concedes they have failed to train, or supervise their 'call handlers' . Whether the circumstances described actually do form a reportable road accident as described under the Road Traffic Act and associated legislation is not for me to determine; but I would always 'demand' to know how the call handler, or officer arrived at their decision. . And remember, the telephone conversation with a police control room or contact centre is always recorded.