br2975

During the late 60s - when BR (WR) were reorganising freight working in South Wales, according to those involved - Margam men and their representatives proved somewhat 'awkward' - even to the annoyance of colleagues representing other yards and depots.

Just spent a week in the storm beset south. . One attraction that caught my eye was............................... .

. The GWR Rule Book devoted 7 (seven) pages to the methods of loading of pitwood / pit props in open wagons. . It also differentiates between 'pitwood' and 'pit props', stating "pitwood with the bark stripped off, i.e. pit props"

. P.A.Bell, was, I believe, the company at St. Mellons. . And at Wern Tarw on the boggy moor above Pencoed was another pit prop yard, operated by J.O. Williams

. Living in Cardiff, between the SWML and the Ninian Park - Radyr freight line gave me an advantage when it came to clearing my thousands. . My pre-1970 notes disappared years ago, but here are my sightings of 'Prefect' between late 1970 and 1973. (not intended to upset you........) .

. D2122 was one of three Landore allox Cl.03s which in 1968/1969 were shown as fitted with a warning bell for use at Swansea Docks. . Those fitted were D2120, 2121 & 2122. . For the same duties, the following 4 Landore Cl.03s were fitted with R/T equipment, namely D2120, 2121, 2122, 2125. . Another 'oddity' that fequented Burrows, Danygraig, Eastern Depot was Landore's Cl.08s D3744 & 3758 which were two of the 6 South Wales 08s fitted with snow plough brackets at the front (radiator) end only. The others were D3258, 3748, 3819, 3821. . On Thursday, 10th. April 1969 D2122, complete with bell was Fishguard Harbour station pilot, but was back at Eastern Depot the following month.. . .

As a matter of interest Rich, do you have a copy of this ? . You may find it interesting, and also the other editions that cover the greater Swansea area. . There are details of many private sidings and rail served industries in Tony Cooke's books.

. Agreed - Despite a huge hole in the Cardiff Bay budget, and swingeing cuts announced for education, health etc - TfW are to receive an extra £150,000,000 to avoid service cuts and redundancies) and their Chief Executive feels more will be needed over the next few years.

. You're (always) welcome Brian.

The following pages are extracted from a BR (WR) Local WTT or Sectional Appendix dating from around 1963. . I know the entries relate to several years before Richard's chosen time period, but it may give an idea of Swansea area trip freight workings that would dwindle over the next few years. . Unfortunately, I have little other info for the Swansea area for the late 60s / early 70s, as my interests lay further east in the Principality. .

Some interesting freight generating or receiving 'terminals' in the greater Swansea area; . Swansea Eastern Depot C.C.D. Felin Fran C.C.D. . Llanelly Steel Co. S.C.O.W. Trostre Works S.C.O.W. Velindre Works Briton Ferry Steel Co. RTB Swansea, Upper Bank Neath, Metal Box Mond / International Nickel, Clydach-on-Tawe. . Carmarthen Bay Power Station Tir John Power Station . Swansea St. Thomas C&W Danygraig C&W . Neath Civ. Eng. Depot Neath S&T Depot . Llandarcy, National Oil Refineries (BP) . Most are coal or steel related.

A quick look through my various notes reveals a few traffic flows into the area; . Sulphuric Acid tank wagons to/from Six Pit Junc. for National Smelting Co. (Private owner) Zinc concentrates to Six Pit Junction for National Smelting Co. (16 ton mineral wagon) Steel coil to Swansea Docks for West Wales Shipping (Coil C) Steel coil to Swansea, King's Dock 'B' Shed for Bethell Gwyn (13 ton High) Steel coil to Swansea, King's Dock 'A' Shed for Bethell Gwyn (20 ton Shochood) Steel coil to Swansea, King's Dock 'B' Shed for Houlder Brothers (13 ton Shock Open) Tinplatel to Swansea, King's Dock 'B' Shed for Houlder Brothers (12 ton Shock Van) Coal to Felin Fran for D.G.Fisher (16 ton Mineral) Steel rods for export to Swansea, King's Dock for GKN (22 ton Plate) Coal (for shipment) was labelled to Burrows Sidings from a number of South Wales forwarding points. Through traffic Seed potatos in 12 ton vans from Scotland to locations in West Wales eg Pembroke / Pembroke Dock. RNAD traffic in 12 ton vans from various locations to West Wales eg Milford Haven Pulp nuts or shredded pulp in 12 ton vans to locations in West Wales eg Llanelli for Powell, Harvey or Spillers, or Llanelli & District Farm Supplies. Unknown military plant on 22 ton Plate to Llandovery for 61 Field Support Squadron. Unknown military plant on 30 ton Rectank to Llandovery for 15 H/Q Squadron R.E. Empty 40ton GirdWag WG from Toton to Llandovery for unknown use. . A list of 'terminals' in the Swansea area may produce some other ideas. I'll check my copy.

. Such was one school romance, I found out too late about how much 'Janet' moaned, and all the other 'rations' she served up. . She never mentioned her father had two "debentures" either. . The final straw was my kissing her goodnight at her garden gate, which was around 100 yards from the South Wales main line. . A low farting noise alerted me to a pair of Park Royal power cars coupled as a power-twin, and in temporary use on the Bridgend - Cymmer line heading to Canton as ECS; and my evening was complete. .

. North East Junction in Cardiff Docks, Richard. . Just behind my right shoulder was Spiller's huge flour mill at the end of the Roath Dock, and over my left was GKN New Dowlais Works or BSC East Moors, depending on the year it was taken. . Tremorfa steel works is on the skyline.

. And mine . I was caught outside school whilst in the Upper 6th. by our Headmaster, who spared no time in sending my parents a gramatically poor, and badly spelled letter, demanding they 'remove me at the end of term as I would benefit from no further education at his establishment' . Imagine the scene a few years later when a budding detective knocks on a front door, investigating a deception offence where a man has taken out roofing insurance, and paid persons of a travelling persuasion £50 for a years cover - only to find when he called the number provided, to make a claim, it was unobtainable. . The victim, my former headmaster, when reminded of the letter looked at me and said "I bet you're enjoying this ?" . I couldn't possibly say. ....................................... On the other hand, my former games teacher, a real gent, passed me one sunny day, years after I had left school, whilst I was working as a road sweeper in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. . Roger was too embarrassed to speak, and hurried away. . Later, at my son's parents evening, I caught up with him and he admitted he thought I had left the police, and fallen on hard times............ only to breath a sigh of relief when I told him I was 'on a job'

. This is People's Democratic Republic of Wales, where you cannot physically punish your own child, let alone someone elses. . . A very similar situation occurred hereabouts last week, when I cooked a paella, in part knowing the 'devil child' wouldn't eat it. . She didn't, and mum said "you must try some, even if you don't eat it all' . The female 'Damian' ate one grain of rice, whilst withering me with a look. . . The issue with these relatives is that the father is aware of his offspring's failings, and sternly corrects the 'devil child' as and when required. . However, the trendy lefty, pinko-liberal, cuddly-duddly mother then corrects and undermines the father, in front of the 'devil child'. . The 'devil child' is well aware of the division caused, and despite being but five years of age, takes full advantage of this situation. . . Night Mailers can rest assured that the relatives were left in no doubt as to what the future holds for them, and their 'devil child' - with Mrs. br2975 and I tactfully stating we did not feel we could care for a child that we were unable to control or correct, and were not prepared to suffer the consequences of the child's behaviour..................... . . Moving on, and adopting a more personable mien I scanned some more 70s Western Region signalling .

Well, the occupying forces ( relatives from north of Hadrian's Wall ) have withdrawn, leaving "Mrs. br2975" and myself shellshocked. . Being told 'no' by a 5yrs old child in your care; one that knows no boundaries, and who has learned to play one (weak) parent against the other (stronger) parent has left us both drained. . So tonight armed with a signalling diagram for my 'Aberflyarff' layout set in the Efflew Valley of South Wales, and kindly drawn up by HH, I have started scanning some of the signalling photos I took back in the 70s......... . For those who are interested, here are a few.................. I'll let you guess ? .

. You're such a smooth talker. . In fact I parked outside the 'small show' venue and walked the last 400 yards to the former Swalec Stadium.

Attended the 'Cardiff Show' today, at the Glamorgan County Cricket Ground. . Mildly disappointed. . An excess of traders, when compared to so few layouts, of which the Cardiff 4mm Group's "Three Cocks Junction" was the stand out. . I suppose it was worth the £10 entry, just to catch up with so many old friends. .

. Yes (on some) and no (not on others). . There were two sets of interlaced rails across some weighbridges, one set were the 'dead' rails used by trains passing over the bridge and not being weighed (and could include the loco) and also a set of 'live' rails which were used to weigh the wagons. . Regardless of type, there was always a speed limit for traffic using the weighbridge eg 4mph.

One's head is 'buzzing'. . Due wholly to visiting family, thoroughly modern parents, and ill mannered, rude, abrupt children that know no boundaries, and have no concept of strangers' personal space. . Normally service will be resumed after counselling sessions.

A Dowlais Co. "colliers cwb" circa 1875

. A bit OTT for just me and the wife tho'

. The signalling is being dismantled, but I'd like to know where it would have been i.e. What there was, and where ?