Merfyn Jones

Pleased to hear Colin is still active at the SVR, I recall him being a couple of years older than me so that will put him about 73 ish. A few years since we last bumped into each other, so if you do see him, give him my best wishes.

I will, Merfyn. We were due to meet last month to discuss the barry years, but obviously that is now something for the future.

Back to the van:

"I would say the number information on your posters record was incompletely recorded. Our number information comes from the completed register form submitted by the custodian at the time, a Mr. Mick Blackburn of Horsted Keynes who kept the van for the railway. This is all the confirmation we have. I've attached a scan of the form and also a snap of the vehicle parked outside Horsted Keynes railway station (with the addage that the damaged canvas roof has now been repaired!). I have also obscured the address and contact details of Mr. Blackburn in accordance with Club policy. If the poster desires more concrete information I suggest that he contacts the railway who will probably furnish contact details of the current custodian if changed. Failing that or additionally he can approach the Hertfordshire County Record Office to find if the original OUR ledgers still survive and if they are lodged there. !

Jim

Thank you for your trouble re. the van details. I will have to look further into the van.  My records show 5 vans OAR 1-5 numbered 3635-9 D M with box van bodies, so it looks like there were more of them if OAR223 was one also, as I have a gap of OAR215-229 being unknown. The Midland Region had OAR 1-999 issued by Hertfordshire and my records are far from complete, so far I only know details of 490 of them, but I'm working on it. I was told years back that the county didn't have records from back then.