Merfyn Jones

Slate ceased in the 1960s, the explosives didn't begin until 1980s when the Cambrian line closed to loco hauled traffic. Until the end of general goods traffic in the 70s there was just the coal and oil (Esso) traffic, which also had the flasks when they ran.

They are in service with Transport for Wales using Class 67 locos and the DVT when propelling. Have been for a number of months now. There are 3 sets for 2 diagrams on Holyhead - Cardiff route, coaches still in LNER livery. A further 5 (I think) sets in Grand Central livery have been bought for future introduction on Manchester - Cardiff route.

Unfortunately Paul, the trailers are a long way down the priority on the website. We may add them when everything else is done. Like the motors, the trailers had a different numbering system on each region, and the Southern makes the least sense to me. But is it ex Midland Region, as the number ends with a seperate M ? In which case the M W could be my first guess as Mobile Workshop. One day we may find out. From official B R pictures is the same trailer with a Scarab that is not KGY315 as stated on the trailer, and a LMR office which looks a lot smaller, and some years newer. he same trailer

I'm working on it.

And adding to the confusion, was the Bantam on loan or transferred. I also have a picture of probably the same trailer behind a Scarab but still with the registration of the Bantam on. (Naughty !)

Interesting that the Trailer had an Eastern Region registered Bantam, it was filmed selling tickets in Margate ? The trailers appear to be built on the standard Scammell step framed trailer chassis, with a coach built bodywork.

Hornby metal wheels, 14mm.

Sorry Phil, but comparing the 2 pictures, there is very little similarity. However in my photo collection I have photos of at least 3 different mobile offices, all about the 1949 date. We had one up here which I have seen pictures of at Llandudno and Prestatyn, hauled by what is probably hauled by a Bantam but not sure as it has a fancy coach-built cab, maybe made by Whitson who built the trailer. Our local one toured the seaside resorts, selling Runabout tickets, day tours and generally promoting train travel to the holidaymakers. Photo B R Magazine.

After all this time Paul, I have still not found out it's use. No other similar trailers have appeared. With the private companies we have decided to stick with just the train operators and the contractors that did infrastructure maintenance between B R and N R days. Merf.

A new website for those with an interest in the railway motors from all ages. Many have asked over the years on this site if there is a list of vehicles owned by the railway companies, well a start has been made and it is growing slowly. At present there are over 22,000 vehicles from so far the LMS & BR LMR, the Southern Railway & Region, and Network Rail. Others will be added as time allows. Railway Company Road Vehicles Index (ltsv.com)

Yes Phil, when Annie eventually told me which address to send the money, they arrived in 5 days. Very pleased with the model quality. After dismantling and 2 days soaking in Dettol, the paint came off with a thumbnail scrape. The low roof van is having the side windows filled to produce a standard van body and the police minibus will retain all the windows to make a standard high top minibus. In my case all will be yellow.

Slightly off topic, but RMWeb is back, thank goodness. Even after the war a number of ex army vehicles saw civvy use and as this is a Railway modelling site, here is one of a number of Humber 4x4 vans bought by B R for recovery work. This one seen mid 1970s at Basingstoke.

I wonder if this was the same train (Cardiff - Holyhead) I was waiting for at Chester, which was shown as "Delayed due to Emergency Services dealing with an incident" left Chester 40 down ?

Finally contacted Annie and looks like the project is a good one.

Hello James. Your post attracted my attention as I am not too far from Denbighshire, being in Conwy (county) and our local club is just a few miles from Rhuddlan, in Abergele. But when I see where you are I accept that you are not in an area where there is a big enough catchment to support a club. I would guess that Wrexham would be nearer than Rhyl or Chester, but are they still going ? Our club is small (17 members) and by comparison we are in a bigger conurbation. If you are in the area any Monday or Thursday evening, please pop in for a chat. Best wishes, Merfyn Jones , Chairman. Colwyn Model Railway Club.

Yes, you were on a train between Derby and Crewe and this is from that train at Hatton. In exactly the same spot that I 'copped' it at the time. I went that way a couple of times a year, but only saw it once.

Only one I have just a bit cleaner than Paul's. Shows the coal symbol and lettering, which was not positioned the same on all if I remember

Mid 70s on the LMR the most common 12 seat bus would have been the Commer PB, as in the picture of an Oxford postbus modified to a plain roof. For a 16 seat then there were the Bedford CFL or the Ford Transit Mk.1 lwb types. Sorry no pictures of my own to post.

Thank you Ragtag, they look great. I'm still waiting for a reply from Hong Kong.

I go along with my previous statement that none were Maroon & cream. Unless evidence can be proved. One 'reputable' maker produced a Morris J2 van in maroon when the real thing was green, post 1963.

And did you notice the different shades of grey (not 50) but I suspect the paint jobs were quick slap on, with what ever was to hand, to remind drivers not to use on the road.

Don't expect too much retooling for modern period Mk.1s. We are still waiting for a version without the end steps, which B R removed about 60 years ago.

Yes

The answer is yes they did, but very little is known of them. I have a copy of a picture showing one van in red/cream at Cwmbran, WR. No visible numbers. I have on record CVY313K a Austin Minor van at York Also a batch JGK371K - JGK399K of Austin Minors on the Southern Region, many allocated to Croydon Records show about 8 assorted cars on the LMR, WR, & ER. The modern replicas are given away as fake by the registrations which are all after red/cream ceased being used.