The Pilotman

Thanks Craig, that is exactly what I was getting at. As, presumably, all the traffic for the wharf came from points east of Hayle, it would have saved a long propelling move from St.Erth if they'd done exactly what you described above. But, as you say, if the barrier wagons and brake van were added, and the train marshalled at St.Erth, that was probably the reason for it.

Thanks for that Flood. I've never seen a picture of that end of the viaduct so didn't know there was a crossover there. Makes me wonder why they didn't back the train in to the wharf from the down line. Would have saved a long propelling move.

I understand that in later years the freight down to Hayle wharf was propelled from St.Erth with a brake van leading, but I can't find any reference to what happened with the return working. Did it run bang road back to St.Erth to run round? All the pictures I have seen have the loco leading up the bank to the main line so I guess it must have done.

Everything you want from a store, and a little bit more. Or was that Safeway?

When I went to the BR signalling school (Webb House, Crewe), one of the other chaps on the absolute block part of the course was heading off to a job at Arnside. Looks like he would have had a much better view from his windows than I did from mine (Reading Panel). Lovely pictures as always, Dave, especially the first one of the 40.

Steady on!! There is no criticism in my post, actual or implied. And I didn't intend it to be funny either. If a company brings a completely new diesel loco to market, it's not unreasonable to expect the process to take roughly the same time for another brand new diesel loco. That's all I was getting at. For the record, I have lots of Dapol stuff in N gauge (class 56/58/156, HSTs and dozens of coaches and wagons) and am very happy with all of it. In fact, I'm glad the 33s have only recently become available because I couldn't have afforded the two I want any earlier. The same goes for the 50s. I would like half a dozen or so but if they'd been available now, I would not be in a position to buy any.

Now these are in the shops, can anyone remember when they were initially announced? The period of time between announcement and availability might help to predict when the 50s will be on sale (not before 2018 is my gut feeling...).

There used to be a signal like that to bring trains off the Reading Central Goods branch at Southcote Junction. As often as not when I went there the local youths had climbed the ladder and stuck a cardboard box over the signal.

Anyone know what the wagon behind D200 in J8805 is?

Excellent pictures David. J6989 is interesting; I never knew there were 2+9 HSTs running about in 1980. (Which is probably the cue for someone to post a link to a thread where it was discussed at length...)

I don't think I've ever seen a loco camouflaged as well as the first shot in post #5.

Mike, that reminds me of the time that Tesco were looking at opening a big store in Henley-on-Thames. One indignant local wrote in to the Henley Standard questioning why it was necessary when, "there's a perfectly good Waitrose here already".

Lovely shots, as always, Dave. Was it unusual to see a 27 that far south on the ECML?

aka Hofmeister

I worked in the "penthouse suite" at Reading Panel for about ten years altogether, although factoring in overtime, it was probably more like twenty... It certainly wouldn't have won any architectural awards for sure, but it was a pleasant enough place to work and there was enough space, even when fully manned with 5 signalmen, a panel supervisor and two station announcers. The windows rattled a bit when it was windy but it had a kettle; what more do you want?

I think you've put the wrong link in there; it took me to some 4mm scale stripes.

Well, I've learned something today. There's a song by John Shuttleworth (sung in a duet with Leo Sayer) about Crich Tram Museum which I'd always assumed had been made up for the purposes of the song. Now I know different. For those who haven't heard it (which is probably everyone reading this) the song's chorus goes like this: At the Crich Tram Museum I went with a lad called Ian We were there from nine 'Til chucking-out time There was so much there worth seeing Sorry for the thread creep, lovely pictures, as always. And congratulations on two years; there must be a great many of us who deeply appreciate the time and effort you invest in your daily posts.

I'm not quite old enough to have stood on a bridge over the East Coast Main Line in the late 1960s or early 70s watching the incredible variety of locomotives that passed beneath. But somehow I feel like I have been there, David, because of your wonderfully evocative photographs. They may not be of the high definition that we are used to these days, but that doesn't matter; my memories aren't HD either!

Same here, but in my case it's my order for the Royal Mail red BGs that has been wiped. Seems odd that so many disparate items have been cancelled so soon after being announced.

I'm pleased to see that expression is still in use!

Thank goodness, Gilbert! Great minds etc. After I posted it, I thought my facetiousness might be out of place on your excellent thread. Luckily not

Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango? I'll get my coat.....

Is that a brace of Vauxhall Vivas I spy in the car park in C7398?

Hatton's shows the Capital Connection set has the following coaches: Mk1 RMB, Mk2 TSO and Mk2 BSO, so no FK, alas. It also says that coach numbers are yet to be confirmed. So the NSE buffet coach is new but, at best, it will be a renumbering of the existing NSE Mk2s by the look of it.

I thought you were trying to trick us there for a minute David; that tower in Grimsby Docks wouldn't look out of place in Bologna or Florence. Great pictures, as always.