melmoth

It was more focused on tourism simply because the two trials (2019 & 2023) were conducted during the summer months and there was no provision for trains running at "commuting" times (for want of a better expression). The trials were (IIRC) part of the Council's overall transport strategy for Purbeck, which gets very congested during the summer, and this was presumably seen as a potential way of reducing road traffic during the holiday season.

But it wasn't designed as a means for people to spend a day on the Swanage. It was intended to help relieve road congestion between Wareham and Swanage during peak holiday times. That's why the then Dorset County Council provided funding towards various bits of the program. There were also a number of constraints that the service had to be planned around - being unable to use the sidings east of Wareham as a turnback/stabling point is one that comes to mind, the service frequency on the main line being another. There were several things that worked against the service that were outside the control of the SR (Covid, strikes) and meant that the service did not achieve what was hoped for, but that is different to it not being 'well thought out'.

You are right that your copy should arrive in a suitable condition, but your errors regarding means of contacting MRJ have already been corrected on here and yet you're still throwing your toys out of the pram. Also remember that if you're receiving a subscription copy, you're not actually paying anything for postage, so in that sense it could be considered that you're getting your 'appropriate quality'. As you go on to say, the publishers have to make a living, but even so, they choose to subsidise subscription holders by not imposing postage charges. And your comment about Bob Barlow is a rare example of a tasteless non-sequitur.

For the sake of completeness, there's also the 'ice' blue applied at one time to insulated vans and containers. But not to brake tenders.

It might not have been the point, but this excellently lucid answer is also a fine illustration of why short term interests are perhaps the biggest Achilles Heel of Capitalism.

Frankly, I think that if steam had lasted until 1980ish, the livery would have been reduced to unlined black with double arrows on tender/tank side. Why tart up something you intend to run down?

J3034 Looks like Allan Garraway on the footplate of Linda

The Germans have a history of needing more Lebensraum

Also theoretically possible but unworkable in practice

Motorised?

With the St. Leger run at Doncaster and the 1000/2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the LNER were on home turf with many of the names used.

Eric Gent's "British Railways Brakevans & Ballast Ploughs" is the book you want. Published by HMRS, isbn 0902835165.

Is it 'self-identifying' or just confused?

This is at least partly wrong. Hornby started to move production to China in 1995/96. Margate closed in 1999. The first new loco drive model was the Merchant Navy in 2000. The first loco drive 8F was in 2002. Lots of good information here http://www.hornbyguide.com/logo_menu.asp

I stand to be corrected by someone more knowledgeable, but I think the 1974 renumbering/reallocations were to do with the conversion of those vehicles for use in 4REP EMUs.