nicktamarensis

Hi Merfyn, Another question - what does the '20' disc fixed to the back of the trailer refer to? Nick.

Thanks very much Merfyn, That's given me a very good lead. Cheers.,

Hello. This photo of a BR trailer mounted on ex-SR well wagon No. 61163 was taken at Eastleigh in October 1949. In close-up the trailer is numbered '2320' with a suffix which looks like 'H' or 'N' 5. The trailer has a fresh-looking BR totem affixed to the trailer side. Not knowing anything about these vehicles other than they were usually hitched to a Scammell-type power unit, I wonder if anyone has info relating to the origin, when, where, how many built and their longevity. Any info gleaned would be credited as part of a published caption for the well wagon and trailer to appear in the Irwell Press 'Workaday Wagons' feature. Apologies, although the image is positioned OK in my file the transfer process wanted to skew it sideways no matter how many times I changed the original image position. Many thanks in advance. Nick.

Ah, thanks for that. I wonder if Durran Hill was the base for the 1955 trial? Different records state DH as well as Kingmoor. The 1953 trials of two Austerity types mention the test train being based at Durran Hill - possibly the engines as well? Nick.

Thanks Border Reiver, There is another record of the engine being based while on loan from the Rugby Testing Station at Durran Hill for the trials. However, this must be unlikely as this shed had been closed for some time and only used for engine storage. Thanks again. Nick.

Thanks guys, I have the front end pic of 92023 at Hurlford. It appears on a remarkable site all about train testing managed by Dave Coxon. I'm hoping to get further info from him. Cheers, Nick.

I wonder if anyone has any detail of the above which took place during the autumn/winter 1955? The engine was apparently on loan to Kingmoor shed from Rugby Testing Station during this period. At this time Kingmoor was a ScR shed (68A). I have a picture of the engine on Hurlford shed TT dated 18 October 1955. Many thanks, Nick.

Thanks very much Ian, just what I need. Cheers, Nick.

Hello, Can anyone tell me where this link is remottely operated from? Officially it is known as 'DRAX BRANCH JUNCTION'. Many thanks. Nick.

Thanks for the location clues. The high rise flats might help as well.

Well, I missed the obvious! Thanks very much for the info gentlemen. Very much obliged. Plus the tree stump as a step. There's a prototype for everything! .

Hi all, Has anyone any ideas on the identity of this wagon? Unknown location and the number looks like 'E738546'. The wagon is tethered horse-like to the wooden bollard suggesting the yard staff didn't trust the brake - but it doesn't look as if its going anywhere soon. Could this be an ex-stores van of some sort or even an ex-Pooley vehicle on its last legs? I've looked at Peter Tatlow's LNER wagon books but unless I've missed the blindingly obvious I haven't found it mentioned. Any confirming info.would be source credited as part of a caption. Thanks very much. Nick.

Hi Clive, I've definitely confirmed the building as being Haymarket from '50's/'60's photographs - but as you say, what the unit was doing there is anybody's good guess. I like the 'patrol' notion and also the training one. The allocation of a snowplough of this type to Haymarket is not mentioned in Harry Knox's book on the shed (published by Lightmoor) so I'm inclined to the idea that it was the Thornaby vehicle in use for either of the suggested reasons given. Cheers, Nick.

Brilliant - thanks for all your efforts guys. Enjoyed the YouTube video as well. As I've said, although I'm nowhere near being 'modern image', how much more interesting things were in the late 80's compared with today! Nick.

Many thanks for the extra info chaps. This will be most useful. I believe the photograph (along with one other taken on the same occasion) will be used either in an article or a book so I will ensure the information which you have given me will be properly credited. Cheers, Nick.

Many thanks Clive, Much appreciated. Although I'm not a 'modern image' modeller, I was impressed by the work you've put in to your various projects - the circuitry would have sunk me very earlier on! Cheers, Nick.

Just another addition on this subject - somewhere (I can't now recall where) I found a reference to 'TE988' - would that be the same unit renumbered? Nick.

Quite likely Clive. Is there any info on the earlier history of the unit since its delivery? Was it based at Gateshead since day one? Paul Bartlett's site mentions the unit was one a batch which incorporated the tender frames of J11 engines. Would this imply they were built at Gorton?

Thanks very much Clive and John, I am completely in the dark as to the allocation of this unit and am trying to find out as much as I can on behalf of another party. Anything else which may help to pin down this vehicle and its movement history would be most interesting and gratefully received and of course acknowledged. Nick.

Hello, Has anyone got any history for the attached large snowplough No. 988 photographed at Haymarket? I found a reference to 'ADB988' scrapped at Booth-Roe Metals, Rotherham in 1/99, but was this the same unit? Many thanks, Nick.

Thanks very much for the info B&D boy. Much appreciated - thanks for taking the trouble to dig this out. Nick.

Hello, Just a couple of questions on the above: 1.When was the port reconnected to the network? 2. What rail traffic does it now handle? Despite asking the port authorities the above questions by Email and follow-up telephone enquiries, I've had no response - hence my question placed here. My understanding is that after the former harbour rail system was disposed of during the 1990's the port found its feet again with the introduction of modern bulk container handling facilities and imported products such as timber, fertiliser, sand, steel coil and plate and the export of cement and limestone which together represent the new core businesses. The new rail connection links through to the new storage complex which is now located to the south of the original dock area. Any information received will help me complete an update of the port's railway history to form part of an article to appear in Railway Bylines. Many thanks, Nick.

Many thanks guys, I'll include this info within the caption for the pic. which eventually appear in British Railways Illustrated as part of a railwayman's memories. Nick.

Thanks very much gentlemen for your diligent Sherlocking. All very interesting.

Many thanks for that. I can remember that winter most clearly - but most of all the trolley buses in Reading managed to keep going through it all! Nick.