nicktamarensis

Just to be clear - was the 1V14 service from Paddington to B'head or B'head to Paddington? Thanks.

Many thanks Stationmaster. This is the pic of the Hymek - you could be right about the weather!!

Hello, I have two photographs of diesel hauled services on the WR in the 1960's. Can anyone help with the following reporting numbers please? 1.D1030 at Birmingham Snow Hill on 19 January 1965 with the '1V19'. By the direction of the train it looks to be an Up service (to Paddington?) but if so where did it come from? 2. D7036 in Sonning Common in January 1963 heading for Reading with '1V14'. Many thanks in advance. Nick.

Hello, Has anyone any dates of the construction of the engine shed at Ashington Colliery? Also for the substantial multi-purpose control building which not only contained the signalling frame for the rail movements within the colliery but also the weighbridge. This bespoke building was situated between the pedestrian footpath to the area central workshops and the loco shed. A picture of the control building is attached for interest. Many thanks. Nick.

Thanks very much for this extra info Chris. That was quite a job! Nick.

Ah, that's it. Thanks very much. My photo is of a down train passing Reading - so I assume it's on its way to Plymouth via Bristol? Nick.

Hi Chris, So it wasn't a Paddington - Plymouth service mentioned earlier in this thread? Nick.

Thanks Chris, I'll give them a go. Nick

Hello, And a Happy New Year to everyone. Does anyone have any information on the background of this group which arranged the 'Rambling 56 Tour' in July 1965? I have a number of photo's taken en route by one of the passengers who travelled with the special which I am writing some captions up for to appear in Bylines, but it would also be good to know some info. on the Circle itself. Many thanks. Nick.

Many thanks chaps for all the info. Much appreciated. Cheers, Nick.

Hello, I have a c.1964 photograph of a Hymek passing Reading on a westbound parcels service with code '3C07' showing in the indicator panel. Does anyone know which service this is please? Many thanks. Nick.

Hello, A quick question... Does anyone have the Diagram number, build and scrap date of the above wagon? Many thanks. Nick.

Brilliant - thanks Bomag. In your debt. Nick

Hello, I wonder if a kind soul out there could supply me with background info on the above carriage (Mk 1 brake?) to supplement a caption I am writing up for a Paddington - Worcester - Great Malvern - Hereford train pictured at Reading in the late 50's/early '60's. The livery is blood and custard. Many thanks. Nick.

Brilliant, thanks Chris. I had a feeling it would be you answering this one! I'll quote the diagram and build date info you've kindly given (and a mention in dispatches) but I think I'll leave out the conundrum you mention! Hopefully I've not made too many howlers in the 'How Green Was My Valley' series - it's been a rare privilege to have had the opportunity to work with Sid Rickard's photo's I must say. Cheers, Nick.

Hello, I have a photograph of 5636 at Bargoed in May 1959 with a four-coach Rhymney to Cardiff Bute Road train. The first carriage is W5583W - can anyone supply any details of this particular vehicle please? Many thanks. Nick.

Thanks Jim, Useful corroboration. Nick.

Thanks Chris, You might well have something there. A friend of mine also suggested the term might be related to specific war work. The actual example referred to was a category which was part of the WW1 establishment of the Hull & Barnsley loco department at Springhead. Part of the works was turned over to munitions production so that could be the answer. Nick.

Hello, I've come across the term 'gaugers' as used for women employees drafted in during WW1. But was was the meaning of the term and what did the work entail? I can't imagine women doing track gauge testing work which the term suggests. Perhaps it was merely office, audit and stock record keeping of some sort. Does anyone out there know? Thanks, Nick.

Hello, I have a photo of 78578 (later 90378) taken within Ashington Colliery in September 1947 when it was a Hull Dairycoates engine. Would its presence at the colliery be explained by a trial of some sort? Thanks in advance, Nick.

Thanks Keith. No pressure then! The batch of engine pics I have all seem to be located at the Acklam and Britannia complexes, so I'll have to get a detailed map of that area plus a general map of the overall complex. It was an incredible network in its day and difficult to do justice to in a fairly short photo essay - but I'll do my best! Cheers, Nick.

Thanks Keith, I may have to go to the National Library of Scotland for an OS of this. Cheers, Nick.

Hello all, Does anyone have a reasonable sketch map of the various rail systems at Dorman Long which could be used to accompany an article on the subject for Railway Bylines? Thanks, Nick..

Many thanks for the very interesting contributions gentlemen. Much of the pertinent info kindly offered on this subject (and others in past and those in the future no doubt!) will go towards complementing the ongoing series of 'Workaday Wagons' which appears fairly regularly within the Irwell Press monthly titles British Railway Illustrated and Railway Bylines. I have been working on this project for some time and have sometimes needed to rely on information generously supplied by members of this forum and also that of the HMRS stewards. I will continue to credit these sources for contributions and, where appropriate, individuals by name as long as this is acceptable. Best wishes to all. Nick.

Many thanks gents for all the extra info. This is much appreciated. Any additional info about the Burr & Gibbons and D. Ferguson wagons other than these two companies being coal merchants in Southall and Barrhead? Nick.