Western Engineman

Ah, memories... the first time I came across an EQ brake was as a secondman in 1973 on a class 31 on a long parcels train. I had to get used to it very quickly as I was permissively signalled into a platform up behind a DMU. Not much room for error! Bob Western Engineman.

It's not going to be Swindon either! That is Reading, west end looking west. I thought Roger Goodrum signed the road through there, but perhaps not! I am enjoying this thread. I recall my days in my first career on the railway, as a Secondman initially on the Western Westbury and the surprise when I got to work on my first class 31 in early 1973. A traditional Eastern loco allocated on Western metals! I recall taking one of my first ones from Westbury even deeper into Western territory to Exeter. Later I worked at Didcot and of course they were then commonplace. Bob. Western Engineman.

Ah, memories! I was in the BTP (now retired) and for a while I was on an explosive / search team and we travelled the length and breath of England and Wales on these and similar duties. I was on this team on the occasion of Her Majesty's visit to Lostwithiel for the 800th anniversary of the town charter. 1989 as I recall? We actually searched and sealed several locations for that visit. The overnight stabling point was, I presume, the one you mentioned. The site would have been chosen by a PolSa who has various non railway criteria to adhere to. Anyway, security criteria apart, I think it was a lovely picturesque and interesting location. As indeed were the other locations we visited. I found Lostwithiel station and location enchanting. The stabling point, Long Rock depot and other points gave me a close up view of the railways in Cornwall. A night in a hotel in Lostwithiel and a night in a hotel in Penzance with a view of St Michael's Mount was like being on holiday! What had been a passing interest in Cornish railways and the county, now became a love affair! Bob. Western Engineman.

An interesting photo of D8088 at Oban. In actual fact 20's were not uncommon on the West Highland line in times of poor railhead conditions for extra traction, i.e. not just in the summer. They would be tucked inside a steam heat 37 and to facilitate the use of the steam heat boiler on the 37 a few Eastfield 20's had through steam pipes fitted. As I recall, D8088 was one of those. My eyes are not as good as they used to be, but is that a steam heat pipe on the buffer beam? Bob. Western Engineman. Edit.... 0ops! The photo did not come through, not sure what I did not do. I refer to the photo in post 31 on page 2.