wagonman

They're definitely there – 397, 398 and 399!

I think you're out of luck, Bill. The only model of an MSWJR horse box that I know of is the MSC kit for the MRC&W design (very similar to the Cambrian version) but that was only available in 7mm. Correction: Taff Vale Models produce a MR D397 kit, but once again only in 7mm scale.

Au contraire. ECC bought over 150 RCH standard wagons, most if not all 7 plank coal wagons, in the 1920s including a batch nos.675-699 from Gloucester. From 1931 they would have re-liveried as ECLP following the merger of that year. As surmised, they was needed to fire the clay dries. They must have calculated it was more economical to bring the coal by rail than by sea. The photo is of four of them at Bodmin GW in 1925 – the wagons would have been quite new when photographed.

My time as a High School governor leads me to agree with your analysis. We were constantly bombarded with 'advice' and instructions from the DfE...

After dropping increasingly broad hints, when the next election came round I didn't put in my papers. I was lucky to have a competent vice chairman, though he too baled out after a couple of years. So far I haven't felt the need to move out of the area!

From what I have seen the (theoretical) standard branchline set of the early 1900s was a pair of T34s flanking a U4 composite, sometimes close coupled. This would mostly be newly built stock so in some locations the equivalent accommodation could be provided by older stock. Such a set would provide 6x3rd, 2x2nd and 2x1st compartments.

There's a wide range of old white guys available too ...

As one who has spent 24 years as a parish councillor, 12 of them as chairman, I am only too aware of the limitations placed upon us!

The 2017 election was unusual for the much greater participation of younger voters, as Regularity mentioned. However I think he's wrong to say that they wanted a multi-party approach to leaving the EU – what they wanted was radical change. And who was it that enthused these young voters? Grandpa Corbyn! Never forget he managed to achieve the highest Labour vote this century (40%+), despite the best efforts of the Media and even elements of the Labour Party hierarchy. As things stand at the moment I can't see those young voters bothering again.

The problem is that we rarely have the option of voting for our preferred government but merely for or against the incumbent MP in one's home constituency – and voting against often involves tactical voting if it is to have any chance of being effective. In my constituency that means a choice between Blue and Orange even though I'd much rather have Red or Green. I wrote the above before I read Nearholmer's reply.

I know. I was merely expanding on the theme. As for tribalism, blame my parents and my schooling!

Like this...

Mike. Before you go too far, it's my understanding (from Tavender and elsewhere) that the vans with that style of framing were the early builds –on a wooden underframe. The iron framed wagons had the diagonals the other way round. Sorreee! Richard

Hell would freeze over before I'd vote Tory!

A long shot perhaps but local coal merchants often advertised in the local press, and sometimes their adverts would list where they obtained their coals. Like I said, a long shot! What was the local paper for the Whitby area in the 1930s?

I've always thought of it as a general expression of the cynicism of middle aged French politicians in the second half of the 20th century. But what do I know? R

Ah yes, looking good, though I repeat my remark about Walter Neate having emigrated ... Stephen (Compound2632) has already mentioned the Wheeler & Gregory kits available from Cambrian. You were more likely to bump into one of their products than anything from Gloucester. Though W&G went bust in 1904, the works were taken over by the British Wagon Co who continued to produce wagons to the same design for a few years longer – definitely plenty around in the 1920s. Any more than that you'll have to cross Mr Lightmoor's palm with silver.

PS: The Radstock Coal Co also had a depot at Chippenham though no locally branded wagons (they didn't do that sort of thing) and nothing from the Gloucester company. The area was a bit of a blank in the GRC&W sales map – there were a couple of customers on the Carne branch but of them Neate emigrated to Australia in 1912 and Pinniger had given up the coal business by 1920ish. Cunning ploy – if you want to know about the Radstock Coal Co wagons I'm afraid you'll have to buy the book on Somerset PO wagons too! As coal from Somerset collieries was sold at Chippenham that may not be a bad idea anyway, except that there weren't many Gloucester customers there either.

As you already have the book any further comment would be superfluous. I recommend you look at Mortimore as he was the most important coal merchant in the town. They were not customers of the GRC&W until much later, though. The Westinghouse factory was, in your period, still Saxby & Farmer signal works and as far as I know did not operate any wagons of their own. These comments are made from memory as George the cat has just plonked himself on my lap so I can't reach a copy of the book. You don't argue with George!

This is a photo of the screens at Timsbury Colliery in Somerset in c1910 – gives an idea of the ramshackle nature of many of the mines in this coalfield, but also an indication how much space they took.

I don't know what period you are intending to model but washers, and even pithead baths, are relatively recent additions – often post nationalisation. Also the area has a bearing: the Somerset pits were usually small and undercapitalised – with buildings to match – whereas the North East and Yorkshire pits were much larger and better equipped. Up- and down-cast shafts were determined by the layout underground, and their designation could be changed if necessary. No fixed rules, except in the very early days (1800s) when the draught for the upcast was created by having a fire at the bottom of the shaft so obviously then the winding shaft would also be the downcast!.

The lovely cinema in the old Richmond station is the only one I know with a brewery attached!

I actually managed to snaffle a copy from Starlings in Holt this morning. They have recently started stocking it for which no doubt I can thank the North Norfolk Railway.

It was once said of the French that they wear their heart on the left and their wallet on the right. Is that still the case Andy?

If I was going to Motherwell I'd rather be in a train...