Flying Fox 34F

I find the video implies poor operating practice. I spent many years working alongside over volunteers uncoupling and coupling trains. The basics are very simple. Stop short, then observe the Shunter’s hand signals. If no Shunter available, the Fireman or, (if present), the Cleaner, (Trainee Fireman), got down and carried out the Shunter’s duties. Also Guards had to do it as well. What has to be remembered here is that it doesn’t matter if the crew on FS were Volunteers or paid GBRF staff, the responsibility is the same. It is of utmost importance for all operational staff, whether paid or not of every Heritage Railway to remember this. Paul

This incident implies poor design and engineering within the kitchen and bar area’s on the train. Smashed bottles are bad enough, but a completely upturned kitchen is very dangerous. Paul

Having read Mike, The Stationmasters comments, I took a closer look at the photographs in the public domain. The Buckeye coupler on Scotsman’s tender is dropped and a screw coupling is hanging from the tender’s hook. I recall in the 1990’s when a volunteer Guard on the Nene Valley Railway, we had Flying Scotsman visit. The Buckeye was never used, instead the Emergency Screw Coupling was insisted upon. However, when 60007, Sir Nigel Gresley, visited, Roger Black made sure all the Guards were ready to use the Buckeye. We had to reset it every time the locomotive changed ends. Hard work at first, but it soon became second nature. As for the damage within the train, I expect RAIB, will be critical of how much internal damage has occurred. Paul

A more angular version of a 15xx, with Bullied-Firth wheels and hopper bunker Paul

Sweeping transition curves always look best. It’s the movement of Bogie Coaches that separate model railways from the full-size. Most model railways have coaches jolting round curves rather than gently following them. The only time the full size Railway has more obvious changes of directions is through pointwork at low speed. It’s just my opinion Paul

I find the most over used word since 2010 is, “Absolutely!” Politicians, Officials and Management have to insert somewhere in a sentence to emphasize, they are going to do something or stop something happening again? It was lately uttered by the Head of NATS, after the Bank Holiday air traffic meltdown. As for weather, I resort to the accurate look out of the window method. I’m considering hanging a stone from a chain, to aid with accuracy! Paul

If I recall an episode of Time Team, the mighty GWR, built a line through a Roman Villa! When the railway was constructed, the Engineers recorded the Mosaic Floors, then built through. So no qualms there. Anyway, in this thread, it’s a War Effort Relief Line. Paul

That’s only a little one. This summer our neighbours used a larger version, with wheels that seemed to have once been on a Fordson tractor!!! Big unwieldy thing, but did the job. Paul

Tony, Thank you for your detailed response. The A3 tender appears to be down to speed. The A1 wheel, one of those unexpected things, especially after so many years service, but easily resolved. As for the P2, the joys of RTR and whoever assembled it. Paul

Tony, The misbehaving locomotives, are they part of the Bytham fleet? And what were the causes? The occurrences are unusual, hence my curiosity. Paul

Sir, In light of the RAF’s activities, they’ll be a requirement for a Fuel Depot in the vicinity. Paul

The reference to Harrogate threw me. Before I finished with NR, I knew the Lumo were not intended to be Bi-mode, but as I said earlier, they were meant to have a battery system that allowed them to be moved a short distance without the OHLE. Paul

I once had an incident with a drunken character. The Police duly arrived and went bundle him in the van. He wedged himself in the doorway. A swift slap on the back of the knees with a truncheon soon dealt with that, but he started throwing himself around the back of the van. A Dog Handler duly appeared. Door opened to let the Dog in, door shut. More rocking of the van, than nothing. The person concerned was now laid out on the floor with a dog holding his arm. Paul

If you get chance check out Hills of the North thread. @LNER4479 has an interesting method of laying track that flows gracefully. Paul

Interesting, the original concept of the Lumo units was for them to have emergency battery sets, to move them a short distance during any OHLE incidents. I wonder if the specification got changed? Paul

Hitachi Bi-Mode units. My last time on York Station was my first close up encounter with a class 68. The ground and my chest were vibrating just from the thing idling!!!!!!! Paul

Melton Mowbray, then? Paul

Having been a volunteer on a preserved railway, I’m well aware that the ownership of a full-size Steam Locomotive is a huge money pit. Paul

Painting Gorse Flowers is probably the antidote for Hippo that’s been Hedge Hopping? Paul

Oooooh Matron!!!!!!!!🤣

Hunslet 102, I’ll search this out for you and either send it as a PM or link to to your thread. It may be a few days, while life gets in the way as usual. Paul

Somewhere in my computer files, I have a diagram of a BR proposal for a rebuilt Buchanan Street station. It appears BR was considering doing away with Queen Street at the time. IIRC, the diagram was created before the end of Steam, and features a small servicing point with turntable. I’ll see if I can locate it if you are interested? Paul

Only this kind of comment would come from someone from Liverpool. My Grandfather, born in West Derby, had a very similar way of describing things. I love it!!!! Paul

Philip, Turned out better than I imagined. Looks good. Paul

At one exhibition I attended with a friends layout, we had great fun running my Red painted A3! It should have been BR green, but I ran out of time for the show. Caused much huffing and puffing from the rivet counters. Kids loved it though. I must add, I only ran it in the last hour each day, other than on request. Its the correct colour now. Paul