Ian Hargrave

I've said this a few times before on this forum but at the risk of repeating myself that is Hattonspeak for 'sorry,we can't get any more at present 'cos Bachmann ain't got any more to give us ATM as we've had our quota'.It does not mean Bachmann have discontinued production.Why Hattons still continue with this charade is a mystery known only to them.

I think one of those was a regular on the long gone Pontypridd-Ynysybwl branch.Workmens' coaches did duty between Aberdare and Bwllfa Colliery.

More coincidence....I was an outpatient there as a child....late 1940's,for a small lower spinal problem,which has now returned to haunt me in later life !!As an addendum to my posting about St.Athan excursions,I can vividly remember an eccentric addition at the head of the excursion ,originating from Merthyr,which my father and I joined at Abercynon.It was an ex-GWR slip coach,then liveried in BR crimson and cream.The one and only time I got to travel in one.Quite how and why it was there,I will never know but excursion stock frequently turned up surprises.A 'corridor' coach in Valleys trains was something to savour...at least it had a toilet on board! I can....just....remember USRA 2-8-0's on the Vale of Neath line through Cwmbach and one of the last 'Aberdare' class....that would be on a late 1940's stroll with my grandfather.

No....straight to Barry via Cregiau...direct over S.Wales main line.Then Wenvoe to Diglis Junction into Barry,

Well,they might be heading for RAF St.Athan,via Barry and The Vale of Glamorgan line ....excursions from Valleys destinations for the annual air display did follow that route....56XX hauled,mind. 614 Squadron flew Vampires,as I remember.

Possible scenario ( post Sunday lunch fantasy).Troop train for Dering Lines barracks in Brecon,double headed by 2251 class ,coupled inside Dukedog of choice? 66th RA Tonfanau via Moat Lane and Three Cocks Junction to Brecon.There you go.....job done! Whatever....just enjoy.

Dear Richard Chapman.....if you disagree with my posting,perhaps you would do us the courtesy of explaining why.I made a posting of historical record....with,I believe,the expression of just one opinion.

An interesting post,Darren.I was born and raised in the Aberdare valley and can remember the last years of train services....passenger,coal and other freight...until their eventual demise in the early to mid 1960's. FYI,there were two lines.The first,which made connection in Aberdare with the GWR Vale of Neath line,was the ex-TVR branch which ran from Aberdare Low Level to Abercynon,where,on most occasions,you changed to the Merthyr to Barry Island service which took you via Pontypridd and Taff'sWell to Cardiff Queen Street or General.Most passengers from the valleys gravitated to Cardiff. The Aberdare branch was ,until 1958 and the arrival of the DMU,operated by ...from 1953 to 58....an Auto Train....64XX powered.This,at peak times,consisted of trailers at both front and rear,with the loco and a Hawksworth suburban sandwiched in the middle. On arrival at Abercynon,via Mountain Ash (there were two separate stations there as well) ,passengers alighted and the auto train quickly reversed back up the Aberdare branch to a siding. This was because Abercynon was an island platform and it had to be kept clear for the upcoming service to Merthyr from Barry Island.We Cardiff passengers crossed over to the other side to await the service coming down the bank from Quaker's Yard and Merthyr.When both up and down services had cleared,the Aberdare Auto Train returned to the platform to collect passengers from Cardiff and made its stately way back up the branch to Aberdare.So hurry up,Bachmann with the Auto Train! The other line was,of course,the ex GW Vale of Neath,which carried freight of all kinds,powered by panniers ,28XX,42/52/72XX,56XX,Halls,Granges,Manors,ROD's,the occasional WD.The passenger service from Neath to Pontypool Road was usually a 2 to 4 coach load.This would have anything at its head.....panniers and 56XX,41/51/81XX 2-6-2 tanks,53XX 2-6-0.In the mid 50's ,Manors 7828/29 were allocated for a short while to Pontypool Road for the service.The odd Grange also put in an appearance. Sadly.....no Dukedog,I'm afraid. Never mind it is your layout and it is perfectly feasible to say they COULD have been used. Don't forget NCB saddle tanks....there was one called 'Lord Camrose' at Mountain Ash....

Then Yorkshire has many charms.A shame they could not be exported to my corner of South Derbyshire/East Staffordshire.My bus pass will get me nowhere in the model railway shop direction...not a half decent one,at any rate.

You are indeed fortunate to have such a facility to hand.Most of us do not.Have you by any chance factored in the cost of local transport in getting there or the cost of car parking which I know is eye-wateringly expensive in York ?

The Model Rail review quoted 5 up,similar to the City,I think.I would not expect any significant improvement.We shall see.I envisage my BR version to run with a mixed rake of Hornby Hawksworths & Bachmann Colletts .

That has also happened to me in the not too distant past.They sometimes have a whimsical choice of delivery carrier.....similar to Amazon,really.

Great e-mail from Hattons now,entitled 'Who let the Dukedogs out?'.....and the J11 to follow by the end of the week.Shame about misuse of apostrophe,though......

Hereford Model Centre....stocks of all three versions.I have just relieved them of one weathered edition.As ever,excellent prices.Happy hunting ! Now trying Dukedog treatment instead of chiropracter for numbing sciatica.

In stock at Hereford Model Centre now.

Reading locos were frequently called upon to substitute at short notice for express engines which failed on the 37 miles out of Paddington.Then ,of course,there were the fabled Landore Castles with silvered buffers...the brainchild of Shedmaster Roy White as a morale-booster during difficult times .But,yes there was much muck and grime around

Hattons' spin again....just means they have got their quota and can't get any more.Doesn't mean that they aren't available elsewhere.

As one who ....on this forum,at any rate.....saw more than most,don't you believe it,especially in the early BR,just post war days.

Quite honestly,in r-t-r,there is nothing else,other than kit-built versions.......and therein lies an inherent fly in the ointment.Unless you buy on e-bay,there is little or no stock left ,either with Hornby or retail,for sale.Gresley teak stock is as gold dust at present,with little sign of new production on the horizon. I foresee many 'light engine' workings for the new model,I'm afraid.

The last Star was withdrawn 8 years before the end of WR steam.....and there was certainly plenty of it around then.

Paranoia reigneth....is it infectious ?

Would imagine wartime black.Don't know if any were painted in LNER/BR apple green. 'British Railways' on tender is probably a safe bet.

Do please enlighten me as to exactly WHAT groove that might be? Otherwise,this seems like a bilious attack.You might like to look at the reaction of others to some of the points the lately departed gentleman madeFYI,my 'groove' concerns fair mindednes,common sense and ,above all,good manners.....sorely lacking in your posting

Absolutely on the nail,Mike.