Hippel

As an ex-international planner at DB I did wonder what the Eurotunnel description of an HLP meant. My schoolboy french thought it was 'high footing ' i.e. running! light engines- machines h.l.p. (haut le pied an ex equestrian term meaning an unburdened horse) Thanks Paul

What mod is that, please? Thanks, Paul

When I worked in Warrington TOPS mid-80s there was a daily trip from Warrington to Gathurst conveying empty AB vans to be loaded with commercial explosives. Latterly they would also convey a couple of ferry vans as barriers. This was as a result of a rules change where dangerous goods had to be fully fitted with automatic brakes, and so they could run air-braked. Prior to this rule change we could use three MCV/MXV either side of one VAB which was vacuum piped. Paul

Jim, I'm surprised that you were permitted in the passenger accommodation; thought you'd be made to go in the back cab! Paul

An early adoption of a bar-code system? Hat, coat, where's the door? Paul

I'm on an Amazon Fire and the Digitrains ad is bearable, but better still I no longer see the croissant maker/blue caterpillar/Belgian barge! Paul

The 08s were used by the coal trains from Yorkshire pits as they came via Chat Moss without a brake van and would also require two run rounds unless the top'n'tail 08 was put on. Prior to this arrangement, coal from Yorkshire pits ran via Dunham Massey and straight along the low level to Fidlers. Paul

Coal trains from Lancashire and Cumbrian coalfields had to run round at Walton Old Jn and Arpley Jn so to avoid this, brake vans were used on these services to enable propelling between those two junctions.I Paul

What a great view of the brake! So clean too. The legend on the side refers to Fidlers Ferry circuit, and so during the mid-80s I must have seen this go past Arpley TOPS office and typed it's number into the machine so many times... Oh happy days! If Dapol are reading this, please manufacture this in O gauge? Thanks Paul

I see that one of the first offerings will be in WD black. May I ask the learned people on here what time period would this be suitable for, also what time period the WD green livery would cover? Thanks, but I'm normally a banger blue 08 fan. Cheers, Paul

It's Bagnall 2746, ex WD75158, named The Duke. Full history on Preserved British Steam Locomotives website. Looking forward to seeing this in action. Hope this helps, Paul

Perhaps it's an O gauge LSWR brake van to go with their other recent announcement? How many road vans were there? Paul

Referring to the spreadsheet in becasse post, the model depicts a machine of 08699 or later, due to where the rear bufferbeam meets the footplate is a right-angle and not with a rounded valance. 08699 and onwards were built with exhauster boxes both sides. Because of this I'm going to have to renumber my blue Dapol 08! Don't you just love huge classes with so many detail variations when built, never mind subsequent modifications? Paul

Just spent a couple of hours there today. Really enjoyed Warner Street and Cowley Yard. Went for inspiration to start my first layout and I think I've made the right choice for me to start in O gauge, especially seeing how small Cowley Yard is. I was also surprised to recognise so many diesel drivers from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Thanks to all, Paul.

I too spent a week at the Grove on some sort of basic management course in the early nineties. Bought the tie, too. Talking about Robert Heasman, he got my name added to a list of interviewees for a depot relief CO1. His wife worked with my elder sister and offered to add me to the list but quite rightly couldn't promise me the job. I was interviewed by the staff office manager and my train spotting was discussed and if I remember correctly I ended up explaining to him how fully fitted brakes worked and the difference between vacuum and air systems. Readers, I got the job! Paul

Curious, but I signed up for Dapol newsletters many moons ago, but have not seen any newsletters. Would have expected something like this to be in such a newsletter. Just in case I hadn't signed up I tried re-signing but it told me I was already signed up! Ho-hum, I'll just have to keep watching their website instead. Paul

That explains why Ripponden Motors (a haulier) used old style plates for so long. Paul

Ref. suitable advice; I once worked for a manager who said "I don't give out b*ll***ings, I give out leadership and guidance!" Paul

Loving the shunter's attire! Cardigan and wellies! Paul

My wife had a text yesterday starting 'Hi mum, I lost my phone so I'm using a new phone' or something like that. She knew it wasn't our son 'cos he would have used his wife's phone. Knowing it was dodgy she answered 'Who's this?' and get a reply 'guess!' She blocked the number. Paul

According to Pen & Sword website, another print run can be pre-ordered, publication expected end of September. Paul

The areas you refer to (East Midlands Freight) etc. were still under British Rail before TLF etc. I was at East Midlands Passenger and we were reorganised into shadow TOCs before privatisation itself. Paul

I thought that 60062 was supposed to look like that? Paul

You are Wolfman Jack, and I claim my prize! Paul

So glad I bought this. Not only lots of new photos but as a wagon lover there's pictures of NCB brake vans and brake runners too. Thanks, Paul.