50A55B

The impression I got from other modelling sites was that people frequently commented that Airfix plastic was too soft. I can’t remember which kit it was but a recent release got favourable comments for its harder than usual (for Airfix) plastic.

One of the recently delivered York ones in the D83XX number series.

Solebars were black. I can’t find any photos of ex works ones that clearly show the Durbar plate surfaces but I suspect they were black too.

Interesting class 31 livery variation in J2428, 5675 with single bodyside BR arrow but with bodyside numbers in the ‘cab arrows’ style position.

I found myself in a worthy but deadly dull part of the organisation, far removed from the operations side of the railway. I’m sure there would have been plenty of opportunities to move on to something more interesting in due course but I had no patience in those days. An obvious annoyance to the powers that be of the time was that trainees completed their courses then jumped across to better paid jobs inthe private sector. Funnlly enough, whilst going through some old paperwork earlier this year I found the selection process paperwork including the names of the candidates and the BR managers running the show.

I spent a couple of days there in Spring 1979 being interviewed for a Management Trainee position. Although successful I baled out a year later to go to university. A questionable decision, in hindsight.

C1263 shows 5557 with the rare green with cab side arrows combination. Thanks for putting this (and the other older shots) up again Dave.

Looks like they brought Hornby in to paint it green.

I’m another one who has been informed that their pre-order has been cancelled due to an error by the retailer. Hopefully my alternative source will come up with the goods.

Green (apart from the unpainted fibreglass sections).

Indeed. I only remember electric tail lamps on fuel tank trains and ECML expresses at that time. The electric lamps were very different to those used now.

Lovely juxtaposition, APT and oil tail lamp.

Ah, Rail Blue and Electric Blue.

That looks great, the scheme really suits it.

And one of the Vanwides with the experimental clear roof in the background, too.

The BR Blue 31 has bodyside steps and a water tank filler recess in the roof, I don’t think they have made this combination before. This is welcome, but they have somewhat boxed it in to a mid 1970s time period by giving it TOPS numbers. If it has dominos rather than head codes, even more so.

These were NER locos at the time of the picture, not LMR.

The Libby’s factory at Milnthorpe was rail connected. It used to receive empty cans by rail, although apparently from Glasgow. I’ve no idea what the Ellesmere Port traffic was though.

Also the 82 is in Rail Blue but retaining lion and wheel cast emblem.

The 50(007?) is an interesting combination of dominos and early style livery (the driver cab side arrow suggesting it carries them on all cab sides). We’re there many like this?

Last mainline loco constructed at Doncaster, IIRC.

The level crossing by the former Felixstowe Beach station.

Not to hand Paul, sorry. If I do nail it down I will post it here.

As Paul said above, the 03s always went around with a match wagon. D2063 was often the station pilot, it was an early air brake conversion.

Good luck with the project. A quick initial observation re. the list of locos, the ratio of 31s to 20s is the wrong way round, York had an allocation of 20s in 1970, and no class 31s. Lots of 47s there at the time too. The station pilot(s) at the time were 03s as well.