tanatvalley

There were three routes for coal onto the Cambrian Coast line, in the north via Afon Wen from the Wigan coalfield, the centre via Ruabon from the Wrexham coalfield and in the south via Welshpool from the North Staffs and Shrewsbury coalfields. The Shrewsbury coalfield seems to have only been for the Mid Wales line. Also anthracite from South Wales. There were several gasworks on the coast line but I do not know when they opened. The North Staffs wagons can be seen at Aberdovey on the sand sidings and quay.

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I have only just found this thread. In the Welsh Railways Research Circle's Welsh Railways Archive Volume VII No. 6 November 2022 there was an article on the Oswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch Railway by Dr M Cannop Price. The only mention of milk traffic is an undated photograph showing 46510 east of Bettisfield on ex-Cambrian Railways lines hauling two coaches and four milk tanks, the train is described as the 4.25pm from Welshpool although I cannot find this train in the working timetable. The point is the photograph in the Bob Yate book did come off the Cambrian. This milk traffic would have been attached at Ellesmere. Ellesmere had accommodation for dealing with milk traffic which was authorised on 2 May 1935, at Overton-on-Dee there was a CWS Milk Factory, date unknown, and off Pickhill Halt there was a Cadbury’s Creamery siding which came into use on 29 October 1937, Ellesmere -Wrexham branch. The WTT for 18 June to 9 September 1962 shows there was a shunting engine at Ellesmere between 2.00 pm to 6.30 pm for “Shunting and attaching milk and pilot trip to and from Elson siding.”. There was a station stop of 5 minutes in the WTT. The Wrexham branch became freight only from 10 September 1962 and truncated south of Cadbury’s siding and worked from Wrexham. I have a photograph dated 15 November 1962 at Ellesmere where an Ivatt 2-6-0 is attaching two milk tanks to the rear of the 12.35 PM Aberystwyth to Crewe. There was another milk working from Ellesmere which ran as required seven days a week. I have two photographs, one at Whitchurch the other under the wires at Gresty Junction, Crewe with 2251 Collett Goods hauling five milk tanks with a BR Standard Brake Van at the rear, one dated 5 October 1960 and the other undated. The return journey to Oswestry was a Light Engine. Whilst I appreciate that Q "Runs as required" needs treating with caution, this particular working I can trace back to to the LMS WTT of 11 September 1933. There was another source of milk traffic and that was from Kilkewydd Siding (Midland Counties Dairy Ltd.) north of Welshpool. Whilst there were wagon turntables at Kilkewydd there is no photographic evidence of milk tanks there. The summer 1939 WTT shows a runs as required train left Welshpool at 4.15pm, arriving at the siding 4.22pm, departing 4.33pm for Forden arriving 4.40pm, departing 4.57pm and then returning to Welshpool arriving 5.10pm. This section was double track. There are seven shunting turns listed for Welshpool in this WTT.

LNWR? Alan

Have a look at Penmaenpool sub shed to Machynlleth.

I was not aware that TfL ran 158s Jonathan😃 Alan

Chris, it is not on the wrong line as it has entered the single line. The line behind is a headshunt off the up platform. See latest Cooke Track plan No. 63.

The first Manors venturing onto Cambrian lines were via Ruabon to Barmouth. Clearance tests took place on 31 October 1938. The Carmarthen to Aberystwyth route was upgraded to ‘Blue’ on 2 May 1939. The Oswestry to Aberystwyth route was ‘Yellow’ but became ‘Blue’ with siding restrictions in 1941. Oswestry’s first Manor allocation was in 1943. It appears during GWR days they did not run on the coast line except between Barmouth Junction and Barmouth. (Source Peto’s Register of GWR Locomotives Volume 2 Manor 4-6-0) For coaching stock before 1940 it would have been a mix of GWR clerestories, GWR Bachmann Colletts , GWR Hornby Colletts, ex Cam Rys 45ft and 54’ 6” coaches as well as LMS through coaches including ex LNWR.

It originally had two traversers, see https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrms1711.htm and http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/birmingham_moor_street/index0.shtml

I have seen a transcript of an allocation and workings list of GWR brake vans in use between Oswestry and Moat Lane for 1942. Were there such lists prior to WWII?

I can remember having sterilized milk when visiting relatives in Wolverhampton in the 50s and 60s. Alan

Check out Kingswear for Dartmouth.

I found it interesting to see the mix of maroon and blue/grey coaching stock on these trains in April 1967.

The last time I visited Dudswell which is about 6 years ago the trees had blocked the down view and the up was becoming blocked. Alan

It can be ordered from Aspect design - Quiet Between Trains . Alan

See also https://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/news/gallery-new-book-shines-light-on-the-last-days-of-steam-in-south-ceredigion-600480 Same photos but better formatting. Alan

Yes. Seems to be, see https://www.gwra.co.uk/auctions/bycategory/13/53/Cabside-Numberplates.html

The height is the same as the brass plate, 11.75in. Also the position of the 4 keyed fixing holes are the same for brass and cast iron.

The dimensions quoted are for brass number plates. I believe cast iron ones are different and measure 2ft 1.5in. by 11.75in.!

Superb video, very enjoyable. What is your mortar mix and how do you apply it? Thanks Alan

Maybe some answers Here.

Around 24 of us said goodbye to our dear friend Chris yesterday at the Bedford Crematorium. Along with Chris’ relatives, members of the Bedford branch of LCGB, RCTS Hitchin branch, Bletchley Area Group of the HMRS and Chilterns EMGS/S4 Group attended the celebration of his life. We entered the building to the sound of Eva Cassidy singing ‘Somewhere over the rainbow 🌈’. Brian had constructed a wonderful eulogy of which the highlight, for me, was a quotation from Chris’ P E school report where little if any progress was made. This raised a chuckle with those assembled. To the sound of Granny's Attic’s ‘Considerate Birds’ we reflected on our various memories of our friendships with him. There were tributes from members of the RMWeb community and the closing music was ‘Be the man’ by the Young’Uns. Outside we talked over our memories of Chris and all felt the sad loss. A small group adjourned to the local Harvester where we continued reminiscing over what a wonderful friend and supporter of our hobbies Chris had been. Chris you are sorely missed and thank you for your friendship and support. Alan

An excellent show with many excellent layouts of all scales.

I found a solution. Ultrascale cut a new gear for me, see https://www.ultrascale.uk/eshop/products/view/CAT015/557

Chris was a regular at Folk by the Oak in the grounds of Hatfield House where he heard the Young’uns in 2018 and I believe in 2021. Chris always filled his CD bag at this event, sadly I cannot remember the groups he mentioned. He often attended The Stables in Milton Keynes. He was also a regular at the Sidmouth Folk Festival. Alan