tanatvalley

Foxfield Colliery wagons were well known in the Oswestry area. I can only assume this wagon was routed via Whitchurch instead of Ruabon as that would mean greater revenue for the Cambrian. In fact this would have deprived the GWR of any revenue. Alan

Inland donkey cart congestion in Llanfair Caereinion! The book I mentioned in my previous post shows 2 such carts. The first is dated c1890 and shows a small cart hauled by 3 donkeys, the second is dated c1900 with a single donkey hauling a butcher's cart. This proves Penlan's theory that 'The Icon' is always right even when wrong! Alan

I can recommend 'The Photographer in Rural Wales' by W.T.R.Pryce, a photographic archive of Llanfair Caereinion and its region, c.1865-1986, published by The Powysland Club 1991. Although not of the Barmouth area it has several street views.

It is the photograph by the signal box. Looking at other photographs on the branch and at Oswestry the B sets were replaced by ex-LMS, BR and ex-LNER non-corridor coaching stock in the latter years of the branch.

I know your period is 1895 stretching to 1914. Just outside this period is the Jim Richards collection of photographs of mainly wagons that he took in 1924 at Barmouth, Penmaenpool and Dolgelly. They are in the HMRS collection and can be found using the Search Form, choose 'Location' and 'Collection'. Just by looking at this collection illustrates the variety of wagons that reached this part of Wales. Alan

The GWR and maybe others of the 'Big Four' published 'Traffic dealt with at at stations' statistics. I know Brunel University has a such a book in its Clinker Collection. I photocopied a few pages some years ago including Barmouth. In 1933 Barmouth received 2940 tons of coal and coke that was "Charged", it forwarded 238 tons of coal and coke that was "Charged", it also had 1520 tons of coal and coke that was "Not Charged" (Forwarded and Received). The GWR in its 'Traffic dealt with at stations' statistics did not distinguish between coal and coke. I have never yet found an explanation about "Charged" and "Non Charged" . My belief is that "Charged" was coal delivered to a local merchant in his own wagons and "Non Charged" was coal sent out by a colliery and charged by the colliery or centrally to businesses (gasworks?) but this is guesswork on my part. Alan

Gas production was listed in "The Gas World Year Book". I have some data on photocopied sheets for 1933 which list the annual make in millions of cubic feet for each gas works as well as the manager. I will use Barmouth as an example, the make was 16 million cubic feet. Approx.each ton of coal produces 10,000 cubic feet, so Barmouth would need approx. 1600 tons. So 160 10 ton wagons per annum although the quiet period was between March and August. This would mean 3 to 4 wagons per week. All this assumes my calculations are correct!

I have found a colour photograph of 5410 on Southall shed, 27/9/59 in lined green livery with black pannier tank ends (Locomotives Illustrated 140 Front Cover, Nov-Dec 2001). It had just returned from a general overhaul from Caerphilly Works. The same photograph in black and white appears in the Irwell Press Pannier Papers No.7 on page 11. 5410 has a polished brass safety valve cover whereas 6412 is painted green. Colour photographs of 6433 (lined green, black pannier fronts) also feature in Western Branch Lines by David Soggee and Michael Welch, Capital Transport of page 71 although the difference between green and black in the more distant view is difficult to discern IMHO.

I knew about the GWR livery of these pannier tanks but was unsure of BR green liveried examples. This is why I started looking for photographic evidence. The HMRS Great Western Way on page 16 has a very useful chart which confirms what you say. Please note I was not doubting you. What I find surprising is that I have not been able to find a colour photograph that shows the front of the locomotive pannier tanks and smoke box being black. The nearest I have got is in Welsh Railways - A Photographers View by Denis Dunstone introduces Alan Jarvis, gomer, page 48. Alan

Thanks Coachman. Is there any photographic evidence which supports this? As I wrote before I cannot find any.

I have been looking for colour photographic evidence of the colour of the front of the pannier tanks on lined green BR 64XX and I cannot find any. Whilst the Bachmann model of 6412 is black, is this based on its days in BR or preservation days? Alan

Hornby has just released the LMS suburban coaches in BR livery. I have found photographic evidence of a brake third, M21137M, at Llanfyllin. Assuming this was part of a 2 coach train does anyone know of any other ex-LMS suburban coaches that worked the branch? Would it be an all 3rd or a composite? Alan

For a list of coaches try 'A Register of G.W.R. Absorbed Coaching Stock 1922/3' by E.R.Mountford, Oakwood Press, 1978. It is out of print but 4 are listed on Abe Books.