brumtb

This book recently arrived, a veritable mine (often quite literally) of fascinating information, thanks for the suggestion. So much information that the proposed book still hasn't been published! Tony

I found this today in my records, I believe it dates to the late 20s. I'm not sure of the health implications! Tony

This is getting more and more interesting. Here in Warwickshire we still have milk delivered in bottles, the milkman usually puts it on our doorstep around midnight! Tony

Hi Chris I've been looking through my family records for a date of the photo. it isn't dated but the boy with the first cart is, I believe, my great uncle Fred who was born in 1910. So I would imagine early post WW1, he doesn't look more than 8 or 9 to me. The early milk industry merits more research, as you indicate, so many questions. Pasteurisation and Tuberculin testing had been developed before the turn of the century, I think, but milk was still being ladled out of churns into housewives jugs in the early 20th century. Somewhere I have a leaflet produced by my Great grandfather when he modernised Blossomfield dairy in the late 1920s when a bottling plant was installed which describes how the raw milk was treated. I must find it. Social history is fascinating and so much is lost already, more to come, I hope! All the best Tony

Great work on the milk cart Chris, I really must get one to include in my great grandfather's model fleet. Before bottling was introduced in the mid 1920s I don't think much infrastrucure was needed. Milk was produced on nearby farms and the milkman delivered it to customers from the churn. Similarly cheese and butter was very much farm produced and probably sold by the farmers' wives at Traeth Mawr weekly market. Herbert Birchley's Blossomfield Dairy in Birmingham, obviously milk had to travel a little further to get to city customers. Herbert obtained his supplies from a farm near Bidford on Avon, south Warwickshire. Tony

That's great thanks, much to think about now! I'm really impressed. Tony

Well done, I do like number 34. I've always thought these are very attractive little locos. Can you say what the chassis is and how you constructed the body please? Tony

I believe the first Avonside of four was supplied to Cadburys in 1910 and the last in 1925 so easily pre-grouping locomotives. They apparently inspired the GWR 1101 Class, also built by Avonside in1926. Tony

Surely Frys? maxresdefault.jpg (1280×720) (ytimg.com) Tony

Coincidentally I've been thinking a lot about Cadburys as an option, like many Brummies the real Cadburys (not the present enterprise) was in the background to my growing up in the 50s. Thanks @Edwardian also for the evocative photos, I quite like the Avonsides as well as the older locos. Tony

A lovely vid thanks, with lots of food for thought. Tony

My layout is currently set in the post WW1 grouping period although I do keep being drawn backwards! Certainly the earlier designs are very attractive. Says someone who recently fabricated a story to justify a Kerr Stuart Victory in mainline service! Tony

Not a surfeit yet, but I like the idea! Tony

Thanks all for your useful information and comments. It seems clear the industrials will not be permitted on the mainline companies' tracks and an exchange siding set up on the lines of @Schooner's plans would be the best bet. I think an additional baseboard is called for! Ideas are beginning to form. Tony

Agreed. I'm wondering, though, what private, industrial lines had running rights on mainline company lines and under what circumstances? Tony

Thank you, I'll look for an IRS handbook. I think I could go over the top with "reasons" why I can run more industrials! Tony

The Borrows loco really is attractive, as, I'm coming to see, are many other small industrials. Just have to find a way of justifying them for a layout set in the Birmingham area! Looking forward to seeing how your model progresses. Tony

And not too far from the LNWR diamond logos of a similar era. Tony

. Ah thanks, looks a nice building but I guess it's back to making the hay racks myself. Tony

Ah the CCF, apparently I was an embarrassment (second from right) when this picture appeared in the Stratford Herald! King Edward VI School Stratford upon Avon CCF Parade 1964/65. Tony

I do like the hayrack, is it your own or can you say where it came from, please? Thanks Tony

Then there was this one, the long established Leamington Brewery bought by Lucas, Blackwell and Arkwright in 1885 and . subsequently acquired by Ansells (in 1928). Unfortunately not rail connected but the buildings still exist as apartments. Tony

Yes, Mikkel thanks, I'm very fond of the old Flowers site which I remember from the early 1960s when I passed it everyday by train on my way to school. It has to be part of my overall layout theme, even if it is off scene! Tony

I'm sure that archway could well lead to a place of slaughter. The butchers I recall in Stratford had a similar set up, although rather less opulent! As to grade of sandpaper, I can only say "fine" and yes, paint does smooth it a little. Tony

I've used sandpaper on platforms a number of times and my fingertips remain undamaged! Tony