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We got our house number from Procast - https://www.procast.co.uk/ They also supplied two GWR cast iron seat ends with the 1934 shirt button monogram. The bench they're part of has outlasted all other garden furniture They do a brilliant line of cast railway products. Catalogue at the link above.

Not quite the F of D - but they made it to Tintern Quarry - which isn't a million miles away. Lovely lovely Hymeks. I do enjoy the hydraulic reminiscences on these threads. Matt W

Phil Thanks so much for posting this. I'm sure that's my Dad driving L52, shunting at Neasden. I have a CRColes photo here of him driving L52. He loved the F and E class, but he adored the pannier tanks. Said they would pull anything. Stopping was sometimes more challenging. Brilliant. Best regards Matt W

Keep us updated on this Kevin. No such thing as too many books on hydraulics ! If its anything like your other hydraulic books there's a chance my old man will be in a picture or two. Bought me up short to see him in 70s spotting days on the Western....totally unexpected. I love anything Western, diesel, and preferably early 70s. Happy happy days. Best regards Matt W

Thanks chaps. 6 months or so I've been unable to access UK prototype discussions. Problem tracked down to that pesky expanded/condensed view button in totally unrelated uk special interests ! Railways of Devon or London Underground not sure which. Anyway, I'm back in to UK prototype discussions. Hoo flipping Ray. A happy chappy.

Superb. My Dad, Ray Wood, was foreman at Neasden Steam Shed and drove L44- as well as Met F Class and the Panniers - (he's much photographed in the splendid book 'Red Panniers'). Going to have to get this. He smiled at the gentle treatment given to L44 in the first steam on the Met event in the early 90s. He said the old girl could take off like a rocket. He spoke fondly of L44, but loved, absolutely loved, driving the Panniers- said they would pull anything.

British Cellophane had a fantastic pong - and (rail related fact) had settling ponds close to the former Bridgwater Station on the Somerset and Dorset branch.

Exactly the same problem for me. Can access UK prototype discussions when not signed in, as soon as I sign in, the unable to load message. Android phone. Will read rest of this thread to see if it sheds any light on solutions.

As were Kennaway, Coryton, Phillot, Parsons and Clerks tunnels Chris. Whether in the fullness of time Sprey point disappears in some new route alignment we shall see. I'm looking forward to walking the sea wall at Dawlish again, but progress will be tinged with memories and ghosts of dead relatives. (And of long gone traction and trains - especially goods, particularly the Milks- distinctive sound they made and always an impression of weight and speed). Matt W

Indeed Gwiver. Last time I was there- a couple of years ago taking my old Ma for a stroll down memory lane. it was called the Rocca Rossa cafe or something like that. Even those allusions of semantics don't make South Devon the Amalfi Coast ....not even the GWR publicity department tried that one. I get very particular about place names. Especially since, when I were a lad, there was a platelayers hut at the Langstone Rock, (lineside), not a cafe. If its good enough for the Ordnance Survey, it's good enough for me. Mind you, I get ratty about the 3 words georeferencing for the UK on the basis that anyone worth their salt should be able to give a 6 digit OS map reference. Being able to read a map maybe isn't the necessary skill it used to be. (See, I'm stuck in old git mode, perhaps I need to reboot). Yours tongue in cheekedly Matt Wood- residing not far from a place we love to call - Saint Evenage, or just, 'the nidge'. IGreat pics Rich but please not "Red rock" - it's the Langstone Rock - please humour the geographical pedant in me. Best regards Matt (who spent many a happy hour on the Langstone Rock).

Great pics Rich but please not "Red rock" - it's the Langstone Rock - please humour the geographical pedant in me. Best regards Matt (who spent many a happy hour on the Langstone Rock).

Love that one of 50039 up at Dawlish. Cracking. Oozing atmosphere. Implacable had only been named on 20th June 78. That's how I like my 50s - domino headcodes and named, pre refurb. Lovely. Thank you Rugd1022

Cor, you can't please those with Midland allegiances - how about this then ? In truth, my old man said had some ripe things to say about both drivers and firemen under his charge at Neasden steam shed. Both driving and firing an art. Perhaps not helped these days by the quality of coal ? I love anything on rails up to about 1990, steam (even Midland), diesel, electric - the lot. A Western influence looms large. However, I wish a certain Yorkshire Engine Co. Loco, F class L52 had been preserved, got a picture in the hall of Dad driving it near Amersham taken by HC Casserley. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Matt W

Maybe, but may have been placed during engineering work if this story from 2020 is anything to go by ? https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/reckless-thieves-steal-explosive-detonators-18937404

Dainton, to complete the set. Listen loud. Classic.

And Champion up the Lickey. (Which sounds like a dodgy practice advertised on some of the cards left in phone boxes round King's Cross back in the day). Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Matt W

This sounds better than it looks, especially on headphones with the bass turned up !

Good shout about St David's to Central Kevin. That's fierce, steep, from a standing start, on a curve and the tunnel under St David's Hill. Used to love hearing the 50s open up to climb up there. Best regards and Merry Christmas folks. Matt W

Defo remember detonators going off in fog round Brum on an Aberdeen to Plymouth 125, circa 1986. The old man said you wouldn't believe how foggy it got on the Met/ex GC lines out of Neasden to Harrow on the Hill, Watford Met/ Aylesbury etc circa 1952 - 1970. Best regards Matt W

That drone footage shows just how much Aylesbury has already grown since I called it home - 1967 - 1995. Black and Decker's post further back (excellent post that Black and Decker Boy) shows that the housing currently coming forwards delivers parts of the ring road the town needed 30 to 40 years ago. (Only parts mind, and I'm curious about what it's doing to encourage active travel modes). Whether that will do anything to reduce congestion in the job lot of traffic signals (Highways signalisation off the back of traffic modelling* and no mistake) along the Tring Road into town, or encourage active travel to and through the town remains to be seen. I used to walk/cycle from Broughton to 'The Floyd' secondary school via Adams Garage, Hazel's roundabout, Exchange Street, past the station to Oxford Road. Cycling that now would be akin to putting on a Banzai rising sun headscarf, drinking a cup of saki, strapping yourself into a Mitsubishi Zero with 2000lbs of explosives and pointing yourself at the nearest aircraft carrier. Aylesbury has changed massively. I really hope it gets its link to East West Rail. Still feel fond of the town, warts and all. I support HS2. I don't support reductions in tax on domestic air travel or artificially high increases in rail fares. (Watch the cups folks there's climate change commitments under one of the three, need to keep a careful eye on joined up Government policy). Excellent and informative posts chaps. Best regards Matt W *traffic modelling can almost tell you Black is white. The results it churns out depends on the data and assumptions put in. They may not necessarily reflect reality or real life experience. Contrary to what people would have you believe transport Highways modelling is an art, not a science).

No bigger picture to consider here. Cos transport stops at Borough boundaries. Move along please. Transport policy based on individual Boroughs/District boundaries ain't going to be very strategic. But different folks different opinions. No worries. Matt W

Frank Pick would be unimpressed - he'll be rotating in his tube. Not the first time London Transport (as I prefer to think of it) has been a political football. Fares Fair increased patronage massively. My Dad, (LT and proud of it) was impressed and it increased passenger numbers. However, the GLC under its then leader was anathema to a certain politician who also happened to be PM. In fact, so loathed that she dismantled the GLC and turned a public body accountable to a very democratic body representing the people the system served into one accountable to Central Government. (Till formation of TfL). I'm sure we'll see much political brickbats tub thumping and point scoring. How much of it to the advantage of the travelling public in London remains to be seen. Frank Pick would have had something worth listening to to say. Best regards Matt Wood

Preferably called Mayflower or Galatea. Matt W

Another plaudit for Phil at Radley models. After a lovely chat exploring what was available- not only did he supply two 00 LT 30 ton General Purpose opens delivered within 1 day of ordering- he also provided advice on correct Cambrian Bogies, and Alan Gibson Wheelsets. A lovely approachable chap. First rate. I'll be back for more. Also Peters Spares - and Eileen's Emporium-the former providing Bogies and Modelmaster LT Wagon transfers by return, and the latter the correct Alan Gibson wheelsets again by return. See so many moans on here about suppliers - just want to say "Hats off" to all 3 who are all worthy of your support. Super service. One satisfied customer x3. Best regards Matt Wood

Good point Lather. My Dad (a railwayman) always got irritated by the way the story and people like Ronnie Biggs were dealt with in the press in later years. Like you say, the driver who was coshed was badly affected for the rest of his life. Lets just say the old man used terminology to describe the train robbers which drew on the best of London invective. Matt W