Covkid

You would think so wouldn't you. Reading between the lines, as well as reading other forums it appears that GWR don't have a recognised method of coupling and uncoupling the IETs away from their depots. You could conclude that this is because Hitachi and GWR havn't reached agreement on a method, particularly as the afternoon Paddington - Weston super Mare train, which should leave a unit at Bristol then recouple to it, doesn't. They take the full ten cars to Weston with one unit locked out of use, because they don't split and join at Temple Meads. Again, reading other forums the crew who have worked HSTs for the last 40 years have effectively been working slam door stock (with CDL) powered by Bo Bo class 56 technology. These same people have now started working "space age" hi tech Hitachi trains full of computers, with power operated doors controlled from GPS satellites. Probably a similar step to Virgin crews on the West Coast who moved from Mk3 DVT sets hauled by class 87s to Pendolinos, although the TDM push pull gear was probably a technology step up.

What do you find wrong with the existing class 20 tooling ? The only bit I am not keen on is the headcode box at the nose end, but I live with it.

No thank you. I would rather Dapol proceed with it's announced 43xx whilst Bachmann retool the Manor. Both companies then benefit from modeller dollars.

I remember APT-S was the designation for the squadron fleet of APTs but I have never seen concrete plans for them. It was all based on the APT-P delivering the product, which arguably it didn't sadly.

Whilst talking of anniversaries, let us not forget the fifty years of English Electric 2700hp type 4s latterly known as class 50. i believe there is a big shindig planned for October 2018 with as many as possible attending the Severn Valley. It would be really intersting to see whether Hornby or a collaborator might produce the intercity version of 50031 as a limited edition.

Rob - I am trying to split fiction from reality in this image. I am assuming the 9F is the Bachmann model but what are the wagons behind it ? The brake levers are running the wrong way for them to be real wagons or models of real wagons, unless they were assembled wrongly ? Or were they part of an image which has been reversed ?

Anyone mentioned the Aventra family of EMUs yet ? These units are currently being built for Elizabeth line - which is certain tl be high profile, followed by Anglia, SWR, LNWR and probably others. They maybe of different bodyshell lengths and some with gangwayed cabs, but most importantly, modern MUs seem to feature very few bodyshell differences so manufacturers need to invest less in individual car moulds.

So why would the /2s be any rougher that the other sibling classes ? I know the /1s had collector beams for 750v but cannot think of other differences

Understand your point "JSpencer" but with the utmost of respect how many model APT-Ps do you think will actually run full length and at a fair lick - sufficient for any kind of visible tilt ? I regard myself as fortunate because I had a ride in an APT on test and recall it was an amazing piece of kit. However, I will not be parting with well over a thousand pounds to try and recreate my own little piece of history, in my chosen scale. I have no doubts Durham Trains of Stanley and Dave will bring the 2mm version to the market, but I have grave doubts about the bigger brother cutting metal although I hope I am wrong. Therefore, IMHO there needs to be a realistic spec for the model, which those interested in the project need to buy into.

Just read all the way through this thread. Interesting year to pick for a number of reasons. Firstly, as the depot has an HST oil tank in your plans I assume ther started visiting Inveness by then ? I can't be sure. One thing I do remember about the station, which sadly won't feature on your project, is an van which contained a steam heating boiler. This van was stabled on a stopblocked siding between the platforms on the southern side, and was presumably plumbed for water, but not so sure about fuel. I recall a 26 standing next to it to supply steam whilst the van was presumably unavailable, and this has prompted a thought as to how the boiler van was fuelled. IIRC the van was ER in origin but cannot find any online images of it. Was it shunted onto the fuel road to be topped up maybe ? Finally, when did the DMUs finish ? I think an Inverness allocated Swindon Cross Country unit with the unique extra brakevan space could be a real signature item. Brilliant project Damian

I agree. Human assets like traincrew tend to be associated the franchise. How else would you have enough drivers and conductors to operate the timetable from 10th December ?

Not sure about that. If both locos were crewed why bother with the gangway doors. The Modern locomotives Illustrated bookazine No 185 makes several mentions of the multi working capabilities latterly fitted to these locos and a colour photo of 10001 in green clearly shows the red diamond multi code on the yellow panels. Personally I am not totally trustworthy of the MLL publications but a red diamond is clearly an MU code. The same publication states in the data panel that neither 10201-10202 and 10203 were multiple fitted. Despite this statement, on page 35 there is a photo of 10202 clearly coupled to another with the gangways extended and a multi cable joining them. The caption reads 10202 and 10201 working in multiple at Carlisle on 16th April 1957, the use of the communicating doors is clearly visible, as are the position of the red triangle multiple control jumpers. The socket was behind a hinged flap, and the cable when not in use was stowed inside the engine room. It would be very easy to question whether the red diamond on 10001 was actually the red triangle on 10202 or vice versa, particularly when colours were provided for clarity. Would BTC have specified two red shapes, or would one have been blue or green or white or yellow ?

Meanwhile, in the Barwell area of Leicester there was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary taking place. A warehouseman was reported as saying "business as usual guvnor" !!!

The easiest way for non Welsh speakers to pronounce "ll" is this. lift the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth then exhale. The sound you make is exactly right. "U" in Welsh is eee, and "dd" in Welsh is soft. Therefore the former Festiniog railway terminus named Dduallt is simply Thee - ahh ll t. Get you tongue working !!!

Quite the opposite from what I have read. AIUI the DfT ordered Hitachi trains are significantly more expensive than the later batches ordered "conventionally". Whether the later orders can be justifuably cheaper because they might be considered to be riding on the back of the original design is moot. Roscos do need to be privately owned I am convinced

My preference for DMUs would be the Park Royal (class 103) with the dull tungsten lighting and the exhaust rasp. Covered a swathe of England and Wales from Watford to Liverpool and Paignton to Derby, albeit wider spread in green than blue. The real one that people are desperate for is the Swindon Cross Country. Plenty of variety from the 2 car Central Wales sets with headlights, but also as built with headcode boxes and multiple marker lights. The Inverness versions with extended brakevans and tablet catchers. Green, blue and blue / grey. Went everywhere from Weymouth to Inverness, and Yarmouth - Barmouth !!! .

Pray tell

The DfT have spent the last few years building the Great Western franchise through amalgamating Wessex LTV and the HSS services, finally giving it a unifying new livery. It is something the public are getting used to as well as the staff, and that is the most important part - give the customer brand awareness. Then good ole DfT rip it all apart. In my view it is bonkers

Thanks you for that. Everyday is a school day !!!!

Erm. I might be wrong here but havn't there been photos of a malachite H2 on Saturday or Sunday ? It looks absolutely splendid to me, but I am not a southern modeller !!!

Some more bibliography about GPVs. On Cambrian Lines by Derek Huntriss - a nice colour Michael Mensing shot of Std class 4 75047 climbing Talerddig with 20 wagons and a Stanier brakevan. The 17th and 18th are GPVs. Too distant to identify but one has a light grey roof so maybe a new BR build. Cambrian Coast Express by Stephen Austin, page 87 and the "Up Goods" is in Towyn adjacent to the Tallylyn Railway 2nd December 1965. Std 4 75004 is releasing plenty of steam to the atmosphere and the mixed train has a fitted van then three GPVs then an assortment of other wagons. The Cambrian Lines (Rails in Wales series) be Peter Johnson has several photos of green and blue Sulzer type twos hauling trains with GPVs in.

This thread is a useful resource of course http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/43516-movement-of-gun-powder-vans/

Long long long ago a handful of destinations from Cookes at Penrhyndeudraeth Blairhall, Bogside, Callerton, Coxlodge, Carmarthen, Wednesbury. There were plenty of others but my grey cells are not full adjusted, but I am pretty sure many of these types would be local trip services and would have often used any old wagons as barriers, as did the Cambrian goods. Here is a link to the "Coast goods" on it's way from Pwllheli. http://www.nwrail.org.uk/ph1971-pwllheli-goods.jpg Notice only one vanfit between the loco and the GPVs. This will be because the gunpowder vans will be empty and on their way to Penrhyndeudraeth for loading. The "Coast goods" was timetable to go through to Pwllheli on a Tuesday and it was considered easier to shunt at Penrhryn' on the way back from Pwllheli / Porthmadog. The loaded traffic from Penrhyn' will be more "rigourously barriered". Nice little train to recreate Class 24 at Portmadoc with a plate wagon, a GPV and a brakevan https://www.flickr.com/photos/63164772@N05/15042715401/

Absolutely right "Miss P". That is why I have several boxes full of kits for a long winter night !!!

As Phil says I tend to refer to them as "English" and "Scottish" locos. Those built for "England" had drop cabside windows, whilst the "Scottish" locos had to have sliding cabside windows because the token exchanger apparatus was designed to go in a recess underneath. Those unboilered examples delivered to the NER were basically to "English" spec but without boiler or water tank. Obviously modifications started happening within years of delivery including welding up of gangway doors, livery changes etc. The "Scottish" ones, and the "English" ones (except D5383 which was withdrawn at Derby) then started having plated over token exchange gear and "Scottish" style sliding cabside windows.