John-Miles

There seem to be a lot of complaints about Box Shifters but the leading provider of bits and pieces, Eileen, is sadly no longer with us so presumably bits and pieces don't pay while boxes do. My opinion of the show, much improved on previous years, some really good layouts.

It ends close to Aston University

The loads for testing the Compounds against the L&Y and LNWR locos were well above what the Midland normally allowed for the Compounds and interestingly they did really well in comparison with the others. For details see O S Nock's book on the Compounds.

Does anybody know where the S&D obtained their loco coal. My guess is that Somerset coal was not steam coal so was loco coal brought in from South Wales via Highbridge?

Going back to double heading on the Midland, if you look through the MRSoc's photo catalogue you will find the majority of trains just had one loco, including some quite long trains. There are for example quite a number of photos taken around Northfield (South Brum) of lengthy trains headed by one of the much derided 2Ps (483 class to the knowledgeable) .

There was a change of strategy by a number of archives because they eventually realised that the "plebs" who were not qualified museum staff actually had a lot of knowledge and represented a huge source of volunteer labour. Sadly this came too late for your efforts but in time for the GWR documents. Roy Burrows had quite a struggle to get his cataloguing recognised as being up to museum standards. I once was allowed to have a look behind the scenes at the NRM. They have stores the size of barns full of uncatalogued material. It's just going to waste because the outside world can't access it.

I presume you are referring to the Old Oak Common to Aston high speed railway.

It means superbly turned out comfortable coaches, frequent trains with restaurant cars (remember those??) and an efficient service (I continue to dream).

I believe the S&D was profitable until around 1930 when the LMS and Southern reorganised it, with the LMS absorbing the locos and Highbridge works being closed. Surely the CLC made money?

Sorry for being late to reply but I rarely look at RMWeb these days. For photos of Midland South Wales through goods trains consult Bill Smith's excellent book on the Hereford, Hay and Brecon. You will see Vans!!

The N&B's main traffic was from the Dulais (pronouced dill - ice) valley (Neath to Onllywyn) but it also serviced the collieries on the line from Colbren to Ynysygeinon because delays on the Swansea Vale were holding up production at these collieries. The Dulais valley traffic in particular, expanded in the late Victorian and Edwardian period, hence the N&B started buying new locos and the railway started to make money - at last!! As is well know, The Midland operated most of the traffic between Ynysygeinon and Brecon and the revenue from this had been what enabled the N&B to keep its head about water financially.

Sandy, AKA Penlan alluded to an N&B van peeking out from behind a loco. I have been through the N&B images I possess and have come up with the following - IMHO it could be a brake van as well as a van. Also another 3 planker is included. The second photo is once again Cadoxton yard (now a Lidl), no idea about the location of the first. Quite a few South Wales railways bought second hand GWR saddle tanks and of course the GWR got them all back in 1922.

So does this mean that Gresley got it wrong with his huge boilers?

Wait for the expert!! I have no record of the N&B buying Midland second hand (the B&M did).

I have now looked through my collection of N&B stock photos. I can't find any vans, that's not to say they didn't have any. Images of N&B stock are like hen's teeth. I few pictures below, hopefully they will be of use. The first image I think is taken at Cadoxton yard, the second GR&CW.

Very nice of you Sandy to quote me as being an expert on N&B wagons but you seem to know more than I do.

According to Baxter, 1126 (after 1907 1644) survived until 1932. Several lasted into 1931.

For our model of Pencader, we have built several pole barns and for these we used privet or hazel twigs with the bark stripped off.

1102 class kits picked up yesterday, so they do exist. First impressions: the etches are smaller than you would expect (mostly based on experience of Gibson Kits) but incredible neat and very little waste. The footplate comes in two bits, one overlaying the other. I suspect this is a wheeze to get around footplates in 4mm always being overscale thickness. The upper footplate layer has upstands to locate the tanks and bunker which is a good idea. The boiler and fittings are a one piece resin casting which saves a lot of work. I can't see any safety valve columns and levers, probably missed them. The instructions are comprehensive. Looks like a really good kit. I have the Ultrascale wheels all ready so just need motor and gearbox.

I have been promised my two for this Monday but I am not holding my breath because I was told they would be ready by last July. In fairness, Richard Evans aka CamKits, has been working flat out on his model of Three Cocks which is due to be exhibited at Bristol Show next year - a chance to run some of my stock on his train set.

Evidence would suggest the Manors. Virtually everywhere you go (I live in South Wales so my view may be a little skewed) they have a Manor running. I get bored with them. It's like they were the most common loco on the GWR when there were only 40 of them.

I once spent a couple of hours on a plane on the way back from Majorca sitting next to a retired driver from Goodwick shed. He said the Granges were the best engines he ever drove.

Sorry but I can't answer the above question but I do have more information. I checked the 2 chain plans for Gurnos and this came up with nothing but Cooke (R.A. not Thomas) who is usually reliable has the following :- Gurnos: there was a siding for the Gurnos Wagon and Engineering Co. which on 8/3/39 was transferred to R&R Wagons. The siding was taken out of use in 1964. The siding at Upper Bank used the access off the Swansea Vale from the old Llanerch Colliery sidings and R&R signed the private siding agreement on 6/10/25 and it was terminated 31/12.67

Apologies for being slow to reply to this. The 2 chain plan has a siding curving sharply east opposite the engine shed at Upper Bank which has a note in pencil against it saying Road and Rail Wagon Company will build a private siding. I can't see a date. I'll have a look at the Gurnos plan later (Mrs Miles is calling) but there was a wagon works on the Ynyscedwyn branch just to the north of the engine shed. One of the buildings survived until recently.

Good show and friendly natives (and this is the South East). Many excellent layouts.