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I think the signalling diagram is a bit of a composite representing the later situation once the Hartley Mains trackbed was just used as sidings, but still indicating the previous layout when the Mains were in place. Sassaby image from Flickr showing the situation in 1973, and with some explanation in the text. Edit to add the four track situation: and the Mains being lifted in 1961: (Both copyright Alan Brooks, North Tyneside Steam Flickr images). Regards, Simon

Hammond air pre-heater apparently. See note for 189 at bottom of page here: https://sremg.org.uk/steam/b1(lbsc)-mob.shtml Simon

47100 is named Merlin in that photo. Thus it's Stratford style with a touch of Tinsley as the loco was a Tinsley Speedlink/Railfreight Distribution loco when photographed. The name places it between 20 September 1989 and withdrawal in July 1991. Simon

I think we've had views of No.7 in this thread before. It was certainly well photographed on its trips between Wheldale and the washer at Fryston. For instance this Steve Banks image on Flickr: Simon

It's all really coming on. Which Duchesses will you be sawing in half to pose on the rear shortened tracks Graham? Simon

Thank you Mike for making your etches available in 2mm scale. Here's one of your GC tenders attached to a 3D printed J11 body with etched chassis: Regards, Simon

Not sure if this has been highlighted elsewhere , but I thought I'd bring this to the attention of anyone who had missed it: https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/04/welsh-steel-works-to-introduce-replacement-for-class-08-locomotives.html 3 Zephir LOK 16.300s have been purchased by Porterbrook to replace the 08s. It looks like the days of scenes such as this: , so familiar to Cardiff residents, are numbered. Simon

Here's a private owner wagon one from another thread: Simon

It was the suggested arrival of Vol 6 of the Larkin series, and assembling a ca.1950 coal train, that got me thinking about these ex-PO wagons that made it to BR days - still numerous, but largely unphotographed and certainly underrepresented in model form. Volume 6 is advertised as out in May. Simon

Thanks to all those who responded to my query. I'm slightly confused by what looks to be an M prefix to the number. It's quite different to the Wirksworth Quarry absorbed PO shown here: in the M36XXX series. Should I assume the ex-PO in my first photo is 9ft wb and 15ft 6in-ish given the very different relationship between axleguard and headstock to the wagon above? Simon

A bit late for much of the discussion on this thread, but can anyone help with identifying what this grease axleboxed 5 plank wagon pictured at Barnsley Jct. in October 1950 might be please? It's a crop from the edge of an image so the quality isn't great I'm afraid. Many thanks, Simon

3 Class 20s, including 20142, and the barrier wagons currently sat in Pengam Sidings this morning after one of these workings. Regards, Simon

110mph, I understand, when the coupling bar was in use, although the practical limit was usually the max speed of the assisting loco. So it's 110mph regardless of which way round the assisting 91 was orientated:

Yes, covered previously in this thread (post at the bottom of this page): Simon

Operational flexibility. See post 5 here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/the-hsts-with-buffers.36134/#post-489260 Simon