Johnfromoz

By and large, my recollection of gronks generally was one of hard working shunters, certainly in the wider BR fleet, but the Guinness 08s.........well thats another story! Still, they survived at Park Royal for over a decade, so must have been doing something useful there. Its just really odd that there is no record of them in revenue earning work. One wonders why they were at OOC So much of the time in the mid 80s?

Hi all, I recently invested in (yet another!) Dapol 08, this time the DCC special in Guinness Livery. Now, I am familiar with this loco and its sister, having seen and photted them several times in the factory at OOC several times in the 1980s. Indeed, for a period of time they seemed to be permanent fixtures there. However, research as I may, I am unable to unearth any photo records of them earning a living. In fact, photos of rail activity around the old brewery at Park Royal seem scarce. Can anybody steer me towards images, records or recollections of rail traffic at the brewery? What sort of vans were used (possibly early cargowaggons?) and what shunting moves were involved? Thanks in advance.

Thought I was looking at the real thing in these photos, such is the excellent modelling. Amazing photos and loco work. John

Just browsing this topic, and it struck me that this is surely a rare image of a gronk devoid of all warning stripes at such a late date? What do others think? John

For what its worth, this guy is responsible for the worst (by a country mile) internet purchase experience I have had a couple of years ago. (Yes, it was that memorable!). Took order and money, heard nothing for months before insisting on a response elicited a gruff response about waiting for stock to come in. Rude, arrogant and entitled are terms I would use about this seller. Im sure his fans will be quick to defend him, but I must speak as I find. Never again......

Thanks Noel, very interesting. It broadens my traction roster for these wagons as half of my MM GMs are in the IR livery. Love your efforts in weathering the wagons by the way, just as I remember them!

Yes thanks Noel, so have I. Was just trying to establish if an orange one lasted till the start of IR branding.

Thanks for that, have noted the general transition time for the two liveries in CIE times. Guess it would be a bridge too far to see an orange one running at the formation of Irish Rail. John

Hi, Awaiting my delivery of these superb wagons. I am generally aware of the livery timeframes, but was wondering if it is feasible/realistic to run orange livery 'bubbles' with any IR livery traction? I know the mid 80s might be pushing it a bit for this combo? TIA for any views John

Probably because the've got so large that they have lost that 'hunger' to maintain their previously impeccable reputation for service. (Says a customer of some 30yrs who has spent an obscene fortune with them over that time). I will still use them but fully expect to be collateral damage once again at some point again soon. There may come a tipping point though........

Having taken the plunge and ordered a couple of packs this weekend, curious as to any knowledge about the following: i) when was the last definitive sighting of an orange bubble? ii) from which year approx. did they operate without brake vans? Really looking forward to these. John in Tasmania

Any luck getting any other lights to work with TTS?

Meatloaf, Did you use the standard 21 pin to 8 adaptor for this? As an aside, its worth repeating that the standard Hattons cheapie 21 pin wil operate all marker and cab lights on thos loco except shunting lights on the cab end. Control is great too.

Do you recommend sealing these with a varnish?

Really interesting news about that Paignton diagram. Presume this was a cross country run or just a relief from Bristol? Either way, expands our knowledge of 1200’s passenger work, so thanks. Would love to see anypics of Falcon at Stratford for tyre turning but doubt it’s on film!! John

I recall very occasionally seeing an 08 in the extended parcels platform just outside the station, but not that often. John

Amazing difference Richard. How did you accommodate the speaker in the 60? Cheers John

Very interesting - Thanks Would it be correct to presume the Mk1 TSOs would have been in intercity (raspberry ripple) livery? John

Guys, A further question regarding prototype, in what sort of window of time can the white and orange CIE bubbles run together? Rgds John

Guys, How much would postage be for sending two bubble packs to Australia? Im sure a few on here would like to know. Rgds John

Thanks for the formation info. I was surprised to see any reference to Mk 2d on WCML - had they been cascaded from the ECML by this time? I always associated them with the Eastern and a few on the western. John

Very interested in any pictures or recollections of Mk 3 WCML stock working with MK 2 e/f stock. I know it would only be occasional as the BGs were the conventional option. Seem to recall possibly some Holyhead services mixing mk2/3. Anyone recall such mixtures? TIA

As I youngster, I recall a small Charringtons Yard accessed by the public off Cricklewood Lane, NW London, just before the Midland Main Line Plate Girder bridges. An advert for Charringtons heating oil was prominent near the entrance, but only recall seeing the domestic coal AB hoppers in the siding. Perhaps someone has more information on this mini yard?

Hattons 8 pin harness (decoder in red shrinkwrap marked DCC Concepts) is slim and thin enough to fit at 45 degrees in the small void at other end of bonnet. (Assuming yours doesnt have a bloody great flywheel there!) Just take care to avoid contact with the motor spindle. HTH John

For those who have one of the latest versions I was wondering how Dapol have replicated the wheel disc perforations? Have they used a stick on disc or are the wheels machined? Either way, they improve the model immensely in my eyes.