freightliner_bond

Any further news on this? Cheers Alan

Likewise Wayne and I agree with your comments. A lovely little layout. Cheers Alan

Hi, there's been a thread on the DEMU forum to try to identify these coaches, or at least narrow down, which ones they may potentially be. There are a few pics on flickr too and from posing a question to the photographer, the suggestion was that the coaches were: E18835 + E34681 However, further research suggested that coach E18835 was allocated to LL (Liverpool Edge Hill) and it was potentially a mis-read for E18838 which was NL (Neville Hill) allocated and a more likely candidate. I've managed to acquire an old copy of Rail (issue 90 - first fortnightly edition - Feb 12 to Mar 8 1989 and this confirms the identity of the coaches on the Barton service as E18838 + E34681. The same issue also references further information during this "pacer replacer" period including Bedford to Bletchley with 18728 + 35455 with: 31107 on 17th Dec 31442 on 20th / 22nd Dec 31457 on 24th / 28th / 30th Dec And also that Derby - Crewe DMU turns were in the hands of class 31s several times too: 31416 on 3rd Dec 31400 on 17th Dec 31444 on 21st Dec 31423 / 31444 on 23rd Dec Coaches unfortunately not detailed. Thought that might be useful information to some? Cheers Alan

Hi, I'm looking to close couple some MK1 coaches. I've seen from the Mostyn thread that they use #35. However, on this info from the Scalefour society #711/#714 is suggested: http://www.scalefour.org/forum/download/file.php?id=3735 This is presumably based on the #711 seemingly being very close to scale: http://www.norgrove.me.uk/buckeye.htm They seemingly even share the same instruction leaflet? The dimensions are the same except the mounting height: https://kadee.com/htmbord/page711.htm https://kadee.com/htmbord/page714.htm Any thoughts on #35 vs #711/#714 please. And has anyone used #711/#714 and is there a difference between the two? Are they effectively the same just marketed differently as HO and HOn3 respectively? Cheers Alan Edit - link not working correctly

I have a group set up on Flickr to hold "pacer replacer" pictures in one place: https://www.flickr.com/groups/3431999@N23/pool/ Please feel free to join the group and / or add your pictures. Cheers Alan

Hi all, I've spent a bit of time today re-starting my blog: https://alansmodellingblog.wordpress.com/ I've also written a page about the Barton upon Humber branch and my interest in the Winter 1988 / 89 period: https://alansmodellingblog.wordpress.com/my-modelling/modelling-winter-1988-89/ Hopefully I'll be able to add more details soon and upload a few pictures of current projects. Cheers Alan

No - it's rubbish :-) Cheers Alan

Hi, unlike the SLW class 24 there is not mention in the spec about the potential of converting to EM / P4. If this is to be the ultimate class 66 then this is a must. Or even better lets follow the same idea and have EM / P4 as a factory fitted option for a reasonable price. Cheers Alan

And although outside of this branch there is this lovely picture which I have saved as a favourite: http://www.hondawanderer.com/20095_20227_Beeston_1990.htm Probably not much use for Barton on Humber unless I really do push the "it's my train set rule." Cheers Alan

Hi, yeah there's another thread about DMU substitutions on here, from which I've got quite a bit of info: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/70991-information-on-loco-hauled-dmu-replacement-services-in-the-80s/?hl=%2Bdmu+%2Bsubstitutions&do=findComment&comment=1023500 I also have an article somewhere from possibly traction that has some nice pics on the Tyne Valley / Sunderland Coast including a 47 + BG (Blue / Grey) + 2 x Mk2s (Transpennine livery) and it looks superb. Also, had some information provided on the DEMU forum with class 31s and blue grey MK1s (with NSE small branding) working Darlington to Middlesbrough. There were lots of improvised workings out there at the time. Cheers Alan

Hi, bit late to this thread but whilst trying to find something else I discovered it. You may have seen my thread elsewhere with this link: http://www.davesrailpics.bravehost.com/bartonloco/bartonloco.htm Cheers Alan

Extract from this Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_of_the_South_Humber_Bank BritAg fertilizers A fertilizer works was established at Barton, near the river bank east of the Haven in 1874 by "The Farmers Company". In 1968 the owner A.C.C. (Associated Chemical Companies) established new chemically based fertilizer production at the site including a 180t per day Nitric acid plant, a 317t per day ammonium nitrate plant, plus a 475t per day fertilizer plant. In 1965 A.C.C. became a full subsidiary of Albright and Wilson, including the Barton plant. The fertilizer business of Albright and Wilson was acquired by ICI in 1983, Loss of UK market share caused ICI to close the plant in the late 1980s, as well as other fertilizer production facilities. Subsequently, the site was sold to Glanford borough, and later redeveloped together with former brick yards as a park Water's Edge. I've also found the OS 1:25,000 1937 - 1961 map shown here: http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=53.6962&lon=-0.4402&layers=10&b=1 This seems to suggest that the chemical works was on the site now occupied by the Water's Edge Visitors Centre. Information from here also seems to suggest significant reclamation work hence why I can't find a trace of the branch on Google Earth: http://www.northlincs.gov.uk/tourism-museums-and-the-arts/waters-edge-visitors-centre-and-country-park/waters-edge-visitor-information/history-of-waters-edge/ One of the pics from Dave F, shows a view of the yard at Barton station: https://flic.kr/p/9qPzwR Many previous pictures I've seen are taken from beyond the buffers but this shows a little more detail of the yard. I do have a plan in my head which saw this track layout continue into the 1990's with the yard being used for TBC traffic. This would allow me to run a Dec 1989 / Jan 1990 layout with some freight traffic too. Perhaps in the absence of information about the Albright and Wilson traffic this is my best bet. Cheers Alan

Hi all, Apologies but first a little context. My dad worked 42 years at Cleethorpes and we lived 5 minutes walk from his work for my young childhood years, so I have many memories from back in the day such as being there at silly o'clock in the morning for when first HST service to London Kings Cross, riding the cab of the HST on a Sunday for a run through the wash plant, the day that the Grimsby Town team took a class 150 for the match in Sheffield. I also have a small number of photos that he acquired over the years (I must find them again as they've not yet been relocated after a recent house move). As a child we used to regularly have day trips on the train using his privs, and I can just about recall trips to Hull on both the ferries and latterly via Barton-upon-Humber and the Bridge. For this reason I've always had a fascination with the Barton-upon-Humber branch. A couple of years ago I discovered this site: http://www.davesrailpics.bravehost.com/bartonloco/bartonloco.htm I recall this period as I was 13 at the time and I remember my dad getting lots of overtime as a shunter as he travelled on the loco hauled DMU substitutions. In fact the fifth photo down with 31458 arriving at Goxhill is in my collection of photos as it is my dad just visible stood in the cab doorway. I find this period really interesting and I've had thoughts of modelling the period and the branch - the problem is I can find scant further details. There is another site on Daves Rail Pics which contains photos of one day of the Albright and Wilson working: http://www.davesrailpics.bravehost.com/newholland/bartonfreight.htm This is useful information as the loop for the factory was where the 31 and Mk1s propelled back to in order to run around before propelling back into the station again for the return working - this was a substantial distance. I've got the AJ Ludlam book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Railways-Holland-Humber-Ferries-Locomotion/dp/0853614946 I also note the recent branchlines North of Grimsby book: https://www.middletonpress.co.uk/books/railways/branch-lines/branch-lines-north-of-grimsby.html Looking at Google Earth it is not even easy to tell where the fertiliser factory was located as there are now numerous ponds in the area. So, I've pretty much found everything that I can that's obvious, but can anyone help shed light on this further such as the details of the workings to / from Albright and Wilson and especially any additional photographs. Many thanks in advance Alan

And for comparison: https://goo.gl/images/YcBvjb https://goo.gl/images/qEPNrc Cheers Alan

Hi Paul, I seem to recall seeing on North East Gen that 66422 and 66434 were at Newcastle Station on Friday and working north of there I think. Cheers Alan Edit - spelling / grammar