Jump to content
 

60B

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    722

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by 60B

  1. 60B
    Perhaps a couple of words are required on this. I'm not discussing whether or not the SSR exists. What am trying to do here is clear up a handful of contradicting "facts"/ anecdotes surrounding it.
     
    A quick Google for "SSR" reveals this site: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/strategic-reserve.htm
     
    which on the face of it, appears to prove conclusive evidence of the reserve. My comments on this site is basred on the photos on the site
     
    The first photo: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/box-tunnel.jpg shows a loco in steam outside the entrance to the supposed location of the SSR. The date given as 1979, but there is no evidence of that. Also the mine was no doubt steam powered for a long time.
     
    Photo two: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/steam-cab.jpg claims that SSR master fitter on the footplate once again in 1979. This one comes across as odd. If he was a fitter for something that is a government secret, why would allow a photo taken of himself? In the background is the side of a goods shed. In addition, the man is wearing a sweater and jeans. Surely if he WAS a fitter, he would be in a boiler suit even for footplate work?
     
    Moving swiftly on to number three: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/hall-class-loco.jpg. A Hall supposedly in 1975. This one the daftest claim so far. In the background appears to be a Class 29, all of which were cut up by 1972!!! At most this a withdrawn Hall waiting for preservation or scrap. The plates most likely removed by works staff so they wern't nicked.
     
    Finally for this page: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/lms-diesel-shunter.jpg. On first glance, this appears to be a preservation scheme (tarpaulpin over the coach, van body, donkey in veranda) though I can't find a similar LMS shunter in preservation. Those with better eyesight may spot what appears to be crude photoshopping on the tool box.
     
    Moving to the second page: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/rudloe.htm. The first photo claims to be a US Army unit on manouvre. Pull the other one. The blacked out area is crude at best. Even it is 1948, no way the vans are going to be in BR liveries. Also, the steam crane in the background? Do be serious.
     
    The next photo on the page: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/depot.jpg. Is the hardest to debunk. Its bleak and featureless.
     
    Finnaly , we come the final photo: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/steam-reserve.jpg. First things I noticed were the cartoon-ish Cl 14 and the sand covering a possibly botched photoshop. Once again, no mention of a location is suspicious and has a general preservation society feel.
     
    Further digging came across this: http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/Oubliette/StratReserve.html. While it repeats what was said on the other site, it claims a number of Cl 17s where/ are stored. All things considered, they would be less than useful. It says they had low engine hours and could run on low-grade fuel. They had low hours because they were less than unreliable. Another paragraph makes another tall claim:
     
     
    Wishful thinking me thinks. Actually, the whole SSR myth seems to be wishful thinking by enthusiats that could'nt get over the fact that all these locos were scrapped behind closed doors. Anything you want to say or ask, feel free.
  2. 60B

    Strathspey AGM pics

    By 60B,

    Took long enough to figure out this upload thing, but the pics I took are now up here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?app=gallery&module=user&user=5472&do=view_album&album=317
     
    Enjoy and if you have any questions, just ask.
  3. 60B

    Mermaid details

    By 60B,

    While down wandering around Boat of Garten station, I noticed one of the Strathspey's Mermaids (maybe the only one) in Platform 2. A peek inside and outside provided some detail ideas for those who bought the Flangeway Mermaid. First shot for those with a steady hand with glue and ballast:
     

     
    Second photo shows some floor damage sustained over the years along with some leftover spoil:
     

  4. 60B
    'A Highland Life" came into my mind while researching the Killin branch and the time period. I plan to explore the period of the 1950's-60's through at least one layout. The first one is to be a branch terminus that was initially going to be based on Killin but has expanded its remit. While I await the baseboards, I'm getting on with the buildings which are to be based off real buildings around the Highlands. First is the church. The hub of communities. The church is based off the one at Tomatin. Built in corrugated iron/ asbestos
     
    First parts is measured and cut out parts that make it up: https://imgur.com/bt2cahY. While I await the drills to assist in cutting, the windows are marked out.
     
    More to come as this develops.
×
×
  • Create New...