rodent279

Pretty much mk2e/f outline class 312's with a more up to date control system.

Possibly internal layout alterations associated with class 57 conversion make fitting in the original position either impossible or unwelcome for maintenance staff?

Probably not, and probably yes, but there was a huge surplus of Army lorries post WW1, and a large number of Army personnel who had learnt to drive, so the driver was there, if you'll excuse the pun. And a Beeching Mk1 need not have just been about closures, it could also have meant modernisation & improvement of inefficient outdated working practices. Some of that happened under the B4, but was enough done? Was there enough impetus to do more? Did the common carrier requirement stifle attempts at modernisation? I guess another way of putting it would be was Beeching (and the 1955 Modernisation Plan) 30-odd years too late?

Didn't one of the Cornwall railways survive as a legal entity until Nationalisation, although leased/fully owned by the GW?

So, if the Grouping in 1921 was a means of ensuring smaller less financially sound railways did not go bust, was the Grouping a missed opportunity? Did the railways really need a kind of Beeching MK1 in 1921?

Did the LMS approach anyone else other than Stanier?

In that respect, the 23 miles from Oxford to Banbury might not be as expensive as you think. Maybe if it was ever joined up to the wires in Brum or via Leamington to Cov, the extra traffic would justify an extra feeder station, but possibly Oxford- Banbury could be done as a low cost extension, a bit like Cambridge -Kings Lynn.

The first disc braked B4 bogies (and I think the first mainline stock built from new with disc brakes) were the late lamented 1965/6 build class 310 EMUs, BRs best EMU.* *other opinions exist 🙃

I lie, more like about 30 in a straight line from BY to OXF, Didcot is a little further at about 37 miles in a straight line.

Straying OT somewhat, but I find it strange that the GWML electrification scheme stopped at Oxford, and did not include Banbury. Maybe there isn't quite the traffic for it, but it would seem a natural extension.

About 40 in a straight line, but it will depend on load as well.

Not least one that connects 3 electrified mainlines, 2 of which are trunk routes, and comes within, what, 10 miles? of a 3rd trunk route that is electrified. It's almost like we've learnt nothing from the gauge wars of the 1840's.

I half suspect that man (or woman) will walk on the surface of Mars first.

So is it a brunnel or a tidge?

Don't some sections of (surface line) Underground have >2 tracks?

Going back to the question of how many accidents have happened on the WHL extension in general, the WCRC operation in particular, the point is that "hasn't happened" is not the same as "can't happen". As I said earlier in the thread, I've never been in a car crash, so going by the "hasn't happened" theory of risk management, I don't need to wear a seat belt....... I've never had my car nicked, or my house burgled, so I guess I can start leaving my car unlocked and house doors & windows open. 'Nuff said?

My one and only photo of the Tilbury ferry in BR days, Catherine seen at Tilbury Riverside in May 1979, taken from the PS Waverley on a cruise along the Thames. There were 3 Tilbury ferries, Edith & Rose being the other two. At least 2 still exist, I think Rose is in the Med, and one of the others was on the Tyne as a pleasure cruiser.

Straying slightly from topic, does anyone know why, when cdl was fitted to mk2 & 3 aircon stock, inside door handles were not fitted and the droplights sealed in the up position?

Didn't know that! Did the LNER continue with this?

It's a bribe

Am I alone in thinking this is like watching a sort of a railway version of EastEnders/Coronation St/<insert favourite naff soap opera here>?

So did that mean the LMS was a shareholder in the GWR?

A Grange with a 51xx coupled inside bunker first-model that and wait for the helpful comments!

So that is a bespoke design? Did it need safety validation/certification?

Although we've strayed somewhat from the original topic, this is very interesting stuff-keep it up!