rodent279

Now if we'd had reliable, safety-critical, two way radio, say in the 1920's, it could have been easy. Would we have seen push-pull express trains, with say a Duchess or Royal Scot on one end, and a DVT on the other, like the class 86/87 + DVT combos? Obviously some thought would need to go into making such a loco fit for running at speed in reverse, if only for the comfort of the fireman. I guess if a loco has to come off the train and be serviced at the end of a run, then there's little advantage. If however, it could do say London-Birmingham & return without servicing, then maybe there would have been a worthwhile saving in motive power requirements, if not in manpower.

I guess an electric boiler wouldn't need a "firebox" as we know it-the boiler could be cylindrical all the way, no need for it to taper, and the elements could replace the tubes, but with some tubes retained for superheating. Another economy would be the ability to work in multiple. As an aside, I guess the answer is no, but did anyone ever try some sort of multiple unit connection for steam locos?

You could also pre-heat the water in the tender, and since you wouldn't need draught to make a fire burn more efficiently, you could make it into a condensing engine, and dispense with troughs altogether. You could also dispense with reciprocating engines, and use turbines.

Might work as an 0-6-2, GWR 56xx style.

So did A4's have normal boiler cladding, as per A3's, under the casing?

Here's a question that has just occurred to me. Stanier's streamlined Pacific's were, aiui, normal locos with a streamlined fairing or casing over the top, whereas Gresley's A4's had streamlining that was integral to the construction of the loco and boiler. I guess that is why A4's were never fully de-streamlined, whereas the Duchesses were. So when the Duchesses were running with streamlined casing, what state would the loco underneath have been in? Would it have been in some sort of undercoat, or plain black, or just maroon? Do any photos exist? Cheers N

Has anyone considered an 8F with a Duchess boiler and running gear? Maybe they have, but this is a long thread now! As an aside, were Duchesses allowed to run to Bristol in LMS/BR days? Cheers N

Used to get a nice pint of Top Hat in one of my regular dives in Leicester, can't remember which one, either the Shakespeare's Head on Southgates, or the High Cross on High Cross St. Think they did Burtonwood Mild as well, or could have been Ansell's. Kept well, Top Hat was nice stuff.

Took me a while to recognise Canton there. Looks little changed from the steam era from that angle. What were the white roofed carriages next to the breakdown train?

I know the last TPO pick up/drop off was in 1971 at Penrith, but can anyone tell me when the last mail pick up/drop off at Leighton Buzzard, on the southern end of the WCML was please? Cheers N

I would think it's been on minimal maintenance for 30 of those, as well, so probably not surprising that it's past it's best.

Best part of 60 years I reckon, it pre-dates electrification.

Still not quite right to my eyes, looks like it's wearing goggles! Good attempt though, better than plain blue.

I'd be surprised if there is an Xmas market in Manchester. Bath Xmas market is cancelled.

I looked at it and couldn't work out what was wrong with it. Somehow it it looks too plain. The only things I can think of are the Blue Pullmans had red buffer beams, which broke up the front a bit (difficult on an HST), and they had silver equipment underfloor. There's also not enough white surrounding the cab windows, but that's not easy to correct, as the side windows don't line up with the front window like they do on the original BP.

Thanks, that sounds good. The Millholme model, whilst a good model when complete, was a bit fiddly, and required a bit of filling here and there. My intention is to build a model of Royal Scot, as it would have been immediately prior to entering works for rebuilding, in April 1950. A week or so previously, in late March, it took my parents to London on their honeymoon. As far as I can determine, it was in LMS 1946 black at this point, with BR block style 46100 on the cabside, and (I assume) BRITISH RAILWAYS on the tender, as that is what was carried in a photo dated 1949. There is a photo of it awaiting entry into works in April 1950, but the tender legend isn't visible. Cheers N

That would appear to be a traction engine of some sort mounted on a wagon chassis. Well, don't knock it until you've tried it.....

Thanks, that looks promising. Does anyone have any experience of these kits? I'm not experienced in white metal kits, I've done a Millholme Hughes 4-6-0, which came out ok, but that's it. Cheers N

Hi, Can anyone tell me if an unrebuilt Royal Scot kit is available? I've done a trawl of the usual kit manufacturers on the internet, and come across rebuilt Royal Scots, and unrebuilt Patriots, but not unrebuilt Royal Scots. Cheers N

They'd make rather good camping coaches. 2/3 berths for sleeping, one converted to a shower, rest day room.

It's all too do with safety cases, and the bottom line is responsibility in the event of an accident.

I've become aware that class 88's are appearing on the Bridgewater flasks (this may have been happening for some time, but I've only just become aware of it!) I know that particular train doesn't spend long under the wires, but are class 88's allowed to work pan up under the wires on the GWML? If say the train was diverted via Swindon and Didcot, could the 88 work in electric mode? Cheers N

Solebars were blue on mk1's until the end of the blue/grey era I believe. I certainly remember them in the mid 80's, though more often than not they were a rusty brown.

The shame of it..... Being rescued by a Co-Bo! Akin to being overtaken by a 2CV, or towed by a Morris Minor!

Ah, so that what's meant by "through piped"....