clarkea1

Hi, I'm booked on the tour on Feb 22nd. Since I'll be travelling a fair way, can anyone tell me if there is parking on site, and also exactly where in the huge steelworks complex I should be aiming for to start the tour! Cheers Alastair

Let us know on the P4 assessment. I'm waiting to get hold of mine, but it will then (hopefully) be converted to EM. Cheers Alastair

There were some rather large Alco's supplied to Steel Company of Wales for Port Talbot steelworks.... Flickr photo of Port Talbot Alco Alastair

Thanks - I started scratchbuilding one years ago and never got it finished. Alastair

Excellent model so far! The wagon shown in this post with the Austerity. Is that based on some of those used at Stocksbridge? Also, is it scratchbuilt or a 3d print? Cheers Alastair

Posted today by Steve on the LLC Facebook page: Unfortunately all negotiations to secure the projects of Little Loco Company have resulted in no significant progress so preparations are being made to cease trading. LLCs debts currently amount to more than the market value of its assets so losses are inevitable, sadly. In the spirit of openness, and the hope that the projects and company can be saved, our financial position is outlined below: Overdraft £10,000 Loan £15,000 3 investors The Rustons will require a production investment of £65,000 to bring them to market. The tooling has been designed to produce a third model (the final production version) for minimal tooling costs. The Class 22 tooling and production can be paid for from the revenue from all 3 Ruston variations. There are several individuals who have made two of their 3 payments to fund the development of the model (in return for a model of their choice), which is complete. The 22 will be the most advanced model on the market and has several technologies transferable to future models and as standalone products to upgrade or enhance existing models and kits. I am willing to give the company away to any individual or organisation that can meet its debts and obligations to its customers. Alternatively, I may be able to manage the company for you between my treatment. I will be starting a new treatment in a three weeks, so I would like to settle this matter within this timeframe. My sincere apologies and kindest regards Steve

I may have to take a trip on the first service. Somewhere I have some photos I took of 70569 on my first visit to the Valley, with my late dad, some 20 or more years ago. Was impressed with it then for some reason - will bring back a lot of memories to see it now. Alastair

Actually, I'm wrong. The Immingham coal runs from Onllwyn. Having checked Realtime Trains, I'm utterly confused how our coal gets out of the mine!!

We (Dean Forest) also buy Ffos y Fran coal - via Hargreaves. I presume they source it via the trainload that goes fairly regularly to Immingham. The other workings out of Cwmbargoed all currently go to the steelworks at Port Talbot. Alastair

D Dan - best of luck sorting it! I won't bother you about DFR matters knowing you've got issues! To everyone reading this thread, I can also vouch that the Derails guys are top notch, and very supportive of their local heritage railway. Alastair

Second that. But also, most of the existing steelworks (seach Tata Steel, Celsa Steel, British Steel, Liberty Steel) have industrial locos - be they "proper" ones or ex-BR 08's. Always a good start if you're looking for industrial locos.

Just as an update, thanks to the generosity of donors via Justgiving and offline, the fund now stands at £17k, well over half way to the first coach! If anyone would like to contribute, we'd be very grateful https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dfr-mk2-coaches Many thanks Alastair

That was a while ago, with a different group of people in charge. We're actively resisting cutting/scrapping anything to fund this project! Rest assurred things have changed at the DFR. Hope we can count on your support. Alastair Dean Forest Railway Society Chairman

Passed us at Margam making a spectacular storm along the mainline! Well worth the rather long wait. Alastair

Th Thanks Steve - puts my mind at rest - I've had two cancellation emails so I'm happy that I still have a reservation (if that makes any sense!). The fact that the release is not imminent gives me more time to come up with an explanaton for Mrs C as to why I have ordered a loco in a scale that I don't model in......... Alastair

Steve, I've had a couple of emails cancelling my pre-order for the Ruston over the past few days. I note your posts stating that it's just a "website thing" but is there any way I can check that I still have a pre-order logged for the 48DS? Thanks Alastair

I I think he might have meant that was a reason why you hadn't rung them up, rather than why they haven't acknowledged your order!

This image shows a working from Brymbo - wagon loads of billet. https://www.flickr.com/photos/actonwellsjunction/7858267110 Alastair

The red shunters in your link aren't the one that was at DIRFT, as far as I know - that was the real DH60C, a new built Hunslet prototype - the two in your photo were rebuilt from EE(I think) locos at the Pontypool and Blanaenavon railway a couple of years ago. I believe the frames and wheels/rods were about the only bits to survive the rebuild. The DH60C was a three axle loco - but not with coupling rods (0-6-0). Alastair

Might Mr Rice be able to shed any light on things? I believe he designed many of the etches. Shame if they're gone......

Hi Martyn, Thanks for this - makes sense now! I spend 6 months or so working in the Cold Mill (including pickle lines) around 1999 - fish and chips have never been the same since after the smell of the pickle line!! Cheers Alastair

I I'm intrigued - what are the white cylinders in the background?? Cheers Alastair

Can't help but wonder if this is to separate the area in front of the Western Mail printing works from the operational railway. Redevelopment of some sort coming? If I remember correctly, the Western Mail print works is closing / has closed.....

They've relaxed the "no photography" rule then? In which case, I need to get myself on one of these tours!!! Thanks for posting the photos Alastair

Another example. At Margam TC, Tata shunters are authorised into certain roads of the yard (due to their loading gauge) and regularly bring full wagons and retrieve empties from the yard and take them into the steelworks complex. By the same token, DB Cargo loco's cross into works territory with coal trains from Cwmbargoed to the Grange Siding. Fascinating to spend an hour or two down there watching the comings on goings of some of the UK's oldest (and newest) industrial locos still in industrial use (as opposed to preservation). Alastair