chrisf

Definitely a silk purse, Flavio!

Chris

Brian's interesting observations show among other things that the CrossCountry sets tended not to be kept together as delivered: indeed, the first 119 set listed has a 120 trailer. This could be because a number of 120 power twins were running in West Wales and on the Central Wales by this time.

One of the London 117s has a 118 trailer [59479]. It was delivered like that - there were some spare 118 trailers because power twins were in use out of Plymouth - and, for a time, on the Clevedon branch.

The misformed 116 set, 50843+59355+50896, dates back to 1958! Again, it is down to the use of power twins. This one lost its trailer for a short while for use on the Porth - Maerdy branch and got the wrong one back afterwards.

Chris

If you are looking at late 60s/early 70s on the Western the mainstays of the fleet were classes 116, 117 and 118 as regards 3-car suburban; classes 119 and 120 [the cross-country units]; and Class 123 [inter-city]. All the 121s and most of the 122s were still on the Western at this time. A few 101 trailers were working out of Reading: these had come from the NE Region to replace the three Hawksworth composites wired up for dmu working in 1961. Around 1971 there were some 103s on the WR for a while but the influx of 101s and 108s came later. 110s? Almost certainly never!

I endorse Adam's suggestion that you look at the Railcar Association site.

Chris

If anyone wants support for the case for chocolate and cream Hawksworths, let me tell you about brake composite 7377. It was built in 1948 carrying that livery and spent most of the period from then till 1957 reserved for VIP specials so only emerged from the shed at Old Oak Common on rare occasions. By the time it was finally deemed to need a repaint, in 1957, the WR had reintroduced chocolate and cream for named trains and Ocean Liner boat specials so lucky old 7377 was given a fresh coat of chocolate and cream and never carried blood and custard. It continued to accompany VIPs and the saloons in which they travelled for some years afterwards. I haven't yet discovered whether or when it acquired lined maroon livery.

Oh yes: if anyone fancies doing the conversion of BCK to slip coach, they were choc'n'cream as well.

Chris

Where was that Chris.Are they in the shops then ?

Not yet, Rob, though a couple of advertisers in the Modeller are quoting prices for them. This was at DEMU Showcase on the Hornby stand. Two brake composites were on show, one maroon and one blood'n'custard. Andy Y's photos earlier in the thread will give you an idea of how good they look. The elusive tumblehome looks spot on to me, the glazing is as flush as it gets and there is even the train heating pipe [V shaped thing] on the underframe.

The corridor third will look good running with the Bachmann BCK I bought from you ...

Chris

I inspected a sample today and was most impressed. This comes, please note, from one who is not easily pleased!

Chris

Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends album - surprisingly good.

Chris

This is an interesting comparison with the version of Ashbourne Midland that was in the Modeller about a year ago and should have been Railway of the Month.

Chris

When the BR suburbans arrived it was the intention to take the Quad Arts out of service. However, a 5 coach set of BR stock with a brake second at each end, as originally deployed, could carry significantly fewer passengers than a Quad Art. It was therefore decided to replace one of the brakes with a full second. Three extra compartments apparently made all the difference.

Around 1963-64 the Western Region decided not to use non-corridor stock any more and a number of surplus WR suburbans ended their days working out of Kings Cross.

It is well worth checking out Robert Carroll's BR Coaching Stock Yahoo group for further gen.

Chris

The whole Northern Heights scheme would have been part of the Northern Line. The Northern City Line came up from Moorgate to Finsbury Park - the bit now served by FCC. At Finsbury Park the Great Northern's High Barnet branch diverged, throwing off the Ally Pally branch at Highgate and continuing to East Finchley and Finchley Central. Here the Edgware branch carried on almost straight ahead. It now terminates at Mill Hill East. The Northern Line proper terminated at Archway when first built. It was extended to East Finchley and connected to the High Barnet line. The Northern Line station at Highgate is beneath the old GN station which was rebuilt to accommodate tube trains. Although very derelict it has to be maintained to stop the tube station deteriorating!

The Ally Pally line was regarded latterly by the LNER and BR as a nuisance. In times of coal shortage it was among the first to be suspended and it must have been no surprise that it was closed in 1954. London Transport found it worthwhile to run an express bus service on route 212 which largely parallelled the line.

I do like the whole Hornsey Central idea - scope for a lot of plausible might-have-been!

Chris

Two new to me.

First is the original soundtrack album from the cult (?) film "Morris: a life with bells on", a fine mockumentary. Most of the music was composed by Richard Lumsden who was asked to do it because he knows nothing about morris. Not sure where the rap track came from though [the CD is in the car ...].

The other is "Turn of the century" by Dr Busker, a pub entertainer from Northamptonshire who is not above using bad language in his music but only when it will be well received by the many drunks present. There are a few railway songs on the CD and you would never believe how he rhymes "Castle". Well, perhaps you would.

Chris

Oh dear, the clock is 8 hours fast. Woe, woe and thrice woe

My only serviceable CD player, other than the D drive in this 'ere laptop, is in my car. Currently in it is Cat Nav, a collection of Les Barker's work performed by some surprising people. Top track from that at the moment is Ben Kenobi by Wheeler Street featuring Roy Bailey. Also noteworthy: the Welsh version of The Lost Elephants of Denbigh, read by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Go on, ask me about Les Barker or I'll have to tell you.

Chris

of Dr Beeching