flyingsignalman

Is there any developments to report on this loco or has it quietly been forgotten about; of all your proposed locos it's the only one I'm really interested in.

It used to be 6 years clipped and scotched without maintenance was the maximum; which is why the S&T carry out checks at Southport on points that have never been used since they were laid in on the Wigan line over 20 years ago as part of the stage work for the Merseyrail IECC.

Writing this from memory; I remember seeing a photo of Llanuwchlyn on the Ruabon to Barmouth line (in BR days) where a trailing point had been relaid in FB and everything else was bullhead. (EDIT: - Photo 125 in "Scenes from the past, Nr9, The Llangollen line fron Ruabon to Barmouth" 1990 edition shows the arrangement. The down line trailing point and the crossing in the up line leading to the goods yard is in FB. The photo is dated Ca 1963. It looks like one rail length either side of the point is in FB too.)

Wizard Models / 51L make a white metal kit for the transporter wagon. They describe it as "Ince Wagon Works three box coal wagon." Here is my attempt (after a very long time since I made a white metal wagon) of the kit. It is stood in front of a photo of the prototype. (allegedly the varnish was Matt....)

Looking at your diagram, I can't see any need to alter the original signal box as the layout hasn't been altered substantially. The new extension to the harbour could have been controlled from a Ground Frame at that end of the station. Perhaps if a new Bay line had been added then the expense of a new box would be justified; otherwise the owning company would be loathe to spend money if it didn't need to. Here's a couple of shots of the original cabin (now at the Gwilli Railway), taken 21/7/2016.

In early 1982 (2/2/1982-I think), having learnt that the line from Widnes No7 to Farnworth and Bold was to shut I went with a friend to take some photos. We first called in at Widnes No7, took some photos and then headed to Widnes No1. The Signalman at No7 told that there had been a trip to Tanhouse Lane and that we might see the loco on its way back to West Deviation Yard. We did! 08885 was the loco. We carried on up to Widnes No1 box to take our photos there. Surprisingly another trip was made to Tanhouse Lane while we were there. Arriving at Widnes No1 Ready to start propelling the wagons up to Tanhouse Lane, the Shunter stands in the doorway (who needs to go behind the signals for the move?!?!) The traincrew learning that we were heading up to Tanhouse Lane (and Carterhouse Jcn SB) offered us a lift which we gladly accepted! Waiting for the gates to be opened at Tanhouse. Shunting into the sidings.

...and the same DMU returning north later the same day Blaenau Ffestiniog late 1981, DMU waiting to return to Llandudno Jcn.

DMU heading south towards Shrewsbury through Whitchurch Ca 1981.

Some photos taken at Crewe on the 30th June 1981. I didn't take many under the wires; some of these show why! Numbers - ah well, they'll be visible on the photos, won't they........................

A Helsby to Chester, via Hooton, DMU passing Ellesmere Port box in August 1990.

DMU at the old Wrexham Central station waiting to depart for Bidston Ca 1982

The second photo is at New Brighton.

Chester 8th May 2000 47 705, Guy Fawkes stabled in the sidings. Canning St North 15th July 1980. Fidlers Ferry to Bidston Dock empties. ...and a loaded Bidston Dock to Fidlers Ferry

Some photos taken at Winsford then Crewe in the summer of 1981. The rear of an AC unit on the down line at Winsford. An up passenger passes the box. At Crewe two up trains.

Chester on 29 June 1981. A DMU shunts by Chester Nr2 signal box. Another DMU arrives from the Mickle Trafford direction (light damaged).

Especially when the exhaust fumes used to find their way into the coaches instead of up the exhaust pipe!

Hooton, in late 1979 or early 1980 (most likely late 1979 looking at the foliage), a DMU leaves the bay for Helsby. .....and in March 1980, a not unknown occurrence, 25 056 hauls a failed Park Royal unit to Chester.

Three more..... (of which, I think, a couple have already appeared somewhere on this forum) Manchester Victoria, taken Ca October 1976 from the 2nd floor of the offices, outside the signalling school. On the Down Fast between the former Mold Jcn Nr4 and Sandycroft, 1979. Changing tokens at Portmadoc with a down passenger, 13/7/1978.

The half-hourly Chester to Helsby via Hooton service was introduced when the line from Hooton to Rock Ferry was electrified. On one day in 1993 (sorry, I can't be more specific) I photographed the 3 units used on the service; 2 were class 101s and the third was a class 156. The class 101s are shown leaving the bay line at Hooton and the 156 (included for completeness) is shown crossing over to enter the bay.

Some views of Chester Depot taken from the ex-CLC line in the summer of 1981.

81 006 taking ECS through the carriage washer at Downhill Sidings, Edge Hill, 21/8/1978. (The Buffet car being the first vehicle would suggest that the train was from the Western Region.)

90 006 runs into Runcorn with a Euston to Liverpool Lime St passenger 22/9/2001.