APOLLO

Update & story from the Rail Engineer 

https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/10/04/moses-gate-bridge-best-laid-plans/

Brit15

I saw the prototype HST at Shildon back in 1975. A long, long time ago !!

As jib states, quite simply the HST worked, the APT didn't, it was a bit too far ahead of it's time, and over engineered with lots of unproven new technology (water kinetic brakes etc).

There is an interesting BBC documentary somewhere (can't find it now) - BBC Horizon I seem to remember explaining the problems.

Brit15

Not Leicester, but GC at Nottingham. This is a useful site for the GC modeller in BR days.

http://www.annesleyfireman.com/

Hope it is of interest.

Brit15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGBQxWwMbIA

Fantastic train.

Brit15

Thank the Lord for that - I thought they were northbound to C F Booth's at Rotheram !!!!!!!

Brit15

Although I liked the "old" BR Maroon, Green and Chocolate / Cream (I was too young to remember Blood & custard), this was a revelation back in 1964.

And to me, for a corporate railway livery it has never been bettered. 1965 saw the general introduction of Blue / Grey on coaches, a few catering cars at first. By the end of steam it was everywhere, mixed with the old liveries which were starting to rapidly disappear. I model the 65-68 period with quite a livery mix - it was "my" spotting era - not everyone's cup of tea though. Just look at the livery & stock mix on this short film.

Today's liveries ? - well it's a case of the good (Virgin Pendelino) the bad and the ugly. I also abhor vinyls stuck over windows. 

Brit15

Flying long haul in economy isn’t a pleasant experience, especially as more airlines reduce seat width to squeeze in an extra seat, such as going from 3-3-3 to 3-4-3 in their Boeing 777s. Premium economy is a useful upgrade but as you say the in-flight catering is still economy class. Business class is so much nicer, although I still don’t enjoy it. I find one of the biggest bonuses in business class is the ground handling experience and being able to avoid most of the queuing at various points in airports. Most airlines now use those pods, I find most of them are badly designed in tapering in too much in the foot well which makes it difficult to get comfortable with the seat in flat bed position (I appreciate it’s a small thing compared to trying to get comfortable in economy class….). The food is certainly a lot better in business class but a question I like to ask is how much people would happily pay for the meal if they went to a restaurant? That said, every now and again you do get a meal which is genuinely superb, one of the best in-flight meals I ever had was in Air Canada business class of all airlines. I do find flying in the Boeing 787 a nicer experience, it seems to have a better cabin environment for some reason.

That said, when I’m buying my own ticket I fly economy. We have family holidays in Asia and if you’re paying for a family of four it is just too expensive to go business class (even if I could afford it I’d rather spend the money on stuff at the destination). I was disappointed that Garuda Indonesia cancelled their London service as their 777s were excellent (still 3-3-3), in-flight service was excellent and it avoided transferring mid-way. And we got a family and friends ticket so it was cheap.

You really must visit the SS Great Britain at Bristol. Brunels ship has been really well restored. look at the tiny bunks - basically a 2 foot wide plank - and imagine weeks being cramped up here in sometimes rough seas. And this was THE BEST back then - others were much, much worse.

I never complain about flying long haul - my parents and grandparents would have thought it simply superb, - as long as it departs & arrives more or less on time I'm O.K. !!

We have it made these days, Australia in around 24 hours with emirates airlines via Dubai on the fantastic quiet & rock steady A380. Even in cattle class food is decent, the entertainment system is simply superb. 

What annoys me with flying these days as the faffing about & pallaver at the airports, a pain in the bum.

Brit15

 

 

 how did you get the coal dust to look authentic after it was glued? 

I also use crushed real coal. I don't glue it, just position it where needed and drip a few drops of Johnson's Klear (wood floor polish). This "glues" it all together, with a nice shiny finish. I use this method for tenders, coal staithes and removeable mineral wagon loads, also for ballast bins, loco ash piles etc. A touch of matt varnish hides the gloss if needed.

There are a threads on this site about Johnsons Klear - useful stuff it is for lots of things.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/74874-using-johnsons-klear/

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/33479-johnsons-klear-quick-shine/

Brit15

How good ARE the Brits ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVQPqd3n13c&feature=player_embedded#t=10

Brit15

Briefly, how 'good' were the Brits really as a go most places Pacific locomotive? Shame they didn't get the life they deserved.

I liked them a lot, despite the rather austere appearance. They looked/look very chunky with that big boiler and squat chimney and all that underframe area to admire. I know we all poke amusing comments at other regions' locomotives but I have to say I don't think I can say I dislike any of the Pacifics that were around towards the end of steam, even one particular small ER sub group that will remain nameless   

Sadly I do not remember ever (knowingly) being hauled by one, even in preservation.

Incidentally, I have cabbed Britannia twice, in 1960 at Liverpool Street and then 50+ years later at Retford (can't quite remember the year...sorry).

Phil 

Up here in the North West they got virtually everywhere near the end, even the far flung lines like the Atherton Bag Lane to Hultons sidings up the infamous Chequerbent incline, 1 in 19 at its steepest bit (due to mining subsidence). photos exist of an 8 wagon sand train hauled by a Black 8 & banked by a Brit - a come down indeed from the expresses of yore !!

After they (nearly) all went to Carlisle Kingmoor in 1966/7 they were as common as muck through Wigan, Boars head bank (1 in 104) just north of Wigan was the best place to see them blasting north up grade and proudly blowing off, brakes screeching going south. They had wonderfull chime whistles also (bit like an A4).

Plenty of (my dads) photos on my thread here, un named and mucky they may be - but they put up a fine show right to the very end,

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/67100-apollos-grand-days-out/page-2&do=findComment&comment=940913

Brit15

I hope you enjoyed the Wigan show Tony, and I also enjoyed meeting your yourself and your (very patient and understanding) wife, and the brief conversation with you on Saturday, mainly to thank you in person for the superb J10 you sold to me a couple of months ago. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction regarding temperature controlled soldering irons, and the range of solders and liquid flux to use. I obtained the said solder & flux at Wigan (Eileen's) and will shortly order a temperature controlled iron. I have a couple of brass American O scale signal kits I've had for years to "have a go at". Who knows where it will go from there -- ?.

We briefly discussed our early trainspotting years, and you rightly pointed out that the mere seven year "advantage" you had over me age wise meant so very much back then, I started spotting in 1963 aged 11, steam finished in 1968 when I was aged 16. You will therefore have seem earlier sights I can only now see on Youtube - LNER Pacifics in full flight etc. "Our" Duchesses went in 63/4, just as I started to spot, and I only remember them very briefly.

You asked me "Why Brit 15" ? - well, back then Apollo was my favourite steam loco, cabbed her at Stockport Edgeley in 1966, and was behind her same year on a Liverpool Exchange - Glasgow express as far as Preston. That line (now a shadow of it's former self) was straight and level beyond Ormskirk - and she really flew. What memories !!

Here is Apollo in 1966 at Stockport on a Llandudno excursion, in that unforgettable unlined "sickly" green !! (not my photo).

Brit15

You may be interested in modelling the destination of some of these Berry wiggins tank wagons, the road tar plant at Whimsey near cinderford in the forest of dean. I don't think they had there own loco though, an ex GWR Pannier tank usually used. Info here with an interesting video clip.

http://glostransporthistory.visit-gloucestershire.co.uk/berry-wiggins-whimsey-1949-1967/

Brit15

What I liked about the Newhaven Harbour layout was it's height - almost rail level viewing - but this would not be OK for everyone.

Brit15

Doctor Who ?   Berry Wiggins ?

Are the Tellurians now Tarurians ?

The plot thickens !!

Brit15

Being fairly early at the exhibition yesterday, a quick look around the stalls, and I saw this very niceley made scratchbuilt signal box for a tenner on the Wigan club stand. looked a bit LNER to me, just the job to replace a cheap Hornby one on my goods lines.

Interested to know a little more about this signal box, last night I did a bit of googling and found this info about a new layout Wigan FRM are building. Seems a change of track plan rendered this signal box "redundant" hence the reason for it's sale on the club stand.

https://www.wiganfrm.co.uk/eaton-arches

By the way it seems to be a Cambrian railways box, nether the less it fits in well on my layout. It still resides in Wigan, a couple of miles from the exhibition venue. Glad I went early.

Brit15

There's lots to do and see in London for free, the Museums, sights etc, but you don't do those every day if you live there. (Museums ask for donations, no problem for me - they get what I give them, not what they ask !!).

London, like all capital cities is a magnet for immigrants, legal and illegal and affordable housing will always be a problem. Perhaps a house price correction is due, this is an interesting article. London interestingly is not at the top of the property bubble list.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/housing-bubble-risk-cities-ubs-2017-9?r=US&IR=T/#sydney-4

I visit Bangkok every couple of years, have family & friends there. It can be both expensive (very) and affordable depending mainly on distance from the "centre". Food is very cheap (and very good also) - there is a wide choice of international cuisine there - even a pie shop and an English fish & chip shop (no cod - it's red snapper and very nice).

My brother in law has a lovely 4 bed detached house, fairly new, all mod cons about 5 miles from the new airport - around 15 miles from the city centre not that you would notice the city seems to sprawl for ever. He paid about the same 10 years as my 4 bed detached house in Wigan was worth around the same time.  What gets you over there are medical costs, private school fees and the like - we take a bit for granted over here. Can be very expensive for an expat with a young family (his employer helps). No social security also. 

Brit15

Our trip to and around London was cheap, using our soon to expire "Family & Friends Railcard". Self, wife & 2 kids, Wigan - London was £87 (advance), and wait 10 minutes at Euston untill 09-30 to purchase day travelcards, zones 1-6, again using Railcard, £2.30 each child, £8.10 each adult, a bargain at £20.80 total for us all to go all over the system during the day.

The pub I mentioned was quite affordable also, 4 lunches and drinks, change from £50. Yes London can be reasonable - as long as you do not live or drive there !!

Brit15

Saw a couple at the Wigan show this morning - a vey nice looking model at an affordable price - pity I model American O gauge !!

Brit15

Just back home (2 miles away !!) from the Wigan Exhibition - a great show as usual with fantastic trade support. Layout of the show for me was Purgatory Peak - it has everything, sound, fantastic scenery and structures, and was well operated also. The two WCML modern image layouts Coppell and Euxton Jcn I spent some time at - and I'm not a modern image modeller !!

I managed to find most of the bits n bobs we all need - along with a couple of obscure railway books of lines I have never heard of - now laid away for Christmas reading.

Again a big well done and thank you to Eaton and all involved, 

Brit15

Crazy place is London. SOOO expensive. I honestly don't know how locals with "normal" everyday jobs can live there.

We had a great day out there by train a few weeks ago. The 0709 from Wigan arrives just after 9.00am - usual visits for the kids, science & V & A museums, lunch in the Churchill Arms pub in Notting Hill - (a wonderful old London pub with a nice Thai restaurant in the attached conservatory) - Harrods (now YUK !!), walk down the Thames to Borough Market, walk down Oxford street (again YUK) - back to Euston, a bite to eat in the nice new Sushi Bar just outside, then onto the best thing in London in the evening  - The 21-10 Pendolino home, arrives 23-30, taxi home & in bed just after midnight !!.

I'll not knock London or Londoners (wife's mate is a cockney, a proper east ender and all - great friends) - but the place is really getting out of control in many ways. Unless you are a millionaire (and there are plenty there) you do not live - you exist - just (and it is beginning to show).

The place will go "POP" soon I fear.

Brit15

That looks great Paul - Nice to see something different, will both be powered ? - Just out of Interest, what happened to the real ones ?.

 

Cheers, Bob.

 Scrapped at Swindon & Doncaster - info here  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_13

Brit15

Anyway, THIS is the fuel of the future !!!!

Brit15

Spare a thought for poor ole Michael O’Leary, Chief Executive of Ryanair.

After arriving in a hotel in Manchester, he went to the bar and asked for a pint of Guinness.
The barman nodded and said, "That will be £1 please, Mr. O’Leary."
Somewhat taken aback, O'Leary replied, "That's very cheap," and handed over his money.
"Well, we do try to stay ahead of the competition", said the barman. "And we are serving free pints every Wednesday from 6 pm until 8 pm. We have the cheapest beer in England".
"That is remarkable value", Michael comments.
"I see you don't seem to have a glass, so you'll probably need one of ours. That will be £3 please."
O'Leary scowled, but paid up.
He took his drink and walked towards a seat. "Ah, you want to sit down?" said the barman. "That'll be an extra £2. You could have pre-booked the seat, and it would have only cost you £1."
"I think you may be too big for the seat sir, can I ask you to sit in this frame please".
Michael attempts to sit down but the frame is too small and when he can't squeeze in, he complains "Nobody would fit in that little frame".
"I'm afraid if you can't fit in the frame you'll have to pay an extra surcharge of £4 for your seat sir".
O'Leary swore to himself, but paid up. "I see that you have brought your laptop with you" added the barman. "And since that wasn't pre-booked either, that will be another £3."
O'Leary was so incensed that he walked back to the bar, slammed his drink on the counter, and yelled, "This is ridiculous, I want to speak to the manager".
"I see you want to use the counter," says the barman, "that will be £2 please."
O'Leary's face was red with rage. "Do you know who I am?"
"Of course I do Mr. O'Leary."
"I've had enough! What sort of a Hotel is this? I come in for a quiet drink and you treat me like this. I insist on speaking to a manager!"
"Here is his e-mail address, or if you wish, you can contact him between 9.00 am and 9.01am every morning, Monday to Tuesday at this free phone number. Calls are free, until they are answered, then there is a talking charge of only £1 per second, or part thereof".
"I will never use this bar again".
"OK sir, but do remember, we are the only hotel in England selling pints for £1. !!!!!"

Brit15

Brit15

Wigan Wallgate, simple island and a single track bay with platform face either side. Throw in bridges at both ends (West Coast mainline northend) even a small amount of freight. Dusty bin train to Arpley Bridge so scope for classes 45,47 and 60. A newsprint warehouse on the Kirby line opened during the EWS era but I never wittnessed any thing except 66's , stock was bogie Cargo vans. A loop existed on the Manchester bound side upto the late 90's resignalling.A 3rd carriage siding exists north of the WC over bridge with a 60's era signal box in the vee of the Kirby Southport junction. Even a Newspaper train during the night, in my time it was always one the ex BedPan Rolls Royce 2car conversions . Icing on the cake is the loco hauled club train morning and evening cl 31 with 6 mk1 of mixed origins blue/gray ex NSE and reggy rail in the end of conventional DMU era then eth 37's with between 4 and 6 mk2 reggy rail coaches.

When I was young the Southport - Manchester "club" train was a Jubilee hauled express !!. The dusty bin train no longer operates to Appley Bridge but a new "binliner" sercice has just recently started from Kirkby to Teeside, running through Wallgate. The bay platform at Wallgate is still used.

Across the road at Wigan North western there are two bays (platforms 2 & 3) in the big Island platform (platforms 1 & 4) there, little used now but they are to be extended a bit and used to turn back Manchester bound electric trains when / if the Lostock Jcn to Wigan line via Hindley is electrified.

Brit15