Andy M

Good Morning All, As the 'Weedkiller Siphon' has caused a bit of interest, I have enlarged it from the original image. Definitely part of the Chipman Chemical Company Weedkiller Train mentioned by Mike previously and it is numbered CWT5. This vehicle is just ripe for modelling, as indeed is the entire train ensemble. The whole weed-killing process, which is described in the article in Issue 3, is a fascinating and previously overlooked area of railway operation and one of the many unusual facets we intend to explore within the pages of Western Times. Regards, Andy.

Rich, That O11 Siphon was I think a 1959 conversion, I need to dig out my notes to be 100% sure. It is definitely not the one shown by bubbles2 (although they are cracking images), as the corridor connection has been removed at the spraying end as can be seen. I love the fact it is still on American bogies as well. I’ll have a search to see what else I can find. Andy.

I notice that the front cover image of Western Times Issue 3 at Dulverton has generated quite a bit of debate on RMWeb. Particularly the small cream cabin (enlarged below). Without stealing too many of Freddie Huxtable's sandwiches, as his full article on Dulverton will appear in Western Times Issue 4 in August, I can confirm by the time of this image in the early 1960s it was being used as a Porters' Cabin. Freddie does state that it could well have been the earlier Signal Ground Frame structure that stood at this position before construction of the larger Signal Box on the up platform. Regardless, it makes a most unusual little building just crying out to be modelled! Andy.

Hi Pteremy, Many thanks for your comments, we always appreciate further information and lines of questioning.....it is what develops collective knowledge and understanding after all. That cover image at Dulverton was undated and without further detail, but is either 1962/63 for sure. I was unable to trace the exact train details in the relevant Working Timetables before the editorial deadline, but surmised a Summer Saturday working to Yorkshire (possibly Sheffield) from what information I had to hand. As you are probably aware, it is a teaser for an extended feature article on Dulverton by Freddie Huxtable which leads in Western Times Issue 4. This contains many previously unseen images of the station from as early as the 1920s. He is probably also the man to answer your query on the Taw Bridge restriction and I will pose it to him when I get the chance. Regards, Andy.

Dear RMWebers, WESTERN TIMES 3 - IS OUT! I am pleased to report that Western Times Issue No.3 has arrived from the printers and is available to purchase now https://ttpublishing.co.uk/product/western-times-issue-3/ All existing pre-orders will be being processed as we speak. Regards, Andy.

Hi Mikkel, I fully sympathise with you unfortunate overseas readers exposed to these extra costs. I will speak to Transport Treasury to see what is in the art of the possible, that is if Robin does not post on here first. The simple solution is to hold off ordering the bundle until the end of the year, so you receive all three issues in one shot, but then you miss out on reading them when first published and I do know how impatient ‘we types’ are regarding getting hold of new releases! Kind regards, Andy.

WESTERN TIMES - Issue No.3 Dear RMWebbers, I am pleased to update that Issue 3 is on its way to the printers this week. The predicted release date is early April and copies are available to pre-order on the Transport Treasury website. https://ttpublishing.co.uk/product/western-times-issue-3/ Here is a preview of the contents for this issue. Regards, Andy.

WESTERN TIMES - Subscription Update We are pleased to advise that following requests from many readers, a subscription service to receive future issues immediately upon publication is now available from Transport Treasury. To make things easy, issues will be bundled into annual releases available as follows: 2021 - Issues No1 & No2 https://ttpublishing.co.uk/product/western-times-bundle-issues-1-and-2/ (For those of you that missed the first issues) 2022 - Issues No3, No4 & No5 https://ttpublishing.co.uk/product/western-times-bundle-issues-3-4-5/ (The complete package of issues coming up this year) Copies will of course still be available individually as required, along with all other Transport Treasury publications via the main pages at https://ttpublishing.co.uk/ Regards, Andy.

Really sorry to hear that Bluemonkey. Has this been attributed to an error by the courier? Regardless, I’m sure Robin and the Transport Treasury team will resolve and get copies to you ASAP. He may well read this himself, but please PM me if you continue to encounter problems and I will contact Robin directly on your behalf. Regards, Andy.

Hi Bluemonkey, I am glad you have eventually 'found' Western Times and I do hope the first two issues are to your liking and interest. I am certainly aware of a few aspirations to fill the void left by the lamented GWRJ since its demise, and the Warminster episode to which you refer may well have been related to one of these. I can say it was not connected to the release of Western Times though. Our publication came about following a meeting (in a pub obviously) between Kevin Robertson, Jeremy Clements, Robin Fell and myself back in summer 2019. After a protracted gestation period, due in no small part to our respective workloads and existing publication commitments, the fist issue was eventually released in June 2021. Having now become established and proving popular, we feel the risk and perceived market for another printed GW Journal has been on the whole vindicated, and as such intend to pursue our initial aspiration to move to producing four copies per year. Incidentally, having noticed your workbench threads, we have a piece on the GW Crane Tanks programmed into an upcoming issue. Fantastic build by the way! Regards, Andy Malthouse.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers from the Western Times editorial team. It has been quite a first year for Western Times, since the launch of Issue 1 back in late June. We are pleased to say the publication has been well received and the desired interaction with the readership continues to unearth some fascinating information. We have also noted your feedback and will strive to make improvements going forward. One such request has been for a subscription service, which has now been agreed with our publisher at Transport Treasury (details to follow). Looking forward to 2022 and beyond, Issue 3 is pretty much 'in the can' and will be the first of three releases next year. The expected publication dates will be as follows: Issue 3 - Apr 22 Issue 4 - Aug 22 Issue 5 - Dec 22 Thank you again for your valued support and we can promise you some unique articles, discussion and imagery to come! Best wishes, Andy.

This whole process with the new Manor feels just like the Mainline Railways releases in the late 1970s, a total gear change in the RTR market. Outstanding work from the Accurascale team, you keep raising the bar and it is greatly appreciated. Order inbound. Regards, Andy.

Hi Fatadder, I’m sure it will appear on the website anytime now. Robin is probably busy preparing for the weekend exhibition. Regards, Andy.

Western Times - Issue No.2 'OUT NOW' We are pleased to advise that Issue 2 has arrived a little early from the printers and as a result will be available on the Transport Treasury stand at The Great British Model Railway Show at Gaydon this weekend. For those of you not heading to Warwickshire, go to the Transport Treasury Publishing website https://ttpublishing.co.uk/transport-books/ where it will be available to order with free delivery. By way of a little teaser, one of the articles in this issue is an account of the 'Scottish Twins', the pair of 16xx pannier tanks that made an unlikely journey north to work the Dornoch Branch in the Highlands. Illustrated with both B&W and colour images of their time north of the border, the photo below is one that didn't make the 'article cut', but I think too nice not to get an airing! I hope you enjoy the latest offering and as always we look forward to your feedback. Regards, Andy.

Dear All, As promised a quick update. Please be advised that Western Times - Issue 2 is being printed and bound as we speak. It is expected to be at Transport Treasury HQ early next week and available for sale and distribution. Regards, Andy.

Very sad news indeed. RIP Dave. Many happy hours spent in my earlier modelling years thumbing through the Crownline Catalogue deciding what conversion to attempt next. Happy times, thanks in no small part to Mr King and his vast range of kits and bits. Andy.

I can only echo all the praise given to Pete Warren's slice of South Devon gorgeousness. Stunning modelling, well photographed and driven by a really heartwarming commentary........brilliant! This typifies for me exactly what the MRJ is all about and long may it continue. For those with an interest in this bucolic location, the lead article in the soon to be released Western Times Issue 2 is an illustrated essay of Moretonhampstead in 1955 by Gerry Beale. An example image from the article (taken by Gerry's father Ivan) is shown below , which I think illustrates the accuracy of Pete's model if compared to his 2mm rendition on p.372. Regards, Andy.

WESTERN TIMES - Issue No.2 Dear RMWebbers, I am pleased to update that Issue 2 is compiled and on its way to the printers. The predicted release date is planned for early November and copies will be available to pre-order on the Transport Treasury website shortly. The editorial team and the publisher have been greatly encouraged by the reception and feedback to this new periodical and our aspiration to produce more regular releases going forward has been affirmed. Work on Issue 3 is already well in hand! We also continue to welcome the comments and discussion that has been generated with the readership thus far and contact can be made directly via WesternTimes@mail.com if you have something to say. I will post further updates over the coming weeks as production develops, but rest assured it is on its way. Here is what to look forward to. Regards, Andy.

Mike, Precisely so. Certainly in steam days, goods trains assembled in St Blazey yards would stand in the position occupied by the Warship before reversing out of the yard onto the Down line through the long closed station and then proceed wrong line onto the Par loop to gain the Up Main. Thus it could not be certain whether a train at this location was bound for Fowey or Plymouth. Were such procedures changed with dieselisation? I suspect not. Your thoughts appreciated. Regards, Andy.

Mike, That is very much appreciated and we may well take you up on your proofreading skills. There is nothing more infuriating than when errors and omissions creep in, some forgivable some not, but we will learn and improve from the process. What is abundantly clear in this business is that nobody knows everything about everything! Best wishes, Andy.

Mike & Mike, Thank you both for your feedback, which is duly noted and we will endeavour to implement improvements for Issue 2. If I may address a couple of the observations you raise above, the image on p.77 relates to the extract from The Railway Gazette that features alongside it and along with those railcar images on the opposite page were intended as standalone short pieces. I refrain from using the word 'fillers' as that sounds like they add no intrinsic value, but it is our intention to optimise the space available to publish as much rare and interesting material as we can, as an accompaniment to the longer articles. The Tanners Road caption (p.32) could have been worded 'during the continued building', as I believe the bridge abutments had already been constructed some years previously, as part of the project to replace the level crossing to which you refer. Kind regards, Andy.

Thanks for the positive feedback Mikkel and I'm glad you found Issue 1 of interest. I guess the EU VAT issue is a factor of BREXIT. Would you be subjected to the same, if it was a private mail from an individual in the UK? Then you would just be paying postage cost from UK to Denmark. I'm not advocating flaunting the tax laws of course, but such a hike on top of the cover price seems pretty harsh! Regards, Andy.

Niche is good when it is a fresh subject like this. You would be surprised at the level of positive feedback received already regarding what I would have considered the less mainstream topics.

Fantastic Craneman, thank you. There has to be an article in that, surely! Have you suitable images to illustrate? Andy.