Andy M

Craneman, Thank you very much for the extra information you have provided above, especially the insightful summary of the crane boilers. This is for certain another article in it's own right (hint hint)! This expanding and sharing of knowledge is exactly what we had hoped Western Times would begin to elicit, and for me makes the whole effort of editing the publication worthwhile. To address a couple of your queries: a) The paint colour of lettering and numerals is an often discussed topic of conjecture. My conclusions are drawn from Swindon Painting Charts, verbal memories (not always the most accurate assessment) and the few extant colour images (lets not open that can of worms here). I have seen white, pale straw and ivory white, all quoted as the applied colour by reputable sources. Then of course you have to consider varnish, ageing and weathering. I guess you pay your money and take your pick! b) When referring to the application of the red livery directive, in my defence I did refer to the Laira Breakdown Train (i.e. the vans) and didn't mention the crane itself. I completely agree these remained black. There are images showing the vans in red, one of which I think we have saved up for a future issue. Again many thanks for your engagement and delighted to hear you have enjoyed reading the first issue. Kind regards, Andy.

Andrew, That is a fair comparison to make and not surprising considering Kevin is a member of the editorial team. As stated earlier in the thread, it is very much our intention to present Western Times as a series of books rather than magazines. Regards, Andy Malthouse.

Some more information on his work to be found here. Certainly a very talented man, whose work has become synonymous with railway books of that time.

Paul, Ian Allan commissioned A N Wolstenholme to do the cover artwork for many of their books during this period, and the Famous Trains series look very much like his work. Regards, Andy.

Many thanks to all of you that have pre-ordered a copy of Western Times Issue No.1. I am pleased to inform that it's on the way, after this little lot (15 bags worth) went to the Post Office today. We do hope you find it interesting and look forward to your feedback. Kind regards, Andy.

Hi Paul, Booklet No.4 was The Atlantic Coast Express. Regards, Andy.

Hi Fatadder, You probably won't be surprised to learn that I penned that particular article myself, from research for my own modelling needs. It gives a synopsis on vehicles known to have featured in Newton Abbot breakdown operations (cranes, vans, ancillaries) from the turn of the century to cessation of steam crane operations. I hope you find it of interest. Regards, Andy.

As an update, Western Times Issue No.1 should be arriving from the printers today.

Hi BMS, There are inevitably going to be comparisons and comments made relating to the GWRJ. It almost feels like we are forming a Rock and Roll band, with the expectation that we are going to replace The Beatles........it just ain't going to happen! We must pursue our own style and direction and hopefully that will make a mark and gather a following. For what it's worth though, I love the work of The Beatles. 😉 In regards to the Absorbed and Constituent Companies, throughout the history of the GWR, they are most certainly in remit! Regards, Andy.

Good morning Mikkel, It is interesting that one of our more niche articles grabbed your attention! This is also from one of our very first contributors, illustrated with a selection of contemporary images from his own collection. As an editorial team, it is one of our aims to delve into some of the rarely (if ever) previously discussed topics that made up the very fabric of the GWR. Whilst there will always be column inches devoted to shiny express passenger locomotives, standby for some more unusual and thought provoking subject matter as well. Thank you for your support and we would be delighted to receive any feedback you may have in due course. We really intend Western Times to be about what the readership wants and not what we think they want! Regards, Andy.

Mike and Kevin, Thank you both for your replies and we did muse long and hard before imposing a timeframe upon Western Times content. As you have identified the 1977 cut-off coincides with the withdrawal of the last Diesel-Hydraulics from revenue service and what could be argued as the end of Western individualism in motive power terms at least. There are many other fine publications that deal with the more 'modern image' developments since that time and we will be consciously steering clear of the preservation movement (unless artefacts directly relate to the subject matter being discussed). Your 'Westernry' comments are valid and noted, and if topics stray slightly beyond 1977 it will certainly be considered. I do hope you like the publication and find it a little bit different from previously well trodden ground. I can't stress enough our desire to interact with the readership and hopefully unearth new or hidden information, to the benefit of all disciples of 'God's Wonderful Railway'. Regards, Andy.

Dear RMWebers, Some of you may be interested in an all new publication about to be released by Transport Treasury Publishing, that it is hoped will appeal to devotees of the Great Western Railway and British Railways Western Region. Bounded by the years 1835-1977, Western Times is intended as a periodical that will build into a reference library and source of inspiration for historians and modellers alike. Subject matter will be varied, as can be judged by the contents list for Issue No.1. Each copy will contain eighty pages of pure and unashamed nostalgia where history is explained, illustrated and at times questioned. Images are in both colour and black and white (90+) and in the main unseen, bound in a card cover and printed on quality art paper (273mm x 215mm). The concept is for issues to be more like a series of books, easily displayed on collectors shelves and negating the need for the careful storage or binding associated with traditional magazines. The editorial team, Kevin Robertson, Jeremy Clements and myself, very much look forward to interaction, feedback and challenge from the readership and that this debate will go some way towards sharing, recording and expanding knowledge of the 'Old Company'. We would also be delighted to hear from any authors and photographers who may wish to contribute their work. Two issues will be released this year, with plans to go quarterly in 2022. The price for Western Times is £12.50 and copies can be ordered now from Transport Treasury Publishing Kind regards, Andy.

Thank you both for the clarification. I am an existing Kernow customer (registered on their system) but have never noticed such activity for pre-orders before. Mind set at rest however, and awaiting the arrival of this model with great anticipation, having seen Rapido offerings in the past. Regards, Andy.

I have a quick question regarding the online ordering of the 16xx. Order successfully placed and money debited from account (electronic receipt received). Then within hours money credited back to account (electronic receipt received stating deposit returned). Is this the normal process for such ordering, being dealt with by a third party (i.e. Kernow) and is my order even still valid? I will contact them next week, but wondered if others had received similar activity. Regards, Andy.

Hi Neil, Yes that is the plan. I've known about it's existence for a number of years, along with another departmental toad that lived at Newton Abbot, but have had difficulties obtaining decent images to get the required details. I have an Oxford Rail AA3 Toad already re-gauged to EM, that will be the donor vehicle. I think I now have enough info to make a start, and as with many things, corrections can be made later if more images come to light. This will be the last piece in my Newton Abbot Breakdown Train jigsaw, to go with Ransomes & Rapier 36-ton Crane No.3, Cowans Sheldon 15-ton Crane No.8, Mess Van DW103, Tool Van DW141and Riding Van DW215. That said, I may look at adding GW Standard 6-ton Crane No.57 (used by the Mechanical & Electrical Engineers Department) at some point in the future. Regards, Andy.

Will, This enlargement from a slightly different angle, I think shows it to be a 4-wheel van. There is no evidence of springs below the centre of the solebar. Andy.

I have managed to find another photograph of Tool Van DW50, taken on 04 Dec 1955. This to me looks like a converted AA3, with the veranda boarded-in and centre windows added.....any further thoughts? Regards, Andy.

This is indeed very sad news. I only met Stuart on one occasion, when he delivered a fantastic lecture at the Tolson Museum in Huddersfield in the mid-80s. The various editions of his Atlas have been ever present on my bookshelves, providing an invaluable reference source over the years. Rest in peace Stuart and condolences to his family and friends. Andy.

In his book A Pictorial Record of British Railways Standard Steam Locomotives, Edward Talbot states: 'Most works used 8" high numerals for cab-side numbers but there were some variations. Swindon used 9" and Darlington and Cowlairs 10", while Doncaster appears to have used 8" for Class 4 2-6-0s and 10" for class 5s, 2-6-4 tanks and 9Fs'. He is accurate with other statistics and information within this work, so I have no reason to doubt the figures he quotes in relation to cab-side numerals. Andy.

Snowy, The two images below feature in my book Steam at Swindon and were taken in June 1952 (82007) and January 1953 (46518) respectively. It appears both carry the same 9" numerals that Swindon was applying to all (non ex-GWR) new builds. Regards, Andy.

Great to see you back modelling Alan, I need to follow your lead and park some of the work stuff! Regards, Andy.

I don't usually go for the 'me too' posts, but credit where it is due. I ordered x2 RC443 - GWR 20T Ballast Wagon (Tunny) Dia P23 kits at 22:00 on Tuesday, and they arrived first thing this morning. The parts are beautifully crisp, good instructions and the unexpected bonus of a bag of whitemetal buffers/vac cylinder and brass coupling hooks. Thank you Five79, I'm very impressed and will be returning for more! Regards, Andy.

Tony, Those backscenes on Sandy Bay, Wickwar and Brinklow are particularly effective. Not knowing the layouts, are they true representations or Photoshopped? Excellent work regardless! Regards, Andy.

Hywel, many thanks for your reply and that is a lovely observed piece of modelling. Regards, Andy.