billy_anorak59

Thanks, pretty convincing - must've be the way my mind works...

Although I never really used nicknames in my 70s spotting days, unless you take Brush4, Brush 2, E4 et al as nicknames, I always wondered where Class 20s (E1's to me) got the moniker 'Chopper' from? I've heard (somewhere) that the reason was somehow down to the noise they made, but they never sounded very 'choppery' to me. I've always suspected that 'Chopper' comes from their plan profile in the same way that Class 58s are apparently known as 'Bones' 🤐 (sorry vicar) Anyone confirm?

Privileged to be invited along to Tyseley as a guest on Saturday at Betton's grand unveiling to it's supporters - a superb build and huge credit to all involved. Very nice! The 88C (Barry) shed plate was a nice touch too, considering the origins of the loco.

I've got this one - definitely a non runner, as the zinc pest has allowed the tender drawbar to pull off the tender chassis completely, along with the front of the motor drive gubbins. Displays OK if you don't look to hard! PM me if interested?

No, not really - he was more interested in aircraft and navy - he wouldn't have had a clue what the engine was. The only time I remember him talking anything about railway was him saying how he saw a filthy black 'Mallard' at Kings Cross when traveling from camp in the RAF. Thanks for the link!

Thanks. I was thinking maybe an NB D30 or similar? I can 'almost' make out a full splasher and half of one - as per a compound or 2P? I'm also not at all sure if 3 or 4Fs were commonly hauling passenger stock over that line? (not saying they didn't though!)

47 365 was in Crewe works (open day) on 24 September 1977 with dominos. Not a great picture, but as a record shot it's OK:

I recently found a very small snapshot (it's about an inch x an inch) in my Mum's photograph shoe-box which was taken in about 1952 whilst my parents were on a motorbike tour of Scotland. The photo shows a train (heading south) on the approach girders of the Forth Bridge. I've scanned it as best I can, but I still can't quite make out what the loco is. It looks to be a 4-4-0 "D-something or other", but I thought someone on here might be able to help more positively? I realize it might be beyond identifying, but I'd just be interested if anyone can tell me what my Dad photographed some 70-odd years ago - no other reason than that, really.

Manchester Oxford Road - plus another two roads (at a push) : One at each end.

No idea what is happening at the Wirral Transport museum - last I heard was it had been taken over by something called 'Big Heritage' - whatever that is. Looks a great place for relatively modern single and double decker buses that have tenuous links to Wirral, but if you want all inclusive transport (which includes (gasp) railway! artifacts), you're going to be well disappointed. This was the last I saw: https://bigheritage.co.uk/an-exciting-future-for-wirral-transport-museum/ Yes, all too late - as you say, the DTS cab is cut and in Wales, and the TS was cut 2 weeks ago I believe. Shame really, as the TS DID have buffers, and could have been hauled stock, although I'm not sure how any heritage line would have blown the doors open at each stop, unless the haulage had a compressor. It's buffer arrangement is seen here: All that can be hoped for is that now the DTS and TS have gone, efforts can now be concentrated on 690 and it can find a long lasting home and under cover. Preferably in its home environment.

I don't think you can delete the post, but you can hide it if you want Rob? Use the more options '...' in the top right of your post and select 'Hide'.

The Class 502 is preserved as a two-car unit (they could be found as 2 or 3 car when in service), so both the DMBS and DTC of that unit have cabs. Not sure where you would put the remaining DMBS of the 503 in that case? (which also has a cab) Also, the 503s have no buffing gear on the cab ends (just an automatic buckeye), so coupling would be a headache. Indeed, the lack of buffing gear may also have led to it being less than attractive as towed stock (maybe by Class 73) on a heritage line.

Latest: Seems that the cab end of the DTS is to be saved. Still sad, but far better than completely scrapped. Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YatIEPQ-a_8

Probably best to see: http://www.4sub4732.co.uk/downloads/503/4Sub_TheContactor06_503_Pages.pdf Full story there.

The unit that was at Tebay was not the Class 503, but the Class 502 - which is bucking the EMU trend and is doing very nicely under restoration at Burscough : https://www.class502.org.uk/

A trip to from the North West to London Victoria (by car, parked at Cockfosters, LU to Victoria) to pick up my cousin, who'd been abroad somewhere. Now this was exotic - the land of the 'Night Ferry' and the 'Golden Arrow' - can't wait! On to the concourse and... oh. Row upon row of what looked like Mk1 coaches with two red rectangular lights in the middle of the corridor connections all sitting at the buffer stops. How disappointed was I ? Being used to Class 08s, 24s, 25s, 40s and 47s this was a strange land indeed.

Nice final touch from Hattons with a parting email just now... I wish them well.

Here's a reminder for you then...

Absolutely! One car is obviously better than none, and it means the best fittings from all 3 cars can be combined to one complete car. This unit was always going to be static, and one complete car has the same interpretation potential as all three I guess. Indeed I concur with all of your points, but I think a lot of enthusiasts don’t contribute until they can see that the project is viable, that they aren’t throwing their hard-earned money at a hopeless cause, and that project has a final outcome either as a static display (preferably under cover), or living and breathing on a heritage line. The hard part is getting the project off the ground and then getting the momentum. Because EMUs are unlikely to run that’s hard to buy into without a firm plan for its final outcome. Tough all round. I met Graham G a few times at the Coventry ERM – he came over as a nice guy, and I much respect his hard work and what he (and all the volunteers) achieved there, in what were obviously far from ideal conditions. I think what I was wittering on about previously is that there is a Wirral Transport Museum (was controlled by Wirral Council – now turned over to ‘Big Heritage’), which could have any number of Hong Kong trams and 80’s Atlantean buses, but the railway aspect is massively (completely?) neglected. So it’s not really a transport museum in its full sense (to me), when it should be. And the exhibits should be mainly pertinent to Wirral (to me). As I read it, the remaining Class 503 car will still have no home – the Big Heritage museum would be the ideal (and obvious) place for it if restored, surely, close as it is to its old stomping ground? It would be great shown in a setting (small section of station platform, doors operating, compressor sounds?), much as the remaining LOR car is displayed on its overhead structure across the water in Liverpool. But where could it be restored? I had hoped that Hooton Park could offer a restoration base, but seemingly the hangers there are full (mainly buses, lorries and caravans last time I looked). Shame. And the people to do it? I’m sure they are out there, somewhere – witness what the guys at Burscough are achieving with the Class 502. Finding them? Sorry, no answer/clue...

When were you involved with it Jason? I personally reckon the rot started when the unit was split up the first time, and then when Wirral Council lost interest, probably to enjoy that other well-known Wirral icon, U-Boat U-534 (which they then cut into 3 pieces – at least the cl 503 is already in 3 pieces). I think it was the Class 503 DMBS that was then left outside at the mercy of the elements and vandals. As for the new museum, I’ll believe it when I see it – and even then, I’ll be amazed if it has any railway items of note. Positioned where proposed, it’s also going to need some pretty hefty security. For the existing ‘Wirral Transport Museum’ (closed since November 2023), read ‘Wirral Bus and Tram Museum’. However, the new ‘Big Heritage Wirral Transport Museum’ seems to be talking a good job (so far), but when things like the Class 503 are being lost, and Mersey Railway No5 ‘Cecil Raikes’ still languishes in store, I’m afraid I can’t take the vision of a truly holistic transport museum reflective of all aspects of Wirral transport too seriously. Thing is, no-one wants EMUs, do they? However historical - although the current appeal for the Class 507 seems to have a following - we'll see.

Two cars of the Class 503 going for scrap - As notified on FB : https://www.facebook.com/503unit

Yes - the model railway section was upstairs (turn left at the top of the stairs) : Hobbies on Tarleton Street and as I remember it:

Like everyone else, I’m shocked at the news. Hattons are/were one of those constants in my life – always there. Also an indelible part of my teenage years, and I recall Saturday afternoons at the 180 Smithdown Road shop fondly in the mid to late 1970s. Football in the morning, a quick bit of lunch, a bus to Birkenhead Woodside and the Mersey Ferry over to Liverpool Pier Head, then the No 86 bus to the shop. An hour or two spent browsing (and sometimes buying!) and then home again in time for Dr Who. Got my 18th Birthday present from there (Dublo Co-Bo – brand new, sealed – still got it). I also ‘nearly’ got a pre-war clockwork Sir Nigel Gresley for £5, until Norman spotted the transaction taking place from the gloom within the shop – never knew he could move so fast! Turned out it ‘wasn’t for sale’… In recent years, Hattons was always my ‘go to’ shop, and never received anything but exemplary service from them. Very best wishes to all the staff – I hope they can all move on quickly with their livelihoods and prosper.

That's the most misshapen Hellcat I've ever seen if it is! 😄 Looks like a North American T-28 Trojan to me...?

Ah yes Jonesy - forgot that one... this is Birkenhead North c.1975 (apparently - seems a bit late to me) Some say it was chromatic blue, but I think that's debatable! I'm sure I've seen a 502 in that livery somewhere, but can't think where just for the moment. Edit: Just found a wraparound, 'custard dip' one too... so plenty to go at!