A Murphy

In answer to Rob McG's query, a group of C1s were allocated to Sheffield Neepsend shed from the late 1920s/early 30s for use on services like Liverpool to Hull and 'the Harwich Continental', again from Liverpool running via Manchester Central (where the service reversed) and Woodhead to Sheffield Victoria: I am not sure where the engine changed, but some of the Harwich trains saw one loco work the whole trip. Later in the 30s B17s started working these services. The GC drivers absolutely loved the C1s according to E M Johnson. And I believe they were still around until 1939? Alastair M

Prince. This loco is older than me.

That's looking excellent John, Best, Alastair

I'm sure I am too late for the poll too, but I would argue that the Saint, essentially the first successful 2 cylinder express and later mixed traffic loco in the UK changed the face of steam engine design for good. A small number were still at work nearly 50 years later, but their direct derivatives were with us until the end of steam in the UK: Halls, Black Fives, BR standard fives et al. Best wishes, Alastair

The L1 looks really good Baz. What a beast! Best wishes, Alastair

Lovely! Holt to Sherringham..... Alastair

I love the J3 Gilbert and agree with John's comment above, although I like gleaming (and not so gleaming) Pacifics too! Best wishes, Alastair

Type 4 is really difficult. With Westerns, Brush type 4, EE type 4 and 'Peaks' all in contention, it's a hard choice but much as I love the others I'm going with Brush type 4. They never looked better than in the original two tone green, sleek, unfussy but really harmonious design yadda yadda. Brush type 4, Cheers all Alastair

Tough choice between Hymek and EE type 3, 66xx or 67xx in original or Green with SYP condition, but has to be the 67xx EE, Alastair

Merddin Emerys.

There is quite a long passage about this in The LMS & LNER in Manchester by R E Rose, Ian Allan 1987, but Rose cites none of his sources. However he does say "I have found no evidence to support the theory but it is generally believed that No 5967 (the Claughton, previously 1407) was not replaced by a 'Baby Scot' because 'Jock' Christie left the raiway service after WW1." Christie had been employed in the accounts department at Euston before the war and won his VC in Palestine. As to whether he went back to Euston after the conflict, Rose doesn't say. A North London lad, later in life he moved to Stockport (presumably not in railway service) "where he became a well known and respected member of the community". There were four VC holders at his funeral in Sept. 1967. All this is taken from the book, pp32 - 34. Cheers, Alastair M

V2, later sloped tank 45xx for the tank engine. poetry in motion both of 'em. Alastair

Stanier 2-6-4 for me too. Alastair M

It has to be a Britannia for me. Regards all, Alastair

She looks top class Ian. I can't wait to see the finished loco. Best wishes, Alastair

Really like your visualisation Schooner, not to mention the research. best wishes, Alastair

Great looking models Mike (and Dave). Alastair

Saints, Thompson's B1 and the 'Harmonious Blacksmith's' B7, in that order. S15s and (original) Patriots definitely deserve a mention too. best wishes, Alastair

Johnster's exposition above is really interesting and informative - thank you. It may be almost a cliche that we are told that from the turn of the century onwards, one of the reasons railway companies didn't build bigger, more sensible wagons than 9ft wheelbase unfitted coal trucks, is that private mine owners refused to invest money improving facilities at their mines. Given that there is no question this country was skint in 1948, but that we now did have a nationalised coal industry, why do we think the IWC didn't propose the building of larger, fitted wagons, certainly for coal and other suitable traffic? Or did they? Best wishes, Alastair

Lovely model. The Lancashire and Yorkshire seems very under-represented in these and other modelling pages..... Regards, Alastair

04/1, the original. O4/7 as a close run second Alastair M

Jersey Lilly every time! Alastair M

C13/14 for me. Best wishes, Alastair M

That looks very good John. It has the presence (and the mouldings!) which the Hornby 58 footers lack. Best wishes, Alastair M

But the 43xx is a great looking and useful engine. That gets my vote, along with the K3 - not necessarily graceful but powerful and neat. Best wishes to all, Alastair M