leekman

The RDL works and offices closed in 1978 I think leaving only the coal traffic to the coal yard. The line was singled in March 1981 from Porth to Cwmparc with the signal box closing and the connection replaced by a ground frame. The traffic constraint meant it could be serviced overnight, although i'm not sure for how much longer trains actually served it as gas was fast becoming the means of heating doing away with coal fires

15 is Banbury with a northbound cross country service the stone terminal is behind the photographer

Just spotted about 15 minutes ago heading south at Longbridge Warwick on the A46 a class 115? power car with name Alf??? heading south. No number visible either side and a Bedfordshire haulier and escort vehicle

Would it be Coventry Colliery and Homefire Plant?

The Llancaiach Fawr website gives details as Martyn Parry Model Railways of Blackwood (not a million miles away) and a mobile phone number but no other info. Mr Parry has a Facebook page

A 1964 Drivers Operating Manal for class 25 locos has light orange as the colour scheme for painting pipework mentioned

The 0450 ECS from Old Oak 5F09 arrived Oxford 0613 at the Up Platform Line and would form 1F09 0635 Oxford - Paddington.

For the 0654 Banbury - Paddington non stop the ECS leaves Oxford 0528 MO and Tues - Fri leaves Old Oak Common at 0413. For the 0700 Banbury - Paddington the ECS leaves Oxford at 0600. This is for the May - October 1989 WTT. The 1720 Paddington - Banbury arrived at 1855 and formed a 1935 - Paddington 1F83. There was also a non stop from Paddington 1G58 1812 arrived 1948 leaving as 5G58 ECS at 2000 FO to Oxford, Mon - Thurs to Old Oak Common. Hope that helps

I have checked and have a photo dated 15 January 1992 of 1S76 which shows a blue and grey BG, RLF and 5 x TSO. I have a few photos of the corresponding 1090 southbound working, the earliest dated 11 September 1991 shows 6 x TSO, RLF and BG. The other 2 dated I have of 1090 show BG in Intercity, RLF and 5 x TSO which were 6 and 10 March 1992 if that helps

Yes, the Glove and Shears is at Merthyr Tydfil

Yes would agree on Stratford on Avon, the layout looks familiar and the coach looks like a support coach for one of the steam specials.

Blangarw? Sorry - Blaengarw

Agree with Rhymney, the other one is Queen Street North, left side are the Rhondda/Merthyr lines and right is the Rhyney with Salisbury Road? sidings visible. Thanks for your postings of the valley lines - warmly welcomed and tugging at the 'hiraeth' Phil

8A87 in the May 74 WTT was 0410 Acton West - Hayes. Phil

Evening gents, The 1980 Cardiff Division Sectional Appendix refers to them as "fixed beam electric headlights" and the instruction is that all multiple unit trains and locomotives were to be provided with one of these which was to be illuminated when approaching any level crossing between Craven Arms and Pantyffynon, portable "fixed beam headlights" were available at Shrewsbury, Craven Arms, Pantyffynon, Llanelli and Landore for fitting to locos not already equipped. Interestingly, the next instruction below this refers to Pantyffynon to Abernant and Gwaun Cae Gurwen, where headlights are required on the leading loco during darkness hours, although a Bardic lamp is permitted in case of failure of the fixed beam light. Phil

Richard, I have looked at a few Supplemetary Operating Instructions - No9 dated Feb 1964 "Penrhos Jcn - Walnut Tree West Ground Frame" states that the line was worked as a siding from Penrhos Junction with both lines in use in their normal directions of travel, the ground frame at Steetley Dolomite Quarries being operated by a ground frame, opened by a key from Penros Signal Box with the guard operating the ground frame.The guard having to inform the Penrhos signalman when the train was ready to depart from Walnut Tree West. This was the first date of publication in the Supp Op Instructions. There is also a general instruction to delete the Table A information for Tynycaeau Junction to Penrhos Junction in the same book. The same instructions appear in the next book number 10 dated Sept 1964, whilst the issue 11 April 1965 issue shows an entry in Table A for Penrhos Junction - Walnut Tree West showing the 2 lines and as under shunters control and being 2miles 1617yds from Penrhos. The number 12 book dated December 1965 shows the instruction to delete 1 principal line between Penrhos and Walnut Tree West. Again the local instruction is reissued to mention that the line is under the control of the Penrhos signalman and is worked as a siding and that the connections to the Steetley DolomiteQuarries are worked by hand lever. The only other book I have is number 15 dated June 1968 which instructs delete Penrhos Junction - Walnut Tree West to take account of its closure although the local instruction is still shown further along the book. Phil

I have a note in my photo list of 45074 on Sunday 4th March 1979 at Cardiff on the 1115 ex Portsmouth Harbour, although, I suspect it would have worked from Bristol due to the reversal there, but I cannot confirm - can anyone else?

One for the rivet counters!! 37092 Severn Tunnel Junction

Attached is a rather crappy shot of 37227 in blue passing Gaer Junction with parcels stock in the summer of 1985. For some reason I do not have a decent shot of it either, the only other one I could find is a distant broadside at Landore, but again thats a blurry one.