dagrizz

The prototype B748747 was built on a LMS 60ft underframe, at Horwich in 1964. I have scans taken from an OPC book published in 1985 which gives details of the carflat conversions but I can't remember the book title or author. It would seem that about 300 carflats were built on 60ft LMS underframes. Graham

Daventry has grown substantially from the 1960's onwards, so you could justify a train service for Daventry residents commuting to London and elsewhere. Graham

John, According to LMS2968 (see above) this loco is unique, certainly after 1960, in that its works plate is in a different location to the rest of the class. Graham

There is another photo of 42968 on the same photo stream, in somewhat dirtier condition, taken at Northampton shed on 3rd February 1963. https://www.flickr.com/photos/david_christie/7800698034/in/photolist-j3xV4w-cTjBKG-nFwSHG-9Qks4E-9QkrMw/ It certainly got around on that day! Graham

At the MK show today, all three versions were on the Bachmann display stand. The LMS and late BR versions had rivetted tenders, the early BR one did not. Graham

Does anyone have recent information as to the likely release date of these carflats? Cheers Graham

Hi all, We are hoping to do a tour around the Czech Republic in July using the "Ticket for Summer" (Jizdenka na leto) which in 2016 gave 14 days unlimited travel for 1190 Czk (about £40). However the Ceske Drahy website does not give details of a similar offer for 2017. I've a suspicion that CD don't release details of the offer till later this spring. Does anyone have any further information/advice about these tickets? We're in a bit of a Catch 22 in that we'd like to book flights sooner rather than later before they become more expensive, but if we cannot then get the train ticket.......... Thanks in advance for any help. Graham

Larry Goddard used to make a LNWR M49 driving trailer - presumably just a limited number of them - I bought one from him but have since sold it. Graham

There were two painted examples of carflats on the Oxford stand at Warley yesterday. One was black (and not weathered), in 1960's condition. The other was a sort of faded red and lettered with an FVV code, which would place it in the 1970's onwards. I couldn't see a blue Motorail version. Graham

EddieB, Thanks for the 'plug' about the book. I was going to ask for recommendations on books about Czech railways as my knowledge is zilch - witness my ignorance about Bardotka, above. That book is now ordered, cheers Graham

Znojmo now, this was our outbound train, SWMBO providing the smile. Znojmo was a much bigger station than I was expecting, with a fair variety of things to see. While I was standing at the end of the platform taking photos of the long line of railcars, this chap walked past, nodded at me and strolled over the tracks to the railcars. He was equipped with all the Gricer gear - camera, large bag, pen and notebook (no anorak - it was a very warm day). I sort of assumed that he was a European, Znojmo is a bit out-of-the-way and I didn't expect other Brits to be here. However, there was a group of them and SWMBO overheard them talking and said that they were English. I told the chap in the photo 'I thought I'd be the only Brit trainspotter on this station', he replied 'you should know better'. Graham

The short answer is that I don't know. The longer answer involved me googling 'Bardotka' and getting lots of pictures of attractive ladies in stockings and suspenders. The most helpful answer is that it was leaving the platform adjoining the concourse on a passenger train at about 17.00 local time on Saturday 27th August. I only just got the shot - the train is moving. Sorry Graham

This year's trip to South Moravia involved just one rail trip from Breclav to Znojmo, a 70 Km journey over a non-electrified single track line that parallels the southern Czech border with Austria. As usual in Breclav, a wide variety of trains to be seen; Some stations along the route; More photos, from Znojmo, later. Graham

Dave, Are you sure that J1539 is D7576? It should have a small centre window; it was also a Scottish loco by this date. Keep the green diesel photos coming please! Graham

Oh dear, I'm going to Herefordshire tomorrow, hope I don't end up with a jacket like that.

Dave, ref C2962. Certainly in the mid-80's, both the Inverness and Fort William portions of the Euston sleeper carried seated passengers. Cheers Graham

Dave, Given your comments about colour rendition, can you say what colour the peak is in J694? It looks blue to me. Thanks Graham

I made another trip to South Moravia last week but just managed one rail journey, an 8 mile branch line from Breclav to Lednice. Beeching would have closed this line 50 years ago; the alternative bus service is quicker, cheaper and more frequent, but I'm not going to complain! The train I took was busy enough and it was great ambling along in an old railcar. The railcar in Breclav station - SWMBO kindly posing. At Lednice station; Parked up was an old Postal coach which was being restored by local preservationists. They were selling stamped postcards to raise funds Lednice station throat; Old goods shed; End of the line; I wasn't the only person taking pictures of trains................. Graham

And soon they will be further blossoming into 6000+ houses. Graham

That Czech beer must have affected my bearings!

I was in South Moravia again last week and despite visiting Brno, Vienna and Bratislava by train, the only pictures I took were from the Cathedral tower in Brno, which gives a good view of the northern approaches to Brno main station. Graham

On Monday 1st September, I intended to spend the day at Breclav station but again it rained all day so I was confined to taking pictures from the shelter of the station and wasn't able to explore the areas north and south of the station. They were doing some work to the overhead wires so some of the electric trains had diesel pilots. The OHL maintenance train came into the station which provided added interest. There are a lot of locos stabled around Breclav, I could only photo those near to the platforms. At least I was able to buy a cheap brolly so didn't get quite as wet. I'm going back to South Moravia for a few days again this Tuesday and will be travelling around by train and bus, but this time I'll be with SWMBO so I won't be spending much time taking photos of trains. Graham

A trek by tram and foot deep into the Bratislava suburbs and I reached the East museum, a mainly outdoor display of stock. There were a few people working on the exhibits, one of whom spoke a little English so I was able to establish that entry was free and I could wander around at will, which was great, made even better by them playing Led Zeppelin lll on a ghetto blaster. Unfortunately it was raining which dampened my enthusiasm, as I didn't have a jacket, waterproof or umbrella. I took quite a few photos, this is a selection. Graham

On Saturday 30th I went to Bratislava and first visited the transport museum adjacent to the main station.

I visited South Moravia at the end of August and managed a few days looking at trains. Went to Kromeriz on Friday 29th, a sleepy little place but provided some variety of trains in the hour or two I was there.