Alcanman

Always great to see pics of 56s, and, even better on the Blyth & Tyne and the bridges crossing the rivers! Thanks for sharing. Mal

I paid a visit to TY yesterday to try out my new camera and telephoto lens (essential at TY). The yard was quite busy. Firstly, the 5 EWS HTAs involved in the West Sleekburn derailment are stored at TY 66152, the loco involved in the derailment was also stabled. 66515 with auto-ballasters and the 'virtual quarry' in the background. Nice and clean! 66056 DRS 37s on RHTT duty pass on the adjacent ECML Mal

Nice layout Peter. I recall Colonel's Crossing well, featured in Continental Modeller IIRC, a great layout, and one that got me really interested in US modelling back in the day. I particularly liked the track plan, which inspired me to build a smaller version. Great to see you haven't lost your touch! Mal ps Look forward to seeing pics of CC.

My recollections of Brits at Carlisle in the last years of steam were freight and parcels trains. I think 70014 Iron Duke was one of the last to be withdrawn. Here is Iron Duke departing Kingmoor with a freight on 29.12.1967. Mal

After checking my spotting book, I can confirm that the loco is 27018. The date was 11.6.82, which I believe may have been a Sunday, possibly accounting for only 3 coaches. On shed at Haymarket on that day was 26004 Mal

Sorry, I didn't record the dates for those pics, although it woud be early 80s. Here's another one for you, a 27 passing Haymarket shed with a Dundee - Edinburgh service.

Some Scottish 'steam heat' 37s 37027 'Loch Eil' approaching Crianlarich, August 1985 37022 at Glasgow QS 37017 at Inverness Mal

I think I may have posted this before, however, it may be of interest to new followers. Seeing a Class 25 arriving at the west end of Waverley station wasn't much of a surprise, however, when it proceeded to back down on to the Dundee service, usually a 27 turn, I was pleasantly surprised. Mal

I've found a couple of more 1980s Waverley pics for you Dave. 26s this time, hope you like 'em. 26006 26040 Mal

Thanks Dave, I'm glad you liked the pic. It certainly was unusual to see those 20s at the time. It was early evening and I was just about to return to my hotel. I've found a few pics of 27s on the Dundee service. 27012 27020 27037 Mal

I've just been catching up with your thread and stunning pics. The pics always remind of the time I spent a couple of weeks in the early 80s at the Carlton Hotel, with a room overlooking Waverley station. I thought you might like this pic. A pair of 20s arriving on a late running service from Inverness. (If my memory serves me correctly) Mal

Steam heat 37191 awaiting departure with the early afternoon Fort William - Mallaig service, August 1984. Arrival at Mallaig, in atrocious weather. Mrs A and M-I-L thought I was taking a pic of them, but, of course 37191 and driver got in the way. 37191 runs around The oil terminal at Mallaig, I decided not to walk the plank! Departure late due to late running ferry, freezing cold in the coach until steam heat comes on! Happy days! Arrive late back at Fort William and then drive back to Oban in the dark and pouring rain! Mal

Great to see those pics at Newsham level crossing, Dave. A five minute walk away for me, and of,course still in use today. Mal

I found this pic very recently. A nice clean 31242 with what looks like a Regional Railways liveried inspection saloon, passes through an equally clean Grange over Sands station. Mal

Just caught up with thread. I'm a big fan of small layouts and, personally, find myself drawn to them at exhibitions rather than large layouts. I guess I'm always looking for inspiration to build my own small layouts. This is the sort of layout I would spend some time watching. Love the attention to detail and little cameo scenes. Great work! Mal

Great pics of Cambois, Dave. The photo showing wagons under repair is the same pic featured in Rail Express last year which gave me the inspiration to start building a Blyth & Tyne layout. Mal

Great to see those pics of Bedlington, Dave. Looks like in that last pic, 37410 is departing Furnace Way Sidings with the Alcan tanks. Furnace Way Sidings, Bedlington, is the inspiration and subject of my new layout which I've just started building and also started a thread here on RMWeb. I would love to see any more pics you have of this location. Mal

Friday 12th September sees Gbrf 66714 'Cromer Lifeboat' approaching Bedlington (Blyth & Tyne) with 6H89 North Blyth - Ferrybidge PS. 66714 snakes through Bedlington Station which closed 50 years ago. Mal

I visited TY again yesterday afternoon. Once again there were 3 rows of empty EWS HTAs but this time no locos stabled at the end of each rake of wagons. Instead there were 3 EWS 66s in the yard. First a general view of the yard. 66165 66127 with what looks like green PNAs (like the Bachmann Railtrack wagons perhaps?) 66149 and 67005 Can anyone let me know what type of ballast wagon is sandwiched between the 2 PNAs on this pic? Mal

As the 3 empty EWS coal trains are facing north, I guess they will be heading for Butterwell Opencast or Battleship Wharf Coal Terminal, North Blyth. I think coal from Butterwell goes to Drax. There is also a daily coal train from North Blyth to West Burton Power Station. Mal

Yesterday afternoon I paid a very brief visit to TY. With 3 rows of EWS HTAs stabled, a quick look from the other side of the bridge revealed 3 EWS 66s The small office reminds me of the Hornby Skaledale model Mal

I've been sorting out some old pics and found this one. 92065 passing through Gateshead on a Tyne Dock - Consett working. Mal

Gbrf 66714 'Cromer Lifeboat' with 6H89 North Blyth - Ferrybridge PS aproaching Newsham (Blyth & Tyne) earlier today. This rather pleasant location is only a five minute walk from home. Mal

12 noon today. Having loaded earlier at Battleship Wharf Coal Terminal, North Blyth,grey liveried Gbrf 66748 approaches Bedlington heading for Ferrybridge PS. Mal

10.00am this morning sees 66737 'Lesia' with 6S45(SO) North Blyth - Fort William Alcan tanks, approaching Newsham where it will run around. As the loco passed, I noticed the last two numbers - 37, being much larger than 667, very odd indeed! 15 minutes later, having completed the run around move, 66737 heads North. Mal