lapford34102

Quite correct but everyone at Weymouth called them "Derby" units. Chris, thanks for finding out that info. Beginning to think that the single cars may well have begun to appear as more 117/118 units became available. Stu

Hi Chris, no problem at all. Now I'm bit baffled as I'm pretty sure any unit at Wey was Bristol Div... Thwy certainly carried "B" codes in the 70's The Bridport units used to come back to Wey shed overnight. There was even a fuelling point for unis and Hymeks at the shed Hopefully the OP will be back with maybe a clearer area in mind and we can all go from there Cheers Stu

Early 60's in the title so that's open to interpretation. Weymouth's first DMMU's appeared in 59. On the Bridport branch the first units were often 2 car Derby Cross Country's used until the Single cars came into service. Also the refence to alongside steam. Apart from goods, till 65, there was also a single steam worked passenger service for a while, an I vat 2MT and single coach. Away from Bridport history references at mo unfortunately but anyone with either Gerrty Beale's or Brian Jackson's book to hand can probably find a definitive date. Just trying to help :-) Stu

Maiden Newton - Bridport. Alongside Panniers and then Ivatt 2MT's Stu

Hi, Cheers Andy :-) Just a quick update. Been dithering a bit over the scenic break so have gone for the "making it bigger is easier than making it smaller" approach. Not permanently fixed yet as experience has taught me to test it with every bit of stock that you might use, I'll say no more....! Had planned a conventional stopblock for the platform road then looking through Martyn Read's excellent site came across this https://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/SwinginHotSpots-1/Cornwall/Falmouth/i-9pwBfdc/A A good example of the prototype for everything dept. Cheers Stu

Brian, that comment may well come back to haunt you......... :-) Stu

Exhibits 1 and 2 for the defence M'lud http://www.hattons.co.uk/33371/Peco_Products_SL_E1096_Code_75_Medium_Radius_left_hand_Concrete_sleeper_turnout_electrofrog/StockDetail.aspx http://www.hattons.co.uk/35739/Peco_Products_SL_8362_Left_hand_point_turnout_6_radius_1092mm_with_insulfrog_nickel_silver_/StockDetail.aspx Stu

Should be done by then if needed :-) Quick update before the grandchildren break in for another week of mayhem! This should give an idea of what's been done around the tiebar, with the sleepers shortened and narrowed to match the rest. Still kept the spring though removing that would improve the look even further. Dummy point motor is Peco, evidently about 25% oversized bit I had them so going to use them. Hopefully when everything in place and weathered in they won't look too bad. May get a bit more done over the next day or so but first need to stock up on a decent 12 yr old Malt ;-) Cheers Stu

Hi, Thank you for the comments and the "likes". Rich, it's a tad under 4' scenic - we've downsized the car... - and there is a fiddleyard with a run-round and a couple of sidings, luxury for me. As for the points I got rid of the odd looking siamese sleeper and shortened and narrowed the the sleepers next to the tiebar. I'll try for a better pic if needed. Scenic break. Had an interesting chat with Paul Wade recently as to whether backscenes/scenic breaks were actually needed. I think they probably are if simply to hide possible distractions going on behind. Whether they should be blue, black, sky blue pink or a picture of next doors rockery is another question. In the end it is a matter, quite rightly, of personal preference but I don't believe there is a "correct" solution. Robin, rather sobering to realise the Wessex ceased over a decade ago. As an aside I suppose we should now consider FGW and SWT liveries as historical. A pink 31, very tempting as it would be a challenge.Somewhat easier a black Fragonset 31 would suit the period/location. Cheers Stu

Portwey is a “micro” layout based on Wessex Trains . Originally it was to be an SLT but in the end decided to go for something with a tad more potential even if it did push credibility a long way. I had considered doing it in OO-SF and even built a couple of FB points but with the C+L handover and some unused Code 75 took the easy way out. I have altered the points in the hope of making them look a little less Streamline. Was quite surprised when researching Wessex’s branchline stations to find just how basic the facilities provided were, and still are from what I can see. Little more than a shelter, seating, information board and a Help point. Some have a “Ticket Office” usually in the shape of a fibreglass cabin. The latter is available a an RTP item, the others though...... I’ll probably use either a Bachmann or Hornby shelter as no-one appears to do the aluminium framed type usually seen I doubt I could scratchbuild. Not sure anyone does modern style seating but hopefully someone might point me in the right direction. The main stock will be Wessex 150’s/153’s which have appeared on here before. Quite fancy having a go at a Bristol 143 if I can find a reasonably priced Realtrack one to attack (Actually have one already from a DCKits resin but it’s a lousy runner) For variety there’ll be a couple of period loco’s plus some engineering stock to shuffle around. Operation will be DCC but sound - cue violins - will have to wait awhile. With the Platform in place it’s the groundwork next so I’m painting trunking, sorting out relay boxsand the rest of the expected clutter. Had the help of a couple of professionals for this side but I’ll probably still get it wrong. I’m having fun though :-) Cheers Stu

Totally agree with John that this is a backward step. Wonder where it will leave Wool/Moreton/Upwey, will these lose their direct connection to capital Perhaps GWR can be persuaded to extend a Westbury service... Stu

A lot of info here., not sure there are any "skinheads" pictured http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/122584-class-31s-in-br-green-on-western-region/?hl=green Stu Edited too make a bit more sense!

Don"t discount a Salisbury - Weymouth via Ringwood and Hamworthy Stu

That's sad news. Always remembered his documentary on the longbows recovered from the Mary Rose. Stu

Hi, 30750 was withdrawn in Sept 57. I've still got my 59 and 61 combined volumes with a number of KA's spotted, most would have been at Weymouth. If not certainly between Wey and Waterloo. Can't see any 3 name ones there but a number of long names. Cansorta list out if needed. HTH Stu Edit -this might be worth a look https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_King_Arthur_class_locomotives

http://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=2772 HTH Stu

Weren't Hornby only going to do loco's where there is a real example somewhere or am i having another senior moment....! if that is the case how about a "U boat". Stu

It's occured to me going by date+route that this might have been a crew trainibg run Stu

Recharging - 25kv OHL over every motorway, panto on the vehicle, recharge on the move - sorted. Get Network Rail to install it Where do i apply for the patent Stu

You may well be right, said memory was suspect :-) Anecdote re Bomo TMD. Late 60's on Sat we used to regularly jump into mates car after pubs had closed and drive from Wey to the 10 pin bowling at Branksome (i know, times have changed and so have attitudes) One night we came out when it shut - 2.00 am ? - and went to the car. There was a 33/1 idling beyond the fence which my dad just happened to be driving.......... Stu

As someone who's used the Weymouth-Waterloo line at least a couple of times a year for the past 50 years I could drone for ages about various things, but will try not to. As someone has said the current 1/2 hourly service would have been unthinkable 50 years and if it had been in operation then more than a few would have likely asked why. Travelling patterns have evolved and while end to end times haven't improved significantly neither have they increased. In the 60's and early 70's you could pretty much guarantee your own company by picking the seating bay nearest Weymouth's stopblocks which ever direction you were going. Not many got to the farthest coach at Waterloo. Most recent experience off-peak was pretty busy though I'd like a few quiet words with whoever rostered a 450....... Best comfort 442, most fun ride REP/TC/33/1 (8TC+74 a contender for 3rd rail), the 444's are OK - the priority seats have already been mentioned, but do get a feeling or rather lack of it after a trip. Did anyone ever get a through trip on a CIG or a VEP after Wey got electrified? Might be my memory but thought that originally access to Bomo TMD was going to be round the curve over the viaduct rather than Branksome and reverse but then the structural issues came to light. Also Poole in 67 was a comparatively quiet smallish place but with convenient sidings and run-round for Inter-regionals, kept them out the way and with easy access to TMD if needed. Most evocative memory - the bark of the 33/1 as it went under the roadbridge at Branksome - in those days knew I wasn't that far from home :-) Stu

And a lot of money wasted on new liveries, uniforms,advertising and the rest. Govia's bid may well be torpedoed by their connection with Southern though the two franchises aren't closely connected and SouthEastern seems much better managed. Apart from Stagecoach who do at least have experience of running an over-utilised suburban network what can the others offer ? The fleet is pretty modern though they could usefully use some more 395's, staffing seems OK and customer satisfaction in evidently 80%+. There are some timetabling issues but they can be addressed. Sounds like I'm arguing for the devil you know and that's probably right. Have family and friends who work for SE so likely to be biased......... Stu

It's to do with identification of the casualties. Stu

Another "Aberfan" moment, I for one hope so as I doubt anyone would like to see a repeat of this tragedy. Personally I'm not bothered by all the speculation on here as I think we're all smart enough to know that's precisely what it is and can draw our own conclusions. Some interesting info has emerged and I now know a little more about my MP. There is though a grey area between the politicisation of this and asking questions of the appropriate people. I agree with Nimbus that an Inquest is probably a better way the a Public Enquiry. There's also a lot of background to this that I'm sure some would wish that it stays there. I hope all those who may have needlessly died and all those affected get some measure of justice, whatever that may be. Stu Edited to make a bit more sense....

It's easy, just blink.... Stu