Ian Smeeton

Please sir, can I have some more? Regards Oliver (Ian)

No transferable skills, but an exceedingly sharp and vicious looking set of knives and an evil grin, He would be a shoe-in!! Regards Ian

Powder, I would have thought It was my polish of choice in my pub, keeping the drip trays and beer engines clean for longer. Regards Ian

MORE IRONSTONE QUARRY RAILWAY MEMORIES Thanks to the generosity of a railway enthusiast who donated a quantity of photographic negatives taken in 1967 and their copyright to the volunteer run museum we are able to share five more further images of ironstone quarry railways from the past. In 1967 the last remaining steam locomotives at Exton Park Ironstone Quarry in Rutland were withdrawn from use as their duties were taken over by Janus class 0-6-0 diesel electric locomotives. The three remaining Yorkshire Engine Company built Austerity design locomotives were dumped in a siding near the shed to await their fate with the scrapman. Andrew Barclay loco No.11 shunting in the loop at Storefield Ironstone Quarry Hawthorn Leslie HOLWELL No.30 at Irchester Ironstone Quarry Avonside 0-6-0st STAMFORD heads a loaded ironstone train at Pilton Ironstone Quarry in Rutland Andrew Barclay 0-6-0st BUCKMINSTER seen on a train on the Buckminster Ironstone Quarries system . Regards Ian

Local Ironstone Quarry closure anniversaries again feature in the museum’s events for 2023 Yorkshire Engine Company built Austerity design saddletank No 11 seen at Exton Park Ironstone Quarry, Rutland Fifty years ago the excavation of ironstone for the manufacture of iron and steel came to an end at Rutland’s last ironstone quarry at Exton Park. Quarrying for ironstone started in 1882 near Cottesmore and the last train load of ironstone left the County in May 1973. A new exhibition will cover the history of the Exton Park Ironstone Quarry, one of the largest in the East Midlands. In the mid 1960’s the steam locomotives at Exton Park Ironstone Quarry were displaced by 440hp Janus class diesel locomotives transferred from Scunthorpe Both Sproxton and Colsterworth East Ironstone Quarries closed in Spring 1973 and on Thursday 26th July 1973 the last ironstone train ran from Stainby Glebe Sidings to High Dyke Junction on the High Dyke Mineral Branch Line. Events to mark the anniversaries of these closures will also feature in this year’s open day programme. The museum is also home to steam locomotive “SINGAPORE”, which was captured by the Japanese along with 80,000 allied servicemen at the Fall of Singapore in 1942, some 81 years ago. Allied Far Eastern prisoners of war (FEPOW) had to endure 3 ½ years of captivity and hard labour under a harsh and uncaring Japanese occupation regime. Of those who were taken to work on the infamous Burma- Siam Death Railway, built through the disease infested jungle, one in four of the prisoners were not destined to survive. Lest we forget ……. A small memorial display to allied prisoners of war who worked on the infamous Burma-Siam Death Railway in 1942-3. Museum Display pictured at Imperial War Museum at Duxford to mark 50th anniversary in 1993 To mark the 78th anniversary of the liberation of Far Eastern allied Prisoners of War (FEPOW) in late August the museum will include the SINGAPORE locomotive in a special memorial display to be held on August Bank Holiday Monday to the courage, comradeship and sacrifice of Far Eastern Prisoners of War 1941-1945. A further more poignant FEPOW commemorative event will be held on Tuesday 17th October to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the completion of the Burma- Siam “Death Railway” which claimed the lives of 12,000 allied Prisoners of War and 100,000 native workers. OPERATING DAYS IN 2023 9th April Easter Sunday - Open Day, Easter Bunny Hunt & Take a trip on The Rutlander train 10th April Easter Monday - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the last ironstone train to leave Sproxton Ironstone Quarry. Start of exhibition marking the 50th Anniversary of the closure of Rutland’s last ironstone quarry at Exton Park. Sunday 30th April - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train Monday 1st May Bank Holiday - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day marking the anniversary of the closure of Exton Park Ironstone quarry in Rutland. Sunday 14th May - Open Day - Diesel Driver for a Fiver Sunday 28th May - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train Monday 29th May , Spring Bank Holiday Open Day – Take a trip on the Rutlander train and Cement Quarry Railway Day. Sunday June 11th – Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ruston Diesel Day Sunday June 18th - Open Day – Father’s Day –Diesel Driver for a Fiver Sunday 2nd July – Open Day – Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day Sunday 16th July - Open Day- Diesel Driver for a Fiver Sunday 30st July – Open Day – Ironstone Quarry and Diesel Day - Exhibition to mark the anniversary of the last train of ironstone to use the High Dyke Mineral railway. Sunday 13th August – Open Day – Diesel Driver for a Fiver August Bank Holiday Sunday August 27th - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day. August Bank Holiday Monday August 28th - Open Day –Take a trip on the Rutlander train and exhibition to mark 78th anniversary of liberation of Far Eastern Prisoners of War in 1945 Sunday 10th September –Open Day – Diesel Driver for a Fiver Sunday September 17th - Open Day -Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Oxfordshire Ironstone Quarry Railway Day Sunday 1st October –Open Day – Diesel Driver for a Fiver Sunday October 15th - Seasons Finale Open Day – Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day. End of exhibition marking the 50th Anniversary of the closure of Rutland’s last ironstone quarry at Exton Park Tuesday October 17th – FEPOW Remembrance Event – “We Will Remember Them” - to mark the 80th Anniversary of the completion of the Burma – Siam “Death” Railway in Thailand. Non - operational viewing Open Days Tuesdays and Thursdays 11th April until 12th October 10am-4pm and Sundays 10am – 4pm on 6th & 20th August

RAF Welford. I used to work at a Hotel called Elcot Park just a few miles to the South in the 80s GEC as was used to run week long courses, including a team building exercise setting up line of sight microwave radio links in supposedly occupied enemy territory. The course organiser came in to the bar having dropped off the teams at various points with instructions to make their way back to the hotel without getting caught. I asked him where he had dropped them off, and we got out the Ordnance Survey map to have a look. Just here, here, and here, he said as he pointed to various spots to the North of the hotel. Ahh, says I, you do realise that between them and us is the biggest US Nuclear Arms Depot in Europe. "there's nothing on the map" says he. Exactly, says I. Cue hasty exit and gathering up the teams befpre they managed to get themselves in to trouble. Regards Ian

Graffiti in a Glasgow Boozers Gents Toilet. At the bottom of the cubicle door: "Beware Limbo Dancers" At the top... "Beware I**sh Limbo Dancers" Made me chuckle at the time Regards Ian

On the way to work the other night, I paused briefly The nights are beginning to draw out. @DaveF might recognize the treeline, as it marks the old line from South Witham towards Sewstern and the High Dyke branch Regards Ian

No sign of your elusive loco on Shedbash Blog, Here: https://shedbashuk.blogspot.com/search?q=tondu I haven't checked any of the other local sheds. Regards Ian Regards

Asda, Grantham, earlier today. . Since when have Kit Kats been made with plastic, recycled or Virgin. Not very appetizing. Regards Ian

Try here: https://www.irsociety.co.uk/record.htm Regards Ian

Try Britain from above 96,000 aerial photos, some of which have engine sheds in them. Regards Ian

I can SMELL that! Regards Ian

I reckon that 250,000 wagons would equal 994 miles, so probably all the way to Thurso from Kings Cross and most of the way back to Edinburgh. Regards Ian

I just can't understand how they managed to turn on to the track in broad daylight! Regards Ian

Are they headlights, as in Marker Lights, or to aid visibility when buffering up to a stranded unit? Regards Ian

With reference to beer in casks, I have just had a run through Britain from Above looking for the keyword 'Brewery' This first pic is of Ind Coope Benskins at Watford. The Rail entrance to the brewery can be seen along with sidings alongside a loading bank, although it looks as if no casks were moved by rail in 1931. 2 shots of Marstons at Shobnall, Burton on Trent. Casks can be seen upright in what looks like 5 plank merchandise wagons, but there are quite a few vans as well. Just look at the difference in size between Marstons in the foreground, and what I think is Bass in the background! Another shot of Benskins. The only wagons in view seem to be for coal rather than beer. One is Stephenson Clarke, the others too indistinct to make out. Bound to be more to be found on Britain from Above. Lose some hours/days (delete as applicable) Register to get the full benefit, it's free. Regards Ian

All seems to be back to normal Windows 10, Chrome, No ads at all (but I run an ad blocker in the background even though I pay the Premium rate) Side bar gone, photos back to full size, and threads/topics back across the full width of the screen. Well done Andy! Regards Ian

That looks like the Shark & Stanier Brake Van from Rocks by Rail. I think that it must have been earlier than 2018, though, as I don't think that Ketton have had locos on site for a good few years now. I may, of course, be wrong. Regards Ian

Well if you are stuck at Melton all week, and you have time to get out on the bike, you might be able to find out a bit about the best job on the Railway at Wymondham Crossing. I am on 06.00-18.00 from Thursday- Monday Regards Ian

Thank you Nick, for the tip about soldering Stephen Harris's layered kits from the rear. A much neater finish than I achieved on earlier ones. A couple of 16t Minerals in the flat before bending up, front and back for reference. Regards Ian

The future does not look too black at the moment. I started this topic : last year to talk about my own experiences, and to try and encourage others to give volunteering a try. While the thread hasn't resulted in any new members for Rocks by Rail, at least a couple of respondents have gone along to their own local heritage railways and joined, or rejoined. Their experiences seem to have been positive. The entire voluntary sector is struggling, partly down to safeguarding requirements, but also due to a hangover from the pandemic. Even personally, I have been struggling to find the time to spare, due to a combination of 6 day weeks at work, and a recent operation which has put me on the sick for the last week or two. Hopefully after my return to work on Thursday, things will change for the better. At Rocks by Rail we have benefited from a few new recruits over the last year, ranging from a 15 year old (accompanied by his grandfather) to a 95 year old, who is happy with a polishing rag and the chance to talk the hind legs off visitors. @Woody C joined us a couple of years ago on retirement, and came along to the members' social day last weekend, filmed this : and commented on volunteering. The future, for us, as a small railway, going from nowhere in particular to somewhere even less interesting, while not shining bright, at least has a distinct positive glow. Regards Ian

Has anyone attempted a conversion of the new Rapido Metro-Vick class 28 yet? Regards Ian

Foggy Shed Wymondham Crossing 11/22 Regards Ian

The Blues singers' Epitaph I didn't wake up one mornin Regards Ian