Ian Smeeton

Big Quarry Day tomorrow (Monday) 3 Diesels in operation, Jean, and Betty (Sentinels ) and YE 1382 along with Barclay 1931 running the passenger trains. YT is knackered tonight after doing all sorts yesterday. Guard (2nd) redundant, Bacon Roll seller and tea maker for a couple of hours, then rescue fireman (unsuccessful) with our fantastic lady driver, Clova followed by mighty walking up and down as shunter. Dragline and Face Shovel should be in operation, so some serious photo ops available. Looking forward to going back to work for rest! Regards Ian

I love the beautifully signwritten "Condemned Wagon on loan to the Civil Engineers dept" Did whoever lent the wagons really want them back in then state tat some of them were in? Regards ian

A day out with Thomas? No, posh in Rutland, we are. SIR Thomas will be doing the honours tomorrow (Sunday) with a supporting cast. Bank Holiday Monday will have the Troublesome Trucks out i force, but the honours will be borne by Barclay 1931 as we have a full Quarry working day with both the Face Shovel and the Dragline in operation along with THREE Diesels. Yorkshire Engine Co's 1382 will be sharing the duties with two of our Lady Sentinels. The weather looks good, I can smell the Bacon Butties form here, so why not come and join us? Regards Ian

Thursday is our 'VJ Day' when we have an act of Remembrance for those who fell in the Far East in the Second World War. Singapore has been polished, and will be brought out into the sunshine (we hope) as the centrepiece. As she was captured in Feb 1942 along with 80,000 Allied service personnel and countless locals and civilians by the Japanese when they invaded, she has, since preservation, become a symbol to those who returned of those who didn't. This year, being the 40th anniversary of the Falklands We have representatives of all three services, both serving and retired, joining us along with local dignitaries, the Australian High Commission and COFEPOW and FEPOW members who will lay wreaths and single White Orchids (the Far East flower of Remembrance) and poppies to remember those who gave their all, and almost as importantly, those who returned. No matter what your feelings are with regard to war, those who failed to return made the ultimate sacrifice, and gave their tomorrows that we may enjoy our todays. Regards Ian

Banff is being modelled in Australia by @aardvark very well. There are others on here, but there is always real life for inspiration! 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 four more further images of ironstone quarry railways from the past. The fifth image of the narrow gauge electric loco comes from the Harold King Collection. Image 1. Andrew Barclay 0-6-0st loco No.6 at Irchester Ironstone Quarry Image2. Andrew Barclay loco No.19 in the loop at Storefield Ironstone Quarry Image 3. Andrew Barclay loco BLISWORTH No.1 at Blisworth Ironstone Quarry loco shed Image 4. Avonside built loco CRANFORD brings in a train of loaded wagons from the quarry at Cranford Ironstone Quarry Image 5. A narrow gauge electric loco leaves the tunnel to the underground workings at Thistleton ironstone Mine in South Lincolnshire. Regards Ian

2s 3d per gallon was probably about 1969. I used to have a regular in my pub who reckoned that in 1968, the year he was 18, a gallon of petrol, a pint of beer and a haircut all cost the same, 2/1. He used to complain that beer was too cheap!!! (by comparison) Regards Ian

Very pleased to hear that you have found a role and that you are enjoying it. We have had four new volunteers over the last couple of months, which means that we are seeing a good increase in the number of active volunteers who are keen to progress through different competencies. I did manage to place an ad on 'Volunteer Plus Rutland' : https://volunteerplusrutland.org.uk/opportunity/steam-train-driver-92 which has generated some interest. Two people have joined with the express (pardon the pun) intention of learning to drive steam, two others are of a more mechanical bent, and a couple of projects are really starting to gain momentum, which is great to see. For those who haven't volunteered in the past and have some time to spare, go on, give it a go. I am not just talking heritage Railways, here, though. There are loads of interesting opportunities out there. Regards Ian

I have just tried a Google Image search, but nothing conclusive. 2nd post_ Strawberries? Regards Ian

Assuming that we are talking a single direction of travel: Box A -> Box B Box A's distant can only be set clear when all the Stop signals in his section are clear: Lever 1 = Distant Lever 2 = Starter Lever 3 = Section signal Order of clearing would be 3, 2, 1 as the distant can only be cleared when the complete section is clear. 2 cannot be cleared until 3 is clear, and 1 cannot be cleared unless BOTH stop signals are clear. Box B has a similar set up to A, but its distant is 'slotted' with A's Section signal. i.e. the distant is on the same post as A's Section signal. Box B's distant can only be cleared when B's Starter and Section signal are cleared AND box A's Section signal has been cleared. If I could draw a diagram on here it would be much simpler - A picture paints a thousand words! Regards Ian

Have we had this one yet? Regards Ian

Steam Free at Rocks by Rail While we love nothing more than to get out one of our steam locomotives to run passengers up and down the line, the hot, dry weather means that we have to think again. So Diesel will reign supreme at this Sunday’s Open Day at the Museum. Visitors will have the chance to travel in the cab of one of our veteran Diesel Shunters alongside the driver, enjoying superb views across the Rutland countryside. The Diesel, being a little quieter, will give passengers a chance to see some of the wildlife which thrives along the side of the line. From Muntjac and Fallow deer, to hares and rabbits along with resident owls, local red kites and buzzards as well as no end of songbirds, there is plenty for the keen eyed to spot. And, if you are really quick, there are big diggers, dumpers and excavators, too. You don’t even have to be a train spotter to enjoy a trip to Rutland’s largest Railway Museum. Open 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m Jean, one of our Resident Sentinels, shunts the loco yard Regards Ian

VJ - Anniversary of the Liberation of Allied Far Eastern Prisoners of War On 28th August 1945 British Liberator bombers flew low over the Changi Gaol Prisoner of War Camp in Japanese occupied Singapore. As the thousands of emaciated prisoners looked up leaflets dropped from the aircraft fluttered down bringing official confirmation that Japan had surrendered, the war was over and help was on its way. After three and a half years of captivity and brutal treatment by their captors it was with great excitement and relief that thousands of allied prisoners stood within the PoW camps and with tears running down their faces sang God Save the King and Land of Hope and Glory. Their legend of endurance was over – they were going home. On August Bank Holiday Sunday 28th August 2022 Rocks by Rail – the Living Ironstone Museum is holding a Steam Open Day to mark the 77th Anniversary of the Liberation of Far Eastern Prisoners of War (FEPOW) and commemorate the one in four who did not return largely due to the ill treatment, hard labour, inadequate food and total contempt shown by their captors. On special commemorative static display will be the museum’s war memorial steam locomotive “SINGAPORE”, itself a prisoner of the Japanese when captured along with 80,000 allied servicemen at the Fall of Singapore in February 1942. This will be supplemented by a display providing an insight for museum visitors of life as an allied prisoner of the Japanese. For a donation to the FEPOW Locomotive Appeal, museum visitors will have the opportunity of placing a white orchid (Far East conflict flower of Remembrance) on the locomotive beneath the memorial plates – in memoriam. The Open Day runs from 10am - 4pm and normal admission prices apply. Rocks by Rail: the living ironstone museum, Cottesmore Iron Ore Mines Siding, Ashwell Road, Cottesmore, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 7FF For further information and directions please see the museum’s website rocks-by-rail.org.uk Singapore, resplendent with Commemorative Headboard and dedication plaques Regards Ian

Rocks by Rail will be running Diesel only this weekend. While we would love to run steam, and do so whenever we can find an excuse to do it, the weather and ground conditions mean that it just isn't responsible at the moment. Diesel cab rides this Sunday, and rain dances all round so that we can play properly on the bank Holiday weekend. Regards Ian

Used to be good stuff for all sorts of cleaning jobs. Like so many other brands, it is only a shadow of its former self. Regards Ian

'Diesel Driver for a Fiver' day on Sunday. Get your hands on 325 hp of Rolls Royce-engined Sentinel from 10.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. tomorrow along with the best bacon cobs to be found (not that we are biased!) Betty shunting 'Singapore' ready for last years' Far Eastern Prisoners of War commemoration. Regards Ian

About 20 years ago I had a few hours to kill in Leicester waiting for the Boss. I was the only visitor, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I remember Gas Fridges, but, although I had heard of them, the Gas Radio was a revelation. Gas hairdryers might have give today's 'Elf & Safety bods a bit of a heart attack through. Regards Ian

Currently employed as a Crossing Keeper by Network Rail, I am paid to watch trains. I have to open the gates occasionally as well, though, And I don't even take any notice of the numbers!! Regards Ian

A Glasgow favourite was to take a Scotch Pie and deep fry it. A Torrey Canyon. Those too young will have to look the Torrey Canyon up to get the significance. Regards Ian

In my pub, the Plough at Greetham (not advertising, it's 10 years this year since I left) we ran the Plough Pie Club on Sunday and Monday nights. All the usual suspects, Steak & Ale, S & K etc, But occasional appearances made by: Disney Pie (Bambi, Thumper and Donald), adults loved it, kids cried! Steak, Stout & Stilton (yum yum) and many others. Regards Ian

Never trust a smiling Weather Forecaster. But....it's raining!! Fantastic news, and with more forecast overnight but dry tomorrow, it means that we can lift our voluntary Steam Ban as the fire risk is now lower. Blow away the Cobwebs, the Barclay is out to play. Steam Brake Van rides and Quarry Ironstone day tomorrow (Sunday) Demonstration Quarry trains, Face Shovel operations, Big Diggers & Dumper at Rocks By Rail from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Regards Ian

Are you SURE that you aren't on commission?😀 I wish Lincolnshire/South Kesteven would join up. Regards Ian

Peter Smith has a book out on Amazon 'The Syston to Peterborough Railway' which has line drawings of each junction and station. Apart from going through the maps on the NLS website, I think that the book is your best bet. Look out for me at Wymondham Crossing (night shift this week!!) Regards Ian

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 some further images of ironstone quarry railways from the past. Hunslet 50550 class 0-6-0st shunting at Harlaxton Ironstone quarry, near Grantham Quarry loco BUCKMINSTER brings a train of empty wagons out of the sidings at Stainby Glebe on the Buckminster Ironstone quarry system Avonside 0-6-0st CRANFORD seen crossing the bridge at Cranford Ironstone quarry A Yorkshire Engine Co Janus class diesel loco pictured hauling its empty wagon train on the Exton Park Ironstone Quarry system in Rutland S&L 50 Kitson built CARMARTHEN seen on a permanent way works train at Glendon Ironstone quarry OPen day tomorrow. Nothing running, but should be a nice day for a good look round. Regards Ian

Has Dave |Jones been headhunted by Hornby? Regards Ian