Carl. H.

Thanks for the information everyone. I found out from my Dad, whose just got a copy of David Monk-Steel's book on MGR hoppers today, that the the train of coke from Smithywood went on to Scunthorpe for the steel works. Incidentally my family moved to Treeton, very near Orgreave, in January 1987. I remember the sulphurous smell that hanged in the air, along with the distant roar of coke being quenched during a push, and many happy hours by the lineside with Dad watching the trains go by, along with a flurry of activity at the exchange sidings when the coke was pushed and loaded into HTV's or HEA's. Treeton would make a good layout.

Hello everyone, I've been doing a bit of photo searching on Flickr of Smithywood coking plant near Sheffield. I spent my very early childhood nearby and have a few memories of it. Anyway, to the questions. There was a departure from Smithywood of coke loaded in HAA hoppers , does anyone know where it went to and what the coke was used for, considering the expense of installing MGR discharge equipment in a given location. The only places I can think of would be power stations or cement works, like Northfleet but can't think of what you would use coke in either of those places for. Secondly, any other workings from Smithywood. I noticed from photos, coke being loaded into 16 ton opens and 21 ton hoppers , where did it go to? Thirdly, any other workings on the Ecclesfield branch. I know it had other connections to it for freight; an oil terminal and wasn't an IZAL factory or warehouse connected too? Any info on these or other freight workings would be appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read. Carl

or a 319 in Northern, when Farish release it. There's also a 323 kit from PH Designs too. Carl

Steel cabs were fitted on 56056-56135. Carl

Nicely done. The weathering and fading is very good. How about a steel cab variant in railfreight grey? 56064 maybe? https://www.flickr.com/photos/16313630@N07/6220589719/in/photolist-atG9AT-atJRks-dFH4Z5-aGQrTi-duVY2D-4FRfH7-DVr2De-2g4fVHz-e9aTgY-9GpzsK-9GZpUu-5YQNaa-dMd3jY-DERwW8-9GWxyp-27xtSx5-GKH24p-bajRj4-bryvv8-Xc1UWC-nUP5Cy-sehqpt-hpALeU-Z7rMnN-U1XWyN-U89V3E-eaEP8F-8WLgiE-2uutS8-2hjRWAn-7BxVFm-3JzQEi-V7A9Lz-2ijqZ5Y-GszCky-2cSArqw-HJDriR-DoM5uy-bLhwpV-qvnRqE-2eqsv2i-2iK81Le-23RZWzY-VoUY4d-McNLs5-2gzrfLo-o5nSd3-2dd4wxE-9qNJ5y-2iJhAtn

or even this! Note what's its' paired with.

or how about this?

You can blame me for asking. Cottam power power station is (or was) fairly local to the area is my excuse. So's West Burton power station - I'm looking forward to a model of 56028 too. Modelling that will require some hacking with a razor saw. Carl

Excellent choice. I remember seeing 37355 with Dad @Duncan. one night over 30 years ago at Treeton south junction on a speedlink. Carl

wow, looks like its made from metal! The sheen once buffed is amazing , much better than I would have thought.

I've seen it used to good effect for buildings of varying sizes and even rolling stock would you believe, despite its quality issues. People have told me the secret is bracing it and giving a coat of cheap superglue on the fibrous, un-coated sides of the card. A bit like the old days of shellac being used to stiffen card, same principle really. Mountboard used as backing for sketchpads is quite good too but that's an even more expensive way than cereal packs for sure! Carl

The earliest listing I can find for the Minitrix one is in the 1980 catalogue if that helps. Carl

Hi, I pretty sure its a conversion from an unfitted to a fitted van. When built if it was unfitted it had a solid concrete floor, fitted van had gaps in the concrete floor when cast to accommodate the pipes and other associated bits. Converted vans had pipework above the floor - I'm assuming that's where the through pipe went as well. Not a 100% sure, if anyone else knows better I'd be keen to hear. Carl

Going slightly OT here, i reckon it was a dark green. In some shots in the title sequence the colour of the car looks green in some and black - or darker green, in others to me. Film stock used and processing may have some influence here. I remember a documentary about the prisoner and it said No.6's village jacket was actually a dark brown, it showed up black when the rushes were viewed. Anyway, i'll stop now. Back to 3d printed cars. Carl

It does look great. I like the attention to detail; they've even got the swallow on the horn grille - alright the inter city logo is on the small side but still. It's hard to believe they're coming to the end of their front line service on the east coast mainline, I remember seeing them as kid on test at Doncaster and Retford, and when they first entered traffic with the mk.3's and buffer fitted HST power cars. I may have to go out an about with the camera for a few shots before its too late. Carl