TravisM

I love this layout and having been to Santa Barbara in March 2008, makes it even more special. I attach some pictures I took whilst I was there and you will notice that the Amtrak's Coast Starlight only had one GE P42DC and was reduced to 5 cars. It's missing it's sleepers, diner and baggage cars as it either terminated at Roseville or Oakland (Can't remember which) because of a major landslide on UP's mainline in Oregon. The Pacific Parlour cars were away at the time at Beech Grove being refurbished. Julian Sprott

Did Hymek's venture into Newport and Cardiff towards the end of their BR life? I remember having haulage behind a Western from Newport to Cardiff in the mid 70's, or was Bristol about as far as they got? Julian Sprott

I will be ordering the 8 car set soon and though there is a big fan fare, I don't think they will sell out quickly (I hope not anyway). The 4 car and individual ones might go a lot quicker. All we need now is a set of rtr A, C and D stock, and you could set all in 2013. Julian Sprott

Can anyone tell me what 1200 "Falcon" booked workings were when it was based at Ebbw Junction? I assume it was trip workings between the steel plants at Llanwern and Ebbw Vale. I only got to see the loco twice, both on passing trains. First time as it was coming out of Llanwern heading west and the second, stabled on Ebbw Junction depot. Julian Sprott

Thanks for that but I did notice that one of the WoE sets was made up of Mk1's, I thought they were generally early Mk2's? Julian Sprott

Trying to recreate a true version of a NSE Exeter - London Waterloo service in the late 80's when Class 50's ruled "the mule". Any coach formations (with numbers if possible) for the period would be most helpful. Julian Sprott

Close, but no cigar lol, Julian Sprott

Where would they have done the loco change at Reading? 3rd rail only lead into platforms 4a and b. Julian Sprott

I have a record of a Class 71 being used on the western section, LCGB tour in 1969 from Waterloo to Reading, Thanks to the Diesel Hydraulic Group. http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/690420lc.html Julian Sprott

Is it safe to say that their booked workings were mainly within the SE Division and into Victoria? They were as unique to that division as the Class 74's to the South Western and the Class 73's were the "go anywhere" loco? Julian Sprott

Think the last Kent coal mines closed in the late 70's, could be wrong though. Julian Sprott

With the new Hornby class 71 on the horizon, apart from the boat trains, what else did they work and were they common over the Southern Region or restricted to the SE area? I did see 71005 at Eastleigh undergoing maintence in the mid 70's, did they work there or dragged? Julian Sprott

Were the Old Oak one's just used on ECS and PW duties or did they ever venture onto the Southern (In the London area) with Inter Regional freight? Julian Sprott

I know that Class 22's worked in the Exeter/Plymouth area for the Devon banks, the Gloucester area for the Forest of Dean and Old Oak for ECS duties but did they work anywhere else. I remember seeing several at Bristol Bath Road at a open day approx 1969/70? but I don't ever recall seeing them at Weston-super-Mare or Worle Junction (my local spotting area), just loads of Peaks, Warships, Western's, Class 47's, Hymek's and units. Julian Sprott

I assume that the electrical equipment and driving controls were very similar to other Southern Railway built units, so could they could travel anywhere on the 3rd rail Southern Region network. Julian Sprott

Thinking of getting a blue Hornby Brighton Belle set and wondered if they ever wandered off route, used on rail tours or special events? Julian Sprott

I bet green 03382 was one of the two 03's on shed. Julian Sprott

I always seem to remember that Margam had a staff bus from Port Talbot Parkway and the only time I visited (in the mid 70's), it was parked out the front and I just asked if I could get on, and the reply was "sure". Even managed to get round the depot as I recall. Julian Sprott

Nice to see 7018 at Bristol for my 14th birthday lol and I remember 7055 along with her sister 7054 in green at Swindon works. Didn't realise Basingstoke was Hymek country? Julian Sprott

Wonderful pics, all from a era when I started taking a serious interest in trains. Julian Sprott

Shame that the Gresley buffets were not used on the Waterloo - Exeter services, love to have created a set with a Warship leading. Julian Sprott

Not sure if this the right forum for this but I want to recreate a Waterloo - Exeter working with a Class 42 leading. I'm hoping to get a Maroon Hornby ex LNER Gresley 61ft Buffet car which I believe were used on the these workings in the mid 60's. If anyone has any information on this being correct and train formation, that would be really useful. Julian Sprott

That confirms what I had already heard that the Waterloo workings were dominated by Class 42's but both classes were regular on freight workings on the SR around London. A friend of mine recalled being at Clapham Junction in the late 60's and seeing a Class 42 on a fast passenger working heading west, a class 43 on freight heading towards Willesden Junction and Class 15 heading in the other direction. Julian Sprott

I read somewhere that the NBL Warships were not as reliable as the the Swindon built examples and they were soon relegated to freight workings. Is there any truth in this and were just the Class 42's diagrammed to work the Waterloo - Exeter services? Julian Sprott

Thanks John, I think they are in BR (S) green and I was wondering, what type of loco would have hauled the set? Julian Sprott