hmrspaul Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Paul, "Big Pit" is the Welsh Mining Museum at Blaenavon, alongside the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway - combine them both for an excellent day out (Museum entry in Wales is free ! and here you get to go underground). . Last time I was there, visibility was down to about 50yds. and as I was entertaining visitors from the Dominions, didn't pay much attention to the wagons which are clearly visible, but don't appear to be publicly accessible. . Brian R Brian Thanks, I am sorry I knew where Big pit was... although I have not visited and you are correct I should do - although I don't think I would go underground. My sorrow is because the http://www.vintagecarriagestrust.org/surveystatus.asp uses the most c#ap descriptions of where things are - they seem to expect everyone to know every conservation site in the country - they even use slangy descriptions such as Battlefield! Paul Bartlett Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 My sorrow is because the http://www.vintagecarriagestrust.org/surveystatus.asp uses the most c#ap descriptions of where things are - they seem to expect everyone to know every conservation site in the country - they even use slangy descriptions such as Battlefield! Is it 'arrogance' or 'ignorance' - it's hard to say. That search facility, like others, is a classic example of 'dumbing down' - I was always taught, when writing a report, assume the reader knows nothing about the subject. Anyway, moving on....... This picture is to get the mind working, another Welsh industrial location, about six years ago, - we're looking west. The railway is hidden, but runs across the centre from left to right behind the industrial complex, and the outcrop behind it. Ideas on a postcard to ... (what do you mean, what's a postcard ?). Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Is it 'arrogance' or 'ignorance' - it's hard to say. That search facility, like others, is a classic example of 'dumbing down' - I was always taught, when writing a report, assume the reader knows nothing about the subject. Brian R But a search facility is not equivalent to report writing but a product of database systems which aren't capable of explaining themselves to anyone. Imagine putting a card index online - which effectively is what this is, it's pretty primitive - and we might be nearer the mark. In this instance, I suspect limited programming/coding ability and some inconsistency in data collection (which looks to be via a sheet of A4) myself. The former could certainly assist in making the database more user friendly - a single word could be linked in the database to another which holds the information in full and links together on the screen but you have to know someone who can do it using something like MS Access, or have the knowledge of a suitable proprietary software package and in this case, presumably for free... The latter is almost impossible to completely resolve once the data is in the database from personal experience. Moving on. No idea about this particular site, but thanks for all the pictures so far Brian. Adam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Is it 'arrogance' or 'ignorance' - it's hard to say. That search facility, like others, is a classic example of 'dumbing down' - I was always taught, when writing a report, assume the reader knows nothing about the subject. Anyway, moving on....... This picture is to get the mind working, another Welsh industrial location, about six years ago, - we're looking west. The railway is hidden, but runs across the centre from left to right behind the industrial complex, and the outcrop behind it. Ideas on a postcard to ... (what do you mean, what's a postcard ?). Brian R Somewhere around Llandybie? It looks like an exposure of Carboniferous Limestone, which would suggest the fringes of the coalfield. It's too green to be near Penderyn, whilst the fields in the background look typical of the western fringes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 Currently, one of the few places in the UK where one can 'get up close and personal' to industrial operations is at Margam Knuckle Yard, where a public footpath allows you to cross the South wales main line, Ogmore Valley Extension (OVE) line and the down (west) end of the yard - legally. . This includes watching the shunters from the adjacent "Tata" formerly "Corus", previously "BSC" and originally "SCoW" Port Talbot/Abbey works tripping in and out of the Knuckle Yard. . My favourite locos are the remaining few of a one time extensive fleet of Brush-Bagnall 0-4-0DE shunters delivered to the Steel Company of Wales in the 1950s. . Several were converted to "master + slave" operations during the 1970s. Later a couple were stripped to their frames, weighted and became brake tenders, numbered in the "BT" series. . Here are a few shots, taken in early 2008, from the Heol-y-deiliad crossing. . The 'family resemblance' to the smaller BR D2999 is apparent Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted March 3, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 3, 2011 Is it 'arrogance' or 'ignorance' - it's hard to say. That search facility, like others, is a classic example of 'dumbing down' - I was always taught, when writing a report, assume the reader knows nothing about the subject. Anyway, moving on....... This picture is to get the mind working, another Welsh industrial location, about six years ago, - we're looking west. The railway is hidden, but runs across the centre from left to right behind the industrial complex, and the outcrop behind it. Ideas on a postcard to ... (what do you mean, what's a postcard ?). Brian R Hello Brian, Is that Machen? Regards, Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ailg8048 Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Big pit is an excellent place and don't forget the ironworks as well http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p69028084.html and yes, there are tracks in there as well http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p69028078.html And now for the shameless plug We at the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway are working hard to reopen the branch to Big Pit http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p67924091.html http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p67924090.html http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p67924095.html Official opening is Friday the 16th September which is the first day of our big steam gala. To gala is entitled Industrial steam of South Wales and we're hoping to get several ex-South Wales locos back to the valley for the weekend. We'll also be repainting some of our wagons into NCB internal user colours. Along with this we have been speaking with Big Pit and they are keen to join in. At these stage ideas are still in the planning stage but hopefully they will be putting on a photographic display of SW industrial steam from their archives and we're looking at getting close up access to the steam locos and wagons out front as well. With any luck the heritage centre in town will be taking part but i've got to have a meeting with them yet. Aside from the gala we open on the 2/3rd April with the class 37s (are you listening Marc ). First steam outing is th2 22nd - 25th April. motive power again this year is the superb Austerity 71515 Mech.Navies ltd. http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p66855126.html backed up by the lovely Bagnall 0-4-0ST No. 19 http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p65381556.html regards Alistair Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 Is that Machen? Bah - beaten again ! Unfortunately, there are no prizes Ian. Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted March 3, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 3, 2011 Bah - beaten again ! Unfortunately, there are no prizes Ian. Brian Don't worry, Brian. I had my tongue very firmly wedged in my cheek, when I posted that..... Regards, Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 While I'm on my soapbox in relation to the former Welsh Industrial & Maritime Museum, here's another exhibit from that late lamented collection. . Hudswell Clarke 544/1900 preserved after a life mainly spent at Coed Ely Colliery, Tonyrefail(ish), one of the three pits where I applied for a job,to go underground, in 1978; all three (Cwm, Nantgarw & Coed Ely turned me down !). . Displaced when the museum was closed, I last saw this loco at The Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans - actually, just up the road from me.. . . . . and an outstanding place to visit, I cannot recommend it highly enough. . Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etched Pixels Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 RSH 7705 is currently on the garw railway being put back together. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted March 7, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 7, 2011 While I'm on my soapbox in relation to the former Welsh Industrial & Maritime Museum, here's another exhibit from that late lamented collection. . Hudswell Clarke 544/1900 preserved after a life mainly spent at Coed Ely Colliery, Tonyrefail(ish), one of the three pits where I applied for a job,to go underground, in 1978; all three (Cwm, Nantgarw & Coed Ely turned me down !). . Displaced when the museum was closed, I last saw this loco at The Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans - actually, just up the road from me.. . . . . and an outstanding place to visit, I cannot recommend it highly enough. . Brian R Hello Brian, I remember this loco at Caerphilly RS, in the 1970's. It was relocated to Cardiff Bay around 1978-80, IIRC. It's now at Big Pit, Blaenavon. It bears a close family resemblence to 813, at Severn Valley Railway. Regards, Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Although these two photos are more 'up to date' - they are now historical. . In the early 1990s British Rail reached an agreement with Allied Steel & Wire for that company to shunt a large amount of traffic in Tidal Sidings and Cardiff Docks on behalf of BR and using Allied Steel's own locos. This work was later contracted out by ASW, to Wilmott Bros. Ilkeston, Derbys. - a partnership that didn't last very long. . ASW then reached agreement with 'Transrail' who allocated several Cl.08s to the then LNWK pool for hire by ASW. . Not long after, EWS took over the contract, and the locos became part of pool WSAW, and that's how things stayed until ASW went into liquidation during 2002. . The plants were sold by the administrator to Celsa (UK) a subsidiary of a large Spanish concern, and production restarted during 2004/2005 - and shortly after a new £90m melt shop was opened. . EWS were again contracted to provide the rail services between the two plants, and Tidal Sidings, but now with only two Cl.08s employed 24/7 as opposed to the six 08s that could be seen immediatley prior to the ASW liquidation. (On 25th. July, 2002 - the week ASW 'went to the wall' 08466, 08653, 08752, 08854, 08913 & 08951 were all at Tremorfa works). . In late January 2010 the rail contract was lost by EWS, although by now called DB(S), to GBRf, with the shunter drivers and fitter transferring across. . GBRf started operations with two Cl.08s 08934 which sounds like a food blender filled with 6" nails, and 08202 which arrived from the G(W)R with flast batteries, and apparently hasn't turned a wheel in anger. As back up a GBRf Cl.73 was brought from Tonbridge, and has seen limited use. recently 08925 has been brought in, and apparently sound worse than '934' and disgraced itself by 'hitting the dirt' within hours of its arrival. . Anyway, the two pictures below show how things were in 2007 and 2008, with 08951 shunting empty Freightliner JNA wagons ready to form a departure to Hitchin; and 08782 which was 'stored' for several months at Tremorfa. . . . . . this loco was transferred in by EWS when the castleton railwelding depot closed; unfortunately no one from EWS noticed that the loco, distinctive in its light grey livery had large 'Corus' logos on the bonnets - a direct competitor of Celsa(UK). . 08782 disappeared to Margam quicker than it arrived, and returned to Tremorfa a week or so later, minus the 'Corus' logos - allegedly after a minor overhaul.. Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 The latest, April, Backtrack magazine has a colour spread of 4 photographs, plus one on the rear cover, "South Wales Colliery Steam in Colour". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 18, 2011 Author Share Posted March 18, 2011 The latest, April, Backtrack magazine has a colour spread of 4 photographs, plus one on the rear cover, "South Wales Colliery Steam in Colour". Including a nice shot of AE 'Lord Camrose' & 'Sir John' at Deep Duffryn, Mountain Ash - but my favourite is the rustic shot of the AB tank at Wern Tarw near Pencoed. Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Including a nice shot of AE 'Lord Camrose' & 'Sir John' at Deep Duffryn, Mountain Ash - but my favourite is the rustic shot of the AB tank at Wern Tarw near Pencoed. Brian R Yes, I like that one too, I also like that big, battered, Barclay on the rear cover with the sunlit drivers face peering through the broken spectacle. Arthur Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Dear all With problems with my fotopic site I have reposted some of the recent postings I have posted collections which show Cwm Coke works in action here http://paulbartletts...t/c1945580.html NEW http://paulbartlett....om/cwmcokeworks And of the internal user mineral wagons here http://gallery6801.f...t/c1945577.html NEW http://paulbartlett....sinternalwagons I have had some of the tank wagons on the site for a long time, but intend to add a lot of detail photographs to these in the next few days. http://gallery6801.f...on.php?id=18513 NEW http://paulbartlett....m/ncbtankwagons There are others of Cynheidre. Thanks Paul Bartlett Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkea1 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Paul, These links don't seem to be working for me. I'm very interested in seeing the photos. Regards Alastair Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon A Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Paul, I could not get the links to work either. I got the message below: An error occurred at http://paulbartlett....m/ncbtankwagonsYour browser cannot display the webpage.Gordon A Bristol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Paul, I could not get the links to work either. I got the message below: An error occurred at http://paulbartlett....m/ncbtankwagonsYour browser cannot display the webpage.Gordon A Bristol This site appears to truncate links sometimes and this causes problems. Just go to my site, easy to navigate now. http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/ Paul Bartlett Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon A Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Paul, Many thanks. I read an earlier post a few minutes later on and tried the Zenfolio link which worked. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 When talking 'industrial' this one's a bit tenuous. . Early July, 2004 08499 & 08994 arrived by road at Canton 'Brickyard Sidings' and were moved across to the depot. . When EWS 'pulled out' of Canton TMD, 08994 moved also, but 08499 remained, and found occasional use with the new owners of the site, Pullman Rail. . I don't really know what the current status of 08499 is ? - the last time I saw it in action, it was shunting ECS (for a Black Five hauled excursion) around the depot. . The picture shows 08499 six years ago, on 14th. March, 2005 part way through its repaint into its current blue livery. . Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 We return, yet again, to Mountain Ash. . On the occasion of this photo, and those that will follow, there were three locos in steam - and, bearing in mind this was early 1978(ish) that was probably 'the steamiest place in Britain' at that time. . On that day Barclay 0-6-0ST "Llantanam Abbey" , Peckett 0-6-0ST "Sir Gomer" and RSH 0-6-0ST "No.8" were all in steam around the shed, Deep Duffryn Colliery and main line to the Abercwmboi Phurnacite Plant.. First up is 'Llantanam abbey' shunting a mix of NCB IU and BR wagons at Deep Duffryn. . Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DS239 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Nice photo Brian. But,looking at the brake levers on the wagons,it looks as though the image is 'reversed'.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 Nice photo Brian. But,looking at the brake levers on the wagons,it looks as though the image is 'reversed'.. You're right, the brake levers give it away, and the smokebox door confirms it - the prints from one negative strip (all of 'Llantanam Abbey') came back printed in reverse - and my 'decent' film/slide scanner has taken a "day off" ...... . Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.