Title: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 11:56:08 Still going on as of last week It's the Great Western Main Line (GWML) electrification. One line has to be closed while they work on the overhead line supports each side of the track. Quote From summer 2017, the new electric Hitachi Rail Europe Intercity Express Trains (IEP) will begin to replace most of the current fleet of HST trains. Services will run from London Paddington to Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Oxford and Worcester. These faster, higher capacity trains will carry more passengers to their destinations more frequently. The introduction of Crossrail will further improve connectivity of the Great Western Main Line (GWML)starting from 2018 and concluding in 2019. https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/greater-west/Investment-project-schedules (https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/greater-west/Investment-project-schedules) So there is another two to three years of this. I for one will be sad to see the HSTs go, I remember them being introduced in 1976 - they were so fuckin' FAST! They are also one of the last sets to have old skool manual opening windows. I always stick my head out on the way back to Swindon as I get to the A420 bridge, a great feeling of being home. Here's one at Swindon station in old livery in the early 80's (http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/275785/Article/images/19897068/5360632-large.jpg) Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 12:35:03 It's the Great Western Main Line (GWML) electrification. One line has to be closed while they work on the overhead line supports each side of the track. https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/greater-west/Investment-project-schedules (https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/greater-west/Investment-project-schedules) So there is another two to three years of this. I for one will be sad to see the HSTs go, I remember them being introduced in 1976 - they were so fuckin' FAST! They are also one of the last sets to have old skool manual opening windows. I always stick my head out on the way back to Swindon as I get to the A420 bridge, a great feeling of being home. Here's one at Swindon station in old livery in the early 80's (http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/275785/Article/images/19897068/5360632-large.jpg) Now the 125's are going I suppose there's a pang of sadness, but in all honesty, I never really took to them in an aesthetic way....by 76, you could still probably find the odd Western Class, Swindon built diesel kicking around, but they had largely been superceded by the Class 47, and for a while the class 50. Westerns were proper ace, Class 47s no more than Ok but the Class 50's a very nice loco. 4 Swindon built Westerns are still extant....Western Campaigner, on the West Somerset, Western Ranger and Western Champion on the SVR, and Western Fusiler, a long way from home in York NRM. Western Champion is still licensed for mainline running. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p7EVypwbkk Hard to get too excited by electrics.... Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 12:48:55 The last railway travelling post office in the UK was on the 9th January 2004. Post doesn't go by rail anymore unfortunately. Hence the increase in the number of Royal Mail lorries on the motorways in the last ten years. Sad. It bloody does, a mail trains goes through Lancaster every evening around the time I get off my train - big red bugger! Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Berniman on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 12:52:34 My Grandad used to be a train driver and I was lucky enough to sit in the cab of a HST from Swindon to Paddington when I was a lad, and have a (pretend) drive for some of the journey. Back before the days of the PC brigrade and hightened levels of H&S.
Will always remember it, not many (non train driver) people get to see that journey from that perspective. Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Talk Talk on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 13:05:21 4 Swindon built Westerns are still extant....Western Campaigner, on the West Somerset, Western Ranger and Western Champion on the SVR, and Western Fusiler, a long way from home in York NRM. Western Champion is still licensed for mainline running. Got this booked up for December Reg: http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-canterbury-champion.html (http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-canterbury-champion.html) Getting on at Didcot. (http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/system/html/Canterbury%20Champion-9d0ec920.jpg) I loved the Westerns, used to watch them at Reading when I was in short trousers :gay: Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 13:37:41 Got this booked up for December Reg: http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-canterbury-champion.html (http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-canterbury-champion.html) Getting on at Didcot. (http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/system/html/Canterbury%20Champion-9d0ec920.jpg) I loved the Westerns, used to watch them at Reading when I was in short trousers :gay: Nice....definitely a mystery tour into deepest Kent, not sure about the festively decorated carriages mind. Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Talk Talk on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 14:30:20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p7EVypwbkk Just watched that. A Western under semaphores, lush! Not many mechanical signal boxes left now. The drive is on for the mega regional signalling centres which will take out the remainder over the next ten years or so. There's still a few around, most of the GWR boxes west of Plymouth and before Marazion still have semaphores. Then there's Yeovil Pen Mill with the last GWR lower quadrant signal in Wessex, Moreton-in-Marsh on the O*ford to Worcester line, Worcester Shrub Hill and surrounding boxes plus some on the line to Birmingham. Bits and pieces in Wales and northern England etc. Elsewhere there are the Littlehampton and Bognor branches, Greenford East with the last surviving semaphores in London. Most notably Shrewsbury is destined to survive until the 2020's, a real mecca of mechanical remnants. Severn Junction box is the largest surviving box in the UK (http://www.roscalen.com/signals/Shrewsbury/060918/SBJBoxFromUpPlatform.jpg) With some awesome old signals (http://www.roscalen.com/signals/Shrewsbury/060918/SBJUpPlatformHomes.jpg) (http://www.roscalen.com/signals/Shrewsbury/070526/SBJDownHomesCOToP4.jpg) This site gives the timing for their removal: http://www.signalbox.org/sectionc.php (http://www.signalbox.org/sectionc.php), although the page doesn't seem to be working at the moment :( Even our local 1968 Swindon Panel Box is overdue for closure, control was supposed to move to the Didcot RSC (Regional Signalling Centre) when the Gloucester line was doubled but the Dawlish sea wall problems postponed it. There is even a preservation movement to buy the signal panel for a museum and to run it as a simulator! Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: 4D on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 14:39:51 Mods, can we have a trainspotters thread? Thanks :)
Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Talk Talk on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 14:46:56 Mods, can we have a trainspotters thread? Thanks :) :smugfu: PS forgot to add that Banbury still has GWR semaphores, well at least until next year... Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Talk Talk on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 14:52:35 More on Swindon Panel here http://www.swindonpanel.org.uk/ (http://www.swindonpanel.org.uk/)
I will shut up now :D Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 14:58:35 More on Swindon Panel here http://www.swindonpanel.org.uk/ (http://www.swindonpanel.org.uk/) I will shut up now :D The GWS at Didcot are putting together a whole new exhibt (in a new building) showing the history and development of signaling from the early red flag days to the current - this will include Swindon Panel. Right thats me out also! Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 15:21:42 The GWS at Didcot are putting together a whole new exhibt (in a new building) showing the history and development of signaling from the early red flag days to the current - this will include Swindon Panel. Right thats me out also! The GWS has the rebuilt Radstock signal box, which my grandfather worked....slightly weird feeling being in there, as it's the same box, but not the same place...so it doesn't quite chime with my historical imagination. Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: hobnob on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 15:43:05 I think it's time for the "bat of rebuke" from those Fosters ads to be shown. zzzzzzzzzz
Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: kerry red on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 16:01:44 How about the Gillingham Express
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag351/rickrose1204/IndiaCrowdedTrain_zps5fb10394.jpg) (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/rickrose1204/media/IndiaCrowdedTrain_zps5fb10394.jpg.html) Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Mother Brown on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 20:27:28 How about the Gillingham Express Bring back the football special.(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag351/rickrose1204/IndiaCrowdedTrain_zps5fb10394.jpg) (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/rickrose1204/media/IndiaCrowdedTrain_zps5fb10394.jpg.html) Looks like the one that went to Wrexham in 77. Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: kerry red on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 20:38:16 Christ, that was a train trip to remember!
Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Posh Red on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 20:55:39 Now I know why our crowds are so low, you are all out spotting trains.
If Lee Power could get an old Loco on the Bank, would that entice all you Saddo's back :) Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Talk Talk on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 21:23:51 Now I know why our crowds are so low, you are all out spotting trains. If Lee Power could get an old Loco on the Bank, would that entice all you Saddo's back :) Only if it was the preserved and working Swindon built Warship D832... (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Class_42_D832.jpg/800px-Class_42_D832.jpg) ;D Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Hammer on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 21:25:30 Bring back the football special. Looks like the one that went to Wrexham in 77. Absolutely not. There isn't a beer can in sight. Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 21:41:23 With some awesome old signals No no no no no, no no no, no. Signals are not awesome regardless of whether or not they are old or new. Futuristic signals... perhaps. But new or old signals... NO. They are not awesome. They are about as awesome as traffic lights and pelican crossings which score about exactly zero on the 'awesome' scale'. But train people might disagree, so here's your own thread. You guys be like this.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lutNECOZFw Title: Re: Trains Post by: Gerinthere on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 21:45:14 Does anyone remember the special to Burnley where a passing trains door flew open and smashed the carriages windows showering some of our fans in glass. Some people had bad injuries from that, so my mates on the train told me.
Must of been about 1984-85 time Title: Re: Trains Post by: kerry red on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 21:51:23 Was on that train. Think it happened at Crewe station - I thought a bomb had gone off the noise it made
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Mother Brown on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 21:59:59 I was on that one . Burnley were a top team back then.
Stuffed us on the pitch.First game that i went to where they sold beer in the ground. Happy days. Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Talk Talk on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 22:15:37 No no no no no, no no no, no. Signals are not awesome regardless of whether or not they are old or new. Futuristic signals... perhaps. But new or old signals... NO. They are not awesome. They are about as awesome as traffic lights and pelican crossings which score about exactly zero on the 'awesome' scale'. No, FH, sorry. Old stuff is awesome :toocool: How about the old road signs that I remember from my yuff before the hideous new "continental" signs came in? They said what they meant and were quintessentially BRITISH (http://www.sankeyscenics.co.uk/communities/3/004/008/947/313/images/4544794555.jpg) Love the official "Public Lavatories" ones :pint: Title: Re: Trains Post by: ghanimah on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 22:37:10 No, FH, sorry. Old stuff is awesome :toocool: How about the old road signs that I remember from my yuff before the hideous new "continental" signs came in? They said what they meant and were quintessentially BRITISH The new road signs are British... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Calvert Title: Re: Post by: sonicyouth on Thursday, November 6, 2014, 22:42:54 Worst. Thread. Ever.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Simon Pieman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 00:29:08 As sad as it is, I do miss the old engines with the ridiculous sound before they departed the station
Title: Re: Re: Re: Post by: Batch on Friday, November 7, 2014, 07:32:17 Worst. Thread. Ever. Thought you'd be chuffed..Title: Re: Trains Post by: Flashheart on Friday, November 7, 2014, 07:36:22 Don't derail the thread please.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Bogus Dave on Friday, November 7, 2014, 07:40:28 Found this video of talk talk on YouTube
http://youtu.be/6lutNECOZFw Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, November 7, 2014, 07:58:18 Am I the only one on here , to hold 08 class shunters in high regard? Used to be common as muck and often covered in muck, still a few kicking around on the mainline, and plenty at preservations.
(http://s3.freefoto.com/images/24/50/24_50_18_web.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 08:02:14 Am I the only one on here , to hold 08 class shunters in high regard? Used to be common as muck and often covered in muck, still a few kicking around on the mainline, and plenty at preservations. Nope, you have an ally in me Reg. Plus the rarer 09's which were either lower geared or higher powered, can't remember. There's an 08 still working in Didcot Network Rail/DB Schenker yard although it is in EWS livery. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, November 7, 2014, 08:09:54 Nope, you have an ally in me Reg. Plus the rarer 09's which were either lower geared or higher powered, can't remember. There's an 08 still working in Didcot Network Rail/DB Schenker yard although it is in EWS livery. I don't dislike EWS livery... Class 03 shunters....swoon Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 08:16:27 I don't dislike EWS livery... Class 03 shunters....swoon Hmmm, but for some reason BR blue seems to suit most UK diesels? I have always liked Choppers, class 20's as they look like overgrown 08's. Usually working in pairs as the visibility down the body is shite. Still lots around in the private operators, doing railtours and occasionally hired to NR. They definitely look best in blue (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Sheepbridge_Bank.jpg/800px-Sheepbridge_Bank.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Hexagon on Friday, November 7, 2014, 08:24:19 There's still loads of 08's in daily use, FGW have got at least three of their own, there's one down hinksy yard near Oxford and the one mentioned at Didcot.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: REDBUCK on Friday, November 7, 2014, 08:32:11 Can we have a discussion on coaches next please
. My grandad built them at the works Title: Re: Trains Post by: Bob's Orange on Friday, November 7, 2014, 08:40:26 Worst. Thread. Ever. Uh, there is a thread with over 100 pages on fucking cycling don't forget. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 09:37:43 Was on that train. Think it happened at Crewe station - I thought a bomb had gone off the noise it made It was just before Crewe station yes and it was fucking loud, me and my mate were sat there when the train left but moved down to the next carriage to sit wth some more mates otherwise we would have been hurt. Crap game on the pitch too....I also remeber Burnley fans bricking the train on the bridges between Burnley and Blackburn so had the old bill on the train making sure we didn'y put our heads out of the windows until we were past Blackburn where the BTP got off.Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 09:51:19 I was an apprentice at BREL from 82 to 83 (before I decided to go work in computing as I didn't enjoy manual work) here is a pic of my group from the Apprentice Training School 82/83, me with hair!
(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/jjedmunds/406356_10150993436298095_104798868_n_zps6ac0268f.jpg) Alan might recognise which one I am :D We learnt on the Warships D832 and 818 along with the Hymek 7029 while they were stored on the turntable. Title: Re: Trains Post by: kerry red on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:01:19 e5?
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:01:46 e5? I thought that was you. Her name actually was Audrey.Title: Re: Trains Post by: 4D on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:08:44 You're in the back row? :sherlock:
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:13:15 You're in the back row? :sherlock: Wheres the wally :D no not back row.Title: Re: Trains Post by: 4D on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:13:56 C5 then
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:18:40 C5 then Nope thats Craig Campbell :) Talk Talk is the only person on the TEF has seen me with hair, I also wasn't that big back then but still as handsome :DTitle: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:21:00 Quote Alan might recognise which one I am :D Yup, a10 John. You WERE the original Michael Jackson... Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:22:07 Uh, there is a thread with over 100 pages on fucking cycling don't forget. And I have contributed to both, what does that make me! Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:24:13 Yup, a10 John. You WERE the original Michael Jackson... You know me too well Alan :) spot on.Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:24:22 And I have contributed to both, what does that make me! On one of these? (http://www.bikehacks.com/.a/6a0120a7ed5f9d970b016765d77eeb970b-pi) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Bob's Orange on Friday, November 7, 2014, 10:47:27 And I have contributed to both, what does that make me! unsavable! :) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:01:35 I recall in 62, when this bad boy was being trialed on Western metals...
(http://www.derbysulzers.com/brcwlionyard.jpg) Known as Lion and numbered D0260, it was a prototype, which eventually wasn't persued BR preferring the class 47. Well exciting mind....seeing this white thing flash past, the only one of its kind. Title: Re: Trains Post by: 4D on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:03:19 Did you have to put your flask down quick to snap that Reg?
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:06:51 I recall in 62, when this bad boy was being trialed on Western metals... Scrapped 3 years before I was born, shame they didn't believe in preservation of prototype diesels back then such as the Falcon and DP1 and Kestrel etc.(http://www.derbysulzers.com/brcwlionyard.jpg) Known as Lion and numbered D0260, it was a prototype, which eventually wasn't persued BR preferring the class 47. Well exciting mind....seeing this white thing flash past, the only one of its kind. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:09:22 Known as Lion and numbered D0260, it was a prototype, which eventually wasn't persued BR preferring the class 47. Loads more info on Lion here: http://www.class47.co.uk/c47_feature_425.php (http://www.class47.co.uk/c47_feature_425.php) It's interesting in that BR was in such a rush to replace steam that they had already placed the order for Class 47's before Lion had even been properly trialled. Doomed from the beginning, but what a stunning loco. There was even a proposal to build a replica Lion from a dead Class 47 a few years ago 8) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:12:07 Scrapped 3 years before I was born, shame they didn't believe in preservation of prototype diesels back then such as the Falcon and DP1 and Kestrel etc. DP1 is preserved at the National Railway Museum at Shildon, John? Love those whiskers! :toocool: Title: Re: Trains Post by: kerry red on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:12:33 (http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag351/rickrose1204/thomas-the-tank-engine_zps5885146f.jpg) (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/rickrose1204/media/thomas-the-tank-engine_zps5885146f.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:15:35 Thomas has origins in the E2 Class designed by Lawson Billinton in 1913
(http://www.semgonline.com/steam/pics/mm_32109.jpg) You deserved that Audrey :smugfu: Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:19:17 :D
Title: Re: Trains Post by: TheMajorSTFC on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:25:33 Was always a fan of Steam Engines myself, classics like The Flying Scotsman and The Golden Arrow, but my personal favourite was The Mallard.
(http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/43/main/9/88678.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:26:07 DP1 is preserved at the National Railway Museum at Shildon, John? Love those whiskers! :toocool: Presently at the Ribble Steam Railway in Preston unless Thor has got at it! Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:28:26 Was always a fan of Steam Engines myself, classics like The Flying Scotsman and The Golden Arrow, but my personal favourite was The Mallard. (http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/43/main/9/88678.jpg) And that from a Swindon man.... traitor! Title: Re: Trains Post by: 4D on Friday, November 7, 2014, 12:37:40 He's a mackem :)
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Honkytonk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 13:29:35 Sorry, I know they weren't Swindon, but the A4's were and are gorgeous, beautiful, fantastic pieces of machinery that exude a real and palpable sense of excitement, even for people like me who weren't even a glint in the milkman's eye when they were plying the rails. Gresley was a genius.
I was waiting at a crossing on my way to Lindisfarne once when I heard a steam engine in the distance, so got out of the car to watch. Leaning over the rail to look down the line I was ridiculously excited to see an A4 huffing its way at considerable pace towards Newcastle. What a brilliant ride that must be along the East Coast Main Line. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Gerinthere on Friday, November 7, 2014, 13:55:20 I was an apprentice at BREL from 82 to 83 (before I decided to go work in computing as I didn't enjoy manual work) here is a pic of my group from the Apprentice Training School 82/83, me with hair! (http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/jjedmunds/406356_10150993436298095_104798868_n_zps6ac0268f.jpg) Alan might recognise which one I am :D We learnt on the Warships D832 and 818 along with the Hymek 7029 while they were stored on the turntable. I was on the 83/84 photo. The last BREL apprentices to go into the works before imminent closeure. Title: Re: Trains Post by: TheMajorSTFC on Friday, November 7, 2014, 13:55:29 Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 14:00:09 I was on the 83/84 photo. The last BREL apprentices to go into the works before imminent closeure. (http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/jjedmunds/311613_10150993436658095_1584786982_n_zps983e0efb.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, November 7, 2014, 14:40:25 Thomas has origins in the E2 Class designed by Lawson Billinton in 1913 (http://www.semgonline.com/steam/pics/mm_32109.jpg) You deserved that Audrey :smugfu: Surely....you deserved that Reverend Audrey. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Samdy Gray on Friday, November 7, 2014, 14:48:54 JJ, where did you get the group photos? My old man must be in one, he was an apprentice back in the 80s but I can't be sure exactly when.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 7, 2014, 14:54:38 JJ, where did you get the group photos? My old man must be in one, he was an apprentice back in the 80s but I can't be sure exactly when. They are on the Facebook group Sam, heres the link.https://www.facebook.com/groups/swindonapprentice/ Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, November 7, 2014, 15:02:31 Can we have a discussion on coaches next please . My grandad built them at the works The slow and painful decline of our once great nation is exemplified by the loss of compartments on trains...to the present day point, where you're shoe horned into a sardine tin full of gormless idiots, yabbering away inconsequentially on phones, or farting about on laptops/tablets...or both. Were there still compartments, then people would be more civilised and take in the views like the neglected artist Eric Ravilious, who sadly perished in WW2.... (http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1mx83FuNa1qbn130.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 15:05:35 Surely....you deserved that Reverend Audrey. :clap: Title: Re: Trains Post by: Honkytonk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 18:39:18 I actually think if we brought back those old booth-style carriages then it'd be a much nicer place for all. Farts like reg could avoid people who wanted to use computers or listen to music (on headphones I hasten to add).
I for one cannot be arsed to sit on the dull tedium of a commuter train for 3.5/4 hours without feeling like I'm doing something constructive like reading a book or doing some work. Hell, even playing Football Manager to drag myself away from the tedium and uselessness of the modern rail service. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Mother Brown on Friday, November 7, 2014, 20:11:31 Did a6 have his hair done by Brian Chartz ?
Title: Re: Trains Post by: chalkies_shorts on Friday, November 7, 2014, 20:18:43 b10 is tim parkin
Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, November 7, 2014, 23:05:10 This site gives the timing for their removal: http://www.signalbox.org/sectionc.php (http://www.signalbox.org/sectionc.php), although the page doesn't seem to be working at the moment :( Back up now. Swindon A and B boxes still scheduled to close this year :no: Title: Re: Trains Post by: Hexagon on Saturday, November 8, 2014, 01:42:32 Swindon B is already in Didcot.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Saturday, November 8, 2014, 02:32:46 Did a6 have his hair done by Brian Chartz ? :) :gay:Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 8, 2014, 09:52:29 This thread should really be in the Nev General....but waffling about Kemble, found this.
http://www.urban75.org/railway/kemble-railway-station-gwr.html Nice pics, but the real gem is a bit of film right at the end....definitely worth a look... :) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Monday, December 8, 2014, 09:59:37 can anyone recommend a good photobook on the Swindon works, or the steam locos that were built there...or even one about the steam museum?
A Christmas present for somebody whose English is not good, so a photobook with lots of nice glossy photos would be ideal :) Title: Re: Trains Post by: jayohaitchenn on Monday, December 8, 2014, 15:51:13 Moved to NevilleW General.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: ronnie21 on Monday, December 8, 2014, 16:28:32 This thread should really be in the Nev General....but waffling about Kemble, found this. Super bit of film, well found Reg!! When I left school I Had to go to Gloucester to art college, catching a train at Minety!! When that closed I had to travel to Kemble to go on to Glaawwster. Did you know that at one time there used to be a news and sweet kiosk on the up platform at Kemble? Used to be run by a family called Bayliss as I remember! http://www.urban75.org/railway/kemble-railway-station-gwr.html Nice pics, but the real gem is a bit of film right at the end....definitely worth a look... :) Title: Re: Trains Post by: TheMajorSTFC on Monday, December 8, 2014, 16:32:58 Has anyone been on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway? Taking Steam Engines a few times as a kid from Pickering to Goathland (where Heartbeat is filmed). Well worth a trip for any steam engine fanatics: http://www.nymr.co.uk/
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, December 8, 2014, 16:45:24 The NYMR is well worth a visit and not too expensive, a good way to spend a few hours.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 8, 2014, 16:56:57 Has anyone been on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway? Taking Steam Engines a few times as a kid from Pickering to Goathland (where Heartbeat is filmed). Well worth a trip for any steam engine fanatics: http://www.nymr.co.uk/ Yep I've been on that....I'm very much a GWR (Swindon BR) man though, so don't get fully excited by norvern locos, albeit they're better than Southern railway cack. Camped more or less in Goathland....didn't know about Heartbeat at the time, a lovely little place...probably ruined by too many tourists now. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 8, 2014, 17:03:03 Super bit of film, well found Reg!! When I left school I Had to go to Gloucester to art college, catching a train at Minety!! When that closed I had to travel to Kemble to go on to Glaawwster. Did you know that at one time there used to be a news and sweet kiosk on the up platform at Kemble? Used to be run by a family called Bayliss as I remember! Minety and Ashton Keynes.....shame it's gone like Bayliss's. There used to be a station at Purton as well, given the way that Swindon has expanded to more or less swallow Purton, you'd think there'd be a good case for re-opening a Purton station. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, December 8, 2014, 17:14:58 Yep I've been on that....I'm very much a GWR (Swindon BR) man though, so don't get fully excited by norvern locos, albeit they're better than Southern railway cack. I too prefer GWR but it is still a nice line.Camped more or less in Goathland....didn't know about Heartbeat at the time, a lovely little place...probably ruined by too many tourists now. One very interesting place not far from Goathland is the Fylingdales listening station, which is a massive struture just off the main A171, never seen anything like it anywhere, almost alien like in its structure. (http://tridentploughshares.org/wp-content/gallery/2011-fylingdales-july/fylingdales-listening-station.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 8, 2014, 17:20:44 I'll see your Fylingdales and raise you a Menwith Hill
(http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/webimage/1.6464693.1393441382!/image/2059714425.jpg_gen/derivatives/articleImgDeriv_628px/2059714425.jpg) Title: Re: Post by: Batch on Monday, December 8, 2014, 18:28:59 I saw a steam train in Lincoln on Saturday. A bit of it anyway.
Cool story eh. Title: Re: Trains Post by: ronnie21 on Monday, December 8, 2014, 19:40:54 Minety and Ashton Keynes.....shame it's gone like Bayliss's. Some years ago I was doing some contract work for Purton parish council and was talking to the parish clerk and we were discussing that - he told me that they had been approached previously to see if they would be interested in discussing re-opening but the councillors decided against it!! Just up from Minety we had the delightful Oaksey Halt - nothing more than two platforms with a shelter - passengers from Oaksey had to get off the train at Minety or Kemble to purchase their tickets! The area of the old station has been used to store materials when the line was re-doubled earlier this year.There used to be a station at Purton as well, given the way that Swindon has expanded to more or less swallow Purton, you'd think there'd be a good case for re-opening a Purton station. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 8, 2014, 19:48:36 Some years ago I was doing some contract work for Purton parish council and was talking to the parish clerk and we were discussing that - he told me that they had been approached previously to see if they would be interested in discussing re-opening but the councillors decided against it!! Just up from Minety we had the delightful Oaksey Halt - nothing more than two platforms with a shelter - passengers from Oaksey had to get off the train at Minety or Kemble to purchase their tickets! The area of the old station has been used to store materials when the line was re-doubled earlier this year. Wootton Bassett could re-open also....and then Stratton Park Halt, for the proposed eastern expansion. It's a real shame that our lost lines, weren't incorporated into some sort of tram type system, to cater for Swindon's expansion.....the present road structure isn't going to be sustainable in the long term. Title: Re: Trains Post by: ronnie21 on Monday, December 8, 2014, 20:01:19 Wootton Bassett could re-open also....and then Stratton Park Halt, for the proposed eastern expansion. It's a real shame that our lost lines, weren't incorporated into some sort of tram type system, to cater for Swindon's expansion.....the present road structure isn't going to be sustainable in the long term. As a comment in the paper said, we have a road system designed for 80,000 yet withing a few years there will be 200,000 living in the area!Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 8, 2014, 20:35:50 As a comment in the paper said, we have a road system designed for 80,000 yet withing a few years there will be 200,000 living in the area! Yep....madness. Here's a pic of a Swindon built Class 120 DMU (well a couple of them)....3 car units The 120, was a proper old workhorse, and hasn't really got the appreciation it deserved. There were also Swindon built Class 123, 124 and 126. (http://www.disusedrailways.co.uk/images/Midlands/derby%209.85a.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Samdy Gray on Monday, December 8, 2014, 20:50:27 They've been talking about re-opening Purton station for over 20 years. It'll never happen.
Over the summer I regularly cycled through Oaksey, there were often spotters out on the bridge as you go into the village. Quite a good long straight stretch of track there that and a fairly low bridge that gives a good photo opportunity I suppose. Title: Re: Trains Post by: ronnie21 on Monday, December 8, 2014, 21:13:43 Yep....madness. Any idea of the station Reg?Here's a pic of a Swindon built Class 120 DMU (well a couple of them)....3 car units The 120, was a proper old workhorse, and hasn't really got the appreciation it deserved. There were also Swindon built Class 123, 124 and 126. (http://www.disusedrailways.co.uk/images/Midlands/derby%209.85a.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: ghanimah on Monday, December 8, 2014, 22:29:06 Derby apparently
http://www.disusedrailways.co.uk/Midlands2.htm Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 8, 2014, 23:22:10 The Class 126's were built for use in Scotland.....apparently there's a few preserved, where they're known as Swindons :)
http://www.srpsmuseum.org.uk/dmulist.htm Title: Re: Trains Post by: ronnie21 on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 08:08:47 Derby apparently Derby, seem to remember going to their old ground - The Baseball Ground - where they had their own platform for match days!!http://www.disusedrailways.co.uk/Midlands2.htm Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 08:11:06 I used to work on the 120's when I was at the Apprentice Training School for the year or so, 126's were ugly spuds as were 124's.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 11:57:15 I used to work on the 120's when I was at the Apprentice Training School for the year or so, 126's were ugly spuds as were 124's. Think something must have happened to the 126's as the original 50's design were quite friendly in a Thomas the Tank engine sort of way. They went from this (http://www.traintesting.com/images/Leith%20central%20DMU.jpg) to this... (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7323634816_29eb80e345.jpg) Probably something to do with the harsh weather... Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 12:41:41 I understand that the 2 variants were so that the ones with the gangway door ends could be coupled together for inter-city expresses where only one guard was needed for the whole train rather than one per unit. Often used on Glasgow Central to Ayr semi fast services.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 13:51:43 I understand that the 2 variants were so that the ones with the gangway door ends could be coupled together for inter-city expresses where only one guard was needed for the whole train rather than one per unit. Often used on Glasgow Central to Ayr semi fast services. Ah...that makes sense. Same sort of thing with the class 124 Trans-Pennine fleet.... originals like this... (http://www.railcar.co.uk/jpg/124/title.png) joining units like this... (http://www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk/images/donations/Paul%20Holroyd/Multiple%20Unit/class%20123%20Leeds.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 14:17:18 Yep thats right, only the Swindon built DMU's were used for long haul inter-city trains so it was either designed for that or put on the inter-city trains because of the design, could be have been either.
Title: Re: Swindon Town v Preston North End Official Matchday Thread Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, December 12, 2014, 23:18:26 Got this booked up for December Reg: http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-canterbury-champion.html (http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-canterbury-champion.html) Getting on at Didcot. (http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/system/html/Canterbury%20Champion-9d0ec920.jpg) I loved the Westerns, used to watch them at Reading when I was in short trousers :gay: Doing this tomorrow. So happy :-[ Title: Re: Post by: horlock07 on Saturday, December 13, 2014, 16:02:37 2hrs 20 mins late arrival in Canterbury ouch
Title: Re: Post by: horlock07 on Saturday, December 13, 2014, 16:11:30 However one of Swindon's finest creations doing what she was built for this morning.
5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe powers over Wichnor v…: http://youtu.be/Nw8vItMVwTI Title: Re: Post by: Talk Talk on Sunday, December 14, 2014, 00:53:17 2hrs 20 mins late arrival in Canterbury ouch Yeah, carriage related, had to dismantle the set at Leamington Spa. Nothing wrong with that gorgeous Swindon built loco, what an engine! I will upload a Yootoob of it pulling away from Didcot this evening when I have a minute. Power man... An interesting day out though, went down the Greenford branch past the last semaphores in London (GWR lower quadrants of course) which I have wanted to do for ages, I think that there is only one booked train a day for driver training purposes. The West London line was good too. It is so good to be on a train with opening windows that you can stick your head out of (cf. enjoy the 125's while you can) although it was bloody cold! Title: Re: Post by: Honkytonk on Sunday, December 14, 2014, 01:04:31 However one of Swindon's finest creations doing what she was built for this morning. 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe powers over Wichnor v…: http://youtu.be/Nw8vItMVwTI Phwoarrr. That is a lovely video. Title: Re: Post by: Talk Talk on Sunday, December 14, 2014, 23:31:04 I will upload a Yootoob of it pulling away from Didcot this evening when I have a minute. Power man... http://youtu.be/USkaW7oWBpI (http://youtu.be/USkaW7oWBpI) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, December 15, 2014, 09:56:53 http://youtu.be/USkaW7oWBpI (http://youtu.be/USkaW7oWBpI) Can't beat a whizzo.Title: Re: Trains Post by: Hexagon on Monday, December 15, 2014, 16:18:08 An interesting day out though, went down the Greenford branch past the last semaphores in London (GWR lower quadrants of course) which I have wanted to do for ages, I think that there is only one booked train a day for driver training purposes. You still get a few freights going down there daily as well as the Chiltern service. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 15, 2014, 16:38:51 You still get a few freights going down there daily as well as the Chiltern service. Greenford East scheduled to be removed (sob) in 2019, four/five years left to enjoy it Quote 2019 Greenford Greenford Station East box to close, area to be controlled from Thames Valley Regional Operations Centre at Didcot. http://www.signalbox.org/sectionc.php?year=2019 (http://www.signalbox.org/sectionc.php?year=2019) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 15, 2014, 17:07:19 Greenford East scheduled to be removed (sob) in 2019, four/five years left to enjoy it http://www.signalbox.org/sectionc.php?year=2019 (http://www.signalbox.org/sectionc.php?year=2019) A website devoted to signalling....ace :) TT don't know if you're familiar with the writing of this fella.....http://www.adrianvaughan.co.uk/2011/10/07/the-signalmans-trilogy/ But I've got the first 2....morning and twilight, and they're wonderful. Title: Re: Re: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Monday, December 15, 2014, 17:22:03 A website devoted to signalling....ace :) I read these when I was a kid, lovely books are they still in print?TT don't know if you're familiar with the writing of this fella.....http://www.adrianvaughan.co.uk/2011/10/07/the-signalmans-trilogy/ But I've got the first 2....morning and twilight, and they're wonderful. Title: Re: Re: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 15, 2014, 18:05:37 I read these when I was a kid, lovely books are they still in print? I believe so... Title: Re: Trains Post by: Not that Nice If I'm Honest on Monday, December 15, 2014, 18:55:16 No wonder you lot finding watching Swindon so interesting
Title: Re: Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 15, 2014, 19:06:49 Phwoarrr. That is a lovely video. How about a dose of Nunney Castle pulling out of Yeovil Pen Mill under semaphores I filmed in July? There's two minutes of leading anticipation if you want to skip it http://youtu.be/AKP0Jc0Ma-M Title: Re: Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 15, 2014, 19:16:03 How about a dose of Nunney Castle pulling out of Yeovil Pen Mill under semaphores I filmed in July? There's two minutes of leading anticipation if you want to skip it http://youtu.be/AKP0Jc0Ma-M :) Ace, The 2 minute wait is worth it, builds the excitement. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 15, 2014, 19:16:41 A website devoted to signalling....ace :) TT don't know if you're familiar with the writing of this fella.....http://www.adrianvaughan.co.uk/2011/10/07/the-signalmans-trilogy/ But I've got the first 2....morning and twilight, and they're wonderful. No, I am not Reg but have heard of them. Thank you for the pointer, will have a look for them. Adrian the Rock has a great photo site on semaphores, a lot that have long gone (many West Country/South West/GWR) plus what's left like Shrewsbury, Worcester, Moreton-in-Marsh etc.: http://www.roscalen.com/signals/index.htm (http://www.roscalen.com/signals/index.htm) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 15, 2014, 19:17:55 No wonder you lot finding watching Swindon so interesting And pray tell what other pastimes you pursue and enjoy, other than serial furious masturbation? Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 15, 2014, 20:16:35 I know that HSTs are not everybody's cup of tea but there was something poetic about FGW's 43185 "Great Western" leaving Swindon Station in July. Particularly as they have been re-engined from their original Paxman Valentas to MTUs, the successor to Maybach whose engines were used in the Swindon built Warships and all of the Westerns.
http://youtu.be/xAmhg_1Wul4 (http://youtu.be/xAmhg_1Wul4) Title: Re: Trains Post by: ronnie21 on Monday, December 15, 2014, 21:17:34 I know that HSTs are not everybody's cup of tea but there was something poetic about FGW's 43185 "Great Western" leaving Swindon Station in July. Particularly as they have been re-engined from their original Paxman Valentas to MTUs, the successor to Maybach whose engines were used in the Swindon built Warships and all of the Westerns. They sent two HST power cars to Exeter today to rescue the failed sleeper service and get it to Penzance!!http://youtu.be/xAmhg_1Wul4 (http://youtu.be/xAmhg_1Wul4) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Hexagon on Monday, December 15, 2014, 23:15:12 Seems they couldn't fix the failed 57 today, apparently the Paddington bound sleeper tonight will be formed with two HST's.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Wilf Shergold on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, 00:30:47 :) Ace, The 2 minute wait is worth it, builds the excitement. Going to the York Railway Museum recently, there's a lovely installation there, on till March, all about train spotting, with quotes from many an old 'spotter. Curated by Ian Macmillan, the Bard of Barnsley, the highlight is a series of films by Andrew Cross, including a few filmed in the west - up on the hill at Uffington for example. His technique is simple - the camera doesn't move, he just films a view. At some point a train or 2 crosses the screen. It's the anticipation which gets you. I could see some (many?) people thinking watching paint dry is more interesting, however to those of us of a certain age the wait for a train to appear was a big part of the 'thing' about railways. And his shots of freight trains in the US are stunning, both in towns and in the desert. I'd like to think it'll come to Steam sometime after York. Title: Re: Trains Post by: 4D on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, 09:43:57 Does anyone remember Ivor the engine?
Title: Re: Re: Re: Trains Post by: Batch on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, 10:25:40 Does anyone remember Ivor the engine? Chuuu-t-cuff, chuu-t-cuff. Jones the steam, don't forget Jones the steam. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, 11:03:53 Does anyone remember Ivor the engine? Wales has still got some great "little" railways....my fave is the Vale of Rheidol, Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge. A true curio it hung on as BR's last steam line until as late as 89. A mate in the late 70's used to live in a place called Aberffrwd, which was slap bang on the line. Needless to say he often got a visit from me as you could nip into Aber on one of the Swindon built locos, like Owain Glendower. It was also at that time one of the last places in Britain to see red kites. The main drawback, inevitably were the locals, the nearest pub was a good 30 minute walk, up through some woods out of the valley, but it got torched by Welsh extremists as the landlord was English. http://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/ Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, 11:11:07 I worked on the "Prince of Wales" from the Vale of Rheidol railway as an apprentice at BREL as we used to overhaul them, it was part of the apprentices for pipe fitting.
It was wierd working on a BR blue steam engine. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, 11:52:56 Wales has still got some great "little" railways....my fave is the Vale of Rheidol, Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge. A true curio it hung on as BR's last steam line until as late as 89 I haven't done that one but want to. I like the Talyllyn, been there a couple of times. Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol. I read Railway Adventure by L.T.C. (Tom) Rolt when I was a youngster which was all about saving the little line and how a group of volunteers managed it on a shoestring. It was the first preserved railway in the UK. http://www.talyllyn.co.uk (http://www.talyllyn.co.uk) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, 11:59:31 Seems they couldn't fix the failed 57 today, apparently the Paddington bound sleeper tonight will be formed with two HST's. A Zombie not working? Surely not. It brings a new meaning for the passengers on the sleeper I guess... (http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Dawn-of-the-dead--zombies-294285_1280_1024.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: ronnie21 on Friday, December 19, 2014, 21:25:20 For those interested in such things it would seem that the Penzance sleeper tonight will be formed of FOUR HST power cars - sadly it appears that two of the cars have failed and are being taken down on the sleeper train - no 57 still!!
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, 01:04:46 http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0120330/in-view-men-of-steam#group=p025jt33
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, 22:22:56 There used to be a station at Purton as well, given the way that Swindon has expanded to more or less swallow Purton, you'd think there'd be a good case for re-opening a Purton station. Quote building a commuter railway station off Purton Road. http://swindonlink.com/residents-organisations-speak-out-for-thamesdown-drive-extension-politicians-agree-it-should-be-built-but-when/ (http://swindonlink.com/residents-organisations-speak-out-for-thamesdown-drive-extension-politicians-agree-it-should-be-built-but-when/) Title: Re: Trains Post by: OrangeTransits on Thursday, February 19, 2015, 00:04:27 George Osbourne looks even more of a clueless Cunt in that picture than he does normally ......
Title: Re: Trains Post by: @mwooly63 on Thursday, March 26, 2015, 17:04:14 For those that like this stuff
The King George V will be returning to Swindon next year as part of the 175th anniversary of the birth of the railway works http://www.flicwiltshire.com/News/General/Plans-in-place-to-celebrate-175th-anniversary-of-Swindons-railway-works.aspx#.VRQ68fmsXit Title: Re: Trains Post by: 4D on Thursday, March 26, 2015, 19:40:09 http://youtu.be/5GOmeFY6F-U
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 14, 2015, 12:03:45 Memory jogged, thanks FH.
I was at Swindon station on Wednesday 2nd waiting for a train to Paddington. Sat in platform 1 was the Network Rail Test Train (not the HST one) with a Colas Rail Class 37 one end and one of the last surviving main line certified Class 31s (Network Rail) the other end. I didn't bother taking any photos as there was a flock of gricers with cameras for this pretty rare combination. But something like this: (http://tomcurtisrailgallery.weebly.com/uploads/6/9/0/3/6903499/3123397063q012333landoretmdderbyundy210315.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: jayohaitchenn on Monday, December 14, 2015, 12:45:14 Fascinating
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 14, 2015, 12:53:37 I haven't done that one but want to. I like the Talyllyn, been there a couple of times. Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol. I read Railway Adventure by L.T.C. (Tom) Rolt when I was a youngster which was all about saving the little line and how a group of volunteers managed it on a shoestring. It was the first preserved railway in the UK. http://www.talyllyn.co.uk (http://www.talyllyn.co.uk) Rolt is perhaps more famous for his work on the preservation of the canal network....an interesting life. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._T._C._Rolt Not averse to a bit of canalology myself (just to upset Ironside) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 14, 2015, 12:54:59 Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 14, 2015, 13:24:13 Rolt is perhaps more famous for his work on the preservation of the canal network....an interesting life. Indeed, Narrow Boat was a book that kicked off interest in saving the canals and is also a great read. Have you watched that Great Canal Journeys series with Timothy West and Prunella Scales Reg? There was a section in one of the first series where they visited Rolt's widow, Sonia. I hadn't realised that it was mainly her that set up the Inland Waterways Association. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Rolt (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Rolt) Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Monday, December 14, 2015, 13:42:18 Rolt is perhaps more famous for his work on the preservation of the canal network....an interesting life. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._T._C._Rolt Not averse to a bit of canalology myself (just to upset Ironside) As a 'canal expert' Michael Portillo's words, not mine - what do you want to know ;) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 14, 2015, 13:57:19 Back on topic, just to annoy the hell out of Jayo ;D
Had a trip from Reading to Swindon in the only rebranded FGW to GWR HST set last week. Love the retro metal logo on the power cars. The first class HST carriages were upgraded a while back (hence my bemusement with where the initials on the seat backs had come from) but this one has fully refurbed standard class in green, it looks really smart. Shame it will be the only one, it's not worth doing to the rest as they only have a couple of years to go :cry: (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/647/21036539003_195e1d98a5.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 14, 2015, 15:02:45 Indeed, Narrow Boat was a book that kicked off interest in saving the canals and is also a great read. Have you watched that Great Canal Journeys series with Timothy West and Prunella Scales Reg? There was a section in one of the first series where they visited Rolt's widow, Sonia. I hadn't realised that it was mainly her that set up the Inland Waterways Association. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Rolt (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Rolt) Where a railway and canal meet each other is always quite exciting....as the man with the stick shows locally in 1953. (http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8339/8209173046_6429c60361.jpg) I watched one of Prunella's canal shows, but got a bit upset, because of her fall into dementia....I remember when she was a bit of a milf in Marriage Lines with Richard Briers. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Monday, December 14, 2015, 15:04:48 Where a railway and canal meet each other is always quite exciting....as the man with the stick shows locally in 1953. (http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8339/8209173046_6429c60361.jpg) I watched one of Prunella's canal shows, but got a bit upset, because of her fall into dementia....I remember when she was a bit of a milf in Marriage Lines with Richard Briers. My dad always used to go on about the canal through Swindon.... and trains! Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 14, 2015, 16:46:35 My dad always used to go on about the canal through Swindon.... and trains! Bewster thinks I know his mother ;). Hope you're not implying the same :) Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Monday, December 14, 2015, 16:50:52 Bewster thinks I know his mother ;). Hope you're not implying the same :) I am not sure whether my father could post on here - I hope that he doesn't. Also I assume you are not my father as your posts are not all about Maurice Owen! Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 14, 2015, 17:04:28 I am not sure whether my father could post on here - I hope that he doesn't. Also I assume you are not my father as your posts are not all about Maurice Owen! Phew. Trains, barges and Maurice Owen, the old man has taste. Of course, the Wilts and Berks, joined the Thames at Abingdon where Maurice originally came from. Once upon a time he could have made the journey by barge to his beloved CG. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 14, 2015, 18:45:22 Of course, the Wilts and Berks, joined the Thames at Abingdon where Maurice originally came from. Once upon a time he could have made the journey by barge to his beloved CG. "Narrow boat, it's narrow boat!" http://www.canalscape.net/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge.htm (http://www.canalscape.net/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge.htm) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 14, 2015, 19:04:47 "Narrow boat, it's narrow boat!" http://www.canalscape.net/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge.htm (http://www.canalscape.net/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge.htm) I stand corrected, the W and B would have been too narrow for a barge as defined. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Red Frog on Monday, December 14, 2015, 19:05:08 "Narrow boat, it's narrow boat!" http://www.canalscape.net/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge.htm (http://www.canalscape.net/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge.htm) I told a friend I'd had a holiday on a 60ft narrow-boat. He said: "That's not very narrow." Title: Re: Trains Post by: sonicyouth on Monday, December 14, 2015, 19:31:04 Trains are terrible. GWR are useless, Southeastern are shysters and Southern don't even have space for luggage on their fucking Gatwick service.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 14, 2015, 20:11:35 I stand corrected, the W and B would have been too narrow for a barge as defined. However, barges were used on the Wey Navigation (the oldest canalised river in the UK) from Shepperton up to Coxes Mill to transport grain until quite recently. The mill only closed in 1983, not sure when the barges stopped. Yeah, it's now apartments ::) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxes_lock (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxes_lock) The canal locks down to the Thames were made wide enough for the barges but upstream from there it's narrowboats only. One of my favourite canals, had about seven weekend/week trips on it over the years. Beautiful countryside and lots of canalside pubs all of the way through Guildford to Godalming. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Ardiles on Monday, December 14, 2015, 20:23:09 I'd also have to recommend the Basingstoke Canal which passes very near us and is, effectively, a tributary (do canals have tributaries?) of the Wey Navigation. Lots of restoration work done recently. Wonderful running route.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 14, 2015, 20:36:59 I'd also have to recommend the Basingstoke Canal which passes very near us and is, effectively, a tributary (do canals have tributaries?) of the Wey Navigation. Lots of restoration work done recently. Wonderful running route. Think they are branches, much like railways. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, December 14, 2015, 20:38:13 I'd also have to recommend the Basingstoke Canal which passes very near us and is, effectively, a tributary (do canals have tributaries?) of the Wey Navigation. Lots of restoration work done recently. Wonderful running route. Yes. I have poked a boat's nose a mile or so down it before. Unfortunately it will never get to Basingstoke again due to the Greywell Tunnel collapsing years ago so it stops a bit short. It has a wonderful mazy route, it's a "follow the contours" canal rather than an engineered one. Last time I looked it was still suffering from water supply problems? I'm certain it must be navigable over the last month or so though ;D Title: Re: Trains Post by: Ardiles on Monday, December 14, 2015, 21:17:31 I think the water supply problems are at the western end. It's always navigable on 'our' section through Frimley & Ash Vale.
Title: Re: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Monday, December 14, 2015, 23:48:53 However, barges were used on the Wey Navigation (the oldest canalised river in the UK) from Shepperton up to Coxes Mill to transport grain until quite recently. The mill only closed in 1983, not sure when the barges stopped. Yeah, it's now apartments ::) Width usually depended on what sort of cargo and more importantly the budgets of the promoter's although available water supply sometimes dictated as obviously narrow locks need so much less water supply. I only ever had one 'narrow' canal on my patch.... The locks were not much wider than a canoe.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxes_lock (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxes_lock) The canal locks down to the Thames were made wide enough for the barges but upstream from there it's narrowboats only. One of my favourite canals, had about seven weekend/week trips on it over the years. Beautiful countryside and lots of canalside pubs all of the way through Guildford to Godalming. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Friday, December 18, 2015, 10:37:47 Oh the APT - what memories
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35061511 Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, December 18, 2015, 10:49:26 Oh the APT - what memories http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35061511 Is that what memories, in a kind of swoon fashion? Or what memories, in a matter of fact way? The latter for me. Tory underinvestment :), as Thatcher spunked the nation's new found oil wealth, paying for mass unemployment, as manufacturing industry was decimated in preparation for privatisation and a low wage economy. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Friday, December 18, 2015, 10:59:33 Is that what memories, in a kind of swoon fashion? Or what memories, in a matter of fact way? The latter for me. Tory underinvestment :), as Thatcher spunked the nation's new found oil wealth, paying for mass unemployment, as manufacturing industry was decimated in preparation for privatisation and a low wage economy. Oh Reg :pint: Saw it a few times and as a young lad at the time the future of trains was exciting! Title: Re: Trains Post by: Samdy Gray on Friday, December 18, 2015, 11:35:16 (https://media.giphy.com/media/OMK7LRBedcnhm/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, December 18, 2015, 11:42:16 (https://media.giphy.com/media/OMK7LRBedcnhm/giphy.gif) My favourite Simpsons episode... Gary: Oh, don't worry, Mr. Simpson, we can take care of ourselves. Snake: Uh, wallet inspector! Benjamin: Oh, here you go. I believe that's all in order. Snake: Wow, I can't believe that worked! (runs away) Homer: Hey wait a minute that's not the wallet inspector! :) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Ells on Friday, December 18, 2015, 22:29:00 (https://media.giphy.com/media/OMK7LRBedcnhm/giphy.gif) That is all I think when I see this thread :D in the nicest possible way of course. I'm just a jock, Marge. It's my responsibility. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, July 11, 2016, 19:08:55 BBC 4 show with Peter Snow......Trainspotting Live :)
Title: Re: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Monday, July 11, 2016, 20:15:59 BBC 4 show with Peter Snow......Trainspotting Live :) They are live in Swindon tomorrow, get yourself down there Reg?Title: Re: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, July 11, 2016, 20:25:29 They are live in Swindon tomorrow Reg, get yourself down there Reg? They're doing 125's that's Talk Talk land. The fella who photographs little used stations an absolute star....he's been to all stations in GB, but only publishes the obscurities. http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/transport/video-britain-s-most-dedicated-trainspotter-finishes-marathon-effort-to-visit-every-uk-station-in-cambridgeshire-village-1-7374393 Title: Re: Post by: horlock07 on Monday, August 22, 2016, 20:41:14 Another part of Swindon's heritage being saved, and about time... c.17 mins in.....
Points West, Evening News: 22/08/2016: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07nr6jt via @bbciplayer Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Monday, September 5, 2016, 23:26:20 Took a trip down to Devon yesterday. Got a Two Together Railcard so the cost to Exeter St Davids was peanuts. GWR and Devon County Council are running summer Sunday services to Okehampton (the former LSWR station on the old mainline to Plymouth) which is now the terminus of the heritage Dartmoor Railway. They have a short working to the mothballed Meldon Quarry and just my luck - if you like BR Class 4s - that the recently purchased by a private buyer from Direct Rail Services Class 47 47828 was doing the biz. Straight off of mainline services and Sandite workings apparently.
https://youtu.be/cS9fJ7gtgMY I love Class 47s, my favourites after the Westerns and ahead of HSTs. A brief conversation with the driver and I got to sit in the cab too! Next Sunday (11th) is the last weekend of trains to Okehampton this year. Book it now if you fancy it. I have pored over the railway atlas maps of Devon and Cornwall for years but never ever thought that I would travel to Okehampton on a train, much less a Sprinter. As we bought a rover ticket we went back to the beautifully preserved and maintained Crediton station and then on to Barnstaple on the Tarka Line, once a major LSWR junction for Ilfracombe, Torrington and the long defunct Lynton and Barnstaple narrow gauge railway. We even found the old Town station in a housing estate on the quayside. Just to keep Reg happy, it was HSTs from Swindon to Exeter and back and I loved that too ;D Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, September 6, 2016, 09:05:55 Very nice.
To me getting on a train at Swindon and going west, feels right, getting on a train and going north, south or east is OK, but doesn't have the same feel of emotion or excitement. No idea why. Devon got badly hit by Beeching, Cornwall perhaps less so, as there are still a couple of curious little branches left. I have been on the Barnstaple - Exeter. Lovely. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 15:57:14 Seen at Swindon station last night. "They are trains Jim, but not as we know them!"
Hitachi Inter City Express number 002 running on diesel (http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/swindon_alan/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0258.jpg) (http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/swindon_alan/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0259.jpg) (http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/swindon_alan/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0262.jpg) The new and the old. Forty years between them (http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/swindon_alan/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0260.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: donkey on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 16:12:15 I'm on a train now. True story.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 16:13:21 Is that the stock for when the line is electrified?
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 16:18:23 Yes and there's two flavours Reg. A purely overhead electric version and a dual power diesel/overhead electric one - which can run on beyond the GW Electrification project area. What pissed me off was that they uprated the engines from the original spec so that the ICEs could manage the Devon banks. GRRRRR. Was hoping that the 125s would hang around on the GW main lines into Cornwall for a lot longer :-(
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Wobbly Bob on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 16:29:06 Can't wait to open the door via the push of a button, instead of leaning out of an open window when there are normally any number of people waiting on the platform who are much better placed to do the the job.
Hope the seats are comfy as well. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 16:29:13 Yes and there's two flavours Reg. A purely overhead electric version and a dual power diesel/overhead electric one - which can run on beyond the GW Electrification project area. What pissed me off was that they uprated the engines from the original spec so that the ICEs could manage the Devon banks. GRRRRR. Was hoping that the 125s would hang around on the GW main lines into Cornwall for a lot longer :-( Ooh, shame about the 125's, but the diesel/overhead sounds well sexy and probably prone to breakdown. In the words of the great Mick Jones, Godzilla ate the bullet train. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 17:01:04 Ha, the Clash indeed!
The new ICEs are quite clever really, the same electric traction motors are used from either the overhead wires or from alternators on the diesel engines (unlike the 125s they are underfloor in the coaches so will be as noisy as the horrid Voyager Cross Country units). When the day comes - which will definitely not be in my lifetime - and the whole of the network has been electrified then the engines are removable too. I think the plan is to leave one in for emergency power for the scenario you describe. Hope the seats are comfy as well. The interior looked really nice, standard class seating is mainly in sets of four sharing a table and a whole window with a few airline type seat rows interspersed. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 17:42:51 Hope the seats are comfy as well. They are a modern train and thus the seating will be nowhere near as comfy as that found on older stock! Northern are so short of stock that we have this little ensemble running past the bottom of the garden a few times each day until 2017 at least, its very nice to not have an engine under the floor and is so much quieter, however they are often very busy as I understand people have been travelling from all over the country to sample the old days. (http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn340/kevsmith/British%20Railways%202015/IMG_1687_zpsv1qymwi1.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 18:24:56 Class 37 if I'm not mistaken. Lovely engine, all built between 60 and 65. In my 1985 Ian Allan there were 308, of which I'd spotted 56.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 21:35:49 There are still an amazing amount around Reg. One of the most versatile diesels BR ever owned. I saw a pair double ending the Network Rail Ultrasonic Test Train at Didcot last week.
Still operated by NR, DRS and Colas. Much more info at www.class37info.co.uk/ (http://www.class37info.co.uk/) If you made the effort and plied the network I think that you could still probably spot 56 8) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Wilf Shergold on Thursday, October 13, 2016, 23:34:57 Didn't spot as many as I should have (37s, that is - steam man, me), but did ride on the ones up in Caithness. Georgemas Jnc, a 37 trundles down from Thurso, picks up one coach from the Wick train, travels 5 miles and err, does the reverse half an hour later. 3 times a day. Bonkers from any viewpoint, esp financial.
But the 'grunt'... yep, can see the attraction. Title: Re: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Friday, October 14, 2016, 06:54:24 There are still an amazing amount around Reg. One of the most versatile diesels BR ever owned. I saw a pair double ending the Network Rail Ultrasonic Test Train at Didcot last week. There are loads round here as they pull attached the nuclear stuff to and from Sellafield plus WCRC at Carnforth have a load.Still operated by NR, DRS and Colas. Much more info at www.class37info.co.uk/ (http://www.class37info.co.uk/) If you made the effort and plied the network I think that you could still probably spot 56 8) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, October 28, 2016, 01:18:07 Doing this one. It's my 26th birthday present :D
http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-mersey-weaver-ii.html (http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-mersey-weaver-ii.html) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Pirate Power on Saturday, October 29, 2016, 18:47:11 Doing this one. It's my 26th birthday present :D http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-mersey-weaver-ii.html (http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-mersey-weaver-ii.html) That looks like fun!? Title: Re: Trains Post by: Pirate Power on Saturday, October 29, 2016, 19:02:26 Doing this one. It's my 26th birthday present :D Yeah, and don't forget to wear your new anorak.http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-mersey-weaver-ii.html (http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-mersey-weaver-ii.html) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Sunday, October 30, 2016, 00:35:27 Balls, has he gone already? I missed the chance to call him a cunt :crash:
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, October 30, 2016, 00:43:39 Balls, has he gone already? I missed the chance to call him a cunt :crash: Chill.... (http://www.urban75.org/photos/stives/images/stives312.jpg) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Talk Talk on Sunday, October 30, 2016, 09:40:44 Ha! Nice one Reg :thumb:
That's St Erth station and here's a video I took a couple of summers ago from exactly the same place on the platform! https://youtu.be/IPTbGo2W7L0 Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Monday, October 16, 2017, 15:33:24 If any one has little 'un who want to see Flying Scotsman, through Swindon on 28th October
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54120/2017/10/28/advanced Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, October 16, 2017, 16:26:13 If any one has little 'un who want to see Flying Scotsman, through Swindon on 28th October http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54120/2017/10/28/advanced Good heads up, will try and remember to have a look. Hopefully it won't be late, like the new class 80 out of Temple Meads. which got to Paddington 41 mins late, with liquid dripping from the air con and seats roped off. Apparently Grayling was on board... he might be best advised to stick to being MoT, rather than airing his hoped for solution to post Bexit food shortages, of a Dig for Victory style return to British farmers increasing their yields and folk squabbling over allotments. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Wilf Shergold on Monday, October 16, 2017, 22:11:29 If any one has little 'un who want to see Flying Scotsman, through Swindon on 28th October http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54120/2017/10/28/advanced Have to say, having seen / been pulled by the Scotsman recently, it was somewhat underwhelming. Shitty squeaky little whistle and pretty quiet. Nothing like a good old Western Manor or Hall working hard. Reg, the realtimetrains website is great, so if a train is delayed you'll be able to see it's so, and stay in the pub for another 15 minutes or whatever. No more waiting around sitting on a trolley for ages, playing Owzthat with yer mates. Title: Re: Trains Post by: tans on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 06:26:20 Hope this doesnt happen if you do go!
https://youtu.be/E6ye4pgbTwM Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 08:32:39 Hope this doesnt happen if you do go! https://youtu.be/E6ye4pgbTwM Sure that won't happen, Reg can spell Flying..... ;) Title: Re: Trains Post by: pauld on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 09:02:22 Have to say, having seen / been pulled by the Scotsman recently, it was somewhat underwhelming. Not sure I'd want to own up to having been pulled by a Scotsman, no matter how under/overwhelming the quality of the experience Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 09:19:04 Have to say, having seen / been pulled by the Scotsman recently, it was somewhat underwhelming. Shitty squeaky little whistle and pretty quiet. Nothing like a good old Western Manor or Hall working hard. Reg, the realtimetrains website is great, so if a train is delayed you'll be able to see it's so, and stay in the pub for another 15 minutes or whatever. No more waiting around sitting on a trolley for ages, playing Owzthat with yer mates. Well obviously it's not going to be in the class of a Manor or Hall, let alone a Castle or King, but it is a steamer. The humble BR porter's trolley... the Works churned out thousands. You can stil buy Owzat, but it's a horrible plastic thing. A young mate was recently bequeathed a proper set by his grandfather, a good way of passing a winter's night at the bar. Unfortunately he buggered off to Germany, after the Brexit vote, seeing the writing on the wall. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Private Fraser on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 09:32:48 You can stil buy Owzat, but it's a horrible plastic thing. A young mate was recently bequeathed a proper set by his grandfather, a good way of passing a winter's night at the bar. I still have my 'original' set (in its blue tin container). A favourite variant of the game used to be 'Test Players v Famous People from History'! :) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 09:39:50 I still have my 'original' set (in its blue tin container). A favourite variant of the game used to be 'Test Players v Famous People from History'! :) Firstly I need to get back to Wilf's original correct spelling Owzthat.. a set in decent condition in its blue box with rules goes for £40 on e-bay. Not that you'd wish to sell such a lovely thing. Title: Re: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Friday, October 27, 2017, 22:19:47 Have to say, having seen / been pulled by the Scotsman recently, it was somewhat underwhelming. Shitty squeaky little whistle and pretty quiet. Nothing like a good old Western Manor or Hall working hard. Just an update its now Royal Scot tomorrow so at least a Swindon connection there.....Reg, the realtimetrains website is great, so if a train is delayed you'll be able to see it's so, and stay in the pub for another 15 minutes or whatever. No more waiting around sitting on a trolley for ages, playing Owzthat with yer mates. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Monday, October 30, 2017, 15:49:55 One for you Castle fans - well Reg at least....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-birmingham-41801693/clun-castle-steams-again-after-ten-year-restoration Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, October 30, 2017, 17:03:02 One for you Castle fans - well Reg at least.... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-birmingham-41801693/clun-castle-steams-again-after-ten-year-restoration A sexy beast to be sure, if you notice when it goes to Oxford next year, then it might be worth making the effort to get over and see it. Title: Re: Trains Post by: 4D on Saturday, February 23, 2019, 18:28:37 Up your street Reg?
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/17454889.steam-train-trips-travel-through-wiltshire-this-spring/ Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Saturday, February 23, 2019, 18:35:43 Up your street Reg? https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/17454889.steam-train-trips-travel-through-wiltshire-this-spring/ I saw that and got a frisson of excitement... but reading just showed typical Adver poor quality... it says 3 and then outlines 2 neither of which come too close to Swindon. I have got a lengthy train trip to do soon... reading Kilvert's Diary set partly around his Langley Burrell curacy (near Chippenham) in the 1870's it was easier and quicker to get around by train than it is now. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Monday, February 25, 2019, 15:08:53 A sexy beast to be sure, if you notice when it goes to Oxford next year, then it might be worth making the effort to get over and see it. Looks like these trains will be running March 9th, April 6th/June 1st/July 6th/October 12th. Birmingham to Oxford via Worcester and Swindon. 1115ish through Swindon http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10732/2019/03/09/advanced Title: Re: Trains Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Monday, February 25, 2019, 20:43:26 I'm not a Steam fanatic but locally not far from me. Give a mile or two is the Midland Railway Centre. It's a little dishevelled from it's heyday but it still has some interesting engines there and also still has a couple of working sheds.
Mostly it's the Princess Royal Locomotive; Margaret Rose, which I hear people travel all over to see her. They stoke her up now and again and have her trundle along the small line here. Even though I'm not a huge fan, I love it that I can hear on occasion the "toot-toot" and slow chugg of a distant engine. Incredibly special and something that should continually be preserved. To know of an engineering feat is one thing but to be able to see it working is another. Likely that Reg has visited but has anyone else? I know Pete Waterman gets in there now and again. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 14:44:26 I'm not a Steam fanatic but locally not far from me. Give a mile or two is the Midland Railway Centre. It's a little dishevelled from it's heyday but it still has some interesting engines there and also still has a couple of working sheds. Mostly it's the Princess Royal Locomotive; Margaret Rose, which I hear people travel all over to see her. They stoke her up now and again and have her trundle along the small line here. Even though I'm not a huge fan, I love it that I can hear on occasion the "toot-toot" and slow chugg of a distant engine. Incredibly special and something that should continually be preserved. To know of an engineering feat is one thing but to be able to see it working is another. Likely that Reg has visited but has anyone else? I know Pete Waterman gets in there now and again. Where are you, I seem to be spending too much of my time in Ripley at the moment and its a complete ballache to get to! Never been to Butterley, Both Princess Margaret Rose and Duchess of Sutherland* have Swindon connections being designed by Sir William Stanier who was born and trained with the GWR at Swindon before being headhunted by the LMS in the 1930's when he was in his 50's. * Being a pedant and I know you like that ;), I suspect you mean Duchess of Sutherland as PRM has not had a fire in her belly since 1996! Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 14:56:56 Likely that Reg has visited but has anyone else? I know Pete Waterman gets in there now and again. Never been there myself, have driven past it on the A38 a few times.I have met Pete Waterman at a couple of rail connected places, hes a lovely bloke and always has time for anyone who has anything to do with railways and especially with a Swindon connection. He spoke to me for about 10 mins once when I told him I used to work at the rail works in Swindon. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 15:35:45 Never been there myself, have driven past it on the A38 a few times. I have met Pete Waterman at a couple of rail connected places, hes a lovely bloke and always has time for anyone who has anything to do with railways and especially with a Swindon connection. He spoke to me for about 10 mins once when I told him I used to work at the rail works in Swindon. He does not have a particularly good reputation or image in railway preservation circles..... Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 16:13:03 He does not have a particularly good reputation or image in railway preservation circles..... Thats interesting as I have never heard anybody say a bad word about him. I have met him a couple of times at the WSR.Title: Re: Trains Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 18:50:10 Where are you, I seem to be spending too much of my time in Ripley at the moment and its a complete ballache to get to! Never been to Butterley, Both Princess Margaret Rose and Duchess of Sutherland* have Swindon connections being designed by Sir William Stanier who was born and trained with the GWR at Swindon before being headhunted by the LMS in the 1930's when he was in his 50's. * Being a pedant and I know you like that ;), I suspect you mean Duchess of Sutherland as PRM has not had a fire in her belly since 1996! Yes apologies the PMR is preserved in the West Shed at MRC and can been seen but no longer operational. The DoS is the one they must haul out every now and again or loaned out. They have Saloon used by Winston Churchill and a few other bits and pieces at West Shed. One thing? Why the fuck are you spending a lot of time in Ripley? It's just a nondescript town. Got to be planning related, I would guess? I wouldn't say it's that hard to get to though? Just of the A38 or from the M1 via South Normanton (Pinxton to us locals)/ Mind if you're coming via NE like say M6, A50 then that takes you further south. Best bet is M61, M60, then pick up the A6, brings you pretty much right into Ripley via Ambergate. A6 is nicer than the A50 also. More scenic. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, February 28, 2019, 13:19:29 Yes apologies the PMR is preserved in the West Shed at MRC and can been seen but no longer operational. The DoS is the one they must haul out every now and again or loaned out. They have Saloon used by Winston Churchill and a few other bits and pieces at West Shed. One thing? Why the fuck are you spending a lot of time in Ripley? It's just a nondescript town. Got to be planning related, I would guess? I wouldn't say it's that hard to get to though? Just of the A38 or from the M1 via South Normanton (Pinxton to us locals)/ Mind if you're coming via NE like say M6, A50 then that takes you further south. Best bet is M61, M60, then pick up the A6, brings you pretty much right into Ripley via Ambergate. A6 is nicer than the A50 also. More scenic. Amber Vallley Council offices are in Ripley. I normally get the train to Manchester then travel with a colleague, Manchester-Ripley takes a bloody age. Title: Re: Trains Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, February 28, 2019, 16:09:13 Amber Vallley Council offices are in Ripley. I normally get the train to Manchester then travel with a colleague, Manchester-Ripley takes a bloody age. I know. So do you work for AVBC then, or on their behalf? Well that is why people have said for ages that Ripley would still benefit from a Train Station. A halfway point between Chesterfield & Derby. As well as close proximity to Notts, Sheff & Leicester makes it an ideal commuter town. The bus network is pretty good offering direct travel to Derby, Notts & Chesterfield. Alfreton has one and lots of nondescript ones still exist between Belper & Matlock (Ambergate, Whatstandwell, Cromford). Funding aside, I've no idea why they've never reconnected the line up to Langley Mill, it's hardly a huge amount of track needed, although I do appreciate it's not a simple engineering task. The parish covers around 25k residents but the wider area (Loscoe, Codnor, Heage, Pentrich, Marehay, Denby, etc) makes up for probably around 70k, and as you'll likely know Amber Valley as a whole must cover a population of around 130k? I take it you get the Manchester to Alfreton train. With a change at Sheff? Then it's either bus or taxi to Ripley. I bet you'd love it if the train went to Ripley! :D Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Friday, March 1, 2019, 09:32:26 Got a couple of jobs for Clients in AV so meetings with Council are at Ripley.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, March 1, 2019, 13:23:19 Got a couple of jobs for Clients in AV so meetings with Council are at Ripley. Joy of joy :) If I were you, I'd schedule a "Diary Appointment" of an afternoon and head down to MRC for a mooch around. You'd like it. Here are a couple of shots by myself from down there. Doesn't show a lot other than me being artsy but the b&w one kind of typifies the era and vibe of the area. Enjoy. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Monday, April 1, 2019, 09:46:17 I know that there are a few (or Reg at least) who like to see Swindon's finest engineering achievements in action, Clun Castle is passing through on Saturday at 1116 so plenty of time for a hit of nostalgia and local pride followed afterwards to go for a pint or 4 before the Yeovil game!
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10732/2019/04/06/advanced Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, April 18, 2019, 10:06:47 I know some of you like your HST's...
https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2019/april/the-time-and-date-of-the-last-high-speed-train-to-run Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, April 18, 2019, 10:40:18 I know some of you like your HST's... https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2019/april/the-time-and-date-of-the-last-high-speed-train-to-run Talk Talk would have been the man for that, but he's off stalking elsewhere these days..... no women left to pursue on the TEF. Personally never got too excited by the HST's, of course better than nothing, but goes back to when it used to easy to stick your bike in the guard's van and go off somewhere, always a bit more of a problem due to lack of space on HST's. Title: Re: Trains Post by: FreddySTFC! on Saturday, May 4, 2019, 16:58:24 One for Reg. Caught the train from Cardiff Central for today's game & between Bristol Parkway & Swindon I noticed what I thought was a platform, pretty much wholly submerged by grass (on the rhs heading towards Swindon). Done this journey about a 100 times over the years & never noticed it before. Kept my eye out for it on the opposite side on the way back & couldn't see it. I would say it was closer to Swindon than Parkway. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Saturday, May 4, 2019, 17:25:58 One for Reg. Caught the train from Cardiff Central for today's game & between Bristol Parkway & Swindon I noticed what I thought was a platform, pretty much wholly submerged by grass (on the rhs heading towards Swindon). Done this journey about a 100 times over the years & never noticed it before. Kept my eye out for it on the opposite side on the way back & couldn't see it. I would say it was closer to Swindon than Parkway. Any ideas? Closing in on Swindon, there were stations at Hullavington, Little Somerford, Brinkworth and then Wootton Bassett, in that order, Bassett being the closest after the join with the Temple Meads line, and having the most obvious remains. Title: Re: Trains Post by: FreddySTFC! on Saturday, May 4, 2019, 17:34:15 Closing in on Swindon, there were stations at Hullavington, Little Somerford, Brinkworth and then Wootton Bassett, in that order, Bassett being the closest after the join with the Temple Meads line, and having the most obvious remains. Are these all on the main line between Parkway & Swindon because it seemed very rural at the point I saw it?Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Saturday, May 4, 2019, 17:47:16 Are these all on the main line between Parkway & Swindon because it seemed very rural at the point I saw it? Were on the mainline... the 3 places mentioned before RWB are all small, the stations were away from the village. Title: Re: Trains Post by: FreddySTFC! on Saturday, May 4, 2019, 22:20:53 Were on the mainline... the 3 places mentioned before RWB are all small, the stations were away from the village. Ah fair enough, must have been one of those then!Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, May 5, 2019, 00:08:39 Ah fair enough, must have been one of those then! I'll stick my neck out and say Little Somerford. Fits your description of on the right hand side and still has a bit of platform left... found a photo from 2001 in a book, so prob still there. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 15:35:14 Probably one for Reg.... (if the link will work.)
(https://scontent.flhr4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/89313306_2054936104652437_175758896500047872_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_sid=ca434c&_nc_ohc=CD4itckp-DoAX8duJWS&_nc_ht=scontent.flhr4-1.fna&oh=2e7f48e675cd378cff213a007a5f3131&oe=5E973005) Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 15:42:53 Not seen that one before.... cheers a thing of beauty :)
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 17:01:31 That train was The Somerset Quarryman LCGB tour.
16th April 1972 DMU set L713 (W52105/W59821/W59237/W52093) BR Class 123 L713 London Paddington - Ealing Broadway - Slough - Reading General - Didcot - Swindon - Swindon Town L713 Swindon Town - Swindon L713 Swindon - Chippenham - Thingley Jn - Melksham - Trowbridge - Westbury - Frome North Box - Radstock West L713 Radstock West - Radstock North - Writhlington L713 Writhlington - Radstock North - Radstock West L713 Radstock West - Frome North Box L713 Frome North Box - Frome - Witham (1) - Merehead - Cranmore L713 Cranmore - Merehead Quarry Siding L713 Merehead Quarry Siding - Merehead L713 Merehead - Witham L713 Witham - Castle Cary - Yeovil Pen Mill - Yeovil Junction L713 Yeovil Junction - Gillingham - Salisbury - Andover Jn L713 Andover Jn - Ludgershall L713 Ludgershall - Andover Jn - Basingstoke - Reading General - (reverse of outward route) - London Paddington Title: Re: Trains Post by: mystical_goat on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 17:45:02 L713 Andover Jn - Ludgershall L713 Ludgershall - Andover Jn - Basingstoke - Reading General - (reverse of outward route) - London Paddington That could be a village near my Nan's house in Buckinghamshire? Tiny place, no operational station as far as I know. I know almost nothing about trains but do love the fact that, for a few years, the Metropolitan line terminated in Brill, Buckinghamshire - my Nan's village. The area where the station was is now a small industrial estate including Brill Beer Brewery. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 17:50:58 That could be a village near my Nan's house in Buckinghamshire? Tiny place, no operational station as far as I know. Ludgershall is a small town near Salisbury that used to have an army railway line accessing it.I know almost nothing about trains but do love the fact that, for a few years, the Metropolitan line terminated in Brill, Buckinghamshire - my Nan's village. The area where the station was is now a small industrial estate including Brill Beer Brewery. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 18:45:40 That could be a village near my Nan's house in Buckinghamshire? Tiny place, no operational station as far as I know. I know almost nothing about trains but do love the fact that, for a few years, the Metropolitan line terminated in Brill, Buckinghamshire - my Nan's village. The area where the station was is now a small industrial estate including Brill Beer Brewery. Different Ludgershall.... it can be confusing when you get 2 of a seemingly unusual name.... a bit like Sparsholt. Didn't know that about Brill, a nice place went there once to see the windmill.... (https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/07/ee/c8/9f/brill-windmill.jpg) Sometimes when lines end seemingly in the middle of nowhere, it's because they were meant to go somewhere else and a bigger company made sure they didn't. Title: Re: Trains Post by: 4D on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 18:50:05 Ludgershall is a small town near Salisbury that used to have an army railway line accessing it. Beautiful isn't it :zipped: Title: Re: Trains Post by: pauld on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 10:11:34 Good news for Reg and other Beeching detractors:
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/18293468.second-swindon-railway-station-discussed-council-network-rail/ Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 10:25:44 Good news for Reg and other Beeching detractors: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/18293468.second-swindon-railway-station-discussed-council-network-rail/ I wouldn't hold your breath, having been involved in the creation of a new station on a line considerably quieter than the GWML, that cost nearly £7m eventually (against a budget of c.£3m) and took about 12 years to come to fruition after PP! Plus any comparison with Exeter is bollocks, whilst it has 2 stations on the mainline both date from pre-1850. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 10:28:51 Good news for Reg and other Beeching detractors: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/18293468.second-swindon-railway-station-discussed-council-network-rail/ I got a nanosecond of excitement on seeing the headline.... it had gone on engaging with the article. You'd have thought that with the plantation of dormitory estates for Oxford, out near South Marston, a reinstatement of Stratton Park Halt could be a winner... (https://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46230000/jpg/_46230220_4.jpg) As a kid I'd cycle out here... pretty much still in the country then and an adventure. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 10:38:23 I got a nanosecond of excitement on seeing the headline.... it had gone on engaging with the article. You'd have thought that with the plantation of dormitory estates for Oxford, out near South Marston, a reinstatement of Stratton Park Halt could be a winner... (https://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46230000/jpg/_46230220_4.jpg) As a kid I'd cycle out here... pretty much still in the country then and an adventure. Anything on the mainline is going to be problematical as its introducing something slow moving onto what has become a high speed trunk route, whilst modern stuff accelerates much better than it did in the days of steam, the overarching line speed was not 125mph then! Don't know Swindon that well geographically, would something work on the Gloucester line, otherwise would the cash be better spent on something ala Metrolink? Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 10:55:54 I know it will never happen just me being whimsical.... Tory SBC showed their true colours, when shifting the £5 mill they'd put aside for a possible new art gallery, into building a road for the Oxford dormitory town.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: 4D on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 17:53:16 Something for Reg....
https://youtu.be/Oqj3YlkR0y0 Title: Re: Trains Post by: Batch on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 18:10:45 Quote from: 4D Something for Reg.... https://youtu.be/Oqj3YlkR0y0 (https://youtu.be/Oqj3YlkR0y0) that was interesting. Title: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 19:02:25 Something for Reg.... https://youtu.be/Oqj3YlkR0y0 Aborted tunnel for the Midland and South West Junction Railway..... had to do a cutting instead, which is now Old Town Cycle Path. The somewhat loose backfill meant that the Hunt St houses started to subside, maybe 30 years ago now, so a major project was undertaken to drain the hillside.... the path around Queen's Park only reopened a few years back Title: Re: Trains Post by: ronnie21 on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 19:12:42 I'll stick my neck out and say Little Somerford. Fits your description of on the right hand side and still has a bit of platform left... found a photo from 2001 in a book, so prob still there. Late coming to the party, if it was on the Parkway line my guess would be Badminton which does still have the platformsTitle: Re: Trains Post by: ronnie21 on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 19:16:16 Ludgershall is a small town near Salisbury that used to have an army railway line accessing it. That line is still there, rarely used but was in use to the army depot, it is actually the line that went theough Swindon Old Town and on down to Southampton - volunteers are restoring parts of it at Blunsdon, Taw Hill and trying to get as far as Cricklade in the opposite direction Title: Re: Re: Trains Post by: Oaksey Moonraker on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 22:17:26 Aborted tunnel for the Midland and South West Junction Railway..... had to do a cutting instead, which is now Old Town Cycle Path. So if the line had taken the direct route to the GWR, the County Ground might have had a railway line through it....The somewhat loose backfill meant that the Hunt St houses started to subside, maybe 30 years ago now, so a major project was undertaken to drain the hillside.... the path around Queen's Park only reopened a few years back Title: Re: Re: Trains Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, July 9, 2020, 07:53:35 So if the line had taken the direct route to the GWR, the County Ground might have had a railway line through it.... Don't think so.... the proposed route ran more or less parallel to Princess St, having curved off the mainline nr the end of Gooch St. Would then have run up roughly where Northampton St is today.... Queen's Park wasn't there. Could have had a halt style platform for the CG much nearer.... roughly somewhere in Broad St. Title: Re: Trains Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, September 23, 2021, 15:34:27 I used to mention these for Reg in the past but it might be of interest to someone. There is a steam train coming to Swindon on Saturday arrives at 1126 and departs at 1540, it's a Castle (one of Swindon's own built in the works) for those further interested.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: STFC_Gazza on Friday, September 24, 2021, 12:46:16 For anyone whose Interested
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91120/2021-09-25/detailed 7029 Clun Castle is supposed to be the Loco. Returns via Didcot https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91123/2021-09-25/detailed Title: Re: Trains Post by: donkey on Friday, August 5, 2022, 11:46:09 For Reg.
https://mobile.twitter.com/mdumar1989/status/1555216751641722881 Title: Re: Trains Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Friday, August 5, 2022, 14:28:23 I think it's fair to say, that is quite unusual :eek: ...and Reg would indeed have loved it...
Title: Re: Trains Post by: Wormholes of Time on Saturday, August 6, 2022, 10:10:48 I wrote this for my brother a few years ago but as an old mate of Reg's, I thought I might post this memory of train-spotting at Swindon: http://radicalstroud.co.uk/railway-time/ I might dig out trains and football ones incrementally if you are unlucky.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: mystical_goat on Friday, September 2, 2022, 18:55:45 I loved reading that, thank you.
Title: Re: Trains Post by: swindonmaniac on Friday, September 2, 2022, 19:43:35 Apparently none again next week, another alcohol free day then, looks like the cars gotta come out again
|