4069

The numbers on the bunker of L91 are the wrong shape for in-service condition. The 9 is too rounded and the 1 should not have a serif, which only appeared with "New Johnston" in the 1970s.

This diagram (low-res only unless you buy it) shows the signalling in semaphore days, but the track layout did not change when the colour-lights were installed. https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/lmsr/M1015.gif You can see that there are two departure lines, as well as routes from the platforms to sidings on both sides of the layout. The route indicators would have shown which line any move from the platforms was signalled along. Shunt moves would have been authorised by the position light signals, which used the same route indicator as the main signals, unlike more modern practice. The main signals are three-aspect colour lights.

Because as far as we can tell from pre-grouping photographs, those were the lamps that the MSWJ used for milk trains. Presumably the GWR imposed their practice fairly soon after 1923.

To pin it down still further, I'm fairly sure it's "the well-known and admirably posed official photograph of the pioneer GWR corridor train, before entering regular service in 1892", to quote the caption to the picture as it appears on page 39 of Great Western Coaches from 1890 by Michael Harris. The locomotive is 2-2-2 3003 (later Avalanche) and the train is indeed on mixed gauge track. The location looks like Shrivenham. Where can I buy the T-shirt?

No, the crossing at Moreton-on-Lugg is adjacent to the box: and see https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/fatal-accident-at-moreton-on-lugg-near-hereford

We are all lacking, and shouldn't be ashamed to admit it. I have some sympathy, knowing how frustrating it is to spot an error in a new book. You write in and get a nice reply, but the chances of a second edition are slim, and now the mistake is out there for all time. Much better to try and run it past those who are in a position to spot caption errors, in particular, before it goes to print.

...and then the move to next door to North Harrow station, where they only lasted a very short time before suddenly closing down. Very sad. At least I was able to introduce my young son to Arthur, as the chap who had sold Daddy all those models thirty years before. He was probably still wearing the same brown coat.

You will find photos and drawings of the Type 7 in Adrian Vaughan's "Great Western Architecture" pages 334 to 337, and his "Great Western Signalling" page 82. You can also find the real thing well preserved and capable of being inspected at (among other places) Toddington (7b), Winchcombe (7d), Cranmore (7b), Carrog (7a), Llangollen (7a), Kidderminster (7d), Buckfastleigh (7d), Bishops Lydeard (7d), Blue Anchor (7b), and Princes Risborough North (7b).

Henwick level crossing (Worcester), 1979:

Paul Karau and Chris Turner's Country Branch Line, which is the definitive history of the Watlington branch, says (volume 1, page 43) "We have not discovered any evidence that stream railmotors were ever used on the line, which is hardly surprising when an engine would still have been needed to handle the goods, thus obviating any economy. It is also doubtful whether a steam railmotor couuld have handled any worthwhile tail load on Chinnor bank. Nor is there any evidence that auto-working was employed. Auto-trailers were simply provided to serve new rail-level halts..." This passage is referenced in the linked Wikipedia entry (note 6). I don't really understand how WIkipedia works, in that it appears to accept two contradictory statements, but I would believe Karau and Turner every time.

The first Central Hall show I went to was in 1970, but this Daily Telegraph cutting (which I may have posted before) is about the 1973 show. I'm the kid peering in at bottom left:

No small prairies were lined out after WW1 (until BR days, that is)

It is indeed a very pretty model, but the gross distortion of the bodyside windows and panelling is, for me, impossible to ignore.

Everything about that picture- rolling stock liveries, clothes, cars, signage- screams pre-war. I think that's a roundel and a smudge on the loco tank sides.

There were six tracks last time I looked- there could have been fast Met trains as well, making twelve!