Downendian

My guess from the line up here at Laira that its D1029. https://www.flickr.com/photos/suthensofty/8390071719/ Interesting though that this lot must have made the trip to Swindon separately as I saw D1029 coupled to D1044 on their way to Swindon in March 1975. Edit : perhaps the mystery Western is not D1029 as it has the driver's name clips under the cab windows which is a hallmark of Crewe built locos. Neil

Very useful information indeed Flood - gaining photos of exhaust ports and roof panels for modelling purposes must be one of the most difficult aspects of D&E modelling. So the Hornby model is a true 1976 veteran. Neil

"Just" lost a beautiful slide of a BSYP Hymek at Southampton tonight http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=381156742930 Slides of this calibre are very rare - congrats whoever won it! Envious. Neil

HSTs from new were Paxman Valentas - derived believe it or not from the Ventura that was in D830. At least Hornby got their class 31 ports right - lima 31s have the incorrect Mirrlees ports so are actually class 30s! Neil

I think (correct me if I'm wrong someone) the latest Hornby blue-grey HST power cars have incorrect MTU roof profiles to fit with the later release power cars from the Hornby stable. Lima ones are more correct for 1970s/1980s era., and include the smoke deflectors as you say. Neil

No I don't believe it is Derek. The Lima has the correct exhaust ports, and lacks a window on the guard compartment. I do like the see through grilles on the Hornby model, but for £100 quid or so I can live without them. Neil

Recent Hornby HST chassis crop up on ebay a fair bit - I've picked three up now for around £40-50. They (almost scarily) directly fit the Lima body and all is needed is some form of attachment. The new Hornby power cars are very expensive and this makes a completely acceptable alternative and having a modern power unit under an old Lima model is I think the way to go if you're wanting to repowering your Lima models. Hornby model (unaltered) to the front, Lima on Hornby chassis to the rear. Guess which one has the correct engine exhausts? Neil

I think you're right Jonny http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3161281 Neil

I have no knowledge of Penzance Peter, that's how the slide was labelled, happy to stand corrected. Because of the precise date normally the location written on the slide is too, but any other ideas folks? Neil

Good evening- I thought I'd scanned more than already posted (grey cells still working!), and found some more scans on a back up portable hard drive, some beauties too - including my best Hymek slide. Enjoy. First D1065 Western Consort, she was withdrawn on my 15th birthday in November 1976, by which time she was in a legendary state. Here she is on 22nd February 1975, so exactly 40 years ago at Plymouth -(what a coincidence). One of my Heljan rebuilds is D1065, so I've been collecting as many shots as I can. This end is minus headboard clips, the other has the M shaped horn cowl unfortunately. Next D1073 Western Bulwark at Exeter on a Northbound milk train, 6M11. D1030 Western Musketeer at Reading. Next my favourite Hymek slide, D7026 (edit slide States at Ponsondane, more likely Old Oak common) complete with snowploughs, 8th January 1967. Finally a 1960s shot at Swindon of D7044 - so much has changed and gone from here now.

Thanks Pix -,that was my original thought too - I'm at the station a lot nowadays but not in the 70s. Neil

Ah just checked ebay details date is as you state D1072. Interesting it states "copyright to buyer" as well- I've often wondered how this can be verified - I only buy copyright slides. Neil

Close to finishing up the scanned images. All Westerns tonight, some in unknown locations, but I'm sure that will be resolved shortly. first to follow up on the scrapline pictures, D1005 Western Venturer which featured earlier leads, D1063, D1021, D1034, D1011 and 24 037. Then a classic picture of D1059 Western Empire at New Street 1st November 1975, Double Diamond indeed - part of the past that should remain there! D1048 Western Lady at Reading, Date unknown D1058 with telltale scars, Plymouth North road (edit slide does actually say Plymouth, oops) 29th March 1975 Finally D1029 Western Legionnaire at (I think) Westbury. Neil

Don't think its D1025 Jonny, as it was built without headboard clips, perhaps D1035? The slide and high res scan will reveal all! edit - Phil - snap Neil

Thanks Clive - location may help here - if in Cornwall may suggest not the Clayliner, outside it would. I know from my sightings of it mid 70s tarpaulin covered wagons were the norm, and yes I had thought they were all 10' WB wagons, so very interested in Brian's comments. Neil

Update on the scanner (sorry to bore you, but when sorted there are gems to come I promise!). It's certainly a hardware problem, read a blog from a user of the same scanner I have, and ran The Nikon scan software as recommended. It stated a hardware fault. Nikon has a free return via the post office so will be going back next week. It may cost a bit, but the scanner is absolutely superb and worth keeping running. Neil

My hydraulic posting demise (or pause) is not quite there! Some recent ebay wins and an absolute classic shot as well. Slides came with no dates and locations which often makes them cheaper - so with help from you kind folks hopefully locations will be made? First a couple of Westerns - dates and locations unknown - resolution of scans low, will remedy that eventually. First States D1031 Western Rifleman, and has that telltale scar along its flank, but the low res scan doesn't look like D1031 to me .... Looks like it's on the St Blazey-Stoke Clayliner too, edit : location St Blazey yard, 30th May 1973 Next D1046 Western Marquis, at Liskeard, 4th September 1974 Next D7027 at Old Oak Common in the early 70s. Then finally a couple of Warships, D817 Foxhound at Paddington And the icing on the cake tonight D831 on SR territory somewhere (near Pirbright junction?) note the stock behind it! Clues as to whereabouts on some of the above appreciated. Neil

I know we're shamelessly off topic, but the difference in treatment we got at various BR depots was remarkable. Always had great Treatment at Haymarket and Eastfield, but then I always put on a strong West Country accent before asking to go round. Bath road, Toton and Tinsley were impossible often being told to go away using the most powerful Anglo Saxon vocabulary we have. Others were exceptionally kind, cab rides, driver experiences and engine room walkthroughs in 40 070 at York and 37 086 at Cambridge. Neil

A group of 10 of us walked from Long Eaton to Toton - never again! Part of our wonderful "area 10" late summer 1977. Neil

Ok now running out of scanned slides, couldn't get it working last night. Most here have been posted before. Scrapline at Swindon in 1977 after all were taken out of service on 27/2/77 the day after the Western Tribute railtour D1012 Western Firebrand, D1025 Western Guardsman and D1064 Western Regent 20th April 1977, all seen in the prime of their lives earlier in this thread. D1071 Western Renown, D1056 Western Sultan and D1058 Western Nobleman on the same day 20/4/77 D1020 Western Hero at Laira. Most Westerns were stripped of the parts here and then dragged either direct to Swindon, or for the early withdrawals to Bristol St Phillips Marsh, one I never saw unfortunately Then D1060 Western Dominion, another gap in my collection in happier days at Temple Meads in 1973 Finally 814 Dragon at Exeter in the early 1970s. Neil

Jonny's D1072 shot at Reading - Phill you're right the combine is this one, 1974 edition. This one, despite its appearance never went out "in the field" that was battered old locoshed books, just for a quick look up to see if the sighting was a "cop". Neil

Thanks for the PM Phil - he pointed out my D1065 model which I'm embarrassed has not progressed since last summer save toning the weathering down to an "early summer 1976" condition. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/61530-downendian-details/?p=1228732 Neil

D1065 had a different shaped horn cowl at one end, a sort of "M" shape. If I could get the scanner to work I could show you, alas, software upgrades the lot, there is no communication between my Mac and the scanner. I have a nasty feeling an expensive repair is needed, it really looks like a hardware fault the Mac doesn't see it at all. Neil

Oh flipping heck or words to that effect Phil . Have of some pics of D1065s appendage once the scanner works - going to play with it now. Neil

OK tonight's Western quiz. D1065 had a distinguishing feature that set her aside from all other classmates - what was it? Clue : it's not the lack of headboard clips at one end only! Neil