Downendian

Thanks Peter All slides were bought with copyright - it is of course possible that they have previously been published. I've got a slide of D805 Benbow scrapped at Swindon I've seen in a book too. Neil

David There are a few colour green Hymeks to follow, and a few blue small yellows as well. Neil

Good morning everyone. Today's uploads are a bit Hymek rich. First are two slides at unknown locations both in the 1960s, help identifying where would be appreciated. First looks like the approaches to Paddington East of Old Oak Common, but I don't recognise the gasometer. D7065: Next D7059 at (edit) Acton Wells Junction D7055 was one of the last Hymeks to go - unfortunately I only saw her scrapped at Swindon. By 1973 there were only the remnants of the 101 fleet still in service, here she is at Basingstoke yard that year. I'm always especially interested in photos of hydraulics in and around Bristol. Here D7018 has just arrived at Temple Meads from Weymouth on 2V61, 12th June 1973. Finally to break up the Hymekery, Western D1028 Western Hussar at Reading on 9th March 1975. D1028 was one of the few westerns fitted with square cab ventilators, and made this small group of locos immediately identifiable. Neil

And they're still in business! http://www.retrac-group.com Neil

A zoom in on the sign from high -res scan. Unfortunately I cant go back to the neg at the moment as scanner out of action, but an open and shut case me feels your honour. Although Slide was marked Newton Abbott Mike, I share your doubts, undoubtedly Swindon! Neil

Good evening. Another batch - some I could do with some help on, and based on Mike's input on tying down a date for D7001, I'm hopeful of some results. First is all fine D1046 Western Marquis at Old Oak common 24th February 1973 Next is D1070 Edit: Newbury racecourse D1013 on 1B45 at (edit) Bridgnorth - what a swizz I bought this as an original not preserved slide! 825 Intrepid in a very distressed state, minus nameplates, probably 1971/2, edit at Newton Abbott Finally D7011 edit - Swindon

And guess what year is on the slide!? 1973. Neil

Pretty sure these are Herring behind 812 in 1972. What's their RRP can't see on the Cambrian site? Edit : £11.30 a tad pricier than their Dogfish/Catfish, I fancy a small rake of these though. Neil

OK trying for a "trickle" of uploads to this thread, especially with my current scanner (Nikon Coolpix V) being out of order and awaiting repair. First is my Avatar, D7007 at my Alma Mater, Mangotsfield Station. I went to school approximately 200 yards from where this photo was taken. Wessex Downsman railtour - D7007 piloted a 4F from Temple Meads to Mangotsfield- here it is detached awaiting return to Bristol via Staple Hill. 4th April, 1965 D1052 at Exeter St Davids, Western Sunset railtour 31st March 1975 Class 22 D6318 at Exeter Riverside 22nd April 1967 - copyright class 22 slides are difficult to obtain and expensive! End of the line Bristol St Phillips Marsh was a disposal point (as was Old Oak Common, Laira) awaiting for space for hydraulic disposal at Swindon works. D867 and D815. Finally a double treat - 6356 and D7061 at Reading Christmas eve 1970. I think i posted this one on a previous version of RMweb

Interesting - first time I saw D1005 was hauling her stripped out sisters D1029 and D1044 from Laira to Swindon at Bristol Temple Meads in March 1975. A very sad sight indeed.Neil

D7001 at a guess I'd say 1972/3 Phil because of the painted out D. I will dig out the original slide to see if anything is written on it. The pic of 812 is dated 1972, I'll edit the legends. Neil

Mr Stuart You obviously don't share my sense of humour. This was a famous quote from Oscar Wilde, others might have used it before him but he certainly did too. Neil

I've amassed quite a considerable collection of copyright slides of BR diesels, and I think its time to share for fellow RMwebbers. I do hope to write books at some point but it won't be for some time, so I'm not hiding them for any longer First a Hymek, D7001 at Oxford, 1973 Two Warships First 812 with a ballast train near Plymouth in 1972 A hen's teeth shot (it cost enough!) BSYP D831 at Waterloo 3rd June 1967 And finally a brace of Westerns first D1005 Western Venturer at Weymouth 12th June 1976 and finally tonight, an old favourite D1040 Western Queen at Reading 29th July 1975 Neil

As it's such a beautiful day I decided to go and take a few photos for old times sake of the overbridges that I used to spot at, or the GWML engineering works at their sites. Edit - I stress I poked my camera lens through the barrier fencing, so I was completely legit! First was "Pearce's bridge", 1st overbridge East of Bristol Parkway. This was the vantage point for many photos in publications over the years and was a fine brick arch bridge built in the late 1890s. It's no more- completely demolished and obviously won't be replaced like for like. Concrete buttresses 1 Concrete buttresses from other side of bridge Temporary bridge for footpath in place Obligatory train - Voyager heading North, I was hoping for a class 70 or 66 but no such luck. 2nd bridge from the distance - I was unable to access this bridge due to a huge amount of spoil tipped at the end of the bridge (Curtis lane in Stoke Gifford) it's a clear fly tipping venue and not very pleasant- I photographed D1015 there a few years ago, huge deterioration since. Termed "2nd bridge" by us Parkway spotters in the 1970s. Glad to see it still intact- but for how much longer? Neil

Was Oscar Wilde Arabic? Neil

Lovely job on the Hornby conversion. The side profile with the Bachmann version really brings it home how wrong the Bachmann cabs are. How did you do the centre cab window framing? Neil

The local Sparrow hawk has been hanging around my Devon garden - I caught it in my big Bay tree early Monday morning. Keeping a watchful eye on my feeding bird population, but I have unfortunately witnessed a Sparrowhawk strike on them in the last year. Sad to see but I'm afraid that's what life is about in the great British countryside. Neil

Interesting and very helpful documents Brian. By the look of the S. Glos bridges my fears that their spans will be replaced by ugly concrete spans are unfounded. Most are to be raised by 5 brick courses. I must get and out get some photos in the coming weeks. Neil

I'm frankly depressed by the concrete bridge in Peter's image on the last page. There are several overbridges East of Bristol parkway that have just been demolished. Sure they only carry lightly used country tracks, but at least I thought they would be rebuilt using similar brickwork. I understand the economic argument but it's a sad loss of Brunel's historic infrastructure that made the line side appearance blend in well to the surroundings. I spent hours on those century plus old bridges spotting, I hope they won't be rebuilt like that concrete monstrosity. Yet more of our fine railway heritage vanishing, I know it's sentimental and non-economic but an overbridge is a large part of the local scenery and Brunel's fine legacy. Neil

Yes it's here 'Chard http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/69535-great-british-locomotives/?p=1733237 Not good - a devolutionary step. I have one as I have a subscription maybe some spares on it, but too much work for my liking. Neil

I made a start on my representation of 46 003 yesterday evening. I pasted card roughly behind the headcode aperture and filled, leaving to set rock hard for a few hours. Then carefully removed excess with a file. This rough and ready shot is just after reinstating the nose seam using a steel ruler and scalpel. I intend to add sealed beam headlights from plastic tube, it looks too thick although correct diameter, but will reduce with a rat tail file. The GBL peak is vastly inferior to this Bachmann tooling (which lacked the nose seam). I will blend all together with the finest wet and dry I can find, taking great care not to damage the lamp brackets and rivets at the bottom of the nose. On my work evenings I tend to do an hour RMwebbing and a bit of modelling, then some work. It's a "nice" mix I can work whilst waiting for things to set and whiles away the time whilst prodding the log fire on these cold January evenings. Neil

I sincerely hope they continue to trade. I have fond memories of being one of the first to offer kits to detail and modify RTR diesels. I made my first 25/2 and class 24 converted from Hornby 25s back in the 1980s, and they make a nice range of detailing bits in white metal. Neil

Umm yes re cabs, hands up here too. Rob, how are you going to do the marker lights? I've just bought some evergreen 3/32" tube as recommended by James Wells to build the light will try it out first on my Shawplan resin 37 ends. Neil

Ahh that'll be the balmy South West for you Paul. In the local village of Brixton the Daffs have been out since before the end of December. Neil