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The diesel shunter is a reasonably recent (10 years) product from MAK. Being model 1700, it has 1700 KW power, so there is an Irish connection.

Interesting to see a rear view if the once-common, but photographically-elusive, Midland brake vans (on the left). The MGWR painted these dark green at one stage, though I suspect they were latterly normal grey…

Interesting it’s marked 0-1-2-3 – positions for when the valves in the regulator are open?

Not that I can think of!! 

Thanks, Ivan. Duly corrected! You're lucky that I survived to tell the story of today's trek, at several points I was gasping for breath (I have COPD and asthma) and my legs were like jelly, I was so knackered. The BLS (the otherwise admirable Bern Lotschberg Simplon) publish a leaflet encouraging walks by the Nordramp and the  Sudramp of their amazing railway - that is the line from Frutigen (near Spiez) up to Kandersteg, through the 14.61kms of the Lotschberg tunnel and then down to Brig - a rise and fall of about 1,500 feet. The well-informed will know that this line has all but been surpassed by the 34.5km long Lotschberg Base Tunnel which cuts out the climb and greatly reduceds journey times. I had walked some bits of the North Ramp twenty years ago, but this was my first (and not to be repeated) try on a part of the South Ramp. The best bit, I am told, if from Hohtenn to Ausserberg, but at 10kms, I deemed that was one to leave until we had got some practice in!  Having noted that  Ausserberg to Eggersberg was six kilometres, I thought that achievable. Now, the railway is running constantly downhill, but NOT the path. It started with an uphill hike through the village of Ausserberg, then when I thought we were meant to duck under the railway, the signs seemed to point me straight ahead - more uphill. Then I met this:   Yes, it means what you think it does, but being properly Irish, I ignored it, stating that it only referred to road vehicles. Up and up we went, following a contour with a sheer drop on one side until we got to this -  Yes, that's a GATE and there was no path beyond - in fact if you look carefully, you will see that it is further protected by an electric fence. This was 90 minutes out and we were faced with another ninety back, having achieved little and my legs nearly gave out. I DID manage a poor bit of video - the sun is at right angles on the other side of the train! These are "MIKA" units Class RABe 528, if you prefer, built by Stadler and based on their famous FLIRT units. Built 2021 onwards. The canalised river below is THE RHONE and you can see the brilliant views which you get down into it from trains on the BLS line which remains a monument to the men who had the vision to built it and the many unfortunate (mainly Italians) people who lost their lives on the construction.  Mika at Ausserberg.mov   One of the tunnel mouths and a stretch of track. It was somewhere near the second photo where I should have left the road and skirted a field on an unmade path, it seems! Never mind, by God's Grace, I survived. After three hours, having fully retraced our steps to Ausserberg station, we caught a train on to Brig and came back the quick way behind 460.087 (had her a couple of days ago) on eight double deckers and five single deckers! Seen at Spiez: first a hefty diesel shunter -  then the resident "Thunderbird" Loco: and what is becoming the inevitable "Vectron" on a 32 40ft container train. After that back to domestics like shopping for tea and a second trip by bus to grab another SIX bottles of palatable Rose (from Syrah grapes) for about £3 a bottle - Richard can bring them home in his car! I think I'll try riding a few trains tomorrow - easier on the legs and the nerves!