Niles

Not my best photo, but you can just see the gangways made up between a 2600 and 2800 here.

Sorry just seen. Yes, I remember 8 car 2600s in action on the northern suburban in the mid 2000s though originally 4 was more common, but gangways were in use. They weren't unknown to run in multiple with 2800s on DSER line services and again the gangways were in use.

And the rest on the newbuild Woolwich?

Re: specials, Táilte did look at operating a tour taking in GVS but unfortunately resources and scheduled works precluded it this year, however we've had some nice chats with NIR people about the future...

Must be a record, Great Victoria Street will have had two 'last trains' in under 50 years.

On fictional liveries, someone (maybe it was on this group?) had one done up in freight grey, looked quite well I thought...

Apparently one of the rebuilt C&L carriages only re-entered traffic in November 1958—so it didn't even see six months in service post rebuild!

Worth remembering the acceptance procedure for a loco to run on the mainline has taken years in some cases, it wouldn't be worth the while going through for it a one off tour (aside from all the other points).

I was thinking of adding another pun but I don't want to add fuel to the fire.

luverly stuff altogether

Quite. I regularly travel on a route that still hasn't regained catering and it can be difficult finding a seat at times.

I gave into temptation by the model devil who possessed me and added the P class to my cart. Always had a penchant for the smaller Terrier-esque locos.

On enquiring, Rails have advised me that there's no need to do anything, "the orders will be transferred automatically as they are" so sounds like a nice hassle free experience, kudos to Hattons and Rails for looking after the customer.

No.325 sold out already? Must be a record.

If you look on certain Facebook groups, there are a few who seem to love posting about the ITG/Moyasta's alleged failings without offering anything positive to help. "It's too far to volunteer at Carrick/Downpatrick" - but will drive to Moyasta to take pictures they can post up and moan about. One actually blatantly admitted to wishing he'd stolen bits off an A class... some "enthusiast".