jhb171achill

I would agree with both. It's all very well when they match a loco to a train but hit'n'miss otherwise. Why they can't just keep everything orange and black I don't know! :-)

To such extent as it allows, Broithe, there seems to me a lighter tint right round the edges. I've seen it on other pics too - but I've also seen convincing evidence of black, not only on locos, but the yellow and grey touring coaches too.

I knew it!! Some time ago, someone posted a pic of a model 121 (and an excellent job it was too); I questioned the fact that the logo transfers for this were edged in black, as my recollection was that they should be white. A white-lined "snail" and numerals would have a very different look to a black lined one. I went off delving and found a photo of a loco in this livery with very very fine black edging to the yellow logo and numerals. The above shows white. Thus; we have not one, or two, but THREE variations of this grey and yellow livery. We have photographic (and in the case of white, eye-witness) evidence of locomotives having numerals and snails lined black, and also lined white! This in addition to the already-known variation which was that at least one or two of the class had the grey buffer beams repainted standard red, which, having seen it in a colour photo, I personally think looks a bit odd. A quick look at what photos I can find suggests that most of the class, or perhaps for more of the time, white edged lettering was the norm. What makes it so unusual is that they only wore this livery until first repaint. They were delivered in the early 60s, yet by 1969 all were black and tan. Thus, it's not as if they were repainted several times in grey, allowing variations to creep in: the variations were concurrent. Imagine an exhibition layout with three 121s, each with a different variation on grey..... three shades, though, not fifty.

My gut feeling would be there could have been policy changes.

Haha true, Wrenn, but they had a proper tam network back then... The "Leap" card was done with your legs too..... Talking of trams and city transport, I have some London General Omnibus tickets for sale - must photo them and post them up here....

That is an absolutely superb kit.

There you have it; this is how historical research pans out. We now can be certain that Bazin, Bredin and McDonnell were Shels supporters, while Bullied was northside roaring "up the Dubs"!!!! ;-)

Broithe, that's either me or my twin brother, or else his twin brother......

Interesting point, Mayner - I never thought of that. Family recollections of Edgar Bredin were that he kept himself very much to himself, as did others of his colleagues. They seemed to go into the works, do their work and go home - certainly in my grandfather's time I got the impression that most of the drawing office and design people, and those among the most senior levels of management didn't seem to socialise. Maybe it's because there was no Copper Face Jack's or Temple Bar......

No end to your talents, josefstadt! How do you do that anyway? If it's a process suitable for simpletons, I'll have a go myself! Incidentally, I think the photo was taken at Clones. Senior was carrying out the annual inspection of Omagh - Fintona - Bundoran - Enniskillen - Clones - Portadown - Belturbet - Cavan - Dundalk via Cootehill and Carrickmacross. I've an idea I've notes on the actual jaunt, or some of it, somewhere. Will post when I find it if there's anything of substance.

1939, 1959, 1974 & 1975 timetables claimed.

Stamps claimed now.

Thanks, Dive. 11th May 1987 (green one) and 15 May 1995 now claimed, folks.

For sale, old WTTs, €10 each plus postage.

For sale: enclosed mint condition, €10 including postage. PM me.

1948 report now claimed. But the Cullybackey lot have been restrained; they decided to come in quietly via the GNR, but sure haven't they gone and closed Keady to Castleblayney. Them oul diesel-laundering mountainy men. Looks like a lock-in down Keady way tonight. Here are some WTTs, free but for postage. 2.4.73 Suburban 9.6.74 3.3.75 (tattered, but includes the likes of Loughrea, New Ross and Ballinacourty. 27.6.77 8.5.78 12.5.80 29.6.81 11.5.87 - Irish Rail's first. Set of points logo. 18.5.92 15.5.95

Well, we know of the GNR and its attractive 4.4.0's like 171, 131 or 197. So, just for a change, here's the N G Railway's No. 791 with its Director's Saloon about 1953. It's on an inspection trip, utilising the set of steps specially constructed to let the inhabitants down onto the track via the gangway. I wonder what became of the steps? In all its back-to-front printed glory, here it is.

I know that political comment is barred from IRM, but here goes! Vote for P T Somerville-Large! Sure, he's the GSR's Civil Engineer in Westland Row, don't ye know? If the mods ban me for canvassing, you'll know they support dem udder wans. This is post-free, and cost-free, to whoever wants it. The then equivalent of junk mail - it was a blotter! Postcard size. The reverse of this one is unused blotting paper, and was picked up by Senior in the GSR Drawing Office, where the hopeful candidate had been handing them out! The back: being unused, the mirror images of neither GSR nor Senate secrets are included; buyer supplies and installs their own. Like the impending introduction of 450 class tins on the Kenmare branch, and the military invasion of the Irish Free State by three Orangemen from Cullybackey. Remember where ye heard it first. There's a scoop for the Longford Leader.....

This one's for sale. €10 plus postage. Contains a fascinating and detailed article by G B Howden, the GNR's General Manager, on the rebuilding of the Boyne Viaduct. This was a very major undertaking and the article covers all aspects of it. Health & Safety had yet to be invented. This man survived, impossible as the H & S Taliban might have us believe.....

This is a highly detailed insight into the state of the railways in the late 1940s. Title self explanatory. Free to a good home, but postage costs requested in return.

This one's for sale, so I'll post it here and on a for sale post too. Early 1900s map of Central London with railways in amazing detail, predating stylised diagrammatic London maps. €15 plus postage.

Continued: this lot postage only too. This next one, a collection of luggage labels, I'm asking for €10 + postage.

SAR loco diagram book gone in record time but other SA stuff still here. More to go..... it's an international lot today. South African a minute ago, British (and also GNR(I)!) next: this first lot free but postage required.

More to come, in between posting stuff I'm giving away in another thread!

I actually think she looks quite well! Next: a "G" in "supertrain"! What about that?