Lambeg man

Princetown is only halfway across the moor. Is that where Matelots finished, halfway? At least Pongos went the whole way!

Interesting that despite the fact "There's a war on don't you know!", the GNR appears to have been provided with the resources to build specific purpose wagons such as these (and gypsum wagons) while the GSR was cannibalizing old six-wheeler passenger carriages for the same traffic (turf). I suppose it comes down partially to the fact that by 1944 the GSR had fewer locomotives with any fuel to power a passenger train, while the GNR needed anything that was on wheels to carry passengers, even borrowing GSR carriages at this period. The rules of the Geneva Convention appear to have been VERY loosely interpreted by both governments north, south and across the water.

Bizarrely for this thread, there is a railway connection in this story. Don't know if I ever mentioned to you that I applied for membership of the HGC back in 1976. The initial test was described as a 36 mile route march over Dartmoor(south to north) in middle of a very cold February, 18 miles a day over two days with a very weighty pack on one's back. I got a couple of things right like keeping my clothes inside my sleeping bag so they were not frozen in the morning (unlike some who folded their's up and laid them on the ground beside them). On the debrief I was commended for having advised my group that rather than trying to walk 'as the crow flies' on a compass bearing, which involved much hill (Tor) climbing, that in the middle bit we should follow the track bed of the old GWR Princetown branch. Though this was a longer way, at least it was relatively level. I was equally delighted to find that after walking miles of bog, we were walking on the old track ballast that was still in place in 1976. If it put four miles onto our route, it was the easiest walking surface we had for the whole two days. We eventually reached the rendezvous (RV) point only to see the transport trucks drive off. A note left on the ground gave us the grid for the "re-arranged" RV point 5 miles away to the east. On we trudged to the new RV point, where surprise surprise, the same thing happened, only now the new RV point was to the south. That's when I gave up and went back to being an ordinary Vehicle Mechanic in the REME. Good job I did, otherwise I would never have ended up at 79 Railway Squadron RCT in 1979!

Dear Broithe, would it be possible to just very briefly describe what was happening in the deleted video that started this most entertaining thread? LM

Been there, SEEN it and got the 'T' shirt. Luckily I was in the rear seat beside matey, so it all went forward and missed me. Happy Days!

I once had a telephone conversation with Ian in the early 1990's and one thing I suggested to him was that he use his skills to produce a correctly 'curved' end in white metal of an MPD Railcar front that could be easily fitted on the end of a Hornby or Airfix coach without any great degree of skill. This was when Ivor Hughes was first knocking out his adaptations of UTA Railcars from RTR British models. As I recall, he said he would consider it, but clearly never did. I am also mindful of a producer of brass kits (honestly can not remember which one) who offered a kit for an AEC Railcar, with a warning "The front cab will need extra work" or words similar. I have yet to see an ACCURATE model of an AEC Railcar with the even near correct front and that includes my own! Anyway, as only Darius of this parish appears to have any interest in modelling 'Sputniks', perhaps my suggestion to Ian would have a waste of time commercially.

Never a truer word spoken. Hope HP monitor this website. LM

Sorry Galteemore, but is that a paid up member of the HGC in the photo? I always thought they sought complete anonymity?

May I presume the M96 is not a 'Smart' motorway in that it still has an inside emergency lane which is safer for all?

As opposed to Dunny on the Wold in Blackadder? Jesus, was THAT really 36 years ago?????

Sorry you've lost me.

When I was rural policing circa 1990, the reference was "He calmed down and was taken home by BLUE LIGHT TAXIS." This arose when situations occurred that were so far from a main police station, taking the individual home was an easier option than arrest.

Yes, accepted. Would have been interested how a railway massacre would have been presented to the non-railway interested general public. LM

EDITED: Sorry, not a true story, so in the wrong thread. LM ############################################################################################################################## An American (a Texan to be more precise) is driving around southern Ireland in the late 1950's. He chances on a local sitting on a stone wall. "Howdy, I'm an American here on holiday. I just love your country. So, tell me what do you do?" "I'm a farmer." came the reply. "Really? So how big is your farm?" "Well there's the farmhouse there and I farm the three fields that surround it." "Boy, you call that a FARM? Back in Texas I am farmer as well and do you know that if I get in my car in the morning and drive all the way around MY farm, I won't get home until late afternoon. Now what d'you think about that?" The reply was "Have you thought about having the car checked?"

No rush. New Year will do. I am already too deep in your debt! LM

A visit to the Fire Service training centre at Morton on the Marsh circa 1985 revealed a rake of Mk 1 carriages and a withdrawn Class 40 there, apparently for the Hereford Gun Club's use.

I would be very interested to read any coverage or articles relating to the post October 1958 creation of the CIE 'Northern Division' (the ex-GNR section). Reading the content already posted (and thanks for doing that Jon) I'm sure CIE would have tried to put some positive spin on it.

Photo (very poor quality I know) of No. 63 when brand new - UTA Official

1933.

The carriage on the right is of interest. It is a GNR Classification M 5 Full Brake by this date numbered c434N. It is in CIE 'green' livery but will be painted into Black/Orange livery at a future date. Withdrawn 1969. The engine in the picture was named 'LOUGH MELVIN'. It took over the working of the tour train at Maysfields Yard from another engine (ex-SLNCR) named 'LOUGH MELVIN'!

Hi Mayner, Many thanks for your input above. BTW it is Gardner diesels. BW, LM

It may be noted that the first carriage behind the engine is in fact an AEC Railcar fitted ex-GNR Brake/2nd. Choo choo!

I'm here, so what's going on? Someone slagging off the GNR? Ooohps, er, wrong thread. I'll get my coat...

Well Railcar 'A' nearly made it! It was in use until 1962 when a steam locomotive decided to take out one end of it! The body was still extant in Portadown yard in June 1967 along with Railcar 'F' (both by then being a demolition contractor's vehicles). Railcar 'G' lasted until an arson attack in I think 1968 at Belfast (Grosvenor Road sidings), mind you it had been out of use since 1965.

NCC Railcars only David. Apart from the NCC using Howden-Meredith wheels on their Railbuses, there appears to have been little or no collaboration between Dundalk and York Road, each taking a different path with Railcar development. I may well be wrong and would willingly stand corrected if anyone knows otherwise. LM