leslie10646 Posted June 25, 2022 Share Posted June 25, 2022 With both my RPSI and Provincial Wagons hats on, may I draw attention to Joe Cassell's brilliant new book on the Spoil Trains. Available from the RPSI shop: https://www.steamtrainsireland.com/shop This lavishly illustrated new book, by lifelong RPSI member Joe Cassells, details the life and times of the Spoil Trains, and the men who worked them. Between 1966 and 1970 more than 4 million tons of quarry waste were moved from Magheramorne to the shores of Belfast Lough to form the foundations of the M2 motorway. And it was done by the last steam locomotives in these islands. Joe relates how the contract was originally drawn up, including the building of 70 dedicated wagons by Cravens of Sheffield. These incorporated a large opening side door for quick unloading at the Belfast end of each trip. At Magheramorne quarry, two extensive loading banks were built. Joe describes the heroic efforts of the maintenance staff, working in primitive conditions by present day standards, to keep the locomotives moving. The book is based on previously unpublished information, and sheds completely new light on many facets of the Spoil Train contract. After the contract ended, the RPSI preserved locomotive No.4 in running order. Since 1970, No.4 has hauled special trains all over the Irish railway system Softback, 21 x 30 cm, 80 colour and 70 b&w photos, 5 maps, 98 pages. £15 plus £1.50 postage (UK postage). AND YES, IT IS LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED. But then I would say that as there are ten photos from the late Lance King's collection which I am still cataloguing (about 5,000 slides!). I might add that Lance is just one of about twenty photographers who brilliantly recorded this remarkable Finale to mainline steam in these islands. Joe has done a great job researching this and I cannot recommend it too highly. Just to mention that the Provincial Wagons Spoil wagon kit is still available from stock, as is my Brown Van kit – there are several photos in the book which show them! Support the RPSI and buy a copy! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Shrives Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 Deed done ! Robert 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie10646 Posted June 26, 2022 Author Share Posted June 26, 2022 4 hours ago, Robert Shrives said: Deed done ! Robert Well done Robert! Just a little update, the Euro Price is €22.10, post paid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Shrives Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 Leslie, I hope the book will give good weathering help for the rake you kindly sold to me and obvs ensure IRM offer uber niche model in 2023. Robert 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Shrives Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Copy landed in Brum at lunchtime and had chance to flick through. looks good and the human interactions show pride in the operation, good selection of pics especially wagon M65 upside down on its first journey showing its "under things" to all!, The gas axe bottles in foreground and a lack of a wheel set do not auger well. As suggested a good resource of wagon weathering - it would be common it looks for a cleaned- repaired wagon to be mid rake and also wagons with repaired and clean doors. Otherwise the duck egg blue/ light grey weathered to a dusty stone brown, the Black UT lettering too high for cleaning and the numbers rubbed over now and again visible sort of. A great book and something that just would not happen in this way today. Recommended ! Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Joe put a huge lot of work into that. It shows! Awaiting my own copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie10646 Posted July 1, 2022 Author Share Posted July 1, 2022 Robert and JB have hit the nail on the head. It's a great record of a remarkable operation. The selection of photos is seriously good - a great credit to Charles Friel who largely looked after that side of the exercise. As Robert says, a useful reference book on how to "weather my wagons! I've been informed that The Syndicate has been sent a supply, so you can buy it from us (UK customers only), the money still goes to the RPSI, but if I send some out, it'll save John Friel at the RPSI a bit of work! Just PM me or e-mail me on lesliemcallister@aol.com and I'll take it from there 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Shrives Posted July 14, 2022 Share Posted July 14, 2022 Now had a chance to read captions and some text - a lovely piece of work recording a short but interesting period showing what a railway can do - and clearly on a shoe string! Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.c363cdf5c3fb7955cd92a55eb6dbbae0.png){kind=logo}
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.