Postman Prat

Hi LC Change of tack In the mid 60's I recall seeing a Bulleid pacific standing on Eastleigh station with a stream of water coming from the pipe (injector overflow ? ) under the cab directly on to the 3rd rail!!!! How did the fireman avoid being 'fried'?

No 48773 was a problem many years later. 48773 and the following 2 (numerically) locos were not taken into BR stock until the mid-1950s, by which time they had a totally different top-feed which put them out of gauge. When the yellow stripes were being applied someone assumed all 3 were out of gauge and yellow was applied. Wrong!!! 48773, by then, had received a standard 8F boiler / top feed and so she was the same as all the others. When taken into preservation the engine records showed she was out of gauge so the yellow stripe reappeared - either at the instance of the SVR, or for BR because she was going over their lines, I can't remember now. No doubt there were other stories like this! 😉

It has been a search through my library but I found the answer eventually. A lot of the A3s went through to as as late as 1964/5 and still didn't get the 'warning flashes'. However, I've found a photo of Scotsman, dated 6/62 and the flashes are fixed to the boiler and running plate. In order there is one on the frame extension, possibly one where the boiler and smoke box meet - you cannot see because of the deflector. The section of boiler benearh the dome has one (above the handrail) and finally there is one between the second and third wash-out plugs. Of interest is the lack of flashes in preservation - she worked the non-stop Kings X - Edinburgh special on 1/5/68 for example and was flash less!! 😮

I'm not a member so I don't have an axe to grind but it appears to me 'that a lot of people seem to be looking a gift horse in the mouth' 😛

I'll subcontract that to Boris!

Lets have something different - Gresley Articulated EMU? Look really good with open, sliding doors and a couple of mums, with prams, in the coach ends. 😮

The headcode applies to the West Coast Postal - the train robbed by the Great Train Robbers 😮

They were beautiful - they looked fast even when stationary. When Green Arrow was at the Glos/W line just before being put on the pedestal at the NRM I went all the way over there to get my last photos of her, and also to say 'Goodbye' 😢

How do you do it ? Less than a week from the initial Wishlist request (IOW A1X) to Hornby agreeing to do it! No wonder I can't any new models - you've probably taken all of the New Model allocation for years. You and GWR fans have it all sewn up!! 😮 🫨 - 😢

Hi LC Quote: The ways of Swindon are beyond the comprehension of mortal men! I think what you mean is most people look but just don't believe what they see 😮

I'm not a fan of Thompson locos, least of all the pacifics. Just a case of if the OP gets one, I'm sticking my claim in for Cock O' The North!!! Like you, I'm also a great fan of the V2, in looks as well as performance, in fact there is only one thing better than a V2 and that's 2 V2s. Even WTD likes them - it's been suggested that I brainwashed him but we both know where that theory comes unstuck. I was at the Glos/Warks today for their gala - their Merchant looks nice, and as a visitor the B1 was nice to see 😉

You've picked up another 'trial loco' Last 4 of the V2 build, although I know which were more use. The P2, and I think the V2 rebuilds, are famous as being the only locos designed and built around the length of the connecting rod! Thompson had 'a thing' about valve gear - no conjugated gear for him. Three sets of seperate valve gear with all the same size con rod which led to the centre driving off the front axle and the two outside cylinders off the centre. That's why the cylinder is between the axle and the bogie which in turn required extended smokebox and chimney. Hope this helps (we've drained my technical pool of knowledge. You've surprised me - I'd have bet money that you knew more about this than I do) 😀

Hi LC Yes, they produced the Peppercorn variant whereas the poster here is after the Thompson locos. My choice whould be for the P2 rebuilds. Yes I know, ugly? yes, Poor performers? yes. I just like them!! 😮

LNER coache roofs were white when freshly painted but soon became filthy (loco exhaust etc). Also the paint used was white lead and one of the chemical constituants in that, and the smoke, had a lot to do with the roof colour. Don't ask what chemicals - I've no idea. As long as you are looking at Grey it's right !! 😉

Hat and coat in this weather??? You'll melt 😆

/media/tinymce_upload/c9eb59fd865a152ca1f09f5bb76e77b5.jpg In 1912 the loco number was changed from 3440 to 3717. At the same time the Indian Red frames were painted Black. Hope that helps.

Hi Jj It's not worth asking about the 100 mph record - it's been argued about for the last 100 plus years without any conclusion being reached. The only people who could throw any new light on the subject are long dead. One of the magazines did a reconstruction of the run and guess what the result was - maybe it did and maybe it didn't. 😆

Hi LC Don't tell me I've finally caught you out 😮 35020 Bibby Line was released to traffic after rebuilding with an unmodified 6000 gal tender. Post rebuilt trials Photos in Power of the Merchant Navies page 65

The rebuilt MN with the airsmoothed tender would be different. However, let's have a few more NER, and Scottish locos first................... 😉 (Beware airbourne pigs!)

The rebuilt MN with the airsmoothed tender would be different. However, let's have a few more NER, and Scottish locos first................... 😉 (Beware airbourne pigs!)

Like LC&DR I used to go to the exhibition at the Central Hall. I, too, had a chat with Rev Awdry - a very nice, pleasant man. Just think, it's possible I met LC&DR all those years ago!!! 😮

The last time I was a bit 'enthusiastic' it cost me near enough £100 and wasted an afternoon in a classroom. What really annoyed me was I was fully aware of the speed camera. Still, I didn't get any points....... 😳

Hi BB I like the 3rd rail, especially as in the first photo

SWMBO might possibly be aware - just waiting to mention it at what is the best tine (for her) 😆

Hi LC Did we go to the same library? A reet canny book.. It's recently come back in print after many years - partly as a result of lobbying from the LNER Encyclopaedia. I would have liked a copy but they were, I believe, asking 'silly money' for it.