Forum Topic

Interesting Railway pages?

I know there are some railway fans in this forum!!You might like to look at some of these links I have discovered recently?Flying Scotsman Class A3 No.4772     www.nrm.org.uk/flyingscotsman/index.asp Golden Plover Class A4 No.60031     www.geoffbannister.com/tod/lner_steam_bw.html The Gresley Class A4 Pacifics     www.lner.info/locos/A/a4.shtml

John Clayton ● 7106d130 Comments

Try www.gwsr.com/html/video_gallery.htmlThere you will see several GWR Locos, including Hall Class Formark Hall, and the first Locomotive to exceed 100mph City of Truro, plus one the last Steam  Locomotives built in the 9F Class 'Black Prince'. This one was named after a private purchase, I have ridden behind it. The very last one built was the nostalgically named 'Evening Star'. Some of the GWR locos must of thundered through Ealing Broadway, when Gerry and yours truelly were in short pants.If you have Windows Media Player turn up the sound and let the tears of nostalgia flow.

Colin Vaughan ● 7106d

Thanks Colin, I'll take a look. :-)As for GWR I was LNER when I was in short pants....Never uynderstood where GWR had those big brass number plates which you could see at a distance :-(

John Clayton ● 7106d

John, big brass numberplates? It was forward thinking, something that God's Wonderful Railway was very good at, for when nationalization occurred. The locomotives couldn't be renumbered cheaply so the numbers stayed the same.How many numbers did "Flying Scotsman" carry in its working life? I'll look it up.Anyway the pages you directed us to were of that lesser railway (Late and Never Early) whose works were in, dare I say it, Doncaster.

Alan Brainsby ● 7106d

GWR were low numbers so stayed the same while other lines had to change for BR number systems. Still not readable at a distance. Quaint but not so viewable.The LNER had wonderful engines like Mallard and the other streamlined A4's, as well as other powerful locomotives.The Flying Scotsman began as a service in 1862 with the introduction of a 10 am departure from Kings Cross and Edinburgh Waverley. The GWR region is small in comparison.In 2007 the Flying Scotsman still runs between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh Waverley, completing the journey in 4 hours and 30 minutes.4472 under the new LNER numbering scheme, was named Flying Scotsman, and placed before an adoring public. This established a pattern for the LNER of using Flying Scotsman as a flagship locomotive around the UK.In 1928 Flying Scotsman pulled the Flying Scotsman train on its first non-stop run. The locomotive was only able to achieve this feat because the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the LNER, Nigel Gresley, had improved the efficiency of his design to a point where it could travel 392 miles (630 km) on one tender of coal. Gresley also designed a ‘corridor’ tender to allow a crew change, mid-journey. Because of this, Flying Scotsman became a household name and the LNER brand was established.In 2004 Flying Scotsman was bought for the Nation by the National Railway Museum with public funding. A testimony to LNER prowness.The LNER was a great railway....

John Clayton ● 7106d

Hugh Telford ● 7106d

Great picture Hugh... We boys like trains.  John's thread could hit 906!

Jim Lawes ● 7106d

NOT ON YOUR LIFE JIM....

Hugh Telford ● 7105d

Indeed the LNE was a great railway under Gresley. I liked their articulated coaching stock, particularly quad and quint suburban sets.I suppose GW didn't have the great distances to run non-stop, but the Cheltenham Flyer (Paddington - Cheltenham) was the world's fastest regular service passenger train for a while.In the 1930s GW considered wiring the Paddington-Birmingham route but thought the King class adequate for steam haulage.I wonder what would have happened if the electrification had  gone ahead?

Alan Brainsby ● 7105d

Incidentally when GW lent LNE "Pendennis Castle" in 1925 didn't it outperform the A3s..?

Alan Brainsby ● 7105d

If electrification had gone ahead then Alan it would have probably been 3rd rail DC, and that would only have been OK for the slower local services as high voltage overhead was still in its infancy then, but such a need might well have speeded development.

Colin Vaughan ● 7105d

The old North Eastern Railway (which became part of the LNER in the compulsory 1923 'grouping') had been way ahead of the pack on mainline electrification, electrifying the Shildon - Newport(on Tees) freight line on 1500dc overhead before WW1 and drawing up comprehensive plans (including building and testing an express locomotive) for similarly electrifying the York - Newcastle/Teesside mainline, as well as earlier at the beginning of the century having been one of the two first British mainline companies to introduce electrification of local passenger services (on north Tyneside).The NER also incidentally ran the fastest scheduled train service (Darlington - York) in the British Empire (and therefore probably in the world) in the early 20thC.

Chris Veasey ● 7105d

That is way ahead for 1923 Chris! Some form of Pantograph pick up I presume.

Colin Vaughan ● 7105d

GW electrification would have been overhead, like the NE.Incidentally the first electrification on the Metropolitan Railway, albeit experimental, was overhead.

Alan Brainsby ● 7105d

These pics take me back to many hours spent on Thirsk station, the nearest to the midway between London and Edinburgh and on the longest straight. The Streaks came through at about 80 mph and the keenest eyes took down the shed number as well. IIRC this was not too hard as there were just two. I recall going to see the first diesel hauled train. Later, when I saw Mallard with a slow goods I knew the end was night. The streaks wobbled at high speed. The Elizabethan cane past abot 1pm, the Flying Scotsman, an hour later. Up and down were through within 15 minutes of one another. Those were the days.

Graham Weeks ● 7105d

That takes me back :-) Many thanks Hugh....

John Clayton ● 7105d

> electrifying the Shildon - Newport(on Tees) freight line > on 1500dc overhead before WW1 The building housing the power station is still there. It's quite near my family who live on the line.

John Clayton ● 7105d

On Tyneside in 1903 the North Eastern Railway electrified the local lines from Newcastle upon Tyne to the coast. This was in response to competition from trams. It was a success. At the same time they obtained two Bo-Bo electric locomotives for working a steep tunnel down to Tyne quay. These two were successful being in operation for nearly 60 years. One is now in the National rail Museum at York. NER electrified a route between Shildon, in County Durham, and Newport near Sunderland. It was for the transportation of coal. A series on Bo-Bo locomotives were built and run until the line was dismantled in the late 1920s.When the east coast main line was eventually electrified in the 1970s it was successful. It was on time, and on budget and carried out by the much maligned British Railways. West coast electrification since privatisation will enter the text books for all the opposite reasons.

John Clayton ● 7105d

> Some form of Pantograph pick up I presume.Clin if you look at http://www.siltec.co.uk/railways/electrn/html/index.html you will see a variety of early LNER electric locos as well as other world electric locos of the time

John Clayton ● 7105d

That takes me back Graham as our family had a farm on that stright section.I can remember going down to Newcastle to see and photograph the last official steam passenger from Newcastle upon Tyne to York which ran on 31 December 1963. The loco was 60145 St Mungo of 50A. I'm looking at that photograph now :-0

John Clayton ● 7105d

Whoops that should say 31 December 1965...See http://3401.e-printphoto.co.uk/ycp/index.cfm?z=z&y=y&p_id=3912149&c_id=50178&action=view for photograh of St Mungo preparing to leave York!!

John Clayton ● 7105d

Interesting that John, I note one or two 3rd railers.Now I come to think of it, on the Central Line, just West of the old Wood Lane Station, the line formed a return loop, and somewhere I have a picture of an electric shunting Locomotive that used Trolleypole PICK-UP, just on that above ground section.Page 37 of 'Rails through Clay' shows one. Whilst looking through the book to find this picture, I noted in a section regarding lines that were projected, but never built, I came across a reference to a projected spur from Shepherds Bush Central Line to the Industrial area at Acton Vale. If that had been inaugreated maybe some of the problems on the Uxbridge Road might be somewhat less of a problem.

Colin Vaughan ● 7105d

Try this link for railways pictures if you haven't already. Dean thoroughly recommends it. http://www.railpictures.net/

Joan Perry ● 7101d

Thanks John again for those URLs and the whole tread.Colin: Those 30 second videos were a treat... and as you said the sound was just so good and memorable.Gosh there are hours to be spent looking through all these links.  At least it's fun!

Jim Lawes ● 7100d

Joan,There were a feast of Railway pictures on that website.Here's a Steam Fest!Copy and Paste:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoWAntSYow0

Jim Lawes ● 7100d

OMG. Dean says a BIG thank you. We're about 1 hour away from leaving and he had to have a look. He has some 'Duchess' carriages. When we come back our 4 year old grandson will have to come here to view the all the links with Poppy. That'll be the two of them gone for hours.  Again a big thank you.Sincere thanks.Joan and Dean.

Joan Perry ● 7100d

I'm glad the railway links have been so popular and I too have found some great new links though this thread.I'm also interested in working narrow guage railways especially in South Africa....The following web pages are good IMO:Worldwide narrow guage railways - http://members.shaw.ca/twofooter/ww2ftrr.htmUK narrow guage railways - http://www.narrow-gauge.co.uk/links/Welsh Highland Railkway - http://www.whr.co.uk/Russian: http://narrow.parovoz.com/newgallery/?LNG=enSome more interesting general railway pages:South Africa - http://www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za/

John Clayton ● 7098d

John, Dean said a big thank you for the links. He found them very interesting. I've saved them all in his Favourites so he can keep going back to them.Kind Regards.Joan and Dean Perry.

Joan Perry ● 7095d

No problem Joan, plenty more where they come from, being a big fan myself.If Dean has a particular interest, or anyone else for that matter, just ask.John

John Clayton ● 7095d

Hi John. Well tonight my 4 year old grandson Ryan and my 61 year old husband Dean sat here at the computer for a solid hour and a half, viewing just some of those links you sent him. Both were in the steam world, neither could hear me when I called them for tea. Volume turned up. That was it. On leaving Ryan said to poppy, see ya next week for more steam trains. They both love their steam trains. Kind regards.Joan and Dean Perry.

Joan Perry ● 7094d

Some more for next week? Just to make sure Dean and Ryan are kept busy.....UKSteam Video clips incl. Thomas the Tank Engine -http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/steam-trains/video/thumbs.aspVideo Clips of Preserved Steam Locomotives -http://steamontheweb.co.uk/Contents/Contents.htmSteam train galleries - http://www.steamtraingalleries.co.uk/link.htmlIndex to UK photographs -http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/mainindx/modern/railindex/railindex.htmSee bottom of that page for more linksIndex to UK Steam -http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/html/rail.htmlModern Railways index -http://motteram.fotopic.net/More modern railways -http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=4281MODEL RAILWAYSHornby -http://www.hornby.com/Bachmann UK - http://www.bachmann.co.uk/British Railway Modelling Directory -http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/UK WALES:Welsh Highland Railway Project (Caernafon) - http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ml/whr/whr.htmWelsh Highland Railway Project (Portmadoc) -http://www.whr.co.uk/The Ffestiniog Railway -http://www.ffestiniograilway.co.uk/Let me know when they run out of steam?John

John Clayton ● 7094d

John, thank you again for the links. Dean was sitting here as I copied the links into his favourites. He got real excited when he saw Hornby. His train set is a Hornby. We'll have to get Ryan over on the weekend. Ryan said he wants to be a train driver when he's a man. This will keep both of them out of my hair for hours. No wonder I'm saying 'Thank You'.  I don't think they'll be running out of steam for a long time. Regards. Joan and Dean.

Joan Perry ● 7094d

Dean would probably also be interested to know that Hornby has just launched a new magazine called Hornby Magazine.The first magazine is dated Issie 1 April/May 2007. For further details see: www.hornbymagazine.com

John Clayton ● 7092d

I'm a steam loco fan from way back. God's Wonderful Railway (GWR) was always dear to my heart as I lived not far from Hanwell and Elthorne Station and used it a lot in the days of nationalisation.Going back to the war years I spent a lot of time at Castlebar Park Halt as my mum used to run it single-handedly whilst dad was away in the RAF sorting out the boche.I can still see the 54xx pannier tankers in my mind's eye sandwiched between two carriages 'push and pull' style. This was the 'famous' Greenford loop which branched off the main line at West Ealing station.I have a framed drawing of the 54xx loco on my living room wall to serve as a reminder of those times and of my long since gone folks.The line I understand is still active but the pannier tankers are, of course, just a sublime memory. Hey ho!

John Chant ● 7091d

John what a great Hornby site.  Dean has already told me the computers his on the weekend. He can't wait to go through it properly. Again a big thank you.To John Chant - what great memories to read about.  I find it all very interesting.Regards,Joan and Dean Perry

Joan Perry ● 7091d

Interesting your mum having run Castlebar Park Halt  -  I'd always understood Halts, as opposed to Stations, to be unstaffed by definition.As a Northerner (former North Eastern and Hull & Barnsley territory) I was nowhere near London till mid 1960s, and my one memory of an ex GW steam loco (other than preserved) in W London was a fleeting glimpse and sound of a green 2-6-2T (no idea precisely what class) simmering on the West London Line north of White City as I passed by on a Central Line tube to East Acton, must have been 1965.I do however remember the likes of 54xx PTs in north Shropshire on the Gobowen-Oswestry push-pull shuttle in early 1960s. Up to around 1963 the Shrewsbury - Chester mainline, which among many other things carried the late-lamented Paddington - Birmingham - Birkenhead expresses, was an all-steam spotters' paradise, much of the motive power being ex GW. And then there was the ex Cambrian Railways HQ and loco works and shed at Oswestry with a galaxy of ex GW locos, on the Whitchurch - Central Wales route which no longer exists at all since the Beeching cuts.The Castlebar Park line is now run with quite smart and new two-car diesel trains as a less-than-adequate half-hourly weekdays-only Greenford-Paddington service. Among other things this is now Acton mainline station's only service; see threads on the Acton forum for a few choice views on the way it's run.

Chris Veasey ● 7091d

Thanks for that Chris.Indeed my old mum used to issue and receive the tickets at Castlebar Park Halt. I remember trying to work the date stamping machines which required a sharp push to get them to operate. I wasn't too good at that. For a treat my brother and I were permitted to go up into the nearby signal box and have a heave at the levers. A few hundred yards down the line was Drayton Green Halt (I later went to Drayton Green Secondary Boys school) which probably wasn't manned (or womanned).The 4-6-2 is a mystery. Churchward only built 4-6-0's in the larger locos. Perhaps it was post-war. I must consult my GWR Handbook of 1946.My mates and I also used to get regularly chased out of the Old Oak Common sheds just after peace broke out!When 'diseasels' were introduced I rapidly lost interest. Smelly, vibrant, pulsating, living and breathing steamers had majesty. When they were gone so was I.I've rather lost touch now as I have been resident in New Zealand for the past three decades and the narrow gauge locos over here are similarly uninspiring.

John Chant ● 7090d

> I've rather lost touch now as I have been resident in New > Zealand for the past three decades and the narrow gauge > locos over here are similarly uninspiring.Why so??Do the narrow gauge locos still exist??If so where??

John Clayton ● 7085d

Hugh, could you please email Joan at perrdise@bigpond.com I will explain all when you email me.

Joan Perry ● 7085d

My grandson who is 4 years old, loves steam trains. Ryan and Poppy (Dean) sit there for ages going through all these train links. I would like to share a couple of photos with you..........................................................Joan Perry.

Joan Perry ● 7080d

I can't see either of those photographs Joan :-(

John Clayton ● 7078d

A friend in South Africa has just sent me this link to South Africa, Swaziland & Mozambique steam locomotives.As I go to South Africa quite a lot these links fascinate me :-(I have a particular liking for Garratt locomotives of which there are plenty on this site. Some of these locos are real monsters.Enjoy!!

John Clayton ● 7078d

Sorry about that. I will post them again.......................................................

Joan Perry ● 7078d

That's much better - thanks Joan :-)

John Clayton ● 7078d

He's got spiky hair like my Grandson Daniel, Joan.

Colin Vaughan ● 7078d

How old is your grandson Colin? Does he love trains too? Ryan is 4½ and goes to Kindergarten. He will start school in October this year.  Ryan has a large collection of Thomas trains. He also has the Thomas table.

Joan Perry ● 7078d

Daniel is 3 Joan, and yes he loves watching the on the Gloucester and Warwickshire railway website. I am a member there, and am about to take a Diesel Driving Course.Must be after Midnight in Austrailia now Joan, your obviously a night bird like me!

Colin Vaughan ● 7078d

Colin as I type it is 8.55 pm in Adelaide.  Where are you from?Joan.

Joan Perry ● 7078d

Barnet, London, Joan. Used to be an Ealing/Acton resident, and know Brentford/Griffin Park, and the Old Gasworks(when it was there) very well. It is 1255pm Lunchtime here, so you must be 8 hours ahead. I got confused with my friends in Auckland NZ thats 12 hours ahead, a whole 4 hours extra!

Colin Vaughan ● 7078d

Oh the gasworks, I can still smell them. I can see them so clearly in my memory.  Auckland NZ is a beautiful place. Two of my daughters went on a school excursion to Rotorua via Auckland, the photos they took were great. A very tourist place.

Joan Perry ● 7078d

Yes I can remember walking back from Griffin Park,to the 655 Trolleybus stop in the High Street, the strains of the Hanwell Silver Band echoing down the South Ealing Road and seeing the Gas Workers leaning out of the grimy windows asking what the score was. Halceon Days!!

Colin Vaughan ● 7078d

I notice in the trailer for the new series of Coast starting on Sunday on BBC2 there is a shot of an express steam locomotive - from God's Wonderful Railway, no less!

Alan Brainsby ● 7063d

A local model railway that looks interesting?Photos at http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=community&app=forum/ShowMessage.asp?ID=289280&site=2Location at http://www.hwsme.org.uk/location.htm

John Clayton ● 7060d

I came across this event today - South African engines visit to Harrow and Wembley on the 17th June 2007. I wish I had known earlier as I would have loved to have gone along....Details at: http://www.chappers.fotopic.net/c1307590.html

John Clayton ● 7041d

Another interesting link showing pictures from the 1970's taken in South Africa 1972 in Transvaal, Swaziland, Mozambique and Natal provinces.See http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1132432.htmlEnjoy

John Clayton ● 7040d

For an index of other railway pictures from the same web site and including the UK see http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/

John Clayton ● 7040d

Some more links which should keep you very busy while it's raining in Ealing this Sunday:Welsh Highland Railway - The Dormant Years - 1960 - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/Festiniog Railway - 1960 - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c813104.htmlFestiniog Railway - 1961 - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c821015.htmlFestiniog Railway - 1962 - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c948882.htmlFestiniog Railway - 1963 - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c948912.htmlNarrow gauge railways connecting the slate quarries at Penrhyn and Dinorwic in North Wales to their respective ports on the coast in the 1960's - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c916150.htmlTalyllyn Railway in the 1960's - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1270988.htmlSevern Valley Railway - in the late 1960's - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1215863.htmlThe Bluebell Line - in the 1960's - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1125344.htmlThe Great Central in the 1960's - http://ronfisher2.fotopic.net/c1173401.htmlIronstone and other Industrial Lines - in and around Northamptonshire in the 1960's - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1216669.htmlB.R. in Steam Days - 3. London Midland Region - in the late 1950's - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1216669.htmlhttp://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c918048.htmlBritish Rail : The InterCity Era - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1155730.htmlBritish Rail's Blue Period - 1970s and 1980s were the days of 'Rail Blue' and 'Corporate Image' -http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1139148.htmlFrench Alps, and Switzerland. August, 1998 - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1157921.htmlSwitzerland - 1984. Interlaken and the Berner Oberland - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c958120.htmlGermany - Still in Steam - Germany and East Germany in the 1970's - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1145625.htmlWest Germany in the 1960s - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c1271000.htmlCalais, Boulogne and Northern France - in the 1980's - http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/c955730.htmlThere are loads more of these links on these web pages if you want to explore more...John

John Clayton ● 7040d

Morning John.  I have bookmarked the links for Dean and Ryan to look at.  They will be so pleased.  Thanks for the links.Joan.

Joan Perry ● 7039d

No problem especially in Ealing where the weather has been very wet.... Well it is flaming June isn't it!!

John Clayton ● 7039d

One for you Joan, see http://pics.steamfreak.com/thumbnails.php?album=103 for photos of Locos - Steam > Australia > Tasmania > West Coast Wilderness Railway April 2007....John

John Clayton ● 7037d

John, wait until my grandson Ryan sees those steam trains. He will flip. Ryan will be here on Saturday so I already know where he and Dean will be! For a little 4 year old he sits at this computer with Dean for up to 2 hours. Thank you so much John.  Dean spent 3 hours on Sunday catching up with what you sent through the other day. Oh come to think of it my other two grandsons will be here Friday sleeping over so there will be 3 steam buffs at the computer on Saturday, plus one tired Poppy!! Must get a photo for you.Joan.

Joan Perry ● 7037d

Good evening everyone.Colin It was impossible to get my 3 grandsons together as it was one of my grandsons birthday party here.  But Ryan did say he wants to show the man on the computer (you Colin) his magazine. Anybody would think it's made of gold! It went everywhere with him. His love is steam trains, but doesn't mind diesels. So below is Ryan 4 yrs with his magazine.

Joan Perry ● 7033d

Mmmm, I thought it was going to play up. I'll try again.I'm getting an error code so we'll see how it goes.  If it doesn't work, I'll try again in the morning when I'm awake. If it doesn't work, apologies.  Joan.

Joan Perry ● 7033d

Well if you are refering to my recomendation of the Gloucester and Warwickshire site, I'm glad your Grandson liked it. They run evening trips from Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse Station in the Summer entitled 'The Fish & Chips Special' or the 'Cheltenham Fryer'. Went on it last year, beautiful Evening, good company, a glass or two of wine, and the Malvern Hills in the distance lit by the setting Sun.Hopefully the line will be extended soon, back to Broadway, and eventually in the very long term back to Stratford-upon-Avon, thus linking the two racecourses together as it was 50 years ago.

Colin Vaughan ● 7033d

Regarding the word "pages".I was at the National Archives trawling through the railway inspectorate's reports of accidents around 1910, specifically those that had occurred on the GWR.I couldn't help but notice the great number of accidents reported by the North Eastern Railway. They lost a great number of employees who were in the path of the trains, among other reasons. This activity was not unique to the NER but considering the size of its system it seemed to have relatively more accidents than other UK lines.If you didn't find that interesting, sorry!

Alan Brainsby ● 7028d

One could be cynical Alan, and say 'Ah but that was before Health and Safety High Visibility jackets. It is interesting to note that on Heritage Railways that I have worked on.The Bluebell, and now the Gloucester and Warwichshire, some of the old diehards find such things an anethma, but you are not allowed to work without them, Gov Regs. I have to say against dark green backgrounds it is a help, and I want to do my bit so I find that but small a sacrifice to authentisity.

Colin Vaughan ● 7028d

'I was at the National Archives trawling through the railway inspectorate's reports of accidents around 1910...'-  Blimey, I'd no idea you were that old!

Chris Veasey ● 7028d

Looks can be deceptive.I'm glad to say that THE reports are 90 - 98 years old (and have fantastic grammar) and about 35 more than me. The books are in better condition than me as they probably haven't been thumbed (eh!) as much.I will admit I do not normally read such material but I am trying to find out when my grandfather had his accident - he was a shunter at Hereford (GWR) - and lost his right arm.I am reminded. For write-ups on the stupidly morbid look for the "Darwin Awards". These are awarded posthumously to individuals who have removed themselves from the gene pool, leaving no progeny, by an act of extreme selfless stupidity.For example the chap who was crushed to death by a Coca-Cola vending machine which fell on him while he was trying to steal a can from it...For a lighter read the "ig-Nobel" prize is awarded for the most useless research etc, eg  Economics - postponing death to reduce IHT.The 1996 Peace prize went to Pres Chirac (France) for commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hiroshima with an H-bomb test in the Pacific...

Alan Brainsby ● 7028d

More dramatic South African railway pages:http://www.sa-transport.co.za/trains/sa_steam/class_19/slst_19d2669.htmlhttp://www.sa-transport.co.za/trains/sa_steam/class_19/19d_3.html

John Clayton ● 7027d

Hi John. Just a couple of photos of our little 'steam buff' Ryan.  He sat for 3 hours with Poppy yesterday looking at steam trains and then today for 2 hours before he had to go home looking at the recent links you posted. Boy was he happy!

Joan Perry ● 7026d

Glad the pages are going down well with Ryan :-)Is he also interested in Australian Railways?If so point him to http://pics.steamfreak.com/index.php?cat=7

John Clayton ● 7023d

Thanks John. I have had a look at the link, he will love it. I've never known a child to be so hooked on steam trains. He has a large Thomas the Tank Engine wooden table and just about all the accessories and trains. He's so upset at the moment because he left his 'Steam of the North' dvd here, oh I guess it's another excuse to come here and watch hours of trains with Poppy. Thanks again John.

Joan Perry ● 7022d

You have probably realised I like railways??But to be honest I do like real live commercial railways AND maybe not so much the preserved lines.Yes preserved lines do a great job but I support more of those steam railways that are still making the real community work.John

John Clayton ● 7022d

Unususal streetrunning in the German town of Bad Doberan, situated on the Baltic Sea coastline. You can see some nice views at http://www.f15.parsimony.net/forum25608/messages/777549.htmThe German word "Einbahnstra?e" which shows on the blue traffic signs simply means "One way road".The steam trains run on the quite unusual gauge of 900 mm.

John Clayton ● 7020d

John I've just had a look and what great pictures. How great would it be to be there and feel the street move. An awesome tourist attraction I bet.

Joan Perry ● 7020d

An updated South African rail page for the Sandstone Heritage Trust can be found at http://www.sandstone-estates.com/index_sht.html and includes links to other areas....

John Clayton ● 7020d

For german railways try www.bahntv-online, or DB's television station on Astra 1B channel 61 for 24hr transmission of railway and related topics, mostly german.

Alan Brainsby ● 7020d

http://www.f15.parsimony.net/forum25608/messages/777549.htmJohn:  That was an awesome picture of the steam engine appearing suddenly in the High Steet!Joan: Hi again..I hope to be back to normal soon!Back in London town it was amusing to find this short video of some youngsters having a dinner party on the Underground!!

Jim Lawes ● 7019d

Problem is I can't sprechan ze German :-(

John Clayton ● 7019d

Jim, How interesting to have a dinner party on the underground. I think I'd be in on that, something different. And can I say how nice it was to see your name again Jim. You have been missed. Brentford has become so boring and political. I'm actually enjoying reading Ealing's news.

Joan Perry ● 7019d

There are some sad people over in TW8 and W4 Joan, although it can have some very good threads, yours for a start. By contrast Ealing is pretty 'Genial' most of the time, except for one subject that I shall not mention today seeing that the Sun is shining, and Elgar's Salute D'Amour is playing in the background. Perhaps I should learn to post nice gentle music such as that, to sooth everyone when thing get a bit heated.

Colin Vaughan ● 7019d

The pictures almost speak for themselves.And some of the female presenters are worth watching...

Alan Brainsby ● 7018d

Incidentally, the programmes always run on time!

Alan Brainsby ● 7018d

How long before we see a dinner party from Ealing Broadway on the central line.....Good for them to be brave enough to do it and record it for us all to see.... :-)

John Clayton ● 7017d

can be found on this link: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=193374&nseq=80Fancy letting a loco get into this condition!!

John Clayton ● 7017d

See http://www.trainweb.org/nzrailheritage/ for details of New Zealand steam 

John Clayton ● 7017d

I today found a new, to me, web site with some interesting railway videoes on it. Click on http://www.steamlocomotive.info/onlyvideos.cfm select the image and click on the videoes button....

John Clayton ● 6983d

I today found a new, to me, web site with some interesting railway videoes on it. Click on http://www.steamlocomotive.info/onlyvideos.cfm select the image and click on the videos button....

John Clayton ● 6983d

This sites home page ia at: http://www.steamlocomotive.info/index.cfm

John Clayton ● 6983d

Take a look at the giant Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 photographed at Scranton, Pennsylvania.... http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=191464&nseq=1Doesn't it make the UK locos look small in comparison??

John Clayton ● 6983d

Another view at http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=158129&nseq=8and another at http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=75126&nseq=28Wow!!

John Clayton ● 6983d

I've been visiting my 'junior steam buff' grandson Ryan. For his 5th birthday his mum bought a PC game called Sid Meiers Railroads. It's a train simulator. He was ecstatic. We installed it and to Ryan's disgust it wouldn't play, seemingly not enough memory. It looks really good on the box. All Ryan wanted to do was build a track and put a steam train on it. Does anyone know of similar train simulator PC games like this one? It will have to be returned unfortunately. Are there any train simulators you can download? I'm off today to look for a CD of train sounds. So while he's playing trains he'll have his own train sounds.Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6979d

A locomotive built by North British in Glasgow for South Africa is currently on it's way home....It's final stages of it's journey can be seen at http://andrewstransport.fotopic.net/c1353321.htmlA general UK index to this site can be viewed at http://andrewstransport.fotopic.net/

John Clayton ● 6979d

"Does anyone know of similar train simulator PC games like this one?"You might find it worth reading the Wikipedia entry on train simulators at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_simulatorMany of them are train operation games, often involving business management ("tycoon") aspects.  There are also simulations of actually driving a train.  One of these, BVE, is free, but needs a quite powerful PC, especially the latest version BVE4, and is not particularly user-friendly to set up.  However, there is advice at http://www.trainsimcentral.co.uk/help.htmA sample of what it looks and sounds like is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNvcVDE55WoThe train is controlled from the keyboard, and you have to obey all signals, stop at the right position on the platforms, and keep to time.  This one is part of the route from Redditch to Birmingham New Street.

Richard Jennings ● 6978d

If model trains are within the remit then Hornby have a product called "Hornby Virtual Railway 2". It's about £20.It's not a game as such but a really a design aid for Hornby model railways. One designs a track layout using sections from the track section library, then selects a loco, steam, diesel or electric, and rolling stock and runs it. Up to 8 trains can run simultaneously. Scenery can be added too.The only risk with this product is the virtual trains are available as models, at a price!

Alan Brainsby ● 6978d

Thank you all so much for ideas on different types of train simulators. I have passed on links to Ryan's mum. Also thank you for more steam train links. He'll be one happy boy today.

Joan Perry ● 6978d

Richard, this isn't my area but I suspect that others around could help out...??Anyone ....Come on guys & girls!!  Help out here...

John Clayton ● 6978d

Model trains are not cheap in the UK!!Individual locos ar £80 plus.A digital ready set in the UK is upwards of £200!!

John Clayton ● 6978d

I think he is already a very happy boy.....In my days 1% of the leads in this thread would have been bliss....Forget school, I say, and just study the steam(+) internet sources instead....John

John Clayton ● 6978d

If you ask Ryan what does he want to do when he grows up - he says "I'm going to operate the steam trains only, not the dirty diesels". I think he watches too much Thomas. I bought him 5 steam train dvd's the other day. Now he has 10 at home and another 10 different ones here. But this afternoon we're looking for the train sounds on a CD.

Joan Perry ● 6978d

Closer to home there is a group on Facebook for those interested in God's Wonderful Railway.http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3307675507

Francis House ● 6977d

Ryan has the right idea, steam is best by far. No doubt about it. Diesels are boring....I came across the following holiday in Africa I would love to do in 2008.Look at: http://geoffs-trains.com/Zimbabwe/zimbabwe08.htmlShall we see Ryan there??

John Clayton ● 6968d

Wouldn't that holiday be great! Dean and I would love to do it. As for Ryan he'd jump at it. His mum bought him a book off ebay. here it is - You can just imagine what he's like with it. Trains rule his life! The family travelled interstate recently, and they had to go everywhere by Tram, he was so happy. Then he got to go on the Puffing Billy, well that was the highlight to his holiday. So now he has the Puffing Billy book and DVD. I love my little Steam Buff, my grandson Ryan.  Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6968d

I forgot to say Happy 100th posting. What a great achievement to you all. 

Joan Perry ● 6968d

I've just retired and have, unfortunately been diagnosed in the last eight weeks as having secondary cancer of the liver (!) but as a great fan of big african steam I would love to do this trip! That is not for Ryans ears though.....

John Clayton ● 6968d

Thankyou.... :-)Only wish I could master posting images like you!!John

John Clayton ● 6968d

Oh trust me it wasn't easy. But once mastered it's how you have to keep the memory going if you don't use it for a while.Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6968d

Sorry to hear about your cancer. Chin up and 'Steam On'. Sounds like we're both living on the edge. I have Motor Neurone Disease. But we have to think positive and live life to the full. Wake up every morning with positive thoughts. Take care of yourself.Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6968d

I've been told before how to do it BUT have failed to deliver!!Maybe Ryan can tell me in simple terms.....

John Clayton ● 6968d

Yes congrats John for an interesting topic and achieving 100+ postings! I like railway journeys. Well done.

Gerry Tan ● 6968d

Sounds like a holidy for both families to meet up in 2008??I'm ignorant to know what Motor Neurone Disease is Joan. Email me perhaps??John

John Clayton ● 6968d

Hey John and Joan, sorry to hear about your ailments. I'm getting too long in the tooth too...with me it's my piles. Take good care of yourselves - there are too few of good 'uns like us left. Keep smiling.  ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 6968d

There is a Thomas a tank engine within us all, or a postman Pat methinks.Thanks Gerry :-)I didn't quite mean to drop it like that but I didn't think too many were watching my conversation with Joan and Ryan. Not all lost yet though...Got over your 75th yet!!John

John Clayton ● 6968d

Whoops!!See http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=community&app=forum/ShowMessage.asp?ID=312169&site=2

John Clayton ● 6968d

Still didn't work Gerry but I suspect you saw my intended reply but in the wrong place in this conversation....I'm getting old, but not quie up to some, wider than awake old soles....

John Clayton ● 6968d

Thanks Gerry.  

Joan Perry ● 6968d

Jim Lawes ● 6967d

See http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=201572&nseq=92 for South African Railways unofficial free railway rides.Can't see this in the UK though can you?Could this occur elsewhere?Can the driver see where he is going??John

John Clayton ● 6955d

Is that the back of the train?

Francis House ● 6955d

Good question?The grills looked to me like a driving cab windows with security grills aka South Africa but you may be right....

John Clayton ● 6955d

I have found that there is a thriving South African Railway garden railway seen both in the UK and South Africa.There is an interesting short video at http://www.youtube.com/foreversteamwhich also has links to other similar videoes if you are interested?John

John Clayton ● 6951d

Once again - excellent links and fantastic uTube viewing.

Joan Perry ● 6951d

I find that really good pages don't come up very often unless I'm pointed by a fellow enthusiast as in this case.

John Clayton ● 6951d

Some interesting and great photographs of a South African Rail Tour on Saturday 15th September 2007 can be seen at:http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1296#1296 Enjoy!!

John Clayton ● 6937d

Anyone still reading this thread?Steam railway Photographs at Victoria Falls and Wankie can be seen at: http://pics.steamfreak.com/thumbnails.php?album=123John

John Clayton ● 6873d

Some more South Africa steam locomotives including some good night shots can be seen in Bethlehem at http://pics.steamfreak.com/thumbnails.php?album=119

John Clayton ● 6873d

One of my favourite South African steam locomotive I have seen is the full size 25NC's and there is one of these in England at the Buckingham Railway Society. See: http://www.brc-stockbook.co.uk/25NC.htmA nice day out in the spring maybe? Worth a visit IMO. The main web page is at: http://www.bucksrailcentre.org/For South African photographs see http://northernsteam.com/Full%20size.htm

John Clayton ● 6873d

The Garratt locomotives normally seen as British built for wilder countries of the world but there were a few British Garratts (both the LMS and LNER had a few).The LNER Garratt can be seen at http://www.livesteaming.com/gkgarratt.htmThree ex South African "Alfred County Railway" baby Garratts now run on the Welsh Highland Railway in North Wales as seen at the end of the avove link...

John Clayton ● 6873d

Could I share with you my grandson Ryan, who is now 5 years old.  He is a real 'Steam Buff'.  He is staying with us for a couple of days and we took him to a shop that sells train dvd's cheap.  We picked up 13 dvd's in all.  So far his favourite is British Rail (Trainspotters Guide)Rail Around North West. This dvd was filmed between 1995 and 1998, visiting Preston, Blackpool North and other stations on the way.  This dvd is not on steam, which is unusual for him.  There are about 8 on steam the others are diesel, electric etc. Here is a pic of Ryan showing you his range of dvd's.Here is Ryan playing out the scene on TV with my GeoTrax trains, being watched by my kittens.

Joan Perry ● 6839d

Sorry I should have changed this title to the previous posting.Please see previous posting of mine.Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6838d

"This dvd is not on steam, which is unusual for him.  There are about 8 on steam the others are diesel, electric etc."etc.??  What other sort of trains are on this DVD?  Glad to hear he's getting up to date at last.  :-)

Richard Jennings ● 6837d