Thread W1 (131 replies so far) Thread W2 >
Replies 101-120
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DATE: 04 July 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: there 1957-64
I saw something like this at East Croydon a couple of weeks ago!!!
.JPG "Nick Dean gallery")
DATE: 06 July 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Last year I posted a couple of pictures of ex tube trains on Ryde Pier (IOW). This week I came across, in a museum in Hull, this tramcar built for use on Ryde Pier in 1867 - apparently the oldest such vehicle in existence.
103rd REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & NowDATE: 21 July 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
I liked the photos recently sent, Stephen and Nick [see the above two replies]. Maybe some others might also send some. I do encourage you to have a go at doing so, as of course Vic has also been urging you to. On another subject I have enjoyed seeing the three one-hour Trainspotting Live programmes on BBC4 over the last few days, with their mixture of steam, diesel and electric motive power. However, I was interested to see today a headline in the Sun newspaper last week: "Great Train Fibbery" and I read the contents of the article. It was sad that Peter Snow showed an old You Tube photo of Feb 15th and claimed it as being spotted live on July 11th. This goes to show that one group you cannot con is trainspotters. As the rail enthusiast National Preservation website says "They notice all the nuance and are passionate about their hobby." Also, see the Radio Times 23-30 July letters page.
DATE: 22 July 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: there 1957-64
James - have you really thoroughly checked out my picture ?!!!
105th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 23 July 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
What is your point, Stephen? I liked the picture sent, although the reference to Class 24 means nothing to me. I am used to the terms West Country, Battle of Britain and Merchant Navy for the Southern Pacific engines. I enjoyed seeing them in my youth and still enjoy seeing them on the main line and preserved branch railways today.
DATE: 24 July 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: there 1957-64
Well James I'll tell you - this wonderful loco before recent overhaul was 34046 (Braunton), but after overhaul it appeared as 34052 (Lord Dowding), and now using a little Photoshop trick, I changed the number to 34053 (Sir Keith Park), which as far as I know has been restsored, but not yet used for main line duties, so you never really know what you are seeing in a photo!!!
DATE: 24 July 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-63
I have to say I was rather disappointed by the recent Train Spotting Live [see reply 103], although plaudits to the BBC for giving it a try. Two of the presenters left a bit to be desired, Dan Snow would have been far better than dad and as for the enthusiastic David Bellamy look alike!!! They should have used some of the rail enthusiasts that sent in video clips, there are plenty on YouTube that are very good. The most interesting item was that on timetables, I didn't realise that Network Rail were looking up to 30 years ahead. Judging by the number of trains that the BBC cameras were hoping to catch live, I think the compilers have their work cut out.
109th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 26 July 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
In connection with your reply 106, Stephen, as was told me on a law course I attended years ago, I need to say when questioned for a crime, so it appears on the written police statement: "Its a clean cop, gov. You got me bang to rights. I'll come quietly." You are right. I had not checked against Photoshop trickery. I knew 34053 Sir Keith Park was restored and assumed without checking that it had appeared on the main line, as your photo. I said I liked the photo and I do, even if you changed the number for fun. Most people I believe do not photoshop photos and change numbers, though I am aware some numbers are changed on locos to make out a different one was used for some special purpose. I admit that I am not as passionate a spotter as some who check every possible nuance. There is good info on Wikipedia but sometimes it is not completely up to date.
DATE: 28 July 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: there 1957-64
Here's an official renumbering of 34053 to 34098 earlier this year!!
111th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 03 August 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
In connection with 34046 being renumbered as 34052 and renamed 'Lord Dowding' by its owner Jeremy Hoskin [reply 106], I have enjoyed reading the article in the latest issue of Steam Railway (No 456 July 15th to August 11th 2016 pages 106-108) by Keith Widdowson. Those interested might like to read the article ("Southern Star's 2016 Comeback"). Keith relates his fond memories of travelling behind the original 34052 in its final years in BR service before its demise in March 1968. However this article does not make clear if the change of number and name is a temporary short term change or more of a permanent nature. The answer to this must be sought elsewhere.
112th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 10 August 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
An article in the most recent Steam Railway by Tom Bright ("Going Round the houses" - What's happening at the Leighton Buzzard Railway - pages 52 to 55) prompts me to write that the railway in my view is indeed worth a visit if passing through or staying in the area. I had not visited it for many years but, whilst staying in Milton Keynes on a camping and caravan site, decided to pay it a visit with my wife. There is quite a big variety of engines acquired from various overseas countries and I enjoyed seeing the various engines in steam by the railway shed when 1 of the volunteers took us round it and talked with families with children about the operation of the engines. The actual ride through the housing estates was inclusive of stopping road traffic on several roads crossed and ended with a journey through the local countryside to the Stonehenge terminus at the other end of the line from Page's Park. I enjoyed reading the article's thoughts on possible future developments. The one disappointment was that most of the houses' gardens passed could not be seen because of boarding in fences, unlike the RH and D railway in Kent, but the other attractions contra against this.
113th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 14 September 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
I think I should be able to return to this thread after a lapse of some time, having not wanted to major on this thread when there are so many other interesting threads and I have been able to contribute to them in the meantime. I agree with what you say, Mike (108th reply), particularly that Dan Snow would have been better than his Dad, Peter, but of course Dan has had recently his own series on the History of Railways. I personally would like to see the older guys on TV bow out and let more of the young ones have a go. In connection with the history of the development of railways I have especially enjoyed the recent series with the gang of historians employed so often in other series such as the Medieval, Edwardian and Victorian Farms. The series was BBC's Full Steam Ahead. It was lovely to see Ruth Goodman in that gorgeous red coat which goes so well with the Royal Mail red of the postal services they talked about and acted out. There is of course a book in connection with the series for those who may have missed it and maybe I will acquire a copy. This latter series was certainly one which my wife also especially enjoyed as well as myself.
DATE: 17 September 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-63
Just had a great ride on the Ratty up into the wonderfull hills of the Lake District. River Irt doing the honours. A ride I can recommend to anyone holidaying in this part of the world as long as the weather is fine. I have seen this loco several times on the Bure Valley but this is the first time I have ridden behind it. A couple of days earlier I had driven over Wrynose and Hardknott passes, not for the faint of heart. Several cyclists were attempting to get to the summit, most seemed to make it but I hope their brakes were okay for the return downhill, they were going faster than I was prepared to go.
DATE: 28 February 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Passing through King's Cross at the weekend I saw "Palmerston" from the Ffestiniog Railway on display near the area on the new concourse designated as Platform 9 3/4 . And in Doncaster last week I stumbled on a pop-up exhibition in the French Gate shopping centre of railwayana from the collection of Doncaster Grammar School, reckoned to be one of the best in the country (collection, that is). Others probably knew this, but it seems that, following in the footsteps(?plate) of the "Tornado", the A4 "C0ck o' the North" is being rebuilt from scratch at Doncaster.
DATE: 02 March 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Re my reply 115 above, I think I've said previously that I'm not an expert on steam locomotives; and indeed nobody likes to be thought an expert on anything these days. It seems that the C0ck o' the North was a P2 and not an A4, although it was rebuilt at some point to look like an A4. Sorry for the fake news.
117th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 05 March 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
In respect of your comment, Nick, [reply 116] that nobody likes to be thought an expert on anything these days, I would draw your and others' attention to this year's 52nd Annual Dinner Debate at the school on Saturday 25th March at 6 p.m when the subject is "This house believes that experts are overrated." Tickets are available from the school shop at ₤30 each and I have booked a place for myself and my wife. Again dress code is black tie/ evening dress. There is an OE guest speaker at the dinner, who is Kane Evans, who works as a senior commercial analyst at Man U football club.
118th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 07 March 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1956-63
It is good to see another fine photo in your gallery, Nick, this time of "Palmerston" from the Ffestiniog Railway at Kings Cross. It would be lovely if a few more people would also send some photos to the site, even enough to make up a small gallery. Vic has said he would have room on the site for a reasonable number. In respect of new builds besides the one you mention there are a number of others on the go. One of the most prominent of these is the replica Patriot class locomotive "The Unknown Warrior". None of this ex-LMS class survived into preservation and the replica Patriot locomotive is well advanced in its construction, though more funds from anyone willing to help are welcome. Some contribute monthly by direct debit.
DATE: 14 April 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-63
It was good to see on the news on Wednesday the exploits of Tornado and the fact that Network Rail were prepared to let it have a go at reaching 100 mph which it achieved. Interesting that there were four people on the footplate with presumably at least two fire men as the A1s use a lot of coal at speed. Regarding the P1s mentioned earlier, there were six in the class, four of which had the wedge shaped front from the start. The first two had a similar front end to that of 'Hush-Hush' class W1 (10000) which was later rebuilt with a wedge front (60700) and was regularly seen out of Kings Cross. The P1s were later rebuilt as normal Pacifics, three based at New England and three at York. They would have all been regulars at the Cross in the 1950s.
DATE: 18 April 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-63
A correction to my reply 119 above: I should have been quoting P2 and not P1. The latter class amounted to grand total of two locomotives built in 1925 but scrapped in 1945, although various parts were reused on other locomotives. The first two P2s also ended up with streamlines casing. 'Cock o'the North' in April 1938 and 'Earl Marischal' in October 1936