Recent content by B&W

Spa has a genuine (only one left?) LBSCR engine shed that has a Terrier being overhauled in it - shed normally open on running days Also has a 73, 207 DEMU and CIG SpVR side of Eridge station is depicted in Southern Colours with BR(S) totems, the GTR side is in their Green house colours This...

Potters up and down without fuss or issue. Uses about 10/15 gallons a day ( c 50 miles) if you drive gently and Midweek punters generally come for the overall exprience countryside etc not smoke or noise. I have been known to stop to allow photographs of deer although the CIG with its PA is a...

Loads of Fallow and Red deer on the Ashdown forest. They move around and you see plenty crossing one after the other on the A26 in large groups and dead roadside. Roadkill or scared ones are no good for eating as the Adrenalin taints the meat Unlike birds. Numbers have been increasing and they...

Have to say that not our experience. They are not true compartment stock but have large semi open saloons apart from the 1st class compartments. Our Midweek passengers seem quite happy and understanding of the economics of midweek trains on preserved railways and a lot say they will return to...

For us depends on how Vaccines and Variants have gone/developed. A family friend works in Care and an Asymptomatic Agency worker brought the virus in 1 week after vaccines had been given - 3 dead. Looking at the timescales for Jabs not sure the mad dash to reopen railways in early April is right...

Totally agree about the commentary and about preserving one but just one. The PEP bodies are like Swiss Cheese now, just look closely at the 313s never mind the 315s or enjoy the rain coming out of the light fittings. I suspect all the ‘saved’ Pacers will not last as long in preservation as...

Very true, it takes time to learn the ropes. I think this why so many HLF grants get handed out to the big boys who have people more or less volunteering on applications full time. The system is thus not surprisingly biased to these bigger railways. It is pleasing to see in this round quite a...

Can confirm you still them regularly over LCs in Chichester. When I was forced on the trains after heart surgery i soon learnt where not to sit, next to Windows was dodgy as missing bits of interior cladding meant a gale blowing over your feet, but when wet you had to avoid the Water coming out...

The first Hastings units, 6S used existing underframes, the 6L and 6B came later. Argument could be made for making more 3Ls derived from the 6L design in lieu of 3D Oxted units but the other standard width units were built using EMU designs and components so these were not specials. It also...

73/0 are totally different Locos in terms of wiring and control to 73/1. One designed at Eastleigh and one by EE. Don't take my word for it, look at the schematics.

Thanks for explanation, a long time since the loop at Worthing was used to let the Exeter and Bristols overtake but at least the seats are comfy. I noticed the same benefit of comfy seats of the GWR units from Redhill to GA before the earth fell away at Edenbridge, I can't go that way now as a...

Some on the Midsussex have well worn suspensions that bottom out with a bang, others do not in the same place. I agree service on the Mid Sussex has certainly improved, before you never knew getting to Horsham what would happen up or down, split or not to split etc. Splitting still takes longer...

An honest answer is no chance I am afraid. Progress is still taking place, and the engine should be put back in to the frames this spring now the chassis/running plate metalwork repairs are done. Then the generator alinement needs to be set up so the deflections meet spec as an overhauled...

DEMU were very 'exciting' on poor track, when the Saturday Brighton Exeters were Hastings units the ride was very rough on the sections with 45' track and when their 75mph speed limit was exceeded. A BIG ex works was far better than a 377 or 700 is today purely from ride and seating aspect. I...

Enjoy that bus. First 291 from TW leaves TW station 0720 and after staggering around Groombridge Forest Row East Grinstead and Crawley Down should get to Crawley at 0910 on school days, that's if it is not delayed by traffic from East Grinstead onwards to Crawley which is a given at that time of...