Recent content by matchmaker

I don't have a copy of the diagram easily to hand, but I clearly remember the pull sequence on the Down Main at Bo'ness Junction, between Edinburgh and Glasgow in the 1970s. 46 (outer home), 44 (inner home), 43 (starter), 42 (advanced starter), then 47 which was the inner distant, and finally 48...

At nationalisation there were still ex-Caledonian 4 and 6 wheelers "on the books". The last 4 wheeler, a third built 1920, was withdrawn in 1952 and the last 6 wheeler, a full brake built 1921, wasn't withdrawn until 1958.

Even on the Signalling Record Society website there are quite a number of signal boxes on the map where the location is doubtful. It's available to non members: SRS OS map

Five out of the eight being NBL products...

Somewhere I have a photo of a blue and grey Gresley buffet in Glasgow Central, early 1970s. It was a Peak hauled train via the GSWR and Settle and Carlisle. Not sure of the ultimate destination. Rest of the stock was Mk 1s.

Spotted this morning passing through Stirling. Two Black Fives, a rake of (mostly) WCRC aircon Mk2s with a few Mk1s, tailed by a WCRC 47.

Although not UK, the diesel railcars used on the West Clare Railways surely require an honourable mention. This was entirely diesel operated from the early 1950s - both railcars and locomotives. If you can track it down, there is a wonderful book "The Irish Narrow Gauge in Colour" by Norman...

The local instructions actually stated that a dmu having less than a certain number of working engines (table in the Sectional Appendix) had to be assisted in front. The loco had to have the continuous brake connected. The assistance was provided up to the top of the incline. If the unit then...

Cowlairs, out of Glasgow Queen Street High Level is 1 in 41 at its steepest and you are starting from a dead stop. It's not a problem for 385s or 2+4 and 2+5 HSTs, but laden DMUs aren't exactly romping up! Back in the days of 101s it was quite a drag.

The only passenger station on that section of the City Union line was Gallowgate; opened 19 December 1870; closed except for special purposes 1 October 1902; finally closed 1934. As stated above, it's only used for empty stock workings.

I have many memories of travelling on SBG Leopards - virtually all with the manual no synchro on 1st & 2nd gearbox. On the level most drivers coped fairly well. A different matter in Glasgows hilly city centre! Meantime Glasgow Corporation had an entirely auto/semi auto/preselector fleet since...

Two thirds of the ex-LMS termini in Glasgow were closed.

A lot of Glasgow Corporation Leylands (Titans and Atlanteans) had a Leyland Albion bonnet badge, IIRC.

Back in the day it wasn't uncommon to see a Scotrail 170 in multiple with a 150 on an Edinburgh - Dunblane service.

They should send in Bob Hoon (JD Kirk reference for those who know the crime novels)