Recent content by B&W

The Mid Sussex has always slipped due to underlying Clay and Sand layers- similar to the BML around Earlswood. Back in the day when the Peak Hour Bognor buffets avoided the BML they still went via Dorking and Sutton the Up line was shut for weeks just before Ockley and Up trains reversed back...

In certain restricted waters, limited depths and other situations small vessels eg yachts give way to power.

Quite a ride nonstop on through South London suburbs along with the Hastings Diesels, also passing Norwood Junc in an Oxted Motor Coach at 50/60mph you did not want to be standing. Definition of EPB was Every Passenger Bouncing which was so true down Warnham bank between Dorking and Horsham...

With the railways under the strict Financial Cosh of the Treasury GTR likely not allowed to increase train formations to 6 car without permision, let alone run any specials at 9 coach length. Get used to it with the coming of full privatisation, I remember the days of BR with bits falling off...

Lymington Flyer CIG 1497 operated in Blue and Grey till withdrawal May 2010. Can't recall if it was painted in NSE before the Blue and Grey was painted on, could not see any signs of NSE when I rubbed an area down couple of weeks ago. I am told the depot wanted to do a correct Blue and Grey...

The General Public often used to mistake our 0 6 0 Diesel Shunter for a Steam Shunting Engine. Cab vists were especially popular with brass handles, dials and levers and the young ones loved the hooter and whistle. A bit like the science museum models used to be before that musuem was dumbed...

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...