lostwin - BR in the mid 80's

[sprinterguy]

After working through my contact sheets for potential images to scan for my next batch of photos, I realise that I have a better picture of this carriage. No number shown in the image but it should help.
View attachment 145474

Thanks for unearthing this shot, the saloon's definitely 45028.

 

[lostwin(m)]

I feel fairly confident in saying that this is Fort William, rather than Mallaig. There's the railing-topped, solid concrete beam at the bufferstops, the corrugated underside of the 1970s platform canopy, the floor to ceiling glass panels facing onto the platform and, seen in reflection on the right hand side, the distinctive sloping profile of the glass-panelled roof of Fort William library, which is across the road at the end of the High Street.

There are a lot of reflections going on and maybe even one exposure overlapping another, but I also note that the image seems to have been mirrored, as the overhead warning flashes and position of the electric train supply socket on the front of the class 37 have both been reversed.

I've just re-read my notes made at the time. I had taken this train from Fort William to Mallaig and my interpretation is still that this was after arrival at Mallaig - could be wrong though, my notes haven't proven 100% accurate so far. You are right that it is a reflected image of the 37, it is a single exposed image, but there are at least 2 further outlines of the 37's nose - no idea how they came about. I reckon the legs caught in the reflection are mine, but I don't think the body attached at a jaunty angle belongs to me! All makes up for quite a fun image.

 

[lostwin(m)]

On a fun theme, 37051 appears to have taken a wrong turn and is off down the High Street in Oban. 08/07/86.

edit; it's actually 37406, thanks for subsequent clarification on here

 

[lostwin(m)]

22/10/86. This commuter at Bathgate St has decided it will be a 'work from home' day after all.

 

[lostwin(m)]

7/7/86. It's ambitious, but 10 pints of McEwans has got to go somewhere...

 

[sprinterguy]

I've just re-read my notes made at the time. I had taken this train from Fort William to Mallaig and my interpretation is still that this was after arrival at Mallaig - could be wrong though, my notes haven't proven 100% accurate so far. You are right that it is a reflected image of the 37, it is a single exposed image, but there are at least 2 further outlines of the 37's nose - no idea how they came about. I reckon the legs caught in the reflection are mine, but I don't think the body attached at a jaunty angle belongs to me! All makes up for quite a fun image.

It is quite pleasingly abstract - there's certainly plenty to take in .

On a fun theme, 37051 appeares to have taken a wrong turn and is off down the high street in Oban. 08/07/86.

View attachment 145882

That's 37406; the name (Great photo quality for that to be legible at that distance), and lack of split headcode boxes, give it away. An amusing and slightly surreal image, though.

 

[sprinterguy]

7/7/86. It's ambitious, but 10 pints of McEwans has got to go somewhere...

View attachment 145887

Great capture of a once mundane railway activity. Exudes BR atmosphere.

 

[Cowley]

First two are SR bogie brakes (B), in parcels service until the mid-80s I think. 3rd is a BR GUV, then more Bs

Thanks for that (of course I’m slightly kicking myself as I’ve got a couple of models of them ).

Did the southern region hang onto their ‘Big Four’ era vans a little later than the other regions?

 

[eastwestdivide]

Did the southern region hang onto their ‘Big Four’ era vans a little later than the other regions?

Broadly speaking, all the pre-BR design parcels stock got round all the regions, but I think the SR stuff was more numerous for longer. Think there’s a thread over on Rmweb with numbers in service according to the RCTS stock books.
Edit: found one to which I contributed

Pre-nationalisation parcel stock - when was it withdrawn?

Following on from the facinating thread on modelling a traditional parcel train and the excellent article in RM I'm looking for a bit more detail so I can add some variety to my 80s layout. I have read that some of the pre-nationalisation designs lasted into the 80s. But I've been unable to find ...

www.rmweb.co.uk

 

[Gloster]

Did the southern region hang onto their ‘Big Four’ era vans a little later than the other regions?

I think that proportionately the SR vans did remain longer than the other companies. At the beginning of 1980 there were 880 SR design vans, 339 LMS, 22 GWR and no LNER. However, there was a mass slaughter a few years later with the end of BR’s Collect & Deliver parcel service. Part of the reason for the SR vans longevity was, in my opinion, the SR’s preference for simple and robust vehicles (nothing flash on the SR, except the arcing from the juice rail).

EDIT: As mentioned above almost all of the parcel vehicles were common user and could move about as necessary. For example, the SR PMV was often to be seen on the Kyle line.

 

[Cowley]

Broadly speaking, all the pre-BR design parcels stock got round all the regions, but I think the SR stuff was more numerous for longer. Think there’s a thread over on Rmweb with numbers in service according to the RCTS stock books.
Edit: found one to which I contributed

Pre-nationalisation parcel stock - when was it withdrawn?

Following on from the facinating thread on modelling a traditional parcel train and the excellent article in RM I'm looking for a bit more detail so I can add some variety to my 80s layout. I have read that some of the pre-nationalisation designs lasted into the 80s. But I've been unable to find ...

www.rmweb.co.uk

I think that proportionately the SR vans did remain longer than the other companies. At the beginning of 1980 there were 880 SR design vans, 339 LMS, 22 GWR and no LNER. However, there was a mass slaughter a few years later with the end of BR’s Collect & Deliver parcel service. Part of the reason for the SR vans longevity was, in my opinion, the SR’s preference for simple and robust vehicles (nothing flash on the SR, except the arcing from the juice rail).

EDIT: As mentioned above almost all of the parcel vehicles were common user and could move about as necessary. For example, the SR PMV was often to be seen on the Kyle line.

Interesting stuff both, thanks for that. I’ll have a look at the Rmweb thread when I get a minute tomorrow and no doubt come back with some more questions.

 

[lostwin(m)]

It is quite pleasingly abstract - there's certainly plenty to take in .

That's 37406; the name (Great photo quality for that to be legible at that distance), and lack of split headcode boxes, give it away. An amusing and slightly surreal image, though.

Now you can see that my notes are not 100% accurate!

 

[lostwin(m)]

25/10/86. Another personal favourite. The driver of 87033 seems slightly impatient as he glances at the departing 87. By contrast, the crew of the Euston bound service focus in on the long run south. Even the differing liveries play on the yin and yang dynamic.

A bit of luck on my part maybe with this one, but hey - sometimes you have an idea, press the shutter and take your chances.

 

[Sun Chariot]

25/10/86. Another personal favourite. The driver of 87033 seems slightly impatient as he glances at the departing 87. By contrast, the crew of the Euston bound service focus in on the long run south. Even the differing liveries play on the yin and yang dynamic.

A bit of luck on my part maybe with this one, but hey - sometimes you have an idea, press the shutter and take your chances.

View attachment 145898

Cracking shot, takes me back to my youth, living at the WCML's southern end.
The 87 in the foreground, I think is one of the two original InterCity liveried examples: 006 or 012. 87 006 had been repainted from its 1984 livery (large logo, dark grey).

 

[Cowley]

Cracking shot, takes me back to my youth, living at the WCML's southern end.
The 87 in the foreground, I think is one of the two original InterCity liveried examples: 006 or 012. 87 006 had been repainted from its 1984 livery (large logo, dark grey).

That original Intercity livery looked excellent to my eyes. Still one of my favourite liveries, especially on an 87.

 

[Sun Chariot]

That original Intercity livery looked excellent to my eyes. Still one of my favourite liveries, especially on an 87.

Agree. IC livery flattered the "slab sided" loco classes, such as 86/87s and 47s.

 

[lostwin(m)]

Cracking shot, takes me back to my youth, living at the WCML's southern end.
The 87 in the foreground, I think is one of the two original InterCity liveried examples: 006 or 012. 87 006 had been repainted from its 1984 livery (large logo, dark grey).

Just dived into my notes and checked other images from that day and I’m pretty sure it is 87006 in that case. It is actually on a down working (07.45 from Euston), so heading for Glasgow C. The first picture in this thread has 006 a bit later in the afternoon on an up service (15.10) at Central, so would fit with a 2 hour turnaround timing.

I’ll have to work on being more factual and less poetic in my descriptions !

 

[Intercity110]

these are some amazing photos! I especially like the ones with the AC electrics.

 

[Sun Chariot]

I’ll have to work on being more factual and less poetic in my descriptions !

The "story telling" approach is appealing, to me at least; it helps me imagine I was there too. I've tried describing my photos in a similar way, on this thread:

Loco hauled around Havant

A summer "challenge" deep in SWR/Southern land - Photograph loco-hauled, or light, services within within my locality. Focus is freight workings or uncommon traffic. I'll add to this thread during the year.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[75A]

The "story telling" approach is appealing, to me at least; it helps me imagine I was there too. I've tried describing my photos in a similar way, on this thread:

Loco hauled around Havant

A summer "challenge" deep in SWR/Southern land - Photograph loco-hauled, or light, services within within my locality. Focus is freight workings or uncommon traffic. I'll add to this thread during the year.

www.railforums.co.uk

Your pictures always make me think of my time on the footplate in the early 80's.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Your pictures always make me think of my time on the footplate in the early 80's.

This 1980s thread I am thoroughly enjoying, as it takes me back to poring over photos within "Motive Power Monthly", "Modern Railways Pictorial" and the like.

My 35mm photos only started mid-1986; they're boxed up and I really should scan them in.

 

[lostwin(m)]

This 1980s thread I am thoroughly enjoying, as it takes me back to poring over photos within "Motive Power Monthly", "Modern Railways Pictorial" and the like.

My 35mm photos only started mid-1986; they're boxed up and I really should scan them in.

Yes, the Picture Parade section of Modern Railways Pictorial in particular, was was hugely formative for me and how I approached my photography at the time. I still have a big stack of these magazines and periodically thumb through them. By the mid 80's the quality had dropped but those early 80's editions - and the 3 Annuals, edited by Brian Morrison - are superb.

 

[Sun Chariot]

By the mid 80's the quality had dropped

It wasn't the same without photos of Deltics, The Woodhead and Whistlers!

 

[lostwin(m)]

It wasn't the same without photos of Deltics, The Woodhead and Whistlers!

Too right - it all became HST's and Duff's !

 

[lostwin(m)]

When you don't know where to go next, go home.

15/09/85. 45103 fronts up a London bound mail service at Leicester. The temporary access to the platforms can be seen in the background as the booking hall and overbridge development works are completed.

 

[lostwin(m)]

12/03/85. North and south bound services coincide on platforms 2 & 3.

 

[lostwin(m)]

05/04/85. A fond farewell?

 

[lostwin(m)]

29/04/85. 31417 Leicester (16.45 Norwich - Birmingham)

At this time, the two main loco hauled trains out of Leicester were the few remaining 45/1 on MML duty and 31/4 on The Birmingham - Norwich cross country services. Those to Norwich departed from platform 1 and to Birmingham, as here, from platform 4. Typical load was 5 or 6, but performance rarely seemed to exceed ponderous.

 

[lostwin(m)]

May/June '86. A busy scene south east of Leicester station - the impressive frontage of which can be seen dominating the background. 20049 + 20060 are about to run light engine through platform 1, whilst 45022 leaves with a mail. Also in view is the then new 150 sprinter, which was probably still on trials.

 

[lostwin(m)]

29/04/85. The driver of 25230 patiently sits out mail exchanges on a short parcels train at Leicester station.