I can’t say I’m sick of J94s, and they are worthy locomotives with (AFAIK) plenty of spares, but they are a tad boring. I’m lucky enough to have traveled behind Adams’ lovely 0415 on the Bluebell Line which won’t happen again, because it’s now fundamentally broken ☹️. She still looks good though.
There was a time when everyone seemed to have a Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST. I was once allowed to handle the regulator on an NCB example, whilst visiting Betteshanger Colliery in Kent about 55 years ago...
Shame about the 0415. Rather oddly proportioned engines IMHO, but still elegant!
I can’t say I’m sick of J94s, and they are worthy locomotives with (AFAIK) plenty of spares, but they are a tad boring.
There are of course a couple of intriguing "rebuilt" versions around ... one as "Thomas" and another as a tender locomotive (it looks somewhat "thin" though).
I can’t say I’m sick of J94s, and they are worthy locomotives with (AFAIK) plenty of spares, but they are a tad boring.
There are of course a couple of intriguing "rebuilt" versions around ... one as "Thomas" and another as a tender locomotive (it looks somewhat "thin" though).
Good grief...
Any linky available, especially for the tender version?
Excellent ride on the West Somerset Railway yesterday. Got free carer fare for Mrs Sioni as I have a blue badge for parking (amongst other things). Spent a fair wedge in the second hand book shop and the gift shop to make up for that then ruined it with v v poor coffee on the train buffet.
British Railways 2-6-0 on the job, not the usual dull J94 0-6-0. £38 for freedom of a 22 mile is pretty good value and nice to see plenty of people on and around.
I don't think the West Somerset has a J94, or a BR 2-6-0 come to that. Their Mogul 9351, converted from a GWR 2-6-2T, is currently in BR livery- is that what hauled you? Any 0-6-0 saddle tank around is likely to have been Victor, one of the Bagnalls that were a mainstay of the line in early preservation days, but nowhere near powerful enough to keep time with today's loads. Victor now lives on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite, and is visiting the WSR in connection with the line's 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Hunslet 0-6-0ST Newstead took part in the recent West Somerset steam gala, but I expect it was just visiting...it's not one of the Austerity types, though, having been built in 1929.
Victor was also at work, piloting Sir Nigel Gresley in one shot on the video I looked at.
Excellent ride on the West Somerset Railway yesterday. Got free carer fare for Mrs Sioni as I have a blue badge for parking (amongst other things). Spent a fair wedge in the second hand book shop and the gift shop to make up for that then ruined it with v v poor coffee on the train buffet.
British Railways 2-6-0 on the job, not the usual dull J94 0-6-0. £38 for freedom of a 22 mile is pretty good value and nice to see plenty of people on and around.
I don't think the West Somerset has a J94, or a BR 2-6-0 come to that. Their Mogul 9351, converted from a GWR 2-6-2T, is currently in BR livery- is that what hauled you? Any 0-6-0 saddle tank around is likely to have been Victor, one of the Bagnalls that were a mainstay of the line in early preservation days, but nowhere near powerful enough to keep time with today's loads. Victor now lives on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite, and is visiting the WSR in connection with the line's 50th anniversary celebrations.
I must have misled you. In referring to J94s I meant that they appear everywhere but happily not on the WSR. Looking at the 2-6-0 it does seem a little odd and now I know why! Thanks!!
FWIW, I think the little BR 78xxx Moguls were the best-looking of the standard tender engines, just as the big 80xxx 2-6-4Ts were the best-looking tank engines of that era.
I agree. The Class 2 Moguls are quite perky looking, but the Class 3s have a running plate which is far too high. The very similar LMS Moguls did excellent work on the Keswick line, I believe.
They (the LMS locos) seem to have been popular on lines around the Welsh border, too, whilst one of the BR engines wandered as far north as the Dornoch branch before the 16xx pannier tanks took over,,,
It was the BR standard class 4s in the 76xxx that were a 'standardised' version of the Ivatt class 4s. The standard class 3s in the 77xxx were different and did not have an LMS precedent. There were only 20 of them and I never saw one.
The Ivatt class 4 were originally supposed operationally to fulfil the role of a modernised 4F. So they were envisaged as goods engines. Once their steaming got sorted out, they rapidly got used for passenger work as well, though not as express engines. Mind despite their 'F' designation, 4Fs were often treated almost as mixed traffic engines.
Unlike some other parts of BR, surprisingly few ex-LMS classes do not seem to have been fitted with vacuum brakes. Even some 2Fs had them.
Too soon to know exactly what happened, of course, but what seems to have been a rear-end collision is a very unusual thing to happen these days, surely?
Ghana has received two Class 56s ex-Colas Rail, from the UK, pic here.
[...] This nearly 100-km line connects Tema, Ghana’s largest port, with Mpakadan, an inland port on Lake Volta. The project aims to improve transport links between Tema and Ghana’s northern regions via a combination of rail and lake transport. It also serves as the first phase in providing landlocked West African countries with access to the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike Ghana’s older narrow-gauge lines, this project utilises standard gauge.
To operate freight on this new line, the Ghanaian National Railways (GNR) purchased two Class 56 diesel-electric locomotives from Colas Rail through the Romic Group, a rolling stock broker. Additionally, the GNR acquired twenty FSA intermodal wagons. [...] (from Railcolornews with paywall)
Good to see them getting a new lease of life. I wonder how the Class 56s will deal with the climate and humidity. We'll see.
An interesting short video about current conditions in Ontario: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c1llRESR6o&t=52s. (We are a long way downwind of that event and have spent much of the day in yellow fog).
I haven't heard of any similar incidents affecting railways in wildfire areas in Europe at the moment, but I expect there have been some narrow escapes.
I haven't heard of any similar incidents affecting railways in wildfire areas in Europe at the moment, but I expect there have been some narrow escapes.
Over on the Hot thread in Hell, it's been mentioned that several heritage railways in the UK are running only diesel services at the moment, because Fire Risk...
Here's a short video of the Kent & East Sussex Railway running their very smart DMU and their class 14 centre-cab diesel:
Note that some commentators are getting 'pissed off' at the lack of steam - maybe they'd rather see the lineside and stations in flames? Numpties.
FWIW, I rather like those early BR railcars, especially in green. 70 or so years on, they still look modern, at least IMHO, and are rather better to ride in than yet another Mk1 coach...
Over on the Hot thread in Hell, it's been mentioned that several heritage railways in the UK are running only diesel services at the moment, because Fire Risk...
Here's a short video of the Kent & East Sussex Railway running their very smart DMU and their class 14 centre-cab diesel:
Note that some commentators are getting 'pissed off' at the lack of steam - maybe they'd rather see the lineside and stations in flames? Numpties.
FWIW, I rather like those early BR railcars, especially in green. 70 or so years on, they still look modern, at least IMHO, and are rather better to ride in than yet another Mk1 coach...
YMMV, of course.
I agree with you about the early DMUs. We rode in the Cravens on the Kings Cross locals when they were brand new. The front seats gave the best train ride imaginable. Their ride soon became awful and the engines were noisy, but the view of the line ahead and through the nine tunnels was an exciting new experience after compartment stock and clanking L1s. 1958, wasn't it? Five bob day return to London.
We didn't have any of the early suburban/rural DMUs in Kent, because electrification - ours were the magnificently noisy Hastings units, and, later, the 3-car Oxted units of typically conservative Southern style.
I do recall some Metro-Cammell (101 class?) units in Lancashire/Cumbria in about 1980, looking quite smart in blue/grey.
The view from the front seats was soon curtailed by the universal practice of shy drivers pulling the blinds down...
The Cravens units weren't really suitable for London suburban work, though better than non-corridor Mk1s or Quadarts. Rumour is that they were intended for the M&GN line but that shut too soon.
The Glasgow Blue Trains were great for forward viewing too (very bouncy seats as well!). One day the line through Queen Srteet LL was closed for engineering work; electrics terminated at Partick Cross and DMUs were used on a service between Partick Cross - Anniesland - Queen Street HL. The view from the front at the start of the Cowlairs Incline was great! (Also true of DLR trains going to Bank).
Over on the Hot thread in Hell, it's been mentioned that several heritage railways in the UK are running only diesel services at the moment, because Fire Risk...
Here's a short video of the Kent & East Sussex Railway running their very smart DMU and their class 14 centre-cab diesel:
Note that some commentators are getting 'pissed off' at the lack of steam - maybe they'd rather see the lineside and stations in flames? Numpties.
FWIW, I rather like those early BR railcars, especially in green. 70 or so years on, they still look modern, at least IMHO, and are rather better to ride in than yet another Mk1 coach...
YMMV, of course.
I met a relative for lunch in Tenterden not that long ago, a part of the country I do not know at all. As it was a Monday, nothing was running. Not even the museum was open. There were, though, several people taking advantage of the absence of visitors to do painting and maintenance.
It looked a most attractive little railway, and everything was much sprucer than I would imagine it ever was in the Colonel's days.
The 14s were a class of diesels I never saw when they were running on BR.
The KESR was spruced up somewhat after the Colonel's death, by Mr Austen - photos from the decade before nationalisation show quite a neat and tidy scene...
It is a nice railway, though, and it won't be long before the missing link - Bodiam to Robertsbridge Junction - is restored and open.
There are several videos on YouTube. The station (which is built partly on the site of the old SER goods yard) also includes a turntable, and a proper connection to the main line, along with lots of siding space.
I can recall the days when the original line was still in use for freight as far as Tenterden, and the crossing of the main road (now bypassed) was, as it were, duplicated by the kickback spur into Hodson's Mill, used for some years after 1961.
Comments
Shame about the 0415. Rather oddly proportioned engines IMHO, but still elegant!
I knew about the Rapido items already, as I receive their monthly newsletter.
Good grief...
Any linky available, especially for the tender version?
It looks much better as a tender loco!
I don't think the West Somerset has a J94, or a BR 2-6-0 come to that. Their Mogul 9351, converted from a GWR 2-6-2T, is currently in BR livery- is that what hauled you? Any 0-6-0 saddle tank around is likely to have been Victor, one of the Bagnalls that were a mainstay of the line in early preservation days, but nowhere near powerful enough to keep time with today's loads. Victor now lives on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite, and is visiting the WSR in connection with the line's 50th anniversary celebrations.
Victor was also at work, piloting Sir Nigel Gresley in one shot on the video I looked at.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyKmrD9_5XU
I must have misled you. In referring to J94s I meant that they appear everywhere but happily not on the WSR. Looking at the 2-6-0 it does seem a little odd and now I know why! Thanks!!
Not especially good-looking, but no doubt it was easy to get at their innards for repairs and maintenance!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LMS_Ivatt_Class_4
The Ivatt class 4 were originally supposed operationally to fulfil the role of a modernised 4F. So they were envisaged as goods engines. Once their steaming got sorted out, they rapidly got used for passenger work as well, though not as express engines. Mind despite their 'F' designation, 4Fs were often treated almost as mixed traffic engines.
Unlike some other parts of BR, surprisingly few ex-LMS classes do not seem to have been fitted with vacuum brakes. Even some 2Fs had them.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/19/two-trains-collide-bedford
Too soon to know exactly what happened, of course, but what seems to have been a rear-end collision is a very unusual thing to happen these days, surely?
Good to see them getting a new lease of life. I wonder how the Class 56s will deal with the climate and humidity. We'll see.
Those built in Romania needed a lot of work to get them up to standard, but the class seems to have been generally successful.
ETA: CBC has the video too, says they abandoned the train and escaped safely on foot, and that the line is currently interrupted to due the wildfires.
<votive>
I haven't heard of any similar incidents affecting railways in wildfire areas in Europe at the moment, but I expect there have been some narrow escapes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MrnEzwy_Nk
Or narrow gauge escapes.
Here's a short video of the Kent & East Sussex Railway running their very smart DMU and their class 14 centre-cab diesel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEI7k5Ahsec
Note that some commentators are getting 'pissed off' at the lack of steam - maybe they'd rather see the lineside and stations in flames? Numpties.
FWIW, I rather like those early BR railcars, especially in green. 70 or so years on, they still look modern, at least IMHO, and are rather better to ride in than yet another Mk1 coach...
YMMV, of course.
I agree with you about the early DMUs. We rode in the Cravens on the Kings Cross locals when they were brand new. The front seats gave the best train ride imaginable. Their ride soon became awful and the engines were noisy, but the view of the line ahead and through the nine tunnels was an exciting new experience after compartment stock and clanking L1s. 1958, wasn't it? Five bob day return to London.
I do recall some Metro-Cammell (101 class?) units in Lancashire/Cumbria in about 1980, looking quite smart in blue/grey.
The view from the front seats was soon curtailed by the universal practice of shy drivers pulling the blinds down...
The Glasgow Blue Trains were great for forward viewing too (very bouncy seats as well!). One day the line through Queen Srteet LL was closed for engineering work; electrics terminated at Partick Cross and DMUs were used on a service between Partick Cross - Anniesland - Queen Street HL. The view from the front at the start of the Cowlairs Incline was great! (Also true of DLR trains going to Bank).
It looked a most attractive little railway, and everything was much sprucer than I would imagine it ever was in the Colonel's days.
The 14s were a class of diesels I never saw when they were running on BR.
It is a nice railway, though, and it won't be long before the missing link - Bodiam to Robertsbridge Junction - is restored and open.
Indeed.
AFAIK, the station buildings at High Halden Road, and at Biddenden, are still extant.
As evidenced by this link: https://tinyurl.com/2x24ve3b
I can recall the days when the original line was still in use for freight as far as Tenterden, and the crossing of the main road (now bypassed) was, as it were, duplicated by the kickback spur into Hodson's Mill, used for some years after 1961.
However it will be useful for incoming excursions hauled by Large Engines.
Where did they get it from?
https://www.ceca.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/gala-insert-2024-v3.pdf?t=67a3888b683c1
I wonder what the Colonel would have made of it all?