Which part? I was born in Edgware and lived in Stanmore for many years. My nearest BR station was Harrow & Wealdstone. I used to go train-spotting with a friend from school who lived in Kenton, so Kenton station was the place to go to as well.
For any railway enthusiasts here...
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Which part? I was born in Edgware and lived in Stanmore for many years. My nearest BR station was Harrow & Wealdstone. I used to go train-spotting with a friend from school who lived in Kenton, so Kenton station was the place to go to as well.
gavreid
Pretty Words...
Andy, if you get the chance, do a search on YouTube for “Sam’s Trains” - he does lots of model loco reviews. Look out for his review of the Hatton’s class 66 - the model is absolutely superb.
cutting42
Arrived at B4 Hacker Ergo
Born in North Harrow, school in Pinner, worked initially Northwick Park and had grandparents in Wealdstone and Harrow Weald so all over really. Like you Harrow and Wealdstone was the best station and walkable from my nana’s house. She had a next door neighbour who’s son was a driver on the APT’s as well so used to make the trip to spot them when we knew they would be running.
Actually technically born in Edgware General Hospital but family home was North Harrow
Actually technically born in Edgware General Hospital but family home was North Harrow
I was born in Edgware too! I was clever enough to leave after 6 months though
Good grief, gav, I had you pegged as a Scot, or a Northerner at the very least!
gavreid
Pretty Words...
Good grief, gav, I had you pegged as a Scot, or a Northerner at the very least!
I know, my Mum was there at physiotherapy school for the blind, of all the bad luck
Is Edgware hospital still there?
Yes me too - Edgware General. We used to live in Portland Crescent off Streatfield Road, just a mile or so from Queensbury Station. Then when I was five we moved up towards Belmont. The 186 bus would get me direct to Harrow & Wealdstone. I remember travelling on 501s and 310 units back in my youth. The distinct sound of Mk1 and Mk2 rakes of coaches being hauled at upwards of 100mph could be distinctly heard from outside our house. Those were the days!
I know, my Mum was there at physiotherapy school for the blind, of all the bad luck
Is Edgware hospital still there?
As far as I know the hospital as I once knew it has long since gone. Not sure what, if anything, is there now.
gavreid
Pretty Words...
That's a great shame, these local hospitals are what we need again. The hospital she worked at has long gone too.
Here’s a question for you, h_c: did you have to have a different master key for every different type of traction you drove? If so, that’s a helluva set of keys you’d have to carry around with you!
Also, how much of the WCML do you have route knowledge of? I’d imagine a lot of English drivers would be familiar with Euston-Carlisle, or thereabouts?
Seeker_UK
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
Read the article in this, "Class 66: A Case for Treatment" - https://www.aslef.org.uk/visageimages/Publications/Freight/freightjournal07.pdf
https://www.railmagazine.com/news/rail-features/what-the-drivers-think-of-the-66s
Heat and noise seem the biggest hazards.
Thanks @Seeker_UK. So, in a nutshell, good traction package, reliable, but a truly dreadful working environment leaving the potential for serious hearing loss!
Oh, almost forgot, despite the above issues, it seems drivers would still prefer the 66 to the class 70, so I can only surmise that the class 70 must be absolutely dire..
Oh, almost forgot, despite the above issues, it seems drivers would still prefer the 66 to the class 70, so I can only surmise that the class 70 must be absolutely dire..
happy_chappie
pfm Member
Jon,
Most 50s traction onwards had one type key, some you could use a teaspoon to open a driving desk up. The American junk like 66s and 70s had their own heavy brass keys,to be kept with the loco. Most of us had a “Jimmy” key we made on the grindstone in the depot, that would open a desk,it then could be removed if we were shunting with a few different locos.
Currently work Euston to Carlisle, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham area mostly on Class 92s. In the good old days, I worked to Holyhead, Cardiff, Bristol, Wakefield, Settle and Carlisle, not to mention all the collieries and power stations, fuel depots.
British Rail, for all its faults was a great place to work.
Most 50s traction onwards had one type key, some you could use a teaspoon to open a driving desk up. The American junk like 66s and 70s had their own heavy brass keys,to be kept with the loco. Most of us had a “Jimmy” key we made on the grindstone in the depot, that would open a desk,it then could be removed if we were shunting with a few different locos.
Currently work Euston to Carlisle, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham area mostly on Class 92s. In the good old days, I worked to Holyhead, Cardiff, Bristol, Wakefield, Settle and Carlisle, not to mention all the collieries and power stations, fuel depots.
British Rail, for all its faults was a great place to work.
eisenach
pfm Member
Just in case anyone gets bored watching the record player go round.
I've a fond spot for the Class 45/46 Peaks. I used to do Oxford to Leeds quite a bit in the mid 70s, using the Cross Country service from places like Bournemouth to Newcastle. It'd probably have a 47 on the front from Reading, swapping for a 45/46 when it reversed at New Street.
Thanks h_c. Fascinating. What are the 92s like to drive? Are you working the Caledonian sleepers or do you mainly do freight workings? Hope you don’t mind all the questions!
My favourite driver experience day of all the ones that I’ve done was spent driving a class 46 on the Llangollen Railway, in around 2003. It turned out they had to cobble together bits and pieces from other locos to get the 46 into working order. In one cab we were told the reverser was from a Eurostar!
Just before the day came to an end there was a bonus - I got the chance to drive a class 47 along a siding. The 47 was a more serene, quiet experience compared to the slightly more rough-edged 46. The other thing I remember from that day was that our driver instructor was a car dealer from Southport.
martin clark
pinko bodger
Two Fives are better than one..:
JensenHealey
pfm Member
I have not entirely given up the idea of building a model railway. I had one as teenager - I was given a corner of a large attic and built a reasonable size 009 layout. I sometimes buy a Railway Modeller, especially if there is a 009 layout included.
Technology has moved on somewhat since 1973! My dual power controller was a significant Xmas present back in 1972! Now all this digital control and sounds. No opportunity for cable specialists! The photography in the magazines is first rate these days too... and the models being built.
If you really want inspiration - I went once as a kid to the Model Engineering exhibition in Westminster. Some barely believable stuff on show there... it is a VERY serious commitment to make a model working steam loco, by hand, in a shed, from scratch.
Technology has moved on somewhat since 1973! My dual power controller was a significant Xmas present back in 1972! Now all this digital control and sounds. No opportunity for cable specialists! The photography in the magazines is first rate these days too... and the models being built.
If you really want inspiration - I went once as a kid to the Model Engineering exhibition in Westminster. Some barely believable stuff on show there... it is a VERY serious commitment to make a model working steam loco, by hand, in a shed, from scratch.
eternumviti
Insufficient privileges to reply.
This thread is dangerous. It could get very expensive!
Andrew C!
Been around a while....
Cracking video. Thanks for sharing it. If I actually got started again I’d deffo get one of those. There is just something about a Class 5, also linked to the memories of having one back in the day. I went from OO to N gauge, but in hindsight should have stuck with OO.