Derek R.

If you kept them aboard you could end up with a list. . . . coat

I've got some mugs with similar Robert Wilson drawings on, seem to recall we bought them from the base in the Oozells Street loop in the eighties. Some changes in heading style over 40 odd years here:

Thank you Rose, I'll have to leave you to decide. Any government will keep truth from the population as it is the population they fear most. How many election manifestos had their pre-election promises fulfilled? How much does voting change the way in which we are governed? Most people would be so alarmed at the 'truth' - and in this instance I use the word truth to refer to that which is not a lie, or any kind of story to reduce, cover or generally obfiscate that which is denied - that it would seem so improbable as to be laughable. Those who subscribe to such ideas are generally laughed at and derided until as Johnathan Swift noted: - Falsehood flies and the truth comes limping after; so that when men come to be undeceived it is too late: the jest is over and the tale has had its effect. Jonathan Swift -- The Examiner, Number 15 (November 9, 1710) Such truths are hidden. Most ordinary folk will wish it to remain so as the knowledge of it if absorbed and recognised for what it was would send them mad. Here's a scenario: A main line railway terminus is planned and built. But there was a problem over the gradient leaving the station - the locomotives of the day (state of the art) were not powerful enough to pull a train of coaches out of the station and up the bank. So a system of endless rope pulleys was designed driven by a huge stationary steam plant largely built underground that hauled the trains of coaches out of the terminus to the top of the bank where waiting locomotives were coupled on. But there was another hitch. Due to a curve in the track layout at the tail end of the platforms, the endless rope system could not be attached to the trains standing in the station, as the rope would have 'jumped' the guides - so a team of men were deployed to manually push the train with all aboard to a point just past the curve that allowed connection to the rope. True or false? The kind of eejits that came up with such a terminus are not unlike those who control the spending of public money on things like HS2, and who continue to control our everyday lives.

No booze Athy, no pub lunch. Do prisoners pay their transportation fares? As a serious means of public transportation over the motor car or even coach in this Island, it's laughable. And I feel sure it is more than just a prestigious exercise in showing equality to the French. Paddington to Old Oak Common 3.9 miles by the Harrow Road (shortest route without wings). Marylebone - well it was good a while back, but since been spoilt - around 2000 IIRC. Lost its proper station atmosphere. Still has the nice glass and wrought iron canopy out front though. Oddly enough, back in the nineties I had cause to use one of the over footbridges across the platforms at Kings X, and I was amazed at still being able to smell coal smoke.

Do not consider business travel, think refugee travel to internment camps in the Eastern block. High speed trains do not stop frequently, and do not therefore serve those who currently drive to their place of work. If we are to reduce road usage, then communities need once again to create work and services within the community. The amalgamation of various companies that has seen the closure of small firms has been led by the desire to be 'economical' - the economies of size, it is the multi-nationals who have undercut local businesses for commodities and general goods. But we now have some ridiculous situations where say plumbers from Birmingham are commuting by van to London, and plumbers in London commuting by van to Birmingham. Straw is carried from great distances from one side of the country to the other, passing other straw loads in the opposite direction. The requirement for centralised distribution of such things is insane, and one of the reasons why the dreadful foot and mouth disease travelled so far so quickly not so many years ago. My first sentence may consign me to the nutter bin as might this, I care not, but in hindsight I have seen how this past sixty years has been constructed, and how it is leading inexorably to a new communism under a federal state of Europe. The truth will hit us all hard at some time in the future, and most will be asking "How on Earth was this allowed to happen?" and the answer is because it was planned that way, and to make such ideas sound so hare brained no one would want to believe them. But no, it really is for better business communications which we have so little of compared to the rest of Europe. Tell a lie often enough and it is not only accepted as the truth, it is fought for as the truth.

Yeah - copping numbers, and waiting for the signal change that foretold of a 'full ecki'! The excitement of wanting to be first to correctly identify the loco, the ground shaking roar through the station con-rods flashing, coal smoke swirling, the demanding rythym of carriage wheels over rail joints - and gone, and the almost total silence of the aftermath punctuated by a signal box bell, and another set of points changing readying for the next event. Then came diesels and Beeching, and a way of life disappeared. Those who push for HS2 are of a similar ilk to those who want modern trams threading their way through town and suburb. They look attractive, just like many fast cars and some women. But they'll cost you and break more than the bank. Not for no reason did London plan its tram removal as far back as 1927. To quote myself from a letter written some years ago: - In the July 1952 issue of London Transport Magazine, a message from the Chairman of the London Transport Executive Lord Latham, sums up what to him were the main features of the conversion to Buses with the conclusion that: 'The final replacement of the trams by a more modern, more flexible, and more manoeuvrable vehicle will be a landmark in the history of the capital which we serve, and a major work of civil importance' Perhaps I digress, but there will always be those who seek greater speed and command greater power over all, and to the cost of others - if only to show that they can, and get a mention in despatches. Fight them. Any way you can.

- And from Welshpool you can take the eight mile trip on the Welshpool and Llanfair railway!

I do hope people do object, individually and as much as possible. There are many rail buffs out there who are longing to see new supertrains roaring through the environment, though very few will actually travel on them. Most will take their photos and cop their numbers or display their You Tube videos made from railside locations. But be warned about consultations. They are a device to show that government has been thorough in their dealings with the general public in following a set requirement. There is nothing to say they will take heed of such consultations and as Ken Livingstone infamously stated: "Consultations are a waste of my time. They only delay what I intend to do anyway." The London Congestion Charge was allegedly 'consulted upon'. It wasn't - not outside of Livingstone's inner circle. Everyone who used the streets on a regular basis from nurses and fire-fighters to delivery people and service engineers - all spoke out against it - I was one. No one listened - no anti-CC publicity was allowed, as the deal was already done. More recently, Councillors in Fife held a public meeting and gained the support of whole communities against a proposed wind farm development by St Andrews University near St Andrews Golf Club. The whole community were against the scheme, but their combined voices were overthrown by ONE planning reporter. The chairman of the Kenly Landscape Protection Group which has spent four years campaigning against the proposal, said campaigners were “baffled” by the reporter’s decision. He said : “Every single councillor voted against this wind farm and local communities were wholeheartedly against it.” Object, for if you do not you will only wish you had, but be aware that wherever big money is being used - and much of it tax-payers - the players will make their moves regardless, and be filling their pockets too.

It could indeed be 43002, as I have never had any shed books defer to greater knowledge!

Aah! He said, digging out his Ian Allan ABC; 43052 2-6-0 introduced 1947. Ivatt L.M.S. taper boiler design with double chimney. Later engines were introduced with single chimney with which earlier engines are being rebuilt. Weight: Loco 59t 2cwt. Pressure: 225lb sq in. Driving wheels 5' 3" Tractive Effort: 24,170lbs. The class numbered 43000 - 43161, total 162 engines.

Any chance of it being re-named MECCANO? CAMBRAI looks like it had a rounded top or 'shoulders' for a steerers position and a screen of sorts hence the framework, with a cover of some kind, and engine'ole ahead of same under the lower section. Dare say it was developed as was seen necessary against the weather. Bit under the weather now, 'taking a look'.

Hoping Mark Pullinger doesn't mind, but over on London canal scape Mark has linked to a collection he has been building through Pinterest. http://www.pinterest.com/boatbrains/historic-london-canal-waterway-images/ It's an online pinboard in effect, and is full of images many of which I have never seen before (no surprise there). Most of all, if you click on an image, you may find the image simply enlarged, or as in several cases it opens up a complete compendium of historic information and associated images. You could spend all day searching through there are so many. Maps that lead to East London from the air with locations of specific works and their potted histories. PS: Example: Click on 'Regent's Canal Dock Limehouse London' and this image is enlarged so: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/462533824200262364/ - but click again on the new image, and on the "next page" there is BARON as PEARL in Oldbury and Aylesbury with a nice shot of the canopy over the cut and warehouse.

If you know what section she worked, there is the possibility that some ex-yard workers would remember if you can find them. The records of work done to various BWB boats might not have survived (something else of our 'heritage' that went in a skip), but it might still be worth pursuing the official channels, just in case.

Well done Vee-six, it sounds that you might also be best part of the way there in building something original made by yourself! I wonder if the tin-ware was from tin cans or even biscuit tins. So many things were made from tin in the thirties that today are of plastic, so the possibilities of origins are greater. I like the way that nail heads appear to be rivets - most authentic! With regard to any power plant, it may be that something small and steam powered may have been used, possibly with a meths burner as per Mamod steam engines. It does bend the topic threads on this section - but yours is the first of this kind to my knowledge so I for one would look forward to some update as it occurs - it is after all - an old boat!

I don't believe it's a model of any specific vessel, just a modellers construction of something that resembles many types and done as simply as possible without the recourse to any complexities of construction necessary to create sheer and double curvature swim ends. The two bands across the back are reminiscent of tug tow guards which makes me think there may have been a superstructure resembling a wheelhouse and engine room, but simplicity in construction and a desire to see a completed working model may have been the primary desire of the original builder, hence the element if crudeness. I'm sure it must have given someone a lot of pleasure in building and using, and now in the rediscovery of anothers handiwork.

Considering that the canal is 'so polluted' - and I do not doubt the bottom has serious noxious elements - it doesn't seem to have stunted the advance of Reeds. Are they feeding on it, or just immune to it? I wonder if the bottom could be dredged, dried and transported to Iran. They could probably find a use for it in some chemical 'warfare' operation. (No need for serious answers - it is a spurious comment).

Nice shots, despite the fuzziness. If it is Sturt's lock, and I suspect it is, most of the buildings have gone. Here's Google Earth's view of the section between Shepherdess Walk and Sturts more recently. The tower blocks in the distance of Alans' image place it post 1960's, and still stand today (along with others).

Most cap badges would have had two loops - horizontally or vertically placed to protrude through holes in say a Beret with a split pin inserted inside the Beret, most forces cap badges were fixed so. Lapel badges were often made from a folded and pre-cut brass backing shaped in a crescent which could be wound through a button hole in the lapel or wherever else - just like my old PSV badges. At a guess I would say one and a half inches in diameter. The plastic type almost certainly would have a type of safety pin arrangement - cheaper to make - and easier to break!

I wonder what some of those legging through Dudley tunnel are doing today. Plenty of faces and places to identify. Nice film, not seen that compilation before.

Might save you some research time Rose: http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=26426&hl=%2Bcanals+%2Bon+%2Bfilm#entry446091

It is a sad fact that our canal 'heritage', the infrastructure as well as many vessels that are under the control of previously British Waterways and now the Canal & River Trust, have shown more concern over making profit from sales of land and buildings, and all else is left to rot. Some of this neglect has come about from circumstance, some from lack of funding but the bottom line must surely come down to lack of sound structured management. Items donated to museums and trusts, have gone astray, which leaves the private sector, and in regard to boats this is where the preservation and restoration of same has been the most active and successful. With regard to records, I can only think that some kind of historical society like a guild, could hold a library supported by subscription to house and archive such records as they exist, making available either first hand sight or copies to interested parties as required. The Vintage Motor Cycle Club has just such a library in their headquarters in Burton on Trent, and members can visit and access a vast collection of documents and books for reference. There are also private individuals with records, and what they do with them is their business - though mostly they are of individual and anecdotal nature. Something of a wider and National historic value or interest should need to be considered in a slightly different light. With historic records on National significance held by individuals who are willing to hawk them for maximum profit, are they little better than those who once allegedly destroyed them? It is not like they are old motorbikes or boats that may be changed from their original format to better serve their owners. The individuals may have seen a 'nest egg' developing from collections gathered, but the benefits to the many can be lost to that of the one. That I feel is an imbalance that needs altering - but how, to appease all?

Uncomfortably close: House from the flyover.

I could understand SHAD's BCN plates going up for auction, but less so this. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=151135628598 Something that tells of many individual boats histories going for auction seems just plain wrong. Such books are indeed rare, and through auction could well be lost to the historic boating movement altogether - perhaps if purchased by a foreign buyer. We all know the fates of items left with BW and possibly CRT, but surely this is simply another case of the family silver being hawked off for one persons profit. Sorry Laurence, I do think this is out of order. It's a bit like you selling off your master copies of your DVD's etc. Would you do that? Such things need protecting. Not flogging off. Derek Reynolds

That's quite an astonishing coincidence. The image just shown taken from the bridge over the defunct Hildick arm, shows boats that appear to be in the same place as is shown on the Google 2009 copyrighted aerial shot. Time travel anyone?

I remember the edition and it's images - at least some, but filed it is not! And no - I wouldn't have remember the month or year. Hurrah for filing.