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. . . when you’re scanning down the forum list on RUK’s “Front Page”, happen onto the Forum Meets section and a bit surprised to see the most recent thread is concerning a “Salty curry” Time to go to Specsavers (For the record - a quick jiggle of the multifocals revealed it actually says Selby...

This was one of my favourites from the mid-1980s (I also used the Manchester Pullman and the Merseyside Pullman ex-Runcorn from time to time) Ticked all the boxes - Reasonably civilised start time from Wigan, Full English on white linen in a nice Mk3b FO along the way, plenty of time for a...

That's a plausible explanation given the circumstances & timing. The Eltham accident occurred on 11 June 1972, while the Preston PSB Signalling Notice diagram was issued in October 1972 for new arrangements commissioned on 22/23 October 1972. Possibly the original design and installation of...

A couple of recent threads on distant signals & banner repeaters reminded me of one of the great mysteries of the WCML from my youth (at least, mysterious in my mind) . . . Why was a green aspect not available on signal PN14 ? Here's the background: - The attachment shows historic signalling...

I don't think there were any brand-new lines being built by the LYR around Blackburn at that time. But through the 1880s the L&Y was investing heavily in major improvements to the infrastructure already on its system. Things like widening, strengthening bridges, rebuilding stations, new loco...

Twenty years and still going strong (and without deteriorating into a toxic or cliquey rabble) is a grand old age in t' internet world. Congratulations! I wonder if there's some conversion factor - like x7 for Dog Years - that you can apply to internet stuff to better reflect its actual...

This image in the Harvey Scowcroft Collection on Flickr shows Mk2(z) BSO no. M9395 forming part of a steam-hauled Party Special for Williams Deacon's Bank in March 1968. Also, in the same Harvey Scowcroft collection is this photo, allegedly of a timetabled Euston to Blackpool Summer SO train...

A quick oddball question . . . How were Mk 1 coaches referred to before there was a Mk 2 (and then subsequent generations)? Were they referred to as "Mark 1" from their introduction? Or did the 'version control' thing only come in from the early 1960s, when the Mk 2 concept came onto the...

How far through the Mk2 series did those coffin-shaped tables go? Did they make it all the way through to the Mk2F design (as built), or did the last of the variants transition to Mk3-style rectangular tables? I didn't mind those tapered tables back in the day. The convenience of easier in...

Thanks for the comments. I've recommended to the travellers that they aim for the main Bishopgate exit from the Elizabeth Line at Liverpool St and to walk along the (pedestrianised) street to the taxi rank. Thereby doing my bit to avoid an extra three confused, first-time tourists with...

I did the same thing when they were brand new (although being an impecunious student only managed Piccadilly to Macclesfield and back) and had exactly the same first impressions - even down to the "Wow, these coaches really are long" moment passing Cheadle Hulme. The only other thing I noted...

A quick question on the above . . . I've been asked by a family friend for advice about transferring from Heathrow T4 to a certain hotel in the City close to the Tower of London. My recommendation is Elizabeth Line to Liverpool St, then a black cab from there a short distance to the hotel.*...

In the same era, when I used KX main station from time to time, I remember wondering if it was possible to buy a BR ticket (probably Edmondson-style) from York Road to Farringdon, Barbican or Moorgate? And whether you could book First Class if you were so inclined? Five decades later, photo...

I'm wondering if anyone on the ground in the Wigan area (or passing through Hindley by train) can report how the raising & re-opening of Deep Pit footbridge west of Hindley station is proceeding? Local Youtuber Simon Rhodes has been uploading periodic videos during the bridge's closure. His...

I once saw a suggestion that railway hobbies tended to appeal to men of the cloth because of the many similarities between railway operations and a cleric's day job. At least, railway operations as they were up until a couple of generations. I can't give a reference to where I saw that idea...

Since posting, I've stumbled across another example in the Greater Manchester area. . . The triangle between Guide Bridge, Stalybridge and Ashton once had Dukinfield (GCR), Dukinfield & Ashton (LNWR) and a triplet of Ashtons (Charlestown, Oldham Road and Park Parade). Railway Clearing House...

. . . and two days with nothing but black smoke, until the fireman finally got the hang of the job.

87 pages into this thread and I don't think we've mentioned the way that pubs and bars always used to have frosted glass windows. A brief wander around the internet gives several suggestions (none of them very authoritative) as to why that was. Including:- A requirement imposed by puritanical...

I wonder if any settlements around the country matched the historic situation at Hindley in Greater Manchester, with stations named 'A', 'B' and 'A & B'? At the time of nationalisation, Hindley Urban District Council (abolished 1974) had three stations named Hindley, Hindley & Platt Bridge and...

In South Australia, on the Adelaide suburban rail system, there are also two successive stations named Hove and Brighton. Keeping with the English south coast theme, the trains which call there are heading to or from the line's terminus at Seaford. ---------- Back vaguely OT, one station...