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  1. pistonvalve

    A Certain Train Of Thought

    Just read this post on the Locomotive City of Birmingham 46235. I remember seeing this engine in the 60's at the old science museum, I believe in order but without tender? I wonder if there is any possibility of bringing this loco back to life fully working! It seems to me such a pity...
  2. pistonvalve

    A Play On Loco Numbers

    Thank you Heartland for that info. Whilst bunking Bromsgrove shed (mid 50's) I saw 69999 the LNER Garrett, now this number is divisible by '3' but the interesting number is '9' whose product sum is always equal to 9, i.e. 12X9= 108 now 1+0+8=9. 7X9=63, 6+3=9. The mathematicians amongst us...
  3. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    Hi Dave, I always remember 5509 being un-rebuilt. Mike. https://www.lms-patriot.org.uk/media-gallery/detail/383/416
  4. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    Hi Charles, I went to Leigh Road school then Thornton Road school. I don't remember your father's taxi parked outside. But I remember about 4 oc. on the Midland up line the quadruple header light engine movement and two double header's soon after. Usually a mix of 9F, 8F all on the main...
  5. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    Hi Charles, Interesting picture of Highfield Road looks like it was taken at the Alum Rock end. I used to walk down Aston Church Road under the single line branch bridge and enter 'grassy banks' as we called it through a gate in the fence then under the Aston Stechford line to a point by the...
  6. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/ Yes that was the one, single line protected by a very old LNWK lower quadrant signal by the box. Sorry Charles, I don't remember any of the friends you recall. If you visit Warwickshire railways there are 5 pics. of the signal box and junction which will...
  7. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    Hi Charles, In the mid 50's was off school with a cold I recorded the traffic from early morning to late evening there were 24 up/down freights and one passenger - the 7.30am local and return at 7,45am, the record has long since gone!. Do you remember the 7.30pm shunt down the branch? to...
  8. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    Welcome aboard chazchas, Lived in Highfield Road and could see the line as it went through Wardend Park. Used to watch the down distant signal from my bedroom window especially on a Sunday Morning to see if there was a diversion on. After the electrification I witnessed the closing of the...
  9. pistonvalve

    Unused railway "arm" in Digbeth.

    I have heard rumors that the viaduct could be repaired and used in conjunction with HS2, presumably as a service connection? Mike.
  10. pistonvalve

    Unused railway "arm" in Digbeth.

    I remember some track over the viaduct was connected to the Snow Hill line. The viaduct was meant to bring the line from Oxford to Curzon Street station but was never completed. Mike.
  11. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    Alan, the Aston- Stechford line is still used. The recent fire at the scrap metal place by the line as shown on midlands TV, a freight hauled by a class 67 on the up line. I am not sure about Trent Valley diversions since Tamworth - Stafford was quadrupled. Some body on here may know of...
  12. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    HI Alan, Yes it was, I would love to see the train registers for Washwood Heath box on the Aston-Stetchford line (grassy banks high level) just to see what I have missed on diversion days. What happened to these registers I wonder? Mike.
  13. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    Yes Dave, No 6 end where we all went, close to the Midland side. Going out the first junction was 'Proof House' where I spent an hour or two working the levers mid 60's. My two legged spotting came just after!! No ABC to underline here. Mike.
  14. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    Hi Dave, if my memory serves me right 1956 - 1958. I was there too on the end of No6 Mike.
  15. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    The high level was the Aston-Stetchford line and the low level the Midland - New St Derby line. Somebody on here will surly remember the local 'club' 'stovepipe' club I think. A coach used to pick up a load of us on the corner of Aston Church Road - Washwood Heath Road early on a Sunday...
  16. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    Well Grassy Banks was just off Aston Church Road parallel to the Aston Stechford line where the Midland dissected. My favourite spot was under the arches opposite where you were Dave, the banker siding was the other side over the brook. I still remember the 11oc, B1 and the 1.15pm 'Devonian'...
  17. pistonvalve

    aston sheds

    Yes I remember 'Grassy Banks' Spent many years spotting there between 1951 and 1958. The Aston-Stetchford line had some rare stuff on. 1957 Saturday, June, about 1.15pm 72009 Clan Stewart came through with a passenger train full of RAF personnel in uniform! And of course those diversions...
  18. pistonvalve

    A Play On Loco Numbers

    Hi All, Looking through my LMS numbers spotted 1954-1958 on the Aston - Stechford branch at 'grassy banks' high level ( Aston Church Road) two numbers stand out: Jubilee: 45678 De Robeck 4F: 44444 I believe these were from local sheds at the time. Are these number sequences unique in the BR...
  19. pistonvalve

    Duck8 Smoke Box number plate?

    Hi, Think we all remember the duck8's from Aston/Bescot sheds referred to G2 or G2A. Can anybody explain why there was no smoke box number plate fitted? Mike.
  20. pistonvalve

    Tamworth field trainspotting

    Looking at some photographs c1948/1953 the up platform splitting starter fitted with miniature 'pegs' and adjacent was a very tall signal with a repeater 'peg' controlling the up main. This signal was removed before my time at the field, I am told the 'clangers' cry referred to the noise made...
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