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[FRE07962128]

I was bored, so I thought I would cheer myself  and hopefully all of you up with a splendid sight after a recent thread touched on steam railway engines. This is Merchant Navy Pacific (4-6-2 wheel arrangement or 21C005 in the Bullied system) 35005 'Canadian Pacific' at Aylresford Station on the Watercress Line, Hampshire.

Try changing the big ends on one of these as I once helped out doing!

In fact I loved crawling around underneath these beauties even more than I do with miggy's!  When you are restoring or maintaining them, like oiling the motion as I did as a trainee firewoman, it is so fascinating to study at close quarters the excellence of British engineering at it's best! 8-) 8-)

Ever major component, which can be from many different sister engines of its class, is built to fine tolerances and it was all done before computers and lasers, instead using individuals mathmatical and engineering skills taught from one generation to another. 8-) 8-)

Fantastic!

[Debs.]

I was bored, so I thought I would cheer myself  and hopefully all of you up with a splendid sight after a recent thread touched on steam railway engines. This is Merchant Navy Pacific (4-6-2 wheel arrangement or 21C005 in the Bullied system) 35005 'Canadian Pacific' at Aylresford Station on the Watercress Line, Hampshire.

Try changing the big ends on one of these as I once helped out doing!

In fact I loved crawling around underneath these beauties even more than I do with miggy's!  When you are restoring or maintaining them, like oiling the motion as I did as a trainee firewoman, it is so fascinating to study at close quarters the excellence of British engineering at it's best! 8-) 8-)

Ever major component, which can be from many different sister engines of its class, is built to fine tolerances and it was all done before computers and lasers, instead using individuals mathmatical and engineering skills taught from one generation to another. 8-) 8-)

Fantastic!

  Such evocation for the senses; sight, sound and scent!.....and unique for (what is really) a piece of machinery, is how potent the emotion that 'steam' instills in very many.
I`m very envious you`ve worked-on and been on the footplate of such a wonderful beast L.Z

[stuart30]

See that"s what seperates the fine ladys of oof from the usual women of a ""certain age"" who try dressing up in the daughters clothes thinking there 25 again....

A love of old smelly oily machines....

[FRE07962128]

I was bored, so I thought I would cheer myself  and hopefully all of you up with a splendid sight after a recent thread touched on steam railway engines. This is Merchant Navy Pacific (4-6-2 wheel arrangement or 21C005 in the Bullied system) 35005 'Canadian Pacific' at Aylresford Station on the Watercress Line, Hampshire.

Try changing the big ends on one of these as I once helped out doing!

In fact I loved crawling around underneath these beauties even more than I do with miggy's!  When you are restoring or maintaining them, like oiling the motion as I did as a trainee firewoman, it is so fascinating to study at close quarters the excellence of British engineering at it's best! 8-) 8-)

Ever major component, which can be from many different sister engines of its class, is built to fine tolerances and it was all done before computers and lasers, instead using individuals mathmatical and engineering skills taught from one generation to another. 8-) 8-)

Fantastic!

  Such evocation for the senses; sight, sound and scent!.....and unique for (what is really) a piece of machinery, is how potent the emotion that 'steam' instills in very many.
I`m very envious you`ve worked-on and been on the footplate of such a wonderful beast L.Z

Thanks Debs.  Yes and it all started on a dull Autumn evening in 1958 at Tonbridge Station with my father holding my hand whilst watching the passage of 'The Golden Arrow' boat train!  

The emotions aroused by that sight, smell and noise of steam, smoke, fire, and the pure beauty of named Pulman coaches, pulled by a beautifull green locomotive with flags and arrows thundering along, aglow with little table lamps surrounded by people eating, coming from somewhere, going to somewhere in my childs mind, has stayed with me for all these years.   An event that lasted for two minutes at the time, has survived for almost fifty years now!

What luscious memories, and ones added to by my experiences on the footplate!! 8-) 8-)

[FRE07962128]

See that"s what seperates the fine ladys of oof from the usual women of a ""certain age"" who try dressing up in the daughters clothes thinking there 25 again....

A love of old smelly oily machines....

Oh Stuart, I still like to think I am still 25!!  Trouble is my memories (and my body!) tell me I am not!

[stuart30]

See that"s what seperates the fine ladys of oof from the usual women of a ""certain age"" who try dressing up in the daughters clothes thinking there 25 again....

A love of old smelly oily machines....

Oh Stuart, I still like to think I am still 25!!  Trouble is my memories (and my body!) tell me I am not!

My ex wife insists that at 48 she has the expierence of a muture woman (viven more like lol.) and the outlook of a 20 something....so best of both worlds. ;

Im quite looking forward too having the boys back as The Nene Valley Steam Railway has Thomas the Tank engine and im sure the sights and sounds and not forgetting the smells would be fun for them,remember my dad taking me when i was little and it was certainly something ive never forgotten.

[Ken T]

My grandpa used to build steam trains. He worked for NB Loco up in Glasgow, as a foreman millwright. I've still got some pics and documents from NB Loco somewhere, and all his welding certificates. Must dig them out some day.

Ken

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I bet you just love the film Brief Encounter Lizzie.
The noise and smell of those steam giants.They live.

[Martin_1962]

See that"s what seperates the fine ladys of oof from the usual women of a ""certain age"" who try dressing up in the daughters clothes thinking there 25 again....

A love of old smelly oily machines....

Oh Stuart, I still like to think I am still 25!!  Trouble is my memories (and my body!) tell me I am not!

My ex wife insists that at 48 she has the expierence of a muture woman (viven more like lol.) and the outlook of a 20 something....so best of both worlds. ;

Im quite looking forward too having the boys back as The Nene Valley Steam Railway has Thomas the Tank engine and im sure the sights and sounds and not forgetting the smells would be fun for them,remember my dad taking me when i was little and it was certainly something ive never forgotten.

I thought you were still married?

[Martin_1962]

My grandpa used to build steam trains. He worked for NB Loco up in Glasgow, as a foreman millwright. I've still got some pics and documents from NB Loco somewhere, and all his welding certificates. Must dig them out some day.

Ken

Did you know that no main line NBL Diesel locos survive, out of 5 or so classes.

Class 16 (D8400s) 800bhp Bo-Bo Diesel Electrics - all scrapped

Class 22 (D6300s) 1100bhp B-B Diesel hydraulics - all scrapped

Class 21/29 (D6100s) 1100bhp Bo-Bo Diesel Electrics - D6122 last member of class, scrapped at Barry (29 had Paxman lumps)

Class 41? (D600s) Warships A1A-A1A Diesel hydraulics - D601 last member of, class scrapped at Barry

Class 43 NBL (D833-65) Warships - all scrapped - not as good as Swindon examples

[stuart30]

See that"s what seperates the fine ladys of oof from the usual women of a ""certain age"" who try dressing up in the daughters clothes thinking there 25 again....

A love of old smelly oily machines....

Oh Stuart, I still like to think I am still 25!!  Trouble is my memories (and my body!) tell me I am not!

My ex wife insists that at 48 she has the expierence of a muture woman (viven more like lol.) and the outlook of a 20 something....so best of both worlds. ;

Im quite looking forward too having the boys back as The Nene Valley Steam Railway has Thomas the Tank engine and im sure the sights and sounds and not forgetting the smells would be fun for them,remember my dad taking me when i was little and it was certainly something ive never forgotten.

I thought you were still married?

Ahh well you see me and women are like a heavy night on the beer...once recoverd always say ""Im never getting drunk again"" well thats what i said about marriage.

Only we all know men cant keep promises....even too themselves.

[Dusty]

I love steam trains too Lizzie.

I remember going to the local railway bridge and waiting for the Flying Scotsman to go past. It's like a living being.

[FRE07962128]

I love steam trains too Lizzie.

I remember going to the local railway bridge and waiting for the Flying Scotsman to go past. It's like a living being.

Indeed Dusty; nothing else like it in my opinion, and it is true that every individual steam locomotive, even one in a number of the same class, has a particular character all of it's own! 8-)

[Martin_1962]

I love steam trains too Lizzie.

I remember going to the local railway bridge and waiting for the Flying Scotsman to go past. It's like a living being.

Indeed Dusty; nothing else like it in my opinion, and it is true that every individual steam locomotive, even one in a number of the same class, has a particular character all of it's own! 8-)

It is the same with any machine - there are cases of certain Diesel locos being better than others of the same class, and certain aircraft performing better than others of its type

[FRE07962128]

I love steam trains too Lizzie.

I remember going to the local railway bridge and waiting for the Flying Scotsman to go past. It's like a living being.

Indeed Dusty; nothing else like it in my opinion, and it is true that every individual steam locomotive, even one in a number of the same class, has a particular character all of it's own! 8-)

It is the same with any machine - there are cases of certain Diesel locos being better than others of the same class, and certain aircraft performing better than others of its type

Very true Martin!