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Let's go for a spin

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 4:01 pm
by hq1hitchin
In this little gem, surely the MG Midget of p.way trolleys, seen yesterday at the Steam Museum in Swindon, which deserves our support even if there's not much in the way of LNER items there. Imagine whizzing through THE Garden City down the fast, all boards off and sailing over Digswell Viaduct. What fun :lol:

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:40 pm
by StevieG
Bagsy being your first passenger hq1 !
Wonder if it would 'shunt' the TCs enough to light up the two approach-lit signals by the box, though - including that strange beastie, Welwyn North's 'auto outer distant' at green (in these circumstances wouldn't want see it showing red!).

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:24 pm
by hq1hitchin
StevieG wrote:Bagsy being your first passenger hq1 !
Wonder if it would 'shunt' the TCs enough to light up the two approach-lit signals by the box, though - including that strange beastie, Welwyn North's 'auto outer distant' at green (in these circumstances wouldn't want see it showing red!).
That brings back memories of the 60s, with Harry Fitzgerald explaining to me about approach lit signals, that they were uncommon and how drivers on other lines would occasionally report the signal as being out. Like the ghost train going through the tunnels at Welwyn, though...

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:15 pm
by manna
G'Day Gents

Can you imagine looking out the back window and seeing an A4 following you !!!!!! or being turned on a 70' turntable !!

manna

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:59 pm
by 52D
Manna no worries about turning them, they were often parked at right angles to the running lines and simply lifted on and off.
I dont think they would activate track circuits though.

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:34 am
by giner
hq1hitchin wrote:
StevieG wrote:Bagsy being your first passenger hq1 !
Wonder if it would 'shunt' the TCs enough to light up the two approach-lit signals by the box, though - including that strange beastie, Welwyn North's 'auto outer distant' at green (in these circumstances wouldn't want see it showing red!).
That brings back memories of the 60s, with Harry Fitzgerald explaining to me about approach lit signals, that they were uncommon and how drivers on other lines would occasionally report the signal as being out. Like the ghost train going through the tunnels at Welwyn, though...
Ghost Train in the tunnels? Do tell, hq1.

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 8:39 am
by hq1hitchin
giner wrote:
hq1hitchin wrote:
StevieG wrote:Bagsy being your first passenger hq1 !
Wonder if it would 'shunt' the TCs enough to light up the two approach-lit signals by the box, though - including that strange beastie, Welwyn North's 'auto outer distant' at green (in these circumstances wouldn't want see it showing red!).
That brings back memories of the 60s, with Harry Fitzgerald explaining to me about approach lit signals, that they were uncommon and how drivers on other lines would occasionally report the signal as being out. Like the ghost train going through the tunnels at Welwyn, though...
Ghost Train in the tunnels? Do tell, hq1.
Don't get too excited, Giner, I know of no ghosts around Welwyn. The nearest on the GN that I have heard about is the phantom car, allegedly driven by Colonel Mellows (who was killed there in 1948), that used to turn up at Conington North level crossing and then vanish. Not sure if I've mentioned that one before, if so I'm sorry, it was quite a well known story and even got on BBC Look East one night. Some people reckon it was an elaborate tale made up by the regular men to keep relief signalmen away :lol:

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:16 pm
by giner
:lol: hq1. A bit off topic, but we used to go spook hunting up Knebworth House some nights. Just larking about, really, but we had a real fright one night when a local bobby came around the corner and we scarpered off over the fields with him in hot pursuit, well, for the thirty odd yards he could muster without running out of puff. A chubby old copper was no match in the speed stakes against a few lithe 15-year-olds.

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:08 pm
by hq1hitchin
When we were staying at the School of Transport, Derby in the 1970s, a group of us returned one night after closing time to see a shadowy figure walking around the grounds. Emboldened by drink, we decided to tackle the intruder who turned out to be a police dog handler, complete with large Alsatian. Luckily, he had a good sense of humour... :oops:

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:15 pm
by Belvoir
Does anyone know the rude mechanicals therein ?

Engine, transmission ......... brakes

I am assuming all of roadgoing parentage.

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 8:42 pm
by 52D
Not sure on this particular car but some had BSA and JAP motorcycle engines BTW for our younger viewers JAP does not mean Honda, Yamaha et al. The initials stand for J A Prestwich a purveyor of bespoke engines mostly vee twins and speedway singles for many years.

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 8:59 pm
by mr B
well 52D' we always knew it as 'just another push' :oops:
o' an' the beeza bit was 'best scrap around' :D

come on guys the list is endless .. your turn ..

mr b

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:32 pm
by 52D
If you ride from Lands End to John o Groats on a BSA you get a Bl**dy sore A**e and the Best Scrap Available.

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:58 am
by giner
Here's a photo of a vehicle similar to that our old neighbour used to own. The 'guts' of this I believe was a 350 Beezer of some sort.

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http ... gAf4_uzhDQ

Re: Let's go for a spin

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:43 pm
by mr B
Giner ,, nice little Reliant van , long before the Trotters that one ,
and 52D , the end to end run , well its a long way and a sore bum in the Bond belive me , and you've got to get back home , it took me just over 24 hours due to road works (stationary traffic) on the A74 :( . The club record ,first under 24 hours the late Doug Ferreria (of Ravenglass & Eskdale fame) 23hrs 40 min's, to be smashed by Berkshire Club members and is unbeaten to date at 23hrs 10 mins.

mr b