Old trains - I love 'em!
Discussion
Train museum Utrecht (NL) is worth a visit:
Huge Wärtsilä diesel engines powered the Dutch freighttrains, and I believe they still do.
Impressive piece of kit. Until 1989 Dutch Stork-Werkspoor took care of the trains and railroad materials. In 1989 Wärtsilä (Finland) took over the factory.
MAT 54, or the Dogface:
Between 1956 and 1962 141 of these were made and used as intercities. With both diesel and electric power they reached 140 kmh / 90 mph at 210 tonnes for the 4 coach kit.
Pretty succesfull trains: in 1980 the last green dogface was replaced by the famous yellow monkeyface trains. I believe this to be the first train I sat in.
Plan U: a similar looking train compared to the 54 and with an update on the nose. This did not work out though: at heavy rains the driver could not see through the windscreen! The first Dutch passenger train with an intercom, 1960. In 2000 19 U's were updated (airco) and they remained in service until 2003.
Inspectiontrain Kameel (Camel) was built in 1954. Note the two see-through bulbs on top. Dieselpowered and with a nice livery. Since 1972 the revised train was used until 1992, to show VIPs around.
Loving the 50s style designs. I have more to post!
Huge Wärtsilä diesel engines powered the Dutch freighttrains, and I believe they still do.
Impressive piece of kit. Until 1989 Dutch Stork-Werkspoor took care of the trains and railroad materials. In 1989 Wärtsilä (Finland) took over the factory.
MAT 54, or the Dogface:
Between 1956 and 1962 141 of these were made and used as intercities. With both diesel and electric power they reached 140 kmh / 90 mph at 210 tonnes for the 4 coach kit.
Pretty succesfull trains: in 1980 the last green dogface was replaced by the famous yellow monkeyface trains. I believe this to be the first train I sat in.
Plan U: a similar looking train compared to the 54 and with an update on the nose. This did not work out though: at heavy rains the driver could not see through the windscreen! The first Dutch passenger train with an intercom, 1960. In 2000 19 U's were updated (airco) and they remained in service until 2003.
Inspectiontrain Kameel (Camel) was built in 1954. Note the two see-through bulbs on top. Dieselpowered and with a nice livery. Since 1972 the revised train was used until 1992, to show VIPs around.
Loving the 50s style designs. I have more to post!
Can i suggest a weekend to Mulhouse
not only is the National Railway museum there, check out the Bugatti railcar for elfnsafty violations!! BUT there is the Car Museum. Put Beauleiu? and Haynes together and you are nearly there, and i believe they have a test track outside where they run the exhibits, pics can be supplied, but they will only make you want to go even more!!!
not only is the National Railway museum there, check out the Bugatti railcar for elfnsafty violations!! BUT there is the Car Museum. Put Beauleiu? and Haynes together and you are nearly there, and i believe they have a test track outside where they run the exhibits, pics can be supplied, but they will only make you want to go even more!!!
I love 'em too. Even saw the blue Deltic in action ca. 1960 at Kings X.
Highlight for this transport enthusiast was being pushed up the rear by this Big Boy also known as Big Bertha...
!954, me aged twelve and my younger brother aged nine used our 2/6d ( Half a crown = 12.5 pence today.. 
) to buy a cheap day football return fare from Gloucester up to Brum on a Saturday. Did not know this thing existed as we could not afford the LMS edition of Ian Allen's Locomotives of each region series, only had the Western region edition. Yertis :~
Mind you it carried the BR 58100 number when we saw it in action impressively pushing our trains up the Lickey Incline. What a sight, sound and experience. Wiser youngsters of today, don't know theyze born! ...
So imagine two little boy Railway enthusiasts in those still austere post war 1950s out alone on such a trip. Would never allow my boys that age to do the same in recent years though. Imagine too those little boys seeing that massive Locomotive in action. On one trip, we took several, we sneaked into the guards van and watched through the back windows all the impressive action until the spoilsport guard returned and chased us away.
Great days gorn forever.
Highlight for this transport enthusiast was being pushed up the rear by this Big Boy also known as Big Bertha...
!954, me aged twelve and my younger brother aged nine used our 2/6d ( Half a crown = 12.5 pence today.. ) to buy a cheap day football return fare from Gloucester up to Brum on a Saturday. Did not know this thing existed as we could not afford the LMS edition of Ian Allen's Locomotives of each region series, only had the Western region edition. Yertis :~Mind you it carried the BR 58100 number when we saw it in action impressively pushing our trains up the Lickey Incline. What a sight, sound and experience. Wiser youngsters of today, don't know theyze born! ...
So imagine two little boy Railway enthusiasts in those still austere post war 1950s out alone on such a trip. Would never allow my boys that age to do the same in recent years though. Imagine too those little boys seeing that massive Locomotive in action. On one trip, we took several, we sneaked into the guards van and watched through the back windows all the impressive action until the spoilsport guard returned and chased us away.
Great days gorn forever.
MGjohn
The Railway Magazine has a picture of Big Bertha and the Gresley Garrett banking together on the Lickey. Super Power indeed.
Indeed, Living in London back then, every Saturday when Spurs were away, it was the grand tour of the London Termini, We either went direct to Livvy St from Lower Edmonton, and then a Met Electric Loco to KX/St P and a walk to Euston, then on to Paddington. Other times it was the Southern Section Waterloo/Victoria London Bridge.
The other way in was a Trolleybus to White Hart Lane, a single decker RF 233 to Wood Green and then a train in to KX total was 1/8 return 2d ew on the Trolley, 3d ew on the RF and 10p return Wood Green to KX. Great days seeing the 10000/1 ans 10201/2/3 at Euston on the royal Scot Those lovely Duchesses and Princesses in Euston. the Scots and Jubs at StP and the unending uniformity of the GW , but my love was the GE/GN with the B17s at Livvy and the A4/3/2/1 at KX
Yep great days and as you say it was a horde of 10/11 year olds without parental company. As an aside one of the mob was Chas of Chas and Dave, lived in the same street.
Must find the slides of the US museums and put them up,!!
The Railway Magazine has a picture of Big Bertha and the Gresley Garrett banking together on the Lickey. Super Power indeed.
Indeed, Living in London back then, every Saturday when Spurs were away, it was the grand tour of the London Termini, We either went direct to Livvy St from Lower Edmonton, and then a Met Electric Loco to KX/St P and a walk to Euston, then on to Paddington. Other times it was the Southern Section Waterloo/Victoria London Bridge.
The other way in was a Trolleybus to White Hart Lane, a single decker RF 233 to Wood Green and then a train in to KX total was 1/8 return 2d ew on the Trolley, 3d ew on the RF and 10p return Wood Green to KX. Great days seeing the 10000/1 ans 10201/2/3 at Euston on the royal Scot Those lovely Duchesses and Princesses in Euston. the Scots and Jubs at StP and the unending uniformity of the GW , but my love was the GE/GN with the B17s at Livvy and the A4/3/2/1 at KX
Yep great days and as you say it was a horde of 10/11 year olds without parental company. As an aside one of the mob was Chas of Chas and Dave, lived in the same street.
Must find the slides of the US museums and put them up,!!
silverfoxcc said:
MGjohn
The Railway Magazine has a picture of Big Bertha and the Gresley Garrett banking together on the Lickey. Super Power indeed.
Indeed, Living in London back then, every Saturday when Spurs were away, it was the grand tour of the London Termini, We either went direct to Livvy St from Lower Edmonton, and then a Met Electric Loco to KX/St P and a walk to Euston, then on to Paddington. Other times it was the Southern Section Waterloo/Victoria London Bridge.
The other way in was a Trolleybus to White Hart Lane, a single decker RF 233 to Wood Green and then a train in to KX total was 1/8 return 2d ew on the Trolley, 3d ew on the RF and 10p return Wood Green to KX. Great days seeing the 10000/1 ans 10201/2/3 at Euston on the royal Scot Those lovely Duchesses and Princesses in Euston. the Scots and Jubs at StP and the unending uniformity of the GW , but my love was the GE/GN with the B17s at Livvy and the A4/3/2/1 at KX
Yep great days and as you say it was a horde of 10/11 year olds without parental company. As an aside one of the mob was Chas of Chas and Dave, lived in the same street.
Must find the slides of the US museums and put them up,!!
Is that the "Silver Fox" connection.. The Railway Magazine has a picture of Big Bertha and the Gresley Garrett banking together on the Lickey. Super Power indeed.
Indeed, Living in London back then, every Saturday when Spurs were away, it was the grand tour of the London Termini, We either went direct to Livvy St from Lower Edmonton, and then a Met Electric Loco to KX/St P and a walk to Euston, then on to Paddington. Other times it was the Southern Section Waterloo/Victoria London Bridge.
The other way in was a Trolleybus to White Hart Lane, a single decker RF 233 to Wood Green and then a train in to KX total was 1/8 return 2d ew on the Trolley, 3d ew on the RF and 10p return Wood Green to KX. Great days seeing the 10000/1 ans 10201/2/3 at Euston on the royal Scot Those lovely Duchesses and Princesses in Euston. the Scots and Jubs at StP and the unending uniformity of the GW , but my love was the GE/GN with the B17s at Livvy and the A4/3/2/1 at KX
Yep great days and as you say it was a horde of 10/11 year olds without parental company. As an aside one of the mob was Chas of Chas and Dave, lived in the same street.
Must find the slides of the US museums and put them up,!!
Spent many a good time at White Hart Lane. COYS were quite decent in the early 1960s.
Yes, commuted up to Liverpool Street many times. Usually on 0-6-2 Tanks to-from Walthamstow and Chingford where I lived into Liverpool Street when I worked in the City. Then about 1960, Electric Multiple Units were phased in. Never the same. Saw Locomotive nameplates with names of today's Premiership Teams so familiar today. Then waiting at Stratford to see a "Brit" fly through at speed with an express to East Anglia. Note the nameplate ... Oliver Cromwell. Lost count of the visits to Swindon, Crewe and many other Railway Works and depots. East end born and bred when Heir Hitler's men tried to terminate me. OK, I was very young then but, some of those vivid memories will last with me forever. Very disappointed that my parents would not allow me to play on those bomb sites. Unexploded bombs... yeah ... right... Spoilsports ..
said:
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Dad! Did you really travel to work on a Steam Train?
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Yes son.Dad! Did you really travel to work on a Steam Train?
.
said:
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Dad! Did you really do over 100mph on the North Circular and cop cars move over and wave you by.
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Yes son, more than once on both two and four wheels... and no crash helmet.Dad! Did you really do over 100mph on the North Circular and cop cars move over and wave you by.
.
Thought I would live forever back then ...
Did I ever mention the time I nearly got my arm stuck in the cannon hole in the leading edge of the wing of a Gloster Javelin at Brockworth Aerodrome? Had relatives who worked at the factory and lived in a big house on the Aerodrome... Boys will be boys and along with my younger brother, we explored ... extensively. There was a ramshackle corrugated iron massive shed in a remote part of the Aerodrome. Some of the panels were loose and we went inside. There inside was a beautiful pristine Gloster Gladiator. On another visit that beautiful little biplane was being readied for a flying display somewhere. We were treated to a full aerobatic shake down immediately overhead. Then again, Javelins being revved up for ages ( scorched earth ) before taking off on their maiden flights and landing a few miles away on the runway of Moreton Valance aerodrome south of Gloucester. The round turning areas are still visible from the Motorway Offramp there. The M5 now where the main runway was.
Countless other equally enthralling experiences for schoolboy us back in those now faraway 1950s.
Worth repeating:
As I said, youngsters today don't know theyze born. They can keep their smart phones and game boyz ... No contest
Edited by MGJohn on Monday 11th August 01:16
So, I'm out in Wisconsin (US) for a spot of work for a few weeks, and I suddenly had a vague recollection that the National Railroad Museum is somewhere in the same state. So I looked it up and low and behold it's less than an hour away. So this morning I jumped into the car and headed there. Well, what better way to spend a sunny Sunday?
General Motors original concept model for the Aerotrain.
The real thing has fared less well.
Last time I saw this it was with it's 5 sisters in York. Let's hope the Yanks look after it better this time!
Happy as a pig in s**t!
And then there was this - a Union Pacific 4000 series 4-8-8-4 'Big Boy'.
Every element of it is just massive!
God knows what all the valves/taps do!
A trio of other US machines.
While I'm glad I went (I really wanted to see the Big Boy) it really makes you appreciate the quality of our facilities in the UK. Many of the exhibits were sub standard and looked quite sorry for themselves, especially those in the open ended shed. But something is better than nothing.
I can't wait for the Union Pacific to get their 4000 restored and back in steam, I'll make a trip out to see that!
Hope you enjoyed the pics,
Olly
General Motors original concept model for the Aerotrain.
The real thing has fared less well.
Last time I saw this it was with it's 5 sisters in York. Let's hope the Yanks look after it better this time!
Happy as a pig in s**t!
And then there was this - a Union Pacific 4000 series 4-8-8-4 'Big Boy'.
Every element of it is just massive!
God knows what all the valves/taps do!
A trio of other US machines.
While I'm glad I went (I really wanted to see the Big Boy) it really makes you appreciate the quality of our facilities in the UK. Many of the exhibits were sub standard and looked quite sorry for themselves, especially those in the open ended shed. But something is better than nothing.
I can't wait for the Union Pacific to get their 4000 restored and back in steam, I'll make a trip out to see that!
Hope you enjoyed the pics,
Olly
Edited by Boatbuoy on Monday 11th August 04:31
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