How many out there would like to visit some of the preserved lines(steam and diesels) in the UK?
I for one would, especially the Settle & Carlisle, the Somerset & Dorset, Tallylly … there are too many to mention. I certainly like British railways, especially steam
Paul Schmidt
Contributing Editor
Trains.com
Paul,
do you think there is a ‘market’ for a speaker to visit societies/clubs in the US to give an evenings talk on UK railways?
Its just that I might be over late next year on business and could spare a couple of nights with a slide and talk show to anyone interested
Hello Silverfoxcc,
I would say the modeling market is pretty small in the U.S. I was the only person I knew at Kalmbach who had a moderate interest in UK railways and who had even entertained the idea of modeling them.
However, in regard to prototype information, the market may be larger. It depends upon what part of the country you’re visiting, I think. If you were coming to the Seattle area, I’d be there!
Paul
Paul,
It would be on the full size preserved lines, mostly in the south and midlands of the UK. They would include The Mid-Hants. The Bluebell Line, Severn Valley Railway. and the Great Western society at Didcot.These are local to where i live.
I would have to get some slides of the regular steam running that is around here. To see how much we have in the UK go to
http://www.march.demon.co.uk/tours/trs03.htm
I have slides of some of the the other lines in the UK but would need to revisit them to update them to give a better picture(please excuse the pun)
Have fun!!
Thanks for the addresses! Severn Valley is another I’d like to see in person, and anything to do with God’s Wonderful Railway (the Great Western Ry. for those who aren’t aware of the pun on the initials) is always high on my list.
Paul
I am curious about the Hogwarts Express of the Harry Potter movies. Who runs this train, where is it located, and what type of steam engine is it?
Hello Don,
The locomotive is a former Great Western Ry. “Hall” class 4-6-0 – Olton Hall built in April 1937 and withdrawn from service in December 1963. She was deep green, not red, whether in GWR colors or British Rys.
I’m not certain about the rolling stock. Perhaps someone else has some insight there.
Paul Schmidt
Contributing Editor
Trains.com
I would definitely like to make it over there and visit some of the preserved lines, especially the
narrow gauge lines in Wales, I’d like to visit the national tram Museum also. Another thing that would interest me would be the current operations by the private franchises, freight and passenger, especially Virgin and EWS.
Cheers,
James
Paul
What isnt widley known is that there were two Hogworts Express locos. You are quite right in theHall being the film loco. however When the last book was published JKR did a tour of the UK but used 34027 Taw Valley (a ex SR WC class pacific painted red) as the motive power. Stock is normally one of the MK1 coach sets that are used in normal steam speacilas altgough more locos are being fitted with air brake eqpt to cater for the later Mk 2 coaches as our wonderul heralth and safety people deem rhe Mk 1 as not being safe!. On another Potter note Plat 9 3/4 at Kings Cross in the film is actually filmed between plats 4 and 5 in the main station. On the rwal plat 9 they have put up various signs showing it as Plat 9 3/4 and i have some pictures of it.
I mentioned that ‘i might do a talk’ in Seattle next year she didnt seem to mind !!What is the railfan base like there?
I would have to incorporate a plug for the business which is a chauffeured Rolls-Royce that can be hired by the day to take up to four people( although three would be more comfortable) to the various preserved lines. Cheap it wont be but the driver knows quite a bit (thats me!!!)and can take you via the pretty bvillages and by ways that the average tourist wouldnt see.
Paul
What isnt widely known is that there were two Hogworts Express locos. You are quite right in theHall being the film loco. however When the last book was published JKR did a tour of the UK but used 34027 Taw Valley (a ex SR WC class pacific painted red) as the motive power. Stock is normally one of the MK1 coach sets that are used in normal steam speacilas altgough more locos are being fitted with air brake eqpt to cater for the later Mk 2 coaches as our wonderul heralth and safety people deem rhe Mk 1 as not being safe!. On another Potter note Plat 9 3/4 at Kings Cross in the film is actually filmed between plats 4 and 5 in the main station. On the rwal plat 9 they have put up various signs showing it as Plat 9 3/4 and i have some pictures of it.
I mentioned that ‘i might do a talk’ in Seattle next year she didnt seem to mind !!What is the railfan base like there?
I would have to incorporate a plug for the business which is a chauffeured Rolls-Royce that can be hired by the day to take up to four people( although three would be more comfortable) to the various preserved lines. Cheap it wont be but the driver knows quite a bit (thats me!!!)and can take you via the pretty villages and by ways that the average tourist wouldnt see.
Hello Silverfoxcc,
Thanks for the extra information on the Hogwarts. An SR Pacific in red; that’s a bit much, isn’t it?
As for the Seattle railfan base, it’s pretty healthy. There’s a good-sized group that meets monthly to show slides. I can get the address and contact for you if you’d like.
Paul
I have visited quite a few of the “preserved railways”, but my favorite is the Ffestiniog – said to be the inspiration for Gen. Palmer’s Denver & Rio Grande to be built in narrow gauge.
Here in the UK our VCR (PAL system) can play back
NTSC tapes. Does anyone in the US have a VCR that plays PAL tapes?
Paul,
can you email me off list.
I was at the Bluebell line today and there were three locos running on the Santa specials. have a few pictures of the station at Horsted Keynes, as well as the locos. If you would like to see them let me know and i will send them to you
regards
I was stationed at R.A.F. Lackenheath when I was in the Air Force. I have, I believe, traveled just about every line in the U.K. I met some of the nicest peaple while traveling those lines. It is well worth the trip. I hope when my boy’s are bigger for a return trip and travel all the U.K. by rail. My favorite train watching places were Cardiff and Darby.
TIM A