Caledonian Railway Association Forum

They do indeed.
JimS

Yes, it is the passing loop with the signalbox embodied in the signalman's house. It came under the Station Master at Doune, a Mr Cuthbert, much of whose correspondence exists in two large files (not in our possession, though. At least, not yet). I agree it is surprising for potato loading, but some...

A while ago there was a flurry of correspondence about how potato traffic was loaded into wagons, particularly in regard to Ayshire. We have just been given some correspondence for the Archives, and this relates to a proposed facility for loading at Drumvaich. It is stated that the potatoes would be...

Tom kindly pointed out Harold Bowtell's article in the SLS Journal. I passed that information on to the author of the forthcoming Middleton Press book, Dennis Lovett, who was the original inquirer. He followed up Tom's lead and has written: "Just to let you know that the E-bay-procured copy of ...

Jim,
I tangled with this business of nomenclature on Page 15 of "Operating the Caledonian Vol. Two".

Brian is of course quite right in regard to the Aberdeen Road.

JimS

Thanks, Jim.
Another area for someone to research sometime.

JImS

Folks will know of the recently published Middleton Press book surveying the Caley line from Carlisle to Beattock. The author, Dennis Lovett, is currently working on Beattock to Carstairs but has hit a brick wall with the fourth of the reservoir railways which were built on a temporary basis to aid ...

I am quite struck by what a splendid show this must have been, with great variety and no expense spared. When companies today are keen to show what they do for the community, these old railway companies were clearly more involved with the community than we might have thought. Mind you, the LMS would...

I have always assumed they were for shunting poles, but can I find the picture to substantiate that?
JimS

I've been through the CRA archives, Niall, and the Forum of Scottish Line Societies site, but without success.
JimS

An episode of Great Coastal Railway Journeys due to be transmitted on Tuesday 25th January 2022 on BBC2 at 6.30pm features Michael Portillo, CR419 and the Caley coaches on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. Some good shots of the cab and firing, with some rather nice aerial views of Caledonian Train...

Actually, the drawings were also 7mm, like the model.
I have the article and drawings, which include a photo by Brian Monaghan, and will be in touch with Loch Awe.

JimS

That double-header and train is quite a sight, Ross.
A nice ending to the year that's nearly awa'

JimS

Impressive, Ross.
And what are your New Year Resolutions?

JimS

The valuable Railscot website is releasing a series of pictures of the Balerno branch over the three days from Christmas Day.

Try https://www.railscot.co.uk/latest/2021/12/25/

Greetings for the remainder of the season,

JimS

Thanks for your latest update, Paul. It made me look back to your earlier message mentioning how you would tackle the viaduct and its lattice work. I attach some photos, which are nothing to do with the Caley, but do show how my friend and donor of useful stuff to the CRA Archives, the late Richard ...

As a matter of interest, Jim, the narrator is a well-established resident in the West Highlands. He has narrated all the other ones and is the technical guru behind it all, video and sound. I declined to do the voice-over and asked him to do this one because of his clearer delivery and experience. J...

With the diet of seasonal fare imminent on television, it is pleasing to be able to advise you that the video of the train working through Perth has just been uploaded for your delight. It was made with the assistance of FARSAP, which has been recording for posterity the actual working of signalboxe...

Thanks, Graham.
Wonderful how one thing leads to another in these discussions, and often solves it.
JimS

Thanks, Robert.

I imagine a number of us will be pleased to see that diagram. It was new to me at least.
It certainly looks an easier arrangement, but maybe was an LMS alteration, from the diagram date.
Always more to learn . . . .

Jim

Yes, Neil, it was a single line on a narrow formation. The runback catchpoints would be hazardous if approached in a facing direction. So one side of the loop had them and one not. You are not the first person to be puzzled, as the attached photo from an old Model Railway Constructor shows. Also att...

During yesterday's grand tour of the lines south of Hamilton on our webinar, a question arose from Neil about interlaced, or gauntletted, track. I regret that my explanation was not very lucid, but perhaps this photo will help. It shows the Caley's Braidhurst Viaduct being heavily repaired in the ea...

For what it is worth, the attached photo shows a model I made very, very many years ago from that kit. I recall having to fudge a lot, and was not convinced in the end by the tender. But as I say, it was a long time ago, and does, I suppose, prove that a working model to P4 standards of gauge if not...

A friend of mine, Greg Beecroft recently gave a talk on Wemyss Bay station to Inverclyde Heritage Network. They recorded this and it can be found on their website at https://www.inverclydeheritage.network/heritage-talks and it will interest many of us. Greg points out that this was aimed at a genera...

No need for apologies, Ian!
This is all part of the fascination of the old Caledonian, of the way it did things, and of its role in history.

JimS