Steve's Recent Activity
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Steve liked The Green Howards's post in the thread Oil Firing.
I remember the large number of trains that used to run out of Hitchin carrying scrap from the huge processing plant nearby that were ultimately destined for China. The steel we got in return was, shall we say, not the best...
Aug 9, 2026 at 10:55 PM -
Steve liked 60044's post in the thread Oil Firing.
A more constructive question is how far will it be possible to go with electric arc furnaces? AIUI they are only suitable for recycling scrap steel, and presumably the supply of that will diminish over time as we build more and recycle a...
Aug 9, 2026 at 10:55 PM -
Steve liked std tank's post in the thread Oil Firing.
What do you want, steel or crap steel?
Aug 9, 2026 at 7:15 PM -
Steve replied to the thread Oswestry Update.
My Mars Bar is backing Robin with this. I’ve just been out. Back now. Edit: SWMBO disagrees with me. :(
Aug 8, 2026 at 9:10 PM -
Steve liked Thompson1706's post in the thread The Dinting Railway Centre.
Why did he move to Ingrow following his death ? Bob.
Aug 8, 2026 at 1:24 PM -
Steve liked Dag Bonnedal's post in the thread Oil Firing.
As many of the participants in this discussion has pointed out, oil firing does not have a strong tradition in the UK, still it is viewed by many as the eventual way forward. What often is lost in the debate is the actual role of coal firing in...
Aug 7, 2026 at 10:59 PM -
Steve liked LMS2968's post in the thread SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions.
We don't know why but it is; the older SVR drivers who worked both it and Black Five 5110 will tell you the same. Both these engines worked eight-coach trains southbound over the Central Wales line and the difference in speed is notable; 2968's...
Aug 7, 2026 at 8:48 PM -
Steve liked LMS2968's post in the thread SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions.
As I said, Steve, we don't know why but it was a common comment from several drivers, and these were BR men and not from preservation. It applied to all the class and not just 2968; they said the same about the Horwich Crabs too. Remember that...
Aug 7, 2026 at 8:47 PM -
Steve liked Flying Phil's post in the thread 34039 Boscastle WC class.
The shareholders of Boscastle Locomotive Ltd received excellent news recently that there has been a full and final settlement of the insurance claim following the theft of parts three years ago. It is said that this will cover about 90% of the...
Aug 7, 2026 at 7:04 PM -
Steve liked Jamessquared's post in the thread Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development.
And in tomorrow’s episode of “Lynbarn states the bloody obvious”, we examine the issue of “rails - why there is no substitute for ensuring they are laid everywhere the trains need to go”. Tom
Aug 7, 2026 at 7:01 PM -
Steve replied to the thread SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions.
2968 'on spec' is a theoretical 4.5% stronger loco than an 'on spec' Black 5 but that's only a simple analysis. If hauling a train, the balancing force of the Black 5 was (say) 23,000 lbf, that would leave 2,455 lbf lf available for...
Aug 7, 2026 at 6:51 PM -
Steve liked 3855's post in the thread SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions.
I was privileged to be rostered driver on 2968 during it's post gala appearance at the ELR last autumn. I was impressed by it, a very nice machine. Having driven 42765 on many occasions i would describe the Stanier version as being sure footed...
Aug 7, 2026 at 6:23 PM -
Steve replied to the thread The Dinting Railway Centre.
That's the one I was referring to. Couldn't remember what name it went by. I think that, between Peniston and Meadowhall, there as a plan to operate a line along the Rother Valley in South Yorkshire through the proposed Rother Valley Country...
Aug 7, 2026 at 2:31 PM
