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LNER Beaver tail observation saloons, what's happening with them ?

Discussion in 'Heritage Rolling Stock' started by toplight, Dec 29, 2017.

  1. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

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    Nah be fine if its at the smokebox end of the loco....
     
  2. Richard Roper

    Richard Roper Well-Known Member

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    It certainly would be fine for me, as long as the windows opened as well!

    Richard.
     
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  3. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    When the Kyle line still had loco hauled services, the former DMU car observation saloon no. 6300 remained at the Inverness end of the train and wasn't moved. It was still quite popular.
     
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  4. Johann Marsbar

    Johann Marsbar Well-Known Member

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    As was the GWR saloon they were using in 1984....

    r84-251.JPG
     
  5. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Was that Bill McAlpines?
     
  6. Johann Marsbar

    Johann Marsbar Well-Known Member

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    Don't know who owned it, but it appears to have been used as the regular observation car on the Kyle line from the end of the 1970's at least until 1984. I was on a 2 week All-Line Railrover at that time, but I didn't bother travelling on it. I did, however travel on the LMS saloon that was being used on Oban to Glasgow trains that year. I think it was something like a £5 supplement to travel in it and not many other passengers bothered, which was surprising.
    As an aside, if you look closely, the nameplates on 37 260 are still covered up, the loco not being officially named Radio Highland until a day or two after I took the photo.
     
  7. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    Why? Hebridean wasn't turned at Kyle, which made the added concession for being in it a bit cheeky when 1/3 of the view was the nose of a 37 rather than rugged Highland scenery.
     
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  8. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I’d quite happily pay for the view of the nose of an EE Type 3 in Scotland, for me it’s the equivalent of sticking a tenner in a a certain persons clothing in a certain venue! ;):)
     
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  9. Richard Roper

    Richard Roper Well-Known Member

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    Diesel-wise I'd go for a 27 or 25. But for steam I'd go for anything - But preferably a Stanier 5 or The Great Marquess.

    Richard.
     
  10. MuzTrem

    MuzTrem Member

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    Having done the Kyle line for the first time a few weeks ago, I would certainly have made use of an obs if there had been one. The views were still good from the ordinary DMU but I'm sure they would have been even better from a saloon...

    Sent from my SM-A125F using Tapatalk
     
  11. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    NZ railways have open-sided observation cars. Rode a large portion of the way from Picton to Christchurch listening to the DC(?) Doing it's stuff (and getting covered in bits of cicada, which was less nice...
     
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  12. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    Interesting that they did not bother attaching the GW saloon to the rear of the train at Kyle in 1984. They certainly ran it round when I travelled in 1979 as seen here with 26025 79-8-16 12 26025 Kyle of Lochalsh.jpg

    And here is the view from the rear observation saloon leaving Strathcarron. It was indeed owned by Bill Macalpine at that time and a lovely vehicle to travel in 79-8-16 16 view Strathcarron copy.jpg

    Peter
     
  13. jsm8b

    jsm8b Part of the furniture

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    Still shunting the saloon to the rear of the train in 1982. By 1984 the 37s had largely taken over, though I don't recall the saloon on the train I went to Kyle on that year.

    Attadale merge Summer 1982.jpg
     
  14. jsm8b

    jsm8b Part of the furniture

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    Actually Matt you could have indulged yourself on the Mallaig line in 1983 with an observation saloon at both ends of the train.
    With the coming of steam trains the following year these were discontinued.

    32ct83c175 37012 'Loch Rannoch' Glenfinnan Viaduct 090983.jpg
     
  15. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Would have been a tad difficult for me Scott, my Mum didn’t have a headache in late June 1983 so I entered the world in 1984, 2001 was the first time I made my way that far North and West. 37427, 62005 and 37415 were the weapons of choice between Edinburgh and Mallaig that week :)
     
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  16. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    They did survive into the steam revival era, Scott. This is a view taken at Arisaig on Tues. 29/5/84 during the first week of steam operation.
    84-5-29 11 copy.jpg

    It shows 5407 on a two coach special for the Royal Navy crossing the mid morning Mallaig - Glasgow train which was hauled by a certain 37264, which seems to have plagued me this summer on the NYMR. Only one saloon per train that year.

    Peter
     
  17. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Sad news from Railway Vehicle Preservations today.

    Screenshot_20221229-152553~2.png
     
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  18. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Really shocked to hear of Brian’s passing. He was posting on his Facebook page over Christmas from his hospital bed and saying he’d be in there for a few days longer. Sadly he didn’t make it. Railway preservation in general and the world of TPOs in particular has lost a great servant. RIP Brian.
     
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  19. S.A.C. Martin

    S.A.C. Martin Part of the furniture

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    It's really difficult to "like" these sort of posts because of the content, but please treat my "likes" as a sign of respect above.

    Really sad to hear this, his work on the TPOs and RVP is well known and we have lost a great fount of knowledge.
     
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  20. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    That is such a shame. As Ian shared his last Facebook post from his hospital bed seemed so optimistic
     

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