A question for you train afficionados if I may:
I sing songs in folk clubs and I like to find out if I can the meaning of the words of the songs.
One song I do is In the Sidings written in the 1960s by Cyril Tawney in response to the Beeching cuts, I believe. The song is from the point of view of a station master made redundant. It contains the line "my bogie fires are burning low". Usually pronounced 'boggy'.
What are these bogie fires?
I wonder if he is using 'bogie' to mean engine? (Interestingly, 'boggi' is the Swedish word for 'bogie', but I doubt that's relevant here).
That's a possibility, I guess, but it's an odd word to use...
Mind you, a singer could substitute 'engine' for 'bogie', and it would fit.
I appreciate you folks engaging with this mystery. I'm wondering if 'bogie fires' might refer to something like 'spirit' or life-force rather than a real fire but I'll report back if my research comes up with anything!
I appreciate you folks engaging with this mystery. I'm wondering if 'bogie fires' might refer to something like 'spirit' or life-force rather than a real fire but I'll report back if my research comes up with anything!
I’m not certain, but I believe the grease used to lubricate railway axles and bearings was flammable. It probably still is, but to a lesser extent.
I appreciate you folks engaging with this mystery. I'm wondering if 'bogie fires' might refer to something like 'spirit' or life-force rather than a real fire but I'll report back if my research comes up with anything!
I’m not certain, but I believe the grease used to lubricate railway axles and bearings was flammable. It probably still is, but to a lesser extent.
Given that I am once again at tbe guacamole mine stage of a stinking cold the last thing I need is flammable bogies! The ordinary kind are quite bad enough, thank you.
I appreciate you folks engaging with this mystery. I'm wondering if 'bogie fires' might refer to something like 'spirit' or life-force rather than a real fire but I'll report back if my research comes up with anything!
I’m not certain, but I believe the grease used to lubricate railway axles and bearings was flammable. It probably still is, but to a lesser extent.
Given that I am once again at tbe guacamole mine stage of a stinking cold the last thing I need is flammable bogies! The ordinary kind are quite bad enough, thank you.
Ah, my sympathies. I might have the same thing...my boss would tell you, it's a long time since I have been this...errr...productive.
My best wishes: May you all soon be back from the sidings, getting on the right track, without hitting the buffers. And remember, what do points mean? - Prizes!
According to railway operators, passenger trains are just a subset of freight trains, with the tiresome complication that they have to carry self-loading freight.
According to railway operators, passenger trains are just a subset of freight trains, with the tiresome complication that they have to carry self-loading freight.
I'm now imaging instead of carriages, modified shipping containers sitting on the platform, you get on board the one for your station and when the train pulls in the container gets craned onto a flatbed. Might speed things up!
According to railway operators, passenger trains are just a subset of freight trains, with the tiresome complication that they have to carry self-loading freight.
Harking back for a moment to Cyril Tawney's 'bogie' (or 'boggy') fires, I wonder if he - an ex-Navy man IIRC - was using a piece of naval engineering vernacular, and transposing it incorrectly to railway use?
For some reason or other, came across a rail adventure in the US of A on the video webz, entitled 'Heavy Lift at Dittmar - Union Pacific Wheel Replacement at the Grade Crossing' (!).
Goes entirely as intended, although it looks fairly strange to this 'ere Urpian personnage. They didn't even turn off the crossing's warning sirens for the whole procedure, which apparently lasted 2 hrs! - But hey, it worked.
UP's always been a favourite of mine, probably because of the joyful, bright livery. America, Land of Big Machines and Big People.
AIUI, Accurascale's coaches originated as the erstwhile Hattons 'Genesis' range. They are lovely models, and it's good to see them back - I have a set of three four-wheelers in SECR livery to go with my Hattons SECR P...
As generic models, they (like the upcoming Rapido 'Evolution' coaches) can be produced in an enormous variety of liveries. My only complaint is that both firms' prices are nosebleed-high.
The Evolution range is that bit above the Bachmann and Hornby ranges, but they are comparable to the beautiful hand built coaches such as those built by Edward Exley. I seen to remember they cost about £100 each fifty years ago.
The Exleys did vary in quality and I don't think they'd stand up against the best coaches produced today. I had a nice 0 gauge one in the simpler version of LMS livery.
I am very tempted by the Cambrians as it's a favourite railway. I wonder if there is a plan to produce something to pull them? One of those delightful 2-4-0s would be ideal.
Exleys were good, when compared with the products of Triang, Trix, or Hornby-Dublo back in the 1950s. I never owned one, but AIUI they did run well.
They seem to fetch quite low prices on eBay nowadays - often less than £50 - but, of course, there may well be a certain amount of wear-and-tear.
Yes, I think many have been squirrelled away as “investments” but their time is past, to the disappointment of some who own them, compared to modern mass produced models.
I am very tempted by the Cambrians as it's a favourite railway. I wonder if there is a plan to produce something to pull them? One of those delightful 2-4-0s would be ideal.
Agreed. AIUI, quite a few Cambrian engines were built by Sharp Stewart, who, like Beyer Peacock, seemed to find it hard to turn out an ugly locomotive...
I suggested to Rapido, some time ago (using their online facility) that they might like to consider a Metropolitan Railway 4-4-0T to complement their Met E class 0-4-4T. Whether or not they'll ever produce one is not for me to say, but, if they did, they could include a Cambrian version in the range.
Exleys were good, when compared with the products of Triang, Trix, or Hornby-Dublo back in the 1950s. I never owned one, but AIUI they did run well.
They seem to fetch quite low prices on eBay nowadays - often less than £50 - but, of course, there may well be a certain amount of wear-and-tear.
Yes, I think many have been squirrelled away as “investments” but their time is past, to the disappointment of some who own them, compared to modern mass produced models.
I hear that some people are squirrelling away rather more recent models, such as the Rapido Titfield Thunderbolt set, and some of the Hornby Era 1 locomotives (Rocket, Lion, Tiger, Locomotion ).
The Manx 2-4-0Ts were based on a design for 3'6" gauge lines in Norway, and the original IoM stations (on the Peel line) were very similar to those being built in Norway at about the same time.
I seem to be turning this thread into the Rapido Appreciation thread, but, for those of you who who favour the Great Central Railway, they've just announced a new range of authentic wagons in 00.
I seem to be turning this thread into the Rapido Appreciation thread, but, for those of you who who favour the Great Central Railway, they've just announced a new range of authentic wagons in 00.
That reminds me that the Revd Peter Denny produced some beautiful model railways based on the GCR in pre-grouping days, practically all from scratch. He probably used proprietary electrical controllers but I wouldn’t be surprised if he built those from fairly low level components.
Peter Denny wasn’t then, and probably isn’t now alone in being a railway enthusiast who is or was a cleric or minister. Does anyone know why this should be?
It's not a new phenomenon - offhand, I can think of Rev Edward Beale (a Church of Scotland minister IIRC) with his various 00 or TT West Midland Railways, and the C of E's Bishop Eric Treacy, a well-known railway photographer in his day.
You're right about Rev Peter Denny, and AIUI at least some of his GCR Buckingham Branch survives in preservation. C J Freezer once remarked, apropos some track plans of the real Buckingham station, that it was hard to realise that the town was not served by the Great Central.
Peter Denny's sons were also involved in his modelling activities, resulting in the control system (an early computer?) known as the 'Automatic Crispin'.
Shame on me for forgetting the most famous railway duo of recent years - Rev W Awdry (creator of Thomas The Tank Engine ) and his onetime curate Rev Teddy Boston, whose 2-foot gauge Cadeby Light Railway (in his rectory garden) is almost legendary...
Both modelled in 00 scale, and I recall seeing Rev Awdry's interpretation of Thomas's terminus station (Ffarquahar) at the Model Railway Exhibition in London in 1970. Quite a modest layout, about 6 feet by 4 feet, and of the classic 'Deane' pattern with hidden sidings behind the station*.
Teddy Boston OTOH developed a very large model railway, based firmly on GWR practice, though the scenic work might seem rather crude by today's standards.
*originally devised by the late Maurice Deane, and a general scheme much publicised by C J Freezer in the Railway Modeller of the 1950s and 60s.
I feel there is quite a swing towards pregrouping. If you'd told me, even 5 years ago, that there'd be a whole range of GCR wagons in RTR, I'd have laughed. (And privately, I'd have wondered if you were quite sane.) But here we are.
They're pretty decent models, too. Not just random stuff lettered 'GC'.
Yes. I note that the manufacturers seem to be concentrating on models which can be produced in numerous variations and liveries, from pre-grouping right up until BR days, which makes sense.
Back into my anecdotage... I met the Rev Willard Awdry at his display at the Central Hall when I was very young. He seemed very happy to be there and liked talking to his admirers. I still have some original Thomas the Tank Engine books, though their condition makes sure they won't become collectors items. One theory (CHE again?) was that large manses and rectories had plenty of space for railways, and unmarried clergypersons may have had more time on their hands than those with families as well as congregations. A theory of my own is that it may have something to do with the fact that a good number of hymns make fine accompaniments for visions of steam locomotives, such as This is the day, this is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made... Imagine Rapido's Big Goods on its way north up to Druimuachdar, and it works perfectly. A clapped out WD 2-8-0 on a coal train would go nicely with All people that on Earth do Dwell. And so on.
Back into my anecdotage... I met the Rev Willard Awdry at his display at the Central Hall when I was very young. He seemed very happy to be there and liked talking to his admirers. I still have some original Thomas the Tank Engine books, though their condition makes sure they won't become collectors items. One theory (CHE again?) was that large manses and rectories had plenty of space for railways, and unmarried clergypersons may have had more time on their hands than those with families as well as congregations. A theory of my own is that it may have something to do with the fact that a good number of hymns make fine accompaniments for visions of steam locomotives, such as This is the day, this is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made... Imagine Rapido's Big Goods on its way north up to Druimuachdar, and it works perfectly. A clapped out WD 2-8-0 on a coal train would go nicely with All people that on Earth do Dwell. And so on.
Back into my anecdotage... I met the Rev Willard Awdry at his display at the Central Hall when I was very young. He seemed very happy to be there and liked talking to his admirers. I still have some original Thomas the Tank Engine books, though their condition makes sure they won't become collectors items. One theory (CHE again?) was that large manses and rectories had plenty of space for railways, and unmarried clergypersons may have had more time on their hands than those with families as well as congregations. A theory of my own is that it may have something to do with the fact that a good number of hymns make fine accompaniments for visions of steam locomotives, such as This is the day, this is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made... Imagine Rapido's Big Goods on its way north up to Druimuachdar, and it works perfectly. A clapped out WD 2-8-0 on a coal train would go nicely with All people that on Earth do Dwell. And so on.
An interesting thought!
(BTW - Rev Wilbert Awdry... )
Good grief - old age and mental decrepitude are worse than I thought!
One theory (CHE again?) was that large manses and rectories had plenty of space for railways, and unmarried clergypersons may have had more time on their hands than those with families as well as congregations.
Not true of Awdry, who by all accounts was a conscientious vicar. He was married with a family and his wife got very fed up of being dumped with the children on the beach at Tywyn each year while he went to play trains on the Talyllyn.
Of course this was all long before clergy having to serve six linked benefices in rural areas, haring from one to another on Sundays with a service timetable looking like a page from Bradshaw. ("Please note: Group Service at St What's-her-name's on fifth Sundays except during Lent" ....).
Of course this was all long before clergy having to serve six linked benefices in rural areas, haring from one to another on Sundays with a service timetable looking like a page from Bradshaw. ("Please note: Group Service at St What's-her-name's on fifth Sundays except during Lent" ....).
In places. In rural Lincolnshire my grandfather had 12 churches and routinely did 3 services each Sunday morning (and probably Evensong too) by the 70s.
I was impressed the other day, reading an entry in Kilvert's Diary, that he could wake up early in Llysdinam, decide on a quick trip to St Harmon's, and leave a message saying he'd be back for lunch. Admittedly, Llysdinam seems to be on the outskirts of Newbridge on Wye, only a few stops down the line, but still!
Train to St Harmon's, conversations with various residents, then on to Tylwch, ditto, whence Kilvert walked to Llanidloes and picked up the train back.
You'd be hard pushed to fulfil that itinerary today, and certainly not by public transport.
So much for progress.
Comments
That's a possibility, I guess, but it's an odd word to use...
Mind you, a singer could substitute 'engine' for 'bogie', and it would fit.
Yes, although that doesn't explain the reference to a 'fire'. Alas! Cyril Tawney died in 2005, so we can't ask him what he meant...
An interesting use of the word, but not, I think quite what Mr Tawney was referring to.
The mystery deepens...
I’m not certain, but I believe the grease used to lubricate railway axles and bearings was flammable. It probably still is, but to a lesser extent.
Ah, my sympathies. I might have the same thing...my boss would tell you, it's a long time since I have been this...errr...productive.
I take after my Dad. I love taking photos of trains.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/foWG7v3PFhoHavDe9
The trains all look very sleek, as does the tram. Maybe it's just my impression, but most modern trains seem to resemble elongated trams...
I'm now imaging instead of carriages, modified shipping containers sitting on the platform, you get on board the one for your station and when the train pulls in the container gets craned onto a flatbed. Might speed things up!
True in the old days of sheep and cattle, too.
Just a thought, though Google is no help...
Goes entirely as intended, although it looks fairly strange to this 'ere Urpian personnage. They didn't even turn off the crossing's warning sirens for the whole procedure, which apparently lasted 2 hrs! - But hey, it worked.
UP's always been a favourite of mine, probably because of the joyful, bright livery. America, Land of Big Machines and Big People.
Which reminds me of a delightful old quote.
'What happens to old railway carriages that don't become hen-houses?'
'They become Cambrians!'
As generic models, they (like the upcoming Rapido 'Evolution' coaches) can be produced in an enormous variety of liveries. My only complaint is that both firms' prices are nosebleed-high.
They seem to fetch quite low prices on eBay nowadays - often less than £50 - but, of course, there may well be a certain amount of wear-and-tear.
Yes, I think many have been squirrelled away as “investments” but their time is past, to the disappointment of some who own them, compared to modern mass produced models.
Agreed. AIUI, quite a few Cambrian engines were built by Sharp Stewart, who, like Beyer Peacock, seemed to find it hard to turn out an ugly locomotive...
I suggested to Rapido, some time ago (using their online facility) that they might like to consider a Metropolitan Railway 4-4-0T to complement their Met E class 0-4-4T. Whether or not they'll ever produce one is not for me to say, but, if they did, they could include a Cambrian version in the range.
I hear that some people are squirrelling away rather more recent models, such as the Rapido Titfield Thunderbolt set, and some of the Hornby Era 1 locomotives (Rocket, Lion, Tiger, Locomotion ).
And of course there was a whole family of such locos, from Spain to Australia and the Isle of Man.
Indeed - I believe one of the broad-gauge 4-4-0Ts built for Spain survives in preservation:
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SbMag-AcqrI/Wnjp_4yOtjI/AAAAAAAB5qU/WgaV84AHYh0KWriNfEIZqzr_QcNeNou1ACLcBGAs/s1600/izarra.jpg
The Manx 2-4-0Ts were based on a design for 3'6" gauge lines in Norway, and the original IoM stations (on the Peel line) were very similar to those being built in Norway at about the same time.
The Cambrian ex-Met tanks:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrian_Railways_4-4-0_locomotives
Scroll down to Metropolitan A class rebuilds.
That reminds me that the Revd Peter Denny produced some beautiful model railways based on the GCR in pre-grouping days, practically all from scratch. He probably used proprietary electrical controllers but I wouldn’t be surprised if he built those from fairly low level components.
Peter Denny wasn’t then, and probably isn’t now alone in being a railway enthusiast who is or was a cleric or minister. Does anyone know why this should be?
You're right about Rev Peter Denny, and AIUI at least some of his GCR Buckingham Branch survives in preservation. C J Freezer once remarked, apropos some track plans of the real Buckingham station, that it was hard to realise that the town was not served by the Great Central.
Peter Denny's sons were also involved in his modelling activities, resulting in the control system (an early computer?) known as the 'Automatic Crispin'.
Shame on me for forgetting the most famous railway duo of recent years - Rev W Awdry (creator of Thomas The Tank Engine ) and his onetime curate Rev Teddy Boston, whose 2-foot gauge Cadeby Light Railway (in his rectory garden) is almost legendary...
Both modelled in 00 scale, and I recall seeing Rev Awdry's interpretation of Thomas's terminus station (Ffarquahar) at the Model Railway Exhibition in London in 1970. Quite a modest layout, about 6 feet by 4 feet, and of the classic 'Deane' pattern with hidden sidings behind the station*.
Teddy Boston OTOH developed a very large model railway, based firmly on GWR practice, though the scenic work might seem rather crude by today's standards.
*originally devised by the late Maurice Deane, and a general scheme much publicised by C J Freezer in the Railway Modeller of the 1950s and 60s.
I think Rev Awdry made more than one visit to the MRC exhibition, after he retired from full-time ministry in 1965 (at a relatively early age).
They're pretty decent models, too. Not just random stuff lettered 'GC'.
An interesting thought!
(BTW - Rev Wilbert Awdry...
Good grief - old age and mental decrepitude are worse than I thought!
Of course this was all long before clergy having to serve six linked benefices in rural areas, haring from one to another on Sundays with a service timetable looking like a page from Bradshaw. ("Please note: Group Service at St What's-her-name's on fifth Sundays except during Lent" ....).
In places. In rural Lincolnshire my grandfather had 12 churches and routinely did 3 services each Sunday morning (and probably Evensong too) by the 70s.
Train to St Harmon's, conversations with various residents, then on to Tylwch, ditto, whence Kilvert walked to Llanidloes and picked up the train back.
You'd be hard pushed to fulfil that itinerary today, and certainly not by public transport.
So much for progress.