CORRECTIONS

In the first instalment of ‘One Hit Wonders’, Anthony Coulls believes the first steamings of No. 2500 took place around 1977. I believe he is a little out on his dates, as I photographed the engine repainted in LMS livery and giving rides in July 1972.

I hope that the NRM can spare the funds to eventually get this iconic locomotive back into working order. The only thing better would be a two-cylinder version on a rake of LMS non-corridors… we can always dream!

Ray Hulock, Isle of Man.

In your Class Survey, Union Pacific ‘Big Boys’ (SR494), you refer to these locomotives as Mallets.

As I understand it, Mallets are compound articulated, such as the Norfolk and Western giants, whereas ‘Big Boys’ are Simple articulated. Richard Gowing, Congleton

In SR494 (Top Link), Mike Hedderly mentions the current Blackpool North station and its history.

The current station is actually built on what was called the excursion platforms which, as the name implies, received and dispatched most of the seasonal traffic. These were built north of the original station, alongside it but 100 yards further east. Pete Sutcliffe, by email

The news story ‘Double Gloucester’ (SR494) suggests that No. 7029 has yet to visit the station since its recently completed overhaul. However, it has already passed through, when hauling the May 29 ‘Welsh Marches Express’ on its way to Hereford via Chepstow and Newport. With Ray Churchill at the controls, the trip was wonderful, ran to time and, as always, is a tribute to Vintage Trains and the Tyseley team’s professionalism.

Mike Dufton, by email

Apologies to any Maunsell enthusiasts whose hopes of a new-build ‘E1’ were raised by last issue’s cover taster. It should have simply said ‘E’, as per the SECR 4-4-0 that the Brighton Atlantic Project team intends to build – Ed.