User talk:Dreamer84/Archive 7

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Archive 7

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Montgreenan

Hello Dreamer. Fair enough. I will get to work on Montgreenan. Any help with the waggonway would be appreciated. Rosser (talk) 13:21, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

Conversion of Infobox images, etc

I note that you have converted several pages into "hardcoded" image size version, however at the same time you have changed (for example Springburn railway station) from SPT to UK station. This has resulted in the loss of the SPT category and the mention of SPT in the infobox (using the pte). I am sure this was an oversight on your part. --Stewart ^(talk) 21:54, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

Gree Viaduct

Was there today, and got the impression that it was very recent (last few weeks)as there was still the access signage in place from the A736, heavy plant at the bottom, and what looked like recent disturbance of the embankments.

Which was the other viaduct towards Giffen which was demolished earlier? --Stewart ^(talk) 21:51, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

It was definately demolished in February, or at least the bulk of it was: I was visiting the area every few weeks to see how it was getting on. The viaduct was still intact on 2nd February, and by 1st March all that was left were the bottoms of the pillers and abutments, quite depressing to look at actually! I visited again on 30th March and there was nothing left.

Giffenmill was the other viaduct demolished a couple of years ago. Often wonder why it took so long for both of them to be demolished: both were given permission in the mid 90s I think. --- Dreamer ⁸⁴ 22:26, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

To think I was so near yet so far - one of my routes to work is from Stewarton to Auchenmade; and another across from Beith to Barrhead. Today I combined these two when heading home passing Auchenmade and up to Lugton, then to Stewarton. --Stewart ^(talk) 22:39, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

Sad to hear of, it was an impressive structure and I don't see the reason in demolishing it as it must have cost a fair bit to organise. Douglasnicol (talk) 20:42, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

There's a bit of information on it on NAC's website (the viaduct uniquely stood over the border of North and East Ayrshire, so both councils had to be consulted on demolition). Apparently despite looking fine the viaduct was in very bad shape, and was going to cost something like 1.2 million pounds to repair the viaduct to working order, or 400k to blow it up.

I think the Kilwinning viaduct is the only remaining one on the disused L&AR now? At least its future is reasonably secure for the time being thanks to the cycle path. Another bridge on the line was demolished last month as well: bridge Number '1' at Ardrossan North is also no more. --- Dreamer ⁸⁴ 23:07, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

Is that the bridge near the site of the old Shell Terminal. What have they done there, closed the road or just made a level road? It was a sizeable bridge which was quite a tight curve though which might also have been a reason for the demolition. Douglasnicol (talk) 14:23, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

That's the one, known as "Shell Bridge" locally. Think it's been demolished due to its 'weak bridge' status as well as the tight curve, preventing anything heavy using the road to get to the harbour etc. They say they are "realigning" the road, so they will probably just make it level on a lesser curve. Ardrossan North's remaining platforms have also been partially removed as a result of the bridge demolition too. That whole area is meant to become housing so I'd imagine it won't be long until the platforms are completely removed. --- Dreamer ⁸⁴ 14:30, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

Ardrossan Town

I'm the one that put in the info that the old bay platforms were used by DMU's when the station closed, I used to see it walking by there. I don't know what they were doing there, maybe a form of local storage or something, but the fact that the lines into the bays were retained must mean something. Douglasnicol (talk) 14:33, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

Template:Caledonian colour

Very handy, will save some time when I'm changing colours and won't have to keep copying the code to clipboard. What is your technique for working out the 'lighter' colour? You mentioned something before about 'adding 2' but not sure how that works when I compare a standard colour with its light equivalent. Was trying to work out the light code for solid black for British Rail lines. --- Dreamer ⁸⁴ 11:42, 16 April 2008 (UTC)

I think for the BR Black I used a light grey that was suitable for putting a wikilink onto - #888888

As regards the "adding 2) - take the CR colour - #496799. Add 2 to each digit 4>>6; 9>>b; 6>>8; 7>>9; 9>>b; 9>>b to give 6b89bb

Consider the NBR - #8f691e. To go light add 2 to each digit - 8>>a; f>>f (f is as high as hex goes); 6>>8; 9>>b; 1>>3; e>>f (f is the limit) to give af8b3f

Try it for yourself. --Stewart ^(talk) 11:55, 16 April 2008 (UTC)

You might like to create colour templates for the G&SWR. --Stewart ^(talk) 13:23, 16 April 2008 (UTC)

GPK&AR locomotive

Many thanks for your enquiry. Since there is a detailed answer, I've answered it on the GPK&AR article's talk page. Best wishes Chevin (talk) 07:21, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

Infobox Riccarton

On the Kilmarnock-Troon railway, I notice on the historical rail section there is a blank page for Riccarton. I remember the old railway embankment on Riccarton, basically where the dual carriageway now is sited over the main road. However, web searches don't seem to return any results on a Riccarton railway station so I don't know if there was one. The only part of that line that still exists is a bit further east at the oil terminal which joins onto the main Kilmarnock line. Douglasnicol (talk) 15:04, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

I travel on the A71 past the BP oil terminal most days, and recently I have been attempting to work out were the Darvel Branch link connected. As to the route of the link from the Kilmarnock - Troon line I have come to the conclusion that it has totally been covered by the A71, however I can not work out were a station could be located. I think it possible is just by the Fire Station, but not sure. --Stewart ^(talk) 15:45, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

I've replied indepth on Douglasnicol's talk page but yeah that's pretty much where it was, next to the Fire station. The A71 seems to follow the railway route pretty much exactly between the station and near the roundabout south of Crosshouse. If you're travelling west on the A71 look to the left just before the roundabout and you'll see the only surviving section of embankment in a field. This would have been just before the line connected with the Kilmarnock/Troon line. --- Dreamer ⁸⁴ 15:51, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

The road bridge basically is directly on the site of the old rail bridge. I have a number of books on Old Kilmarnock, the Stenlake one, Alloway Publishings book and a more recent Memories of Scotland series book, there are a number of pictures of the bridge, though not directly, it's usually a picture of the street with the bridge in the background. There probably was also sidings that served the now vanished power station that was built for the old tram service. It's possible the bridge afforded entrance to the station in the same way that a lot of stations are entered in Glasgow, through an entryway in the bridge supports (I'm not describing that very well I'm afraid) Douglasnicol (talk) 19:11, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I remember the entrance up to the station on the western side of the road.Rosser (talk) 16:53, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

Hi Dreamer. The Reference for my Craigie info is - Robin, G. H. (1962), The Nith Valley Route. The Railway Magazine, January P. 23. Rosser (talk) 16:53, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

I came onto this conversation following some other links. Riccarton station (in the county of Ayr) is listed in the David and Charles reprint of The Railway Clearing House Handbook of Railway Stations 1904. The station entry links it to Kilmarnock, where it is described as being on the loop line - Kilmarnock to Gatehead. The accommodation is described as G(oods) & F(urniture vans, carriages, Portable engines and Machines on wheels); there was no P(asenger) accommodation, but it had a 3 ton 0 cwt crane.Pyrotec (talk) 21:54, 6 May 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the information Pyrotec, and for the reference Rosser. Saw today that its actually shown in Jowett's Atlas as well, marked as goods only of course. Now the question is: does the station deserve an article since it was goods only, or should it just be featured on the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway article? And should it be part of the 'station boxes' such as in Gatehead railway station? --- Dreamer ⁸⁴ 22:08, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

It should at the very least be part of the station boxes and maybe does deserve an article of its own for two reasons. We have Ardeer Works which was a passenger platform, albeit a private one, but there is also mentioned on the Ayr-Glasgow line in the historical section I believe, or perhaps another line, a station that was planned but never built and it has its own article. Douglasnicol (talk) 00:30, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Personal question

You arent a member of a three-towns website are you? I was looking for some info on Ardrossan Harbour and there was a forum on one site with a guy by the user name of Dreamer. Douglasnicol (talk) 18:29, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

Modern Railways reference

As you've probably noticed I've been trying to get Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway up to GA status (and hopefully eventually FA status), but the Cook Street Bridge reference has reared its head again as an issue (see our previous discussion here). The reference needs to be fixed before the GA can be passed, or alternatively we perhaps could hide the sentence as a comment until an exact source is tracked down? I'm also keen to hear if you have any suggestions for improving the article. I intend next to work on expanding the LMS days section and to get some rolling stock info put in for that period as well as the G&SW era. Some period photographs are also a must I think. --- Dreamer ⁸⁴ 19:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Two reasons why I am convinced that this is the way to go. I observed the trains at the site of Milliken Park station in July 1973, and as my father had a subscription to Modern Railways at the time. I recall seeing the pictures of the bridge missing at Cook Street in Modern Railway a month or so later (unfortunately these have now been disposed of). I guess the Mitchell Library may be able to help with backissues. Sorry I can not be of more help. --Stewart ^(talk) 21:50, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Ardrossan North citation

Regarding the citations for the bitumen sidings being accessible from the former G&SWR line near Winton Pier, it's mentioned here.

http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Lanarkshire_and_Ayrshire_Railway/frame.htm

Would you be able to work that in as a reference. The track remained for many years basically until the electrification when Scotrail seemingly went on the rampage and tore up a load of track during the project, but I'm not sure if the sidings were still used up until then. Douglasnicol (talk) 22:02, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

The Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway page doesn't give an ending date for the use of the sidings, but RAILSCOT's Ardrossan Railway page gives the 1980s date so I've referenced that. I was aware of the sidings remaining in place, I just couldn't find a citable reference, so thanks for the RAILSCOT heads-up. :-) --- Dreamer ⁸⁴ 22:37, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Ardrossan Harbour Railway Station

I notice someone has placed a picture there of the old Winton Pier station noting that it was closed and replaced by the present day Ardrossan Harbour station. Should that pic of the Winton Pier station not be moved there. I remember the covered canopy being there, but never remember it being used as by that time the Arran ferry was using the ramp slightly further west to unload cars. Douglasnicol (talk) 16:12, 9 July 2008 (UTC)