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Mike Ashworth replied to the discussion Your Best April Fools Day Pranks in the forum Other Railway Adventures

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:38:13 +0100

Reply to Your Best April Fools Day Pranks

The truth is Michael that I have actually been under the Metrolink vehicles looking as how to mount equipment under the high (“BR’ standard) floor, at that visit batteries were discussed using the same technology as in the battery powered ex underground trains.

In one of the offices it showed proposed routes. One of which was the ELR, I did…

Michael Holden started the discussion Your Best April Fools Day Pranks in the forum Other Railway Adventures

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:31:59 +0100

Your Best April Fools Day Pranks

We have seen lots of great April Fools jokes so far today, which got us thinking, what is your favourite rail-related April Fools.

Let us know in this forum post with any links you have!

Steam locomotive parking sensors to duck railway crossings – what is your favourite April Fools?

railadvent.co.uk

Steam locomotive parking sensors to duck railway crossings - what is your favourite April Fools?

Today is the 1st April, a morning when railways share their weird and wacky ideas about projects they would like to undertake.

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: I read an old rail yarn of mine of a year or so […]

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:22:39 +0100

I read an old rail yarn of mine of a year or so ago! Dreadful Composition? Something goes awry between my brain and my index typing finger? Even now I check its not raining outside as I have washing on the line! So I don’t dither or mention stuff like that anymore? But its mid 1960s, Driver and I have steam out of Bristol Temple meads…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: THE most important item of steam locomotion is its […]

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:58:58 +0000

THE most important item of steam locomotion is its Injector! Twinned, With single drain to atmosphere, Is Water inlet, followed by usually boiler face steam, then back to water for ‘tuning’ into song and with no waste, (bar the odd drip)! Done while clamping your hat down in that self induced hurricane of a wind outside the window? The 280 PSI…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Transportation in a 1000 years will look back on Steam […]

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:18:04 +0000

Transportation in a 1000 years will look back on Steam with modern Carbon break elements that suppress vast temperatures to give boiler and super heating pipework inspections a life of a hundred years or more! Steam was the beginning of passenger movement! It followed the horse! Steam will be the start of our desire to go off somewhere…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Come the mid 1950s, The Bulleid Merchant Navy would […]

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:38:11 +0000

Come the mid 1950s, The Bulleid Merchant Navy would adopt the Walshaert gear invented in 1844 (Some 110 years before), And to also loose its streamlining to become known as a Converted! Its nice to see that some of the lighter (34s) E.G Westcountry, Battle of Britain or Squadron sorts kept their entire form! (For histories sake)! Most…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: A narrow walkway then cross the engines width to pass […]

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:08:49 +0000

A narrow walkway then cross the engines width to pass engine 2? Bath road office send three of us out to learn steam heating boilers! Can you imagine the end of steam in 1965 and having to squirt diesel spray onto a hot coil to produce steam! And a lot of steam! (This boiler was no toy) The big fireman in front of me sprayed copious amounts…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Local Westcountry group 'Muse' sing (Time Running […]

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 13:08:49 +0000

Local Westcountry group ‘Muse’ sing (Time Running Out)? I’m amazed at their million’s of viewings on YouTube! I can still see my old driver of so long ago staring at his Time piece at his favoured personal places as we pound along, While putting the many miles behind us, To hit Exeter or Bristol rail platforms to Time! Charity shop watches…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: A very young fireman visits the stores! Elvis cuts a […]

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:20:13 +0000

A very young fireman visits the stores! Elvis cuts a new disk! And the parents of a new group called the Beatles suggest maybe they should get a proper job! Your two roughly hewn cotton ‘Rusty’ cloths are now joined by one Drivers soft cloth that you guard as your life! You come on shed for a bit of coal! In the mess room you may well be…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: We cross busy middle fast lines for our relief train […]

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:14:37 +0000

We cross busy middle fast lines for our relief train and working return to Bristol! (steam) Buck up! Pullman coming says my driver? Rail ‘Change over’ is like leaving your holiday hotel in Spain! (Have I got everything)? Tea Caddy, Coats, Drivers fags? Sweets? We jump down from platform and cross many lines? Hence the Buck up! The Welsh…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: (Late 1950s) I Would pass the inspector to go […]

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:26:30 +0000

(Late 1950s) I Would pass the inspector to go banking! (Assist heavy trains on inclines), But then join small groups on regular Branch line duties for city runs and the sea side visits of the river estuary to Jurassic coastline! And the beaches that would attract the summer’s holiday maker! And the last train of the day! Six mile from home?…

alexf posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: I got summoned into the office last Saturday by our head […]

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:41:23 +0000

I got summoned into the office last Saturday by our head of steam. Wondered what was up as he went hunting through the shelves before coming up with a slightly damp, mildewed book and handing it to me. “The Bible,” he says.

I took it home, let it dry out, and cleaned the cover using a soft brush with some diluted alcohol (isopropyl, not gin!).…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: And Fowler / Stanier brought us the Jubilee! […]

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:43:45 +0000

And Fowler / Stanier brought us the Jubilee! Something clicked for me to find the Silver Jubilee of George the ‘V’, Fine Silver Crown coins including his Jubilee of 1935! The 5/- Crown, But my Southern railway brown envelope (pay packet) contains 1/2 crown, tanner’s, and pence? (15 shilling a fire turn)? This on top of my £3- 9 shilling a…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: There's yarns a bit saucy that i shouldn't put on […]

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:23:08 +0000

There’s yarns a bit saucy that i shouldn’t put on here? But swapping my yard 82 standard for the lovely 41 Ivatt isn’t one of them! But passenger train lull meant shunting time! Shooting groups of wagons off at speed! Just me and Mac the Russian Ballerina? He would insert his pole to lift the coupling at speed! And leap to breast it and…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: A recent picture on here showed 35023 (Holland Africa […]

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 12:22:41 +0000

A recent picture on here showed 35023 (Holland Africa Line) Not to be confused with sister namesake Holland America? (35022). The cruise ships company you would venture to all main African countries maybe? But in late 1950’s my ACE’ Atlantic coast express engines i would meet to take to pits as a 15 year old kid in late 1958? And that kid…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Pencil n paper to jot numbers of steam engines I (We) […]

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:58:40 +0000

Pencil n paper to jot numbers of steam engines I (We) would take to scrap! But steam was dead, Long live King diesel everyone would cry! I would see some with Con’ rods removed and in their tender! This day to mean the lack of cylinder motion? Clever people to have a reason to make me once ponder! But I hook up a few or four or five and we…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: I should add to below that early rail on ballast […]

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:50:29 +0000

I should add to below that early rail on ballast overcome bad roads, flooding n potholes? But my three irons to each loco showed the ‘Pricker’ only fit to push out the ash pans, The long handled shovel a Godsend for them engines with no drop bars? with loop to protect your hands? (When spooning clinker out the cab doors)! But the Dart for…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Richard Trevithic's steam loco ran the streets of […]

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:57:49 +0000

Richard Trevithic’s steam loco ran the streets of Cornwall in 1801, 1804 he pulls a train of 10 ton of iron ore and 70 passengers! But It would take the finance of the (New ‘Recoinage’ age) to produce the new Gold Sovereign under King George 111 in 1817 to finance or invest into Stephenson’s Rocket in 1829! Currencies of countries rise…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: So many sorts of loco these days? But I was steam until […]

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 11:31:56 +0000

So many sorts of loco these days? But I was steam until the end of 1965! From the end of 1964, the advent to the new adventure of diesel one or two times a week began! A different form of traction and steam train heating boilers to learn about! But then to just ‘sit’ and watch signals flashing by! Come the end of 1965 the steam shed of Midland…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Tony and I are in the same class at school! Work choice […]

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:31:14 +0000

Tony and I are in the same class at school! Work choice of the railway and he asked if he might ride the 12 mile to work on the railway with me? A quiet 15 yr old not so energetic on hills! But we would set out at 4 AM to give us 2 hours of cycling for plenty of time to get to work! His phone line was busy when I tried to contact him last…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Ok, So I am no lover of great heights! But we come […]

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:15:58 +0000

Ok, So I am no lover of great heights! But we come to ‘Meldon’ quarry nr Okehampton tender first, Tarpaulin up if raining? I have 30841 Maunsell come Urie twin front bogy S15 sort? Exmth jct has many Maunsells? So my Maureen takes many empties out over the Viaduct to shunt, and sort, for the putting together of the loaded train for home! So…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: So much talk of infringement of EU states and talk of […]

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 10:32:49 +0000

So much talk of infringement of EU states and talk of war! We send warships to sea! We poke the Hornets nest once too often! For my daft yarns to become reality? Pre mapping of all our incoming Fuel lines and communication network are severed by heavy seabed anchor? And submersible craft? We sit on our own! Our sea going ships loose that…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: I would rate the humble 'Blower' second fiddle to only […]

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:30:40 +0000

I would rate the humble ‘Blower’ second fiddle to only the Injectors (or ‘jiggers’ to some) themselves! But maybe only after your first blowback of its first pale brown hue in the cab! And its ignition when gently stirring the black coals of an engine that’s stood a long time! It’s fires been ‘blacked out’ for hours? I spose them firemen that…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Voyager, Refurbished of 'Litchurch Lane'! And Looking […]

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:48:17 +0000

Voyager, Refurbished of ‘Litchurch Lane’! And Looking good in recent pictures on here! (Voyager is an old seafaring term), To voyage! It will travel to the Moon and back many times with many passengers! Little peace for the rail locomotive! But a (Space) event 48 years ago in 1977 was to be called Mariner? But became Voyager 1 and 2?…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: You see some mighty odd coupling methods this day? Like […]

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:43:27 +0000

You see some mighty odd coupling methods this day? Like the super voyager of Derby! Wouldn’t fancy coupling that! Back in the day, I would go straight to the vacuum pipes! With an engine coming on to our coaches from the rear! Or my driver not destroying our vacuum, I would prevent something silly happening! Snatch that ribbed pipe at an angle…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Seeing 'low loader' wagons on here recently, […]

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:20:55 +0000

Seeing ‘low loader’ wagons on here recently, fondly reminds me of 65 yr ago when my engine would bellow through the forest of the ‘steepish’ incline to the southern coast, (at the western end of the Jurassic coast)! Pulling umpteen low loaders of VW Vans to be converted into VW Camper vans that were all the rage back then! Such colours!…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: (Late 1950s to mid 60s) I would transfer on the 3rd […]

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:32:13 +0000

(Late 1950s to mid 60s) I would transfer on the 3rd pref’ rule from Southern to Bristol sheds Midland, GWR mix of loco in 64? Its all a bit hazy now? (8 yrs)? but no rail retirement pension plan! / money? Many Oliver Bulleid engines would come n go on the Southern! From Mail delivery boy, to cleaner and fireman, the young man would have…

BrunelN joined the group Other Railway Adventures

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:23:00 +0000

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: My word! We feed steam with a coal chute from on high! […]

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 17:06:53 +0000

My word! We feed steam with a coal chute from on high! Dig all Bristol Marsh engines out to Feed the Diesels that replace them! Spill a bit to stink the place out? I would hate working there from Bath road shed! But now I recently see a Unit powered by Batteries?? So why not combine the crane hoist that would separate a steam engine from…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: The Atlantic sea bed is strewn with Merchant shipping! […]

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:48:35 +0000

The Atlantic sea bed is strewn with Merchant shipping! A good writers subject for someone with time to spare! But Bulleid counterparts of the lighter Battle of Britain or Squadron classes requires a fast typing finger! A pint! And Paracetamol? So rather than the U-Boat, Then the Stuka bomber would be decimated by the Tangmere boys to not be…

alexf posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Had a day off from my usual narrow gauge work when I […]

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:12:29 +0000

Had a day off from my usual narrow gauge work when I got invited to spend a day helping out at a standard gauge loco shed. In between a lot of grinding and drilling (and getting to see some stuff I unfortunately can’t share) I also got to climb inside the firebox of a loco being restored, a first for me and an amazing experience.

I was a…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Gran said, If you earn a pound you don't spend a pound […]

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 14:46:46 +0000

Gran said, If you earn a pound you don’t spend a pound and a penny! And i would ruin a good trolly when hauling wind blown firewood about the countryside! But then the railway! On land given over to engines as old as Gran herself! Even the Bulleid’s were relatively modern! End of war, 1945 or so? But then I put Tangmere (An ‘Unconverted’…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Late 1950s, You become a Passed Cleaner! (You still […]

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:42:30 +0000

Late 1950s, You become a Passed Cleaner! (You still clean engines/ oil n paraffin mix)! But Inspector says your fit to fire or do other things? Or fit to do something but no one knows what yet? Maybe an incoming fireman falls off his bike! And suddenly your tearing over North Devon on a twin bogy Maunsell! A nice engine if not going tender…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: There was never a bad steam engine! Just a few needing […]

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:06:59 +0000

There was never a bad steam engine! Just a few needing a little service? You get relieved of your outward journey! Cross many lines with two fast through lines, To wait your return to Bristol! Its the bright red Royal mail coaches, And its late! Eventually it enters the long platform! What’s it to be this night? Your eyes dart over the…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: So I resort to telling my mates missus my true yarn of […]

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:53:52 +0000

So I resort to telling my mates missus my true yarn of my north coast run on Southern Maunsell or maybe Bristol Standard sorts? When travelling east for me to have to cross the cab floor when my driver shout’s WHALES? My Young eyes search that wide Severn estuary to see not a sausage! Certainly no huge Ocean Mammal, No, No, You dipstick…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: A recent mention of Storm Ingrid kicking Dawlish sea wall […]

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 10:34:51 +0000

A recent mention of Storm Ingrid kicking Dawlish sea wall as it passed up the Atlantic Ocean, reminded me of 1960s when older drivers born of steam to live with steam, But then to clamber onto many horse powers of Diesel! I myself discovered the screen wipers on a type 22? A gentle touch of throttle as apposed to grabbing a handful of stiff…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: There's talk of some disruption to the Dawlish section […]

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:34:55 +0000

There’s talk of some disruption to the Dawlish section of the GW Plymouth, Penzance line? High tide of (3-50 meter) at 9-35pm (this evening) with an angry looking sea? Portugal named the storm Ingrid, As it passes Lands End! (It doesn’t look too bad on Youtube at the moment)! But trains getting a good wash!

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Transferring under the old Rule 3 preference system […]

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:22:49 +0000

Transferring under the old Rule 3 preference system meant somewhere new to rest your head! A wash? A Bath and totally different steam loco’s! My old Z banker had eight drive wheel’s! But its dark and I ponder this new sheds inhabitants of Western, Standard and Midland stuff! I’m not very old! On my tod! Its dark, When I look, Then straighten…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: On this day 50 years ago, Concord took to the skies! […]

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:52:52 +0000

On this day 50 years ago, Concord took to the skies! But what Carbon footprint would Steam or Diesel show? From the discoloured steam exhaust, To the many obnoxious gasses of the other? Divided by the many passengers they convey! Both with a similar top speed, But the other, Then maybe a little more sprightly? But one is single manned! (A…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: This days derailment has not Identified a cause? But when […]

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:47:02 +0000

This days derailment has not Identified a cause? But when I think of speed! Then Up to 100 MPH you will spill your cup of tea for sure? Over that, And ‘Inertia’ dictates and becomes a low flying aircraft incident! On certain sections and at great speed I would gaze down to my wheels trying to part from my boiler? To ‘mutter’ the word…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: I looked up the above to find it wasn't as old as […]

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:50:35 +0000

I looked up the above to find it wasn’t as old as i thought? 1948 meant only 17years of service! From late 1964 and all through 1965 driver and I would pull so many to scrap! Steam was the end of an era? There were a few nostalgic ”Farewell to steam excursions”! Even the name spelt farewell! The end! Some might have their ‘Conrods’ removed…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Late 1950s and I don't think The Phil Silvers show […]

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:00:45 +0000

Late 1950s and I don’t think The Phil Silvers show ever filmed in colour? Even so, My Black and White television would offer no credit to that fact! Comedy could derive from one ashpan scraper! I have tossed the hot coals from left to right! Or right to left if that turns you on? You smash fire bar clinker with the (Dart) To spoon out the cab…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: I looked up Lode Star! (Rather old) but a 4 cylinder! Who […]

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:53:20 +0000

I looked up Lode Star! (Rather old) but a 4 cylinder! Who on earth sorted the inlet timings? I thought the many River class were ours? (Mikados) would blend in with the many British Kitson, Bagwall, Vulcan, Old notes of mine of Black 5 crossed with Austerity mix! Lol! It was all steam In West Africa! where i worked, Nigeria many times bigger…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: It would be interesting how drivers fared on diverting […]

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 16:55:52 +0000

It would be interesting how drivers fared on diverting to other lines? They would need to know the ‘Road’ or to have a pilot as 2nd man (person)! With the southern joining the GW back in the sixties, We would run through Central to join with Plymouth or Penzance expresses to Paddington! My driver would need to familiarise himself with the…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: My Resolution to ''Not'' clog the pages with yarns? […]

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:25:45 +0000

My Resolution to ”Not” clog the pages with yarns? Love boats, Steam days a distant dream! ! Then in 2016! My mate hollers out, And a Collett Castle whistles by? Where the hell did that come from? 2021 I find (Rail Advent)! A friendly bunch) So now my memory banks go back 67 years? So no Bristol GW or Midland sorts! Just 35 M/N…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: A new years resolution to curb my constant printing! But […]

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:34:11 +0000

A new years resolution to curb my constant printing! But I enjoyed Whales in the Bristol channel n such? All true I promise! But my gas bill is driving me nuts? A little heat to drive out squatting Penguin’s, And the UK drug agency seizures come to mind again! It seems the UK is legally allowed an ounce of Marijuana? (Happy baccy)! Canada is…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: We cut, Reduce, To then 'import' our oil n gas to […]

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 16:02:00 +0000

We cut, Reduce, To then ‘import’ our oil n gas to lower our Co2 footprint, (But Oil measured on production not burning)? And imported oil / Gas more expensive too I hasten to add! Countries rich in Gas / Oil and even Fracking are to become redundant in the years to come! Elements created in the Cosmos will overtake Gold we simply gaze at, To…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: An individual engines metal cannister of 12 […]

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:13:41 +0000

An individual engines metal cannister of 12 explosive detonators and 2 red flags would lay very little used on the footplate! A derailment or anything to obstruct the opposite line and its Rule 55! No mobile phones? ”What’s a mobile phone”? Maybe Black n White Tele about? The run ahead becomes an Olympic event for the 1st 1/4 mile? When…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: Should you venture out at 6-15 am in the morning, […]

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:29:39 +0000

Should you venture out at 6-15 am in the morning, (25th Dec’) The bright object passing in the sky is NOT Santa’s sleigh, but the International Space Station! Doing another orbit! I once remember seeing Haley’s Comet! But since that, Then ‘nothing’/ but cloud?? The Railways were all hour’s! With a young (YOU) cleaning many engines for 6 or…

clive BRretired posted an update in the group Other Railway Adventures: I'm Pike!, A 15 year old kid! Sergeant Wilson surely […]

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:54:48 +0000

I’m Pike!, A 15 year old kid! Sergeant Wilson surely the shed movement manager! (Well put Clan Line in there if you really must) he says! Actually there might of been a cast link with ”Oh Dr Beeching” (a TV follow up)? But these day’s I Train my brain power to guess what I had for dinner yesterday? But I am writing crap again! Lol! But I say…