I hope this is the right thread, although maybe real railway may be more fitting. I leave that to the mods and general consensus.
Following on from some experiences shared by a couple of Kiwis on the "Australia Day" thread (and go figure that one!!) might I suggest the following:
a large number of folk on this forum have real railway experience, working on the railways in one form or another. Perhaps we could ask them to share some of their experiences. Not looking for a novel, the great British Railway History or anything else like that, just a few stories of things that have occurred to them, or they have witnessed, during their time on the rails. This should be in the nature of curious incidents, unusual happenings, record breaking loads (Komata with his 1,400 ton freighter) or items in a similar vein. I think that one of the main criteria should be that it must be verifiable fact that has occurred to the NGF member or was actually witnessed by that person - so no hearsay. What do others think? I believe that we could have a really great thread with a wealth of stories that could become a part of the history of NGF. Cheers, Bill.

Great idea Bill - thanks for the suggestion.

BTW Re: 'Kiwi's on Australia Day' For those fortunate-enough to live north of Lake Taupo, (the big lake in the middle of the North Island) 27 January was 'Auckland Provincial Anniversary Day', a reminder of the days when each 'Province' (as they were then)  was a semi-autonomous entity - following the Australian model.  The date was the one on which the particular Province was founded. The Provinces have all gone (1865 from memory), but the 'celebration' continues...

So, that's how Kiwi's came to be on the 'Australia Day thread.  As Kaiwhara pointed-out, we were both partaking of the delightful sunshine on Auckland's Provincial Anniversary Day and were both on holiday!! (and it was a nice day too - Melbourne-like but only 24!)

BTW,  you DO realise I hope that, Kiwi's being generous-types , many years ago the residents in the Auckland Province decided to 'allow' our nearest neighbours (them in the somewhat-challenged island to the west) to share our special day... , and to even use our 'gift' as the national 'special day". You CAN'T get more generous than that can you? ?) 


Thought you might like to know...

Seriously though, what you have suggested is a great idea. Thanks.

Quote from: ozzie Bill. on January 28, 2014, 07:33:00 AM
a large number of folk on this forum have real railway experience, working on the railways in one form or another. Perhaps we could ask them to share some of their experiences.

A great idea.  Especially useful if the experiences are something that informs modelling - e.g. unusual stock combinations, shunting moves, signalling procedures etc.

Cheers  Jon 

I think this is an excellent idea - possibly worth a sub-board under Real Railway Discussion?

Apart from anything else, if real railwaymen and women were prepared to put their heads up above the parapet and identify their areas of expertise, they might be willing to answer specific questions from the rest of us know-nothin's.

Chris