Mick. Words maybe tonbridge and battle . Maybe an issue with the low bridges and width of them on the hastings line due to a restricted loading gauge

The wording follows an Act of 1065 that sought to prevent William, Duke of Normandy and his army acquiring horses locally should he seek to set foot on English soil in the area, as French horses were known to suffer from seasickness. The Act was never removed from the Statute Book after his victory the following year, so to prevent possible prosecution it was still being adhered to.  

Actually I'm more inclined to think, like Chris, that it is due to a bridge restriction.

I prefer your explanation though @daffy 

Thanks, Chaps. It could well be 'Tonbridge' but I can't make it out even with a magnifier.

Quote from: Newportnobby on January 07, 2021, 12:51:25 PM
Bought in the recent sale by TMC, a couple of weathered items - Farish horse box and Farish MK1 RMB in green. TMC's idea of weathering seems to be just matting down the shine of the pristine ones so I really think @mk1gtstu has nothing to worry about
I'm sure the RMB would have been washed fairly often so wouldn't be filthy anyway.
The horsebox carries the wording (I think) 'Not to work between Torridge and Battle'
Does anyone know why please?

One colour weathering Mick @Newportnobby ?! 

Looks like Tonbridge on the Hattons site 

Chris 1-0 Mick 

I thought torridge is in devon and knew battle and tonbridge are on the hastings line. Good shout john

Restricted width in the tunnels I would guess, that's why the Hastings line always had narrow bodied stock (e.g. Hastings DEMUs and 33/2s in BR era), and I would guess that as that is a Mk1 Horsebox, it would be standard width for Mk1 vehicles. When the line was electrified, the track was singled through the offending tunnels to allow normal width stock.

My latest 2 additions to the layout, Revolution Trains class 92s, 92001 EWS and 92003 in plain grey. Thanks Ben and Mike! Very nice models and very smooth running.

RevolutioN N92032-DCC Class 92 032 'IMechE Railway Division' in GBRf Europorte livery.



RevolutioN N92003 Class 92 003 'Beethoven' in BR Railfreight Grey livery.

Trinity of Southern Region steam, diesel and electric



A scratchbuilt Bulleid 4DD emu bought off eBay from a modeller in West Wales which was advertised over Xmas but had no watchers and I was the sole bidder.
The windows are solid and I suspect the carriage bodies are either cast resin or fabricated from metal, with separate wire fittings.
Underframe floors are aluminium with Tomytec bogies and motorised chassis.



Give me a C .... and a N! (first and last letters of my surname) both Farish.
Also secured Farish 372-976 class 24 D5013 - the real thing was loaned to Hither Green when it entered service.

Very nice. That 4DD is most unusual and looks very good.

Most unusual beasties! 

The Cheltenham Model Centre Limited edition  Western Champion arrived today.

I quite like the 40s. I remember cabbing D202 on a run from Liverpool St. to Norwich. Between Shenfield and Ingatestone we were knocking on a bit and a crow hit the bar between the windscreens and was spread right across both. The driver had to throttle down so we could look out of the side windows until we got  to Chelmsford where we could get the bird washed off.
I do, however agree that nothing can compare with a Gresley pacific for looks, even Staniers seem bulky in comparison.