Portugal 20/02/99 to 27/02/99 "The One-Armed Ninja"
I had for many years attended the Weekly Wind Up, a weekly Thursday evening occurrence with about 70 like minded people working on the railway or LUL or Buses trying out varied venues in London & the Home Counties to drink Real Ale. At these events 2 things normally held true 1) I would drink more than the other 70 odd people present & get in the biggest mess & 2) conversations involving Portuguese Railways ALWAYS revolved around "Portuguese 50's, Portuguese 50's OR Portuguese 50's! (& an occasional class 20)". As I hold all class 50's in little (or No) regard that was enough to swerve Portugal for good. Until one evening when Rubble, fresh back from CP land cried out "I was bowled by a Shredder!". Tell me more - what do you mean they have a fleet of Alco RSC-2 / RSC-3 2000hp locos from 1948! and a fleet of MLW MX620's to boot. How come I've never been informed of this fact? Displeased as I was I had other fish to fry in G...