The TOPticl Legacy

I am now 75 and my work is not done. However, it is becoming apparent that I will never complete my self-appointed task. Perhaps there are others out there who would like to continue.

My website www.TOPticl.com which describes something about me and the challenge I set myself. But keeping the website up to date has never been my top priority. That priority is to “see” everyone. Firstly – everyone – was all TOPS numbered locomotives and that I have achieved. So, in search of a wider challenge, it is now every locomotive that ran under British Rail(ways), and whilst I am about it, to “see” as many locomotives that ever ran in Britain.

By “see” I mean view and collect a digital image which I store on my computer. To aid this process I have written extensive code using Microsoft Access including an ever-expanding database of locomotive details. My current picture count is well over 150,000.

The advantage of digital is that everything I have – pictures; code; data can be copied and passed on as many times as required, long (hopefully long) before my inevitable departure.

I am therefore looking for people who are completists like me who want to underline every number in their ABC books and would be willing to carry on my work and, where possible, share back any new finds to help me whilst I am still around.

This is just the start of my thoughts in this area, I hope to come back many times and add and amend this page. But if you have any interest or questions please get in touch now as it will help me steer the direction of this page

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