RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted December 1, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 1, 2010 My train to Birmingham stopped outside New Street today, and I found myself looking down on the Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House I thought this was a rather elegant building, so took a few snaps while the train was stationary, and thought what a super model it might make: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonB Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 I commuted past the proof house for about 3 years (1959/62), never on a train that stopped! Not that I carried a camera if it had! Never really got as good a look into the yard as your shots show. Yes it really is an elegant building! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 That's a fine late Georgian main building, presumably dating from the establishment of the Proof House in 1813 or soon after. The dutch gabled gatehouse is clearly a later addition. It's rather attractive, though, even if it does restrict the view of the main facade. Can you make out the date over the gate on your original photo? Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jim s-w Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 what a super model it might make: Its on the list Tim! Cheers Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted December 1, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 1, 2010 Are the bollards on the gates the failed guns? I'm sure your model of it Jim, will do it more justice than most of us could. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coombe Barton Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 Streetview says 1813 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 Streetview says 1813 Presumably a retrospective date, then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coombe Barton Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 Building listing - http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=216754 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coombe Barton Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 And entrance builit 1883 - full listing info at http://lbonline.english-heritage.org.uk/BuildingDetailsForm.aspx?id=216754&search=y Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 Thanks, John. I've been too busy reading other threads and blogs tonight to get around to any searching. Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TheSignalEngineer Posted December 1, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 1, 2010 Proof House Signal Box used to stand just about level with the gateway. There was a gated blue-brick path to the left of the Proof House gateway, with a wooden staircase up the bank. My Grandfather was Signal Linesman there for 20 years, and I used to visit on Saturday mornings. An absolutely hectic place in the late 50's and early 60's, averaging a train every one or two minutes at that time. The Signalmen used to tell me that on early and late turns on a summer Saturday you always had at least one train in section and sometimes all four lines to New St would have moving trains on them. Because of the number of different destinations and routes possible when leaving New Street the box was provided with clock-type Train Describers, as it would have been nigh impossible to do it all with special bell codes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 And entrance builit 1883 1883? Just right for you then Jim! steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ringo Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Birmingham Proof House is a superb building, I went on a tour of it a couple of years ago with my colleagues from Derby and Toton, it realy is an interesting place. They do do organised tours, and its fasinating learning how they Proof test the barrels, and how bad some barrels are, especially those from the far east! If you ever get the chance, go, its realy is worth it......then go for a 10 minute walk to the Anchor in Digbeth, for some rather excellent beer, in a loveley old Victorian red brick pub! Cheers R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Taylor Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Ta' for identifying that building - I'd too had spotted it, thought it was rather different nad not known anymore - thanks all. Jim, looking forward to seeing the model version Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfwit Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Are the bollards on the gates the failed guns? Redundant canons were sometimes employed as bollards, the Shire album* 'Street Furniture' shows an example from Southwark. *A very usefull and interesting series of books. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohmisterporter Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 IIRC Mark Williams did a programme on this building in his Industrial Revelations? series. They are on Sky documetaries regularly and are worth looking out for. Geoff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren01 Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Hi All Brighton station at the front entrance gates have two cannon that where taken from the Russians at the charge of the light brigade, they are used as gate post now! Darren Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted December 9, 2010 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 9, 2010 Its on the list Tim! Cheers Jim Ha ha - hadn't realised you were going quite that far out from the sub-terranean delight that is New Street itself! Will you be visiting to measure up etc.? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jim s-w Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Hi Tim Bham proof house is A I plan to go to about B on the layout. New Street is on the left so the proofing house will be at the front of the layout. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Banbury+St,+Birmingham,+West+Midlands+B5+5RH+(Birmingham+Gun+Barrel+Proof+House)&daddr=Lawley+Middleway%2FA4540&hl=en&geocode=FU7KIAMdSD3j_yEYyWAIunbtng%3BFZnNIAMdflnj_w&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=18&sll=52.481261,-1.87782&sspn=0.001885,0.004597&ie=UTF8&ll=52.481264,-1.881495&spn=0.00754,0.018389&t=h&z=16 I will be going to measure up if they let me! Cheers Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted December 11, 2010 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 11, 2010 You're going out as far as 'B'??!! Incredible project! So does that mean you're going to have to do a representation of Curzon Street as well? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jim s-w Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 Yep Curzon st station building, the big postal building, the cement works an the junction including the dive under. It's about 30ft of viaduct! Cheers Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TheSignalEngineer Posted December 11, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 11, 2010 Pity the time frame is a bit late, you could haver included my Grandad's cabin at Curzon St. It was just opposite the box between the Up Stour and Vauxhall lines viaduct. Think I have a picture of it and the box, I worked on the signalling for the Parcels Shed in 1966. Spent many happy hours in that area as a young S&T trainee. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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