A moment of GWR history

[timbowilts]

A moment of history this weekend. The end of Old Oak Common as a Depot

 

A screen shot of the Train Describer at TVSc via Open Train Times

 

RIP

 

 

 

Tim T

Modelling Cwm Cynon in EM

[Rugd1022]

I used the 'like' button but in this case I wish we had a 'heaving a mournful sigh' one too...! Slowly but surely my beloved 81A is disappearing.

[Siberian Snooper]

Another bit of the GW legend consigned to the annals of history.

[The Stationmaster]

I used the 'like' button but in this case I wish we had a 'heaving a mournful sigh' one too...! Slowly but surely my beloved 81A is disappearing.

 

That's why I went the 'Friendly/Supportive' route Nidge - the final part of a very big slice of 112 years of railway history vanishing.

 

 Although it is perhaps pertinent to ask about such less remembered features of Old Oak such as Aberdare Sidings and the Kimberley which went from the scene over 50 years back or indeed the Up Yard which pre-dated the loco shed and passenger yards.

[Rugd1022]

I passed over Old Oak on the West London line today taking 6M51 from the Southern back up to Wembley, looking down at the Western through a haze of OLE almost brought a tear to my eye.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Only think of the joy it will bring some future archaeological team several thousand years hence, poring over what remains and trying to comprehend and reconstruct the 'ritual activity' that went on there.

[timbowilts]

Only think of the joy it will bring some future archaeological team several thousand years hence, poring over what remains and trying to comprehend and reconstruct the 'ritual activity' that went on there.

Given that HS2 are going through the site will there be any future remains of 81A for future archaeologists to find?

 

Tim T

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Given that HS2 are going through the site will there be any future remains of 81A for future archaeologists to find?

Technique is always improving! It will need to come to that, in order to see through the dozen successive constructions atop HS2...

[tomparryharry]

The Western always considered to be at the front of things. Although sad, I'm not surprised to see things moving forward.

[TomJ]

I suspect Brunel wouldn’t have had a moments hesitation in demolishing heritage for his railway - then or now

[dibber25]

I try to avoid going back to the Western Region locations that I knew as there's very little left that I recognise. It was my privilege to produce a nice little colour album, The Heyday of 81A and its locomotives, for Ian Allan, using mainly R.C. Riley's photographs, to go to press events a couple of times at OOC and to be involved in the EWS Open Weekend there. Good times. (CJL)

[Martino]

I agree with TomJ. Although I look back and wish the GW main line was as I remember it (with Westerns, Warships, Hymeks, 61XXs et al) I feel that Brunel, Gooch and countless of their successors would wish to move forward and not look back.

[Rugd1022]

I have to grudgingly agree really, and I'm mighty glad that I managed to record what was there at certain times, tinged with a dose of self inflicted disappointment that I ddin't take as many photos as I should have when I actually worked there, I took my camera in to work regularly but often left it in my kit bag.

Edited December 15, 2018 by Rugd1022

[HonestTom]

Only think of the joy it will bring some future archaeological team several thousand years hence, poring over what remains and trying to comprehend and reconstruct the 'ritual activity' that went on there.

 

"We have found what appears to be a circular pit. References in the ancient texts to a 'table' on this site suggest that this may have been where an altar was positioned for the purposes of human sacrifice, in order to petition the gods for the safe arrival of the 11.04 to Penzance. Possibly the so-called 'Beeching Axe' was used, although this is purely speculation."

[tomparryharry]

"And here, in this small room, a lot of beakers were found. "made of different types of china, they lie upon a wooden, seated platter. Lots of smaller fires were lit, and in a great pile, upon the floor of the building. Judging by the burns, and beakers, we are reasonably sure that sacrificial gifts were made of a tobacco-like substance to the twin gods Aslef & Nur."

 

", An ancient painting of the tribal queen Samantha Fox remains upon the wall, and what appears derogatory insults towards the tribes of Tottenham, Arsenal, and the Roman tribe QPR.

 

"Two great palaces exist in the vicinity. One, built by Alexander, and the other, made entirely of glass, or crystal, which is south of the river. Many great battles took place near the river, mostly between the rival tribes of the Hammers, and a bunch of Neanderthals called Milwall".

 

"The inhabitants of the area took part in the practice of ritual humiliation. Although run down, the place was apparently known as Wen-ber-lee".

Edited December 17, 2018 by tomparryharry