RMweb Gold Popular Post Captain Kernow Posted February 7, 2013 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted February 7, 2013 Last Summer, or during what purported to be a summer several months ago, I had occasion to make a work-related visit to St Mary's Crossing box near Brimscombe, in the Stroud Valley. Here are a few images of the visit, taken with full permission and appropriate safety provisions where necessary: The view looking towards Chalford, Sapperton and Swindon: Looking towards Brimscombe, Stroud and Gloucester: Adjacent railway cottages formerly used by residential crossing keepers: Train due, so gates closed across the road: Something like this, with the doors left open, might make a nice model cameo: The train passes (down Swindon to Cheltenham train, worked by hired-in 2-car SWT unit): Arty-farty telephoto shot of the same train disappearing into the distance: An up train passed, here it is disappearing around the corner in the direction of Kemble and Swindon: 25 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killybegs Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Hi Captain, A long time ago (mid sixties), I spent many weekends carrying out a comprehensive survey of the area around St Mary's Crossing with a view to modelling it at some time in the future as I had a keen interest in both canals and railways at the time. Sadly it never came about and, after over twenty house moves, the plans have long since disappeared. Shame. I have to admit to being somewhat mischievous when asked why the area was being surveyed, I hope too many people didn't have too many sleepless nights! John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted February 7, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 7, 2013 I was expecting St Mary's in the forest with the barriers on the A48. Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 The old style notice is a nice touch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 The old style notice is a nice touch. It is - quite unexpected , that was!! Someone somewhere on the modern railway appreciates Heritage!! The St Mary's on the DFR has only really became a 'place' during DFR ownership, AFAIK..? Although the footbridge was there in BR days (now condemned as unsafe?) there was a rail weighbridge a bit further up the line, but no Station, and as there was no A48 Bypass, no Level Crossing either.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 (edited) Another piccie infested thread I somehow managed to miss! Lovely photos CK, I took some very similar ones (not tresspass shots of course) a while back when in the area, it's a lovely spot which time has been kinder to than most. Looking at your view towards Chalford from the 'box you can easily imagine a Western or Hymek coasting down the grade on a Padd-Cheltenham job, made up of a nice mix of Hawksworths, Colletts and BR Mk1s.... Edited March 13, 2013 by Rugd1022 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gravy Train Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Hi John, what lovely photos, if its of interest to you I built about 8 St Marys crossing boxes mostly in 7mm but there is at least one in 4mm, they are in permanent way and signalling thread under my thread 'Model signal box portfolio ' cheers Peter here is one in 7mm scale 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted October 12, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 12, 2013 I've only knowingly been past that box twice. 73096 climbing Sapperton back in about '96 I think and then coasting down on the way back from Gloucester. Boy was that a great climb and the sound going up 'through' those curves in the wooded cuttings was fabulous. happy days. Lovely Pics Capn and great box Peter. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gravy Train Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Hi Folks, here is another model of st marys in 7mm scale, I prefare this model but the brickwork is a bit lighter than the original. cheers Peter 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted October 15, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 15, 2013 Magnificent. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggesford box Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Hi, it does not look like it has seen a fresh coat of paint since a couple of turns I worked there 20 or more years ago! At that time there was a resident crossing keeper, Zetty, and it was only covered by relief if she had a day off. Are the gates normally left open to the road nowadays? When I was about the area they were normally kept closed to road traffic since what I recall was that the road led to a mill (probably industrial units by that time). As I said, I only covered it twice and both times where at night. Just a few users at the start of a 12 hour shift and then nice and cosy beside the fire for the rest of the turn with only the odd unit and a Longbridge-Swindon (if I recall correctly) passing to disturb you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted October 18, 2013 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 18, 2013 Are the gates normally left open to the road nowadays? When I was about the area they were normally kept closed to road traffic since what I recall was that the road led to a mill (probably industrial units by that time). Yes, they're still normally closed to road traffic, although the day shifts tend to be a bit busier than your nights! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggesford box Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Hi, it was just the photo caption 'Train due so gates closed across the road' which made me wonder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted October 22, 2013 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 22, 2013 Ha! You're making me wonder now!! I'll check and get back to you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve22 Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 That box is just a few miles from me and I knew nothing about it until now. Thanks for enlightening me. Er, there's not much to read below your postings Mr. Captain. Are the sausages Algernon's? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthesnail96 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 That box is just a few miles from me and I knew nothing about it until now. Thanks for enlightening me. Snap- in fact I've driven past it on the "main" road many times, completely oblivious. Will have to go investigate now- cheers Captain K! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCB Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I am sure there used to be a footbridge spanning the tracks on the Swindon side of the crossing which went right over the tracks and over the retaining wall to reach the lower level about 10 feet below rail level, talking 1970s 1980s here when I used to go to BVM Moto at Stroud on my Moto Guzzi. I also followed a lot of the Swindon bound 1985 GWR 150 steam trains along this stretch on the Guzzi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted January 20, 2014 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 20, 2014 I am sure there used to be a footbridge spanning the tracks on the Swindon side of the crossing which went right over the tracks and over the retaining wall to reach the lower level about 10 feet below rail level, talking 1970s 1980s here when I used to go to BVM Moto at Stroud on my Moto Guzzi. Yes, there was, in old photos this would seem to have been connected with the passenger halt that existed there on the London-side, but which closed (in 1964, I think), when the Chalford Auto finished. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killybegs Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I am sure there used to be a footbridge spanning the tracks on the Swindon side of the crossing which went right over the tracks and over the retaining wall to reach the lower level about 10 feet below rail level, talking 1970s 1980s here when I used to go to BVM Moto at Stroud on my Moto Guzzi. I also followed a lot of the Swindon bound 1985 GWR 150 steam trains along this stretch on the Guzzi By coincidence, while looking for something else, I came across this old photo, in an old album, showing the footbridge. Also, one taken further up the line at Frampton Mansell. I used to live in the old lock keepers cottage below here and had to cross the line to get in and out (on foot!). John 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Ryan Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 I plan to visit the St Mary's Crossing signal box during 2018. Can you give me some information about parking a car near the signal box. Looking at Google Earth this does not look to be easy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Ryan Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 I plan to visit the St Mary's Crossing signal box during 2018. Can you give me some information about parking a car near the signal box. Looking at Google Earth this does not look to be easy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted November 14, 2017 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 14, 2017 I plan to visit the St Mary's Crossing signal box during 2018. Can you give me some information about parking a car near the signal box. Looking at Google Earth this does not look to be easy. You may wish to try either driving down over the crossing and looking for somewhere to park down there, otherwise it may be a case of looking carefully along the main road as you go along, for a suitable lay-by or similar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackthorn Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Captain Kernow; Thanks for posting those pictures. I visited the crossing 26 years ago and it hasn't changed much! I had planned on going back for a look when I was back home in May but ran out of time, as is always the way......I was surprised to see the equipment cabinet was still on the back of the signal box, I had thought it would have been long gone. One thing that also comes to mind is that there was a pub nearby called 'The King and Castle' with the two locomotives on the pub sign, I wonder if it's still called that? Mark. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 One thing that also comes to mind is that there was a pub nearby called 'The King and Castle' with the two locomotives on the pub sign, I wonder if it's still called that? Mark. Google maps now shows it as "The Pavilion". I used to be round that way regularly in the 1990s, when it was still the King & Castle, but I know that by at least the year 2000, that lovely sign was replaced by one depicting chess pieces so it lost any 'railway' connections some time ago 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulgabill Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Some may be interested to know that it is now resplendant in light & Dark stone livery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now