Hi People,

Well it has happened, it was inevitable that it would - I have given in and purchased a BR MK1 coach, - a BR MK1 57' BG in crimson and cream livery to be precise...( Bachmann ). I did however ask the knowledgeable people on RMWEB, if this vehicle was likely to have appeared regularly on such a branchline.

This latest item has now joined the growing ranks of NPCCS seen at Sproston and will be assigned to: Parcels Special no.1 (as per the new timetable, see the blog entry for 31st December 2017 ).
The Timetabled WX 10.40 Parcels Special, consisting of 3 vanfits ( one an ex GWR MOGO ) and BR MK1 BG - arrives in platform 1, as the signalman replaces no 2 and no 1 signals ( Down Main Home ) behind it .The loco uncouples and draws forward to take water from the column at the end of the line, when complete a whistle to the signalman who reverses no 24 and no 11 points, and then clears no.25 disc ( Engine Release to Loop ). The loco moves onto the loop running round its train, passing the already cleared no.21 signal, ( Loop Starting ), before running onto the Main and stopping alongside the signalbox, where the driver exchanges a few words with the signalman. The signalman replaces his signals, and resets the road before clearing no 2 signal. ( Down Main Innner Home to Platform ) - the driver acknowledges this with a whistle and draws forward, stopping short of the train before easing onto the stock and coupling up. The signalman now replaces this signal before he clears no 19 signal ( Main Platform Starting ), another whistle, and the loco draws its train out of the platform - pulling it out until it's well clear of no.8 points, - which are then reversed by the signalman, ( after he has replaced the signal cleared for the previous move ), then finally no 4 signal ( Down Main Inner Home to Bay ) is cleared, - another whistle and the train is propelled by the loco into the bay platform where it stops and the brakes are applied. It is now ready to be unloaded/loaded.

I will let the photos speak for themselves. Note the Prairie on shed buffered up to the loco coal wagon.

We finish with a view of part of the town, with the site of the derelict WW2 Searchlight Battery , now a farm shop in the foreground and 'All Saints Church' in the background.

Comments good or bad - are always welcome!
Until next time....
regards
(SIGTECH)
Steve.