RMweb Premium dhjgreen Posted May 15, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 15, 2017 The GGR is a funny little railway, bursting with its own character. In its short length the scenery changes from the lush glen into dramatic cliffs, and it's a 1 in 33 gradient to get up there! P1110396s.jpg P1110468s.jpg P1110356-2.jpg Laxey MER station looking atmospheric 1.JPG Neil,What on earth is that in the third picture, not the diesel, I have been pulled by that? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim V Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 My goodness you'll be wanting one that's all overgrown, has a derelict vandalized building and a bus shelter next, oh yes and none of the trains actually stop Yes, they wrecked Crowcombe, by putting in a signal box, signalling, and repairing the station building, doesn't it look so much better in this 1978 picture..... Not sure what happened to the bus shelter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted May 15, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 15, 2017 Neil, What on earth is that in the third picture, not the diesel, I have been pulled by that? That's the 'Steamplex'. It belongs to my best mate (sitting on it there) who I also work with. It is a Motor-rail Simplex with the diesel engine thrown away, a launch boiler and single cylinder engine fitted in its place! The loudest engine on the island, she really barks. It was recently at the Ffestiniog Quirks & Curiosities gala, where attempts to make it pull rather too much bent the crankshaft. Not to worry, we're working on a twin cylinder version now - with almost 4 times the power. It always was very over-boilered! I was supposed to be there driving too but I also bent my crankshaft - or my foot anyway! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium dhjgreen Posted May 15, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 15, 2017 That's the 'Steamplex'. It belongs to my best mate (sitting on it there) who I also work with. It is a Motor-rail Simplex with the diesel engine thrown away, a launch boiler and single cylinder engine fitted in its place! The loudest engine on the island, she really barks. It was recently at the Ffestiniog Quirks & Curiosities gala, where attempts to make it pull rather too much bent the crankshaft. Not to worry, we're working on a twin cylinder version now - with almost 4 times the power. It always was very over-boilered! I was supposed to be there driving too but I also bent my crankshaft - or my foot anyway! P1110343s.jpg That is completely barmy!You take care with your foot, yes, I saw the picture in another topic. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted May 15, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 15, 2017 That is completely barmy! You take care with your foot, yes, I saw the picture in another topic. Good, innit (not my foot!). I love driving it, completely different to driving Sea Lion or Annie. Lhen Coan on our Victorian Day - I was Guard that day, second from the left. Looks pretty 'real' ? 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted May 15, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 15, 2017 Good, innit (not my foot!). I love driving it, completely different to driving Sea Lion or Annie. Lhen Coan on our Victorian Day - I was Guard that day, second from the left. Looks pretty 'real' ? 13227029_10153416717257260_2157814264244270278_n.jpg Certainly does - complete with appropriate facial expressions! Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted May 15, 2017 Author Share Posted May 15, 2017 I wouldn't be doing any fare-dodging! Kevin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 (edited) It's nice to find a station where, when there are no trains about, all you can hear is the sound of distant birdsong. To sit on a platform seat nearby to a signal-box where occasionally the 'call attention' breaks the peace, and a series of rings on the instrument bell sounds, and is answered, followed by the noise of levers being 'thrown' - heaven. Edited May 15, 2017 by bike2steam 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Northroader Posted May 15, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 15, 2017 The most atmospheric station Ive been to for "noises off" was actually Bodmin Road (sorry, Parkway) coming back from Cornwall late afternoon out of season with the dusk falling. There's a lot of woodland around there and very few houses, and waiting for the train all you could hear was owls hooting in the surrounding trees. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted May 15, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 15, 2017 Certainly does - complete with appropriate facial expressions! Phil Yes, Alex, the guy on the right is the head of the 'Disney' department (local radio manager and theatre type) really likes us to play the part on these days. For the photo which as you can see was staged to celebrate our 120th anniversary he insisted we look stern and Victorian. I wouldn't fare dodge, my jacket is ex-job sergeant, and my raincoat for such days was pinched off my Inspector! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 No prizes for my nomination. I have spent a lot of time at Carrog this year, not amongst tourists, but as a bloke just taking measurements. Alone on the platform and totally oblivious to time and day, a DMU quietly rolled in from Corwen and a handful of passengers not dressed in gaudy colours alighted for a cuppa in the tearoom. Eventually, the guard waved his flag and the Unit went on its way. It mattered not that the blue DMU was out of period; This little episode brought back a Cameo of past experiences. I just had to watch. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john new Posted May 15, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 15, 2017 (edited) It's nice to find a station where, when there are no trains about, all you can hear is the sound of distant birdsong. To sit on a platform seat nearby to a signal-box where occasionally the 'call attention' breaks the peace, and a series of rings on the instrument bell sounds, and is answered, followed by the noise of levers being 'thrown' - heaven. That's what makes Goathland special for my wife and I - we love just spending the early evening when we are up there on holiday watching the last service train go south to Pickering and then hanging on to see the evening diner also going through about an hour and a bit later. doesn't matter if the last service isn't steam. Have loved it since being a volunteer with NYMR and staying over night there in the 70s. Edited May 15, 2017 by john new 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted May 15, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 15, 2017 We spent time on Carrog station last year, got a cuppa and a bit of cake and just sat and watched the world (and trains) go by. I'm with Larry on that as being a very nice country station. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 I'm like Larry and will say (one of) my favourite stations, which is Highley. A wonderful signal box where a relative works at (the signal box also has its own friendly robin who likes to watch the proceedings from an engineers trolley in the rear siding), nice station building, regular squawks from the bird life in the woods, a great pub hardly 50 yards down the hill from the station and the peace and quiet you get from the site of a former colliery. What's not to like?* *Other than no phone signal! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerzilla Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Horsted Keynes is awesome in size, and the subway between platforms is just as dank as a real station. The story behind it, according to one of the old boys there, is that it was built with an eye to future development in the area (houses, workplaces) which never happened. It's always been a huge station serving nothing in particular. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWTH Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 Another vote here for Staverton on the SDR. It's an extremely pleasant place to sit and pass the time, especially if you've just worked in on an auto and are waiting for a few through trains to go by before returning. Bewdley too is a great place to go. In a perfect world the branch towards Hartlebury would be reconstructed to make it a proper junction station again. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumblestripe Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 A couple of "left field" suggestions. 1. East Tanfield on the Tanfield Railway. Not really a "station" but a single platform with a short bay and a run round loop and weed grown sidings. 2. Aysgarth Station (Wensleydale Railway), just need to put the track back! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyram Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 Although not old enough to remember working steam there are a few stations I would mention as providing lovely peace and tranquility. I often visit lines midweek during the summer and many intermediate stations on the Severn Valley tick the boxes. Highley used to be my favourite as a quiet, unspoilt station where you could snatch some sanctuary. I remember sitting there one early evening as the only passenger awaiting the final Bridgnorth bound service. The train arrived behind Black 5 45110, running boiler first and slightly weathered. As drifted into view around the bend of the station I did feel I like I had been transported back in time. Now the station is much busier due to the Engine House museum that those peaceful moments are not really possible. I do still like to stop off there and visit the museum though. Bewdley used to be another favourite. I often would stop off for lunch and spend the 90 minute break between trains by sitting on a platform bench with a book or a magazine - again a very peaceful and relaxing time. Likewise Arley can also provide that tranquility with a stroll down to the village or the pub an option on a decent day. On other railways I will also throw in Levisham as a relaxed spot. Goathland is nice too but is just so busy these days. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 On a gala day, Swanage is very much a bustling seaside terminus. Not the near silent idyll, but pretty authentic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 On a gala day, Swanage is very much a bustling seaside terminus. Not the near silent idyll, but pretty authentic. If you want a silent idyll then you'll want to go to Newtondale Halt on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Inaccessible by road and a great place for walkers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyram Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 If you want a silent idyll then you'll want to go to Newtondale Halt on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Inaccessible by road and a great place for walkers! Definitely a lovely place, just watch out for the adders! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 Definitely a lovely place, just watch out for the adders! Wot, no take-aways? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyram Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 Wot, no take-aways? No, but being in the North East it will likely to be a lower division! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 (edited) On a gala day, Swanage is very much a bustling seaside terminus. But there again, as a seaside holiday line, it shouldn't be quiet. What made it for me on the first day of running from Corfe Castle were the number of kiddies bucket 'n' spades on the coach window tables, - back to a 1950's holiday line. Edited May 17, 2017 by bike2steam 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 But there again, as a seaside holiday line, it shouldn't be quiet. What made it for me on the first day of running from Corfe Castle were the number of kiddies bucket 'n' spades on the coach window tables, - back to a 1950's holiday line.Exactly. It feels "real" for what it is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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