RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 27, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 27, 2012 Anyway, here's the Cotswolds line (OWW) PW patrol gang on their regular walk through Campden Tunnel, plus a couple of visitors. They are walking along the Up line in the Down direction, the Up line being specially blocked to traffic for the patrol walk through the tunnel. The Down line itself is technically live, IIRC, but we have a Site Warden present, to prevent anyone straying further than the four foot of the line we are walking along. The tunnel is half a mile long and curves slightly to the right, as seen from the photographer's view point: 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted September 27, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 27, 2012 Tunnel-walking is an eerie experience, especially when you have been told the line is blocked - and it isn't! My search for a broken rail in Chislehurst South Tunnel in 1977 in the morning peak was not helped by a failure to agree between London Bridge and Chislehurst panels.... In the '70s, the nearly two-mile tunnel between Higham and Strood - formerly the canal route - was patrolled continuously by men who really did not see daylight for most of their shift. There was a short gap near the mid-point, which helped a bit, no doubt. I know in Winter the tunnel was perishing cold. The chalk lining of the tunnel was always dodgy, hence the precaution. I think recent years have seen major efforts to improve the lining. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 ... In the '70s, the nearly two-mile tunnel between Higham and Strood - formerly the canal route - was patrolled continuously by men who really did not see daylight for most of their shift. There was a short gap near the mid-point, which helped a bit, no doubt. I know in Winter the tunnel was perishing cold.... Strood Tunnel was perishing cold even in the summer - long hot day in London, windows down on the EPB, into the tunnel and brrrr. You still get that cool effect in tunnels on rail lines converted to footpaths/cycle trails, so hats off (or safety hats on) to those who have to go in there for a living. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted September 27, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 27, 2012 That looks distinctly wetter than the Severn Tunnel Cap'n -perhaps you should go there next time although the noise of all the rushing water from the Great Spring can set your mind on a particular course. One to avoid is Ledbury Tunnel - absolutely terrible underfoot conditions and very slippery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernman46 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 One to avoid is Ledbury Tunnel - absolutely terrible underfoot conditions and very slippery. Guess where I'll be in two weeks time making sure it's not going to fall down 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mikkel Posted September 27, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 27, 2012 (edited) Fantastic thread. Thanks to everyone for the photos. For some reason, looking at these images I was left with the thought: There is still hope for the railways. And for the world. Edited September 27, 2012 by Mikkel 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Singpoint Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 They are walking along the Up line in the Down direction, the Up line being specially blocked to traffic for the patrol walk through the tunnel. The Down line itself is technically live, IIRC, but we have a Site Warden present, to prevent anyone straying further than the four foot of the line we are walking along. And here is the same method of protection. I am walking on the blocked line with my back to traffic and with a site warden behind me to make sure I keep out of the 6'. A 185 approaches on the open line. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted September 27, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 27, 2012 Guess where I'll be in two weeks time making sure it's not going to fall down You have me sincerest commiserations - unless it has improved (a lot) the Ledbury end is distinctly slippery going, even on the 'ballast'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingsignalman Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 A class 47 (with experimental exhaust attachments ) approaches Norwich Thorpe photographed by me (and Beast) in 1981. 10 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted September 29, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 29, 2012 A class 47 (with experimental exhaust attachments ) approaches Norwich Thorpe photographed by me (and Beast) in 1981. It's a lot more overgrown there now ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb900f Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Rivercider I trained Bernard about a month back on GSMR. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmustu Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Some station staff at Reading watch the departure of a steam charter this morning. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivercider Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Rivercider I trained Bernard about a month back on GSMR. Pete The last time I saw Bernard was July 2007 when I took redundancy. cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted September 29, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 29, 2012 Rivercider I trained Bernard about a month back on GSMR. Pete Which reminds me (if memory is working properly) - Capn Kernow was among those I trained on the Control Office end of Driver-To-Shore radio back in the 1980s. (using a portable set which I also found worked quite well from our house if I put it next to the french windows - and we were a mile from the railway). 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merfyn Jones Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 The shot by 'dmustu' above reminds me that a well known fact is that todays railway staff are not interested in trains ! Another Southern light pacific leaves Llandudno Junction one lunch time passing the S&T cabin with Mick, John & Stan looking on. Merf. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Ha, yes. Similarly if you believe kids don't like trains these days try riding the DLR....they always make for the front so they can 'be the driver'.... On a lovely sunny November 2006 day, standing in the clear for a stopper at Millbrook... 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 Some more gratuitous preservation era shots... 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggesford box Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Some more shots of people Llanidloes road level crossing Caersws Sat 20.06.87 Phil Stevens, Park Jct Newport Fri 23.08.85 Aberbeeg Wed 14.05.86 Southminster Wed 04.09.85 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted October 1, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 1, 2012 May 2001, Liverpool docks The train has stopped clear of the points at the back, the shunter gets down to uncouple the 60 whilst the driver gets ready to follow the shunters instructions. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 "Mind your toes lads!" Cuxton 1984 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 "Right said Fred, have to take the door off..." Warrington, 1983 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingsignalman Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Early days training for the Beast (Taken at LLanddu Jcn ex Tanat Valley Light Railway Ca 1980) 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 And from this June in Andermatt, they do protective clothing differently in Switzerland. I saw many of these natty Alpine hats in a combo with the orange gear. They certainly keep the sleet from going down the back of the neck. NB the poster on the right is advertising a yodelling festival. Fortunately I wasn't there at the right time. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 This is going back a bit, 1963 to be precise. Trainspotters of the period! I'm on the right in my school uniform, with one of my mates at the time, John Hart, on the left. Haven't seen him in many a year, though I did hear that he was a guard on the North Norfolk Railway at one time. Location is Cambridge, the footbridge entrance to the steam shed (31A) in Devonshire Road. Stewart 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John M Upton Posted October 1, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 1, 2012 My first experience on the footplate, Mid Hants Railway approximately 1982 when I was about seven!! That is my Dad in the traditional checked shirt from Millets that I believe all dads of the 1970's were issued with as standard! 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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