RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted July 28, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 28, 2014 Pierre Le Brun was helping on Abbotswood at the weekend He purchased this from a trader - we were wondering exactly what it is? A mirror in a case for sure - but purpose? Inter signal box heliograph when phone lines are down? Powder compact for female clerk? Answers on a post card please....! Many thanks in advance Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted July 28, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 28, 2014 What are the dimensions of the item please. And could you please show a thickness of the item. please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted July 28, 2014 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted July 28, 2014 Don't have it in front of me to measure - would estimate at 8 x 5 x 1 inches - but I am a fisherman! Cheers Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Le Brun Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Hi Phil Dimensions of the case are 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" closed and 1/2" depth. Hope this helps. Pierre Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted July 28, 2014 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted July 28, 2014 Hee hee thanks Pete! I was obviously working to a different scale..... Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
black and decker boy Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Can't be authentic Western region, theres no copper cap!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Le Brun Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Phil's dimensions are a bit out, he was wearing his beer goggles at the time and tucking into cod and chips. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter220950 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Not sure this is a correct explanation, but at least there's another one out there! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRITISH-RAIL-WESTERN-REGION-RAILWAY-STEAM-TRAIN-ENGINE-DRIVER-MIRROR-RAILWAYANA-/390889775217?pt=UK_Collectables_Railwayana_RL&hash=item5b02d8a071&nma=true&si=%252Bhrgn%252FQoZSyZA0eYkHFL885cmJY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 Did it come with a razor blade, a rolled up fiver and some white powder? Or is it to check if passengers are still breathing after eating at the buffet car. Could it be the same one that Norman Solomon uses to sight along newly laid track to check the alignment. On a slightly more constructive note, Not sure about the heliograph theory, don't they have a hole in the middle to sight through? Did the guard ever carry anything to try to signal the driver or second man with? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Le Brun Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Could be used to find out what really goes on in the Abbotswood fiddle yard The ebay link suggests its used by the driver to see where he's going, reversing etc. This could be an educated guess by the seller. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted July 29, 2014 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted July 29, 2014 Could be used to find out what really goes on in the Abbotswood fiddle yard The ebay link suggests its used by the driver to see where he's going, reversing etc. This could be an educated guess by the seller. Yup - don't believe everything you read on Ebay ! P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted July 29, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 29, 2014 Could it be for looking out of the side ducket (?) windows of a guards van ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 It was probably a dress mirror for WR steam loco crews so they could clean their faces and check for dirt before leaving the footplate. I would imagine the cover protected it and kept the soot off it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Le Brun Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Here's the list to date:- Powder compact first aid-breath test Drug Accessory track alignment checker heliograph reversing mirror Dress mirror. side ducket still not convinced by these. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dp123 Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Maybe a mirror for PWay inspections of things like points and crossings? Lots of places that need to be checked for cracks that are hard to see without one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Maybe a mirror for PWay inspections of things like points and crossings? Lots of places that need to be checked for cracks that are hard to see without one. Hi All, I would agree here - some sort of inspection device I think. Having worked on engines with and without a pit, if your motion is inside the frames this would help a lot! All the best, Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Le Brun Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Inspection device is the most plausible explanation Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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