Vanfit

The signaller (signalman in those days) on duty at the time told me that one moment he was looking out for tail lamp, the next moment he was sitting on top of a wagon! Not quite accurate but a great story that he dined out on for years.

Shrewsbury Severn Bridge Junction SB Following the refurbishment of the structure and with more work in the pipeline to life extend the installation by motorising some mechanical points and replacing some semaphores with colour lights this 180 lever gem will be in use for some time yet. GWR centre balanced arms, red painted finials. Working at Height Regulations are continuing to cause replacement of semaphores, enjoy them while you can

On the WR, certainly in the maintenance organisation on the London Division, they were referred to as Elbows but i have a copy of the WR Locking Principles document, mainly for drawing office staff to use, and in the section on numbering of levers dated May 1955 it only refers to Switch Diamonds. Also on the WR a double slip was known as a Double Compound and a single slip as a Single Compound, regional differences abounded long after nationalisation. Mike

Church Stretton

Bramley (For Silchester) on the Basingstoke to Reading line in October 1977 – renewal of the roadway over what was at that time an AHB crossing. The worksite includes most of the characters from Basingstoke PWay getting a Sunday in, including Fred Ford the local PWay inspector. Ron Farrell is part of the group looking at the camera and the guy with the flat cap is Doug Ward who was patrolman for Bramley to Mortimer, he was also usually the Blockroad Man for possessions in this area. The PWay had a small ‘office’ in what was the former parcels office in Bramley upside station building, kitted out nicely with all home comforts, just the place to spend a long night shift between setting down the protection and lifting it at the end of the job. Some but not all wearing HV mini vests, no hard hats, work site not closed off, I recall that any member of the public who wanted to get from one side of the crossing to the other (the crossing bisects the village) was casually escorted across through the work site. On his day job when Doug had finished his patrol duties, he would usually go back on track to carry out some minor maintenance or clear ditches, repair fencing or cut back bushes, any little job he thought needed doing, always on his own. He could also skillfully wield a scythe. A different world.

D7018 - Chris Hatton and Richard Williams, was it really over 50 years ago I first met them when we started on 6th September 1971 at Swindon Works Apprentice Training School for what was probably one of the best craft apprentice apprentice schemes available. John Sadler who took the photo was also with on that day. As for the Hymeks - classic traction! Mike

I recall the large computer system installed in a clean room area of the old Reading Signal Works, I think it might have been at least partly for payroll. There was an associated standby diesel generator set that we maintained from Reading Outdoor Machinery Department (ODM). An electrician was permanently allocated to the Signal Works for electrical/general machine maintenance etc and was assisted by a fitter for routine maintenance and testing of the standby set. Payroll data inputting (card punching) was carried out on the podium of Western Tower Reading.

Sorry no date and not a well focused pic but hopefully brings back a few memories.

A much delayed on route scheduled boat train in about the mid 1980s. That day was a festival of some kind and the town and quay was packed, note the person with blonde hair who appears to be leaning on the carriage!

Sandplace - Looe Branch - a very wet day in September 2012 - Photos taken for possible diorama - not yet started!

Hinton Admiral 23.09.2014 Part 5

Hinton Admiral 23.09.2014 Part 4

Hinton Admiral 23.09.2014 Part 3

Hinton Admiral 23.09.2014 Part 2

Hinton Admiral 23.09.2014 Part 1

Norton Junction SB. Note the hanging baskets! Pictures taken in about 2010 The walkway across the lines enabled the signaller to give the driver of an Up Cotswolds train a single line token before the system was replaced by Axle Counters about 10 years ago, however I believe that the tokens were usually taken/given up at Worcester Shrub Hill to avoid trains stopping additionally at Norton Junction just for tokens. Access to the SB was from the road bridge down a slope to the right of the pictures. The concrete hut is the relay room.

Tram Inn

7th November 2006 Havant - preliminary work being undertaken in connection with Portsmouth Area Resignalling Project.

September 1983 Stockport?

Sept 1983 Birmingham New Street

Sept 1983 Leicester - including a very interesting signal

Disley SB - Summer 1983

Summer 1983 Buxton.

September 1983. Leamington Spa SB, was Leamington Spa North SB until it took over control of what remained of the layout at the south of the station sometime in the mid/late 1960s(?) Can just make out 'North' painted out on the SB name.