Mike_Walker

Were a line subsequently be rebuilt and reopened, most bridge would in any case be replaced to bring them in line with modern standards.

Some from deepest Kernow. Goonbarrow Junction St. Blazey. Par. Incidentally, St. Blazey to Goonbarrow Junction is the last section on Network Rail's Western Route to still employ box to box EKT working although there are many examples of NST (No Signaller Token) working to be found.

All look pretty much the same to me so I'd say generic. Wonder what's being said at a certain retailer right now... ?

This might help if you can scale off it.

The top half of Aylesbury South survives at Swithland Sidings on the GCR. The surviving Princes Risborough 'Box was the North Box and did indeed control all the four routes radiating from the north end of the station. It also assumed control of the London end following the closure of the South Box after the demise of the goods yard.

For small 'Boxes, Amberley must be one of the smallest on a NR main line, albeit normally switched out. Reminds me of Sheffield Park! I think this line has now been resignalled.

A further selection, most now no longer with us. High Wycombe North High Wycombe South Cookham after it was downgraded to a GF. North Town Crossing "Signal Box" at Furze Platt, Maidenhead. In reality it was a Crossing Frame only. Oxford North Newton Abbot West Ely Dock Junction Dalston Western Junction Kidderminster Junction Hackney Downs Foxfield

Here's a few of the lamented Banbury 'Boxes. Banbury North Signal Box, a GWR Type 7b 'box built in 1900. It contained a 95 lever frame at the rear which replaced the original conventionally located at the front in 1957. The immaculate interior of Banbury North Signal Box showing the rear mounted frame installed in 1957 when the area was remodelled. The old diagram from Banbury North Signal Box preserved in the 'Box. Block instrument for Down Relief from Banbury South in Banbury North SB. Banbury South Signal Box, a GWR Type 7d 'box built in 1908. It contained a 60 lever frame and small NX panel to control the Aynho Junction area. Permissive Block Instrument for the Up Goods Line from Banbury North, Banbury South Signal Box. The last surviving Spagnoletti block instrument on Network Rail at Banbury South Signal Box for the Down Relief from Banbury North. The NX Panel in Banbury South Signal Box controlling Aynho Junction and interfacing with Marylebone IECC and Oxford PSB. The 5-bar interlocking frame in Banbury South Signal Box. All taken during a visit by members of the Swindon Panel Society, 12 April 2014. Both 'Boxes closed just over 2 years later.

No, they have negotiated a termination of the franchise (paying £33 million) as required to allow the ERMA to continue whilst the DfT and First/MTR negotiate a new Direct Award for SWR.

Looking more closely I think perhaps it isn't a RCT vehicle and does appear to be a high bridge. As to who's it could be I can't think - I can't place the livery.

It's not Stagecoach but First who hold the South Western franchise. Sorry to hear 007 has failed - hopefully not terminally. It has been earmarked for the IoWSR with potential conversion to battery operation. Of the other two late survivors in operation, 006 and 008, one is to go to the Epping Ongar Railway and the other to go on display at a heritage centre being planned at Brading station. Which goes where has not been finally decided. Earlier in the year Mark Hopwood was inviting bids for the trains based on who would give them a good home and restore them rather than money - I got the impression they would be donated rather than sold but who pays to get them off the island wasn't mentioned...

Not Thames Valley but one of Reading Corporation's Crossleys. Surprised it got stuck as all their double deck motorbuses were lowbridge and several routes went that way.

They have only agreed terms to terminate the present franchise agreement (and the SWR one too) and are currently in negotiation with the DfT over new Direct Awards (similar to that already governing GWR for example) so to say "the company is on its last knockings" is premature in the extreme. Similar negotiations are ongoing for all franchises. If DA agreements are not in place then the ERMAs end and the original franchise terms reapply which would be commercial suicide.

Looks as if Severn Bridge Junction has received a new set of diagrams since I visited in 2007 when we were preparing for the start up of Wrexham & Shropshire. Some pictures of the other Shrewsbury 'Boxes. Starting with Crewe Junction at the north end of the station. Although it looks squat, the rear of the building reaches down to street level and is quite impressive. At that time at least, it still retained its pre-BR block instruments and a set of rotary train describers which worked to Severn Bridge Junction although by then they were out of use but were in effect preserved by the signallers. Abbey Foregate at the south/east corner of the triangle on the line in from Wolverhampton. This was provided by the GWR, the other two were by the LNWR - Shrewsbury being joint territory. Sadly, as W&S weren't going that way, we didn't get to complete the set with a visit to Sutton Bridge.

And it failed with a hot box before it got to Didcot - oh the ignominy! I took sickie to go to Ruscombe for pictures. Unfortunately it was featured on the BBC London news that evening and when I went in the next day the first question from the boss was: "Did you get some good pictures?" !

Phew, good to know I'm not going quite so gaga as some claim!

Me too! Every year I hope for a retooled E140 B set - I'd take two pairs like a shot and I'm sure many others would willing upgrade their old Airfix era ones.

I think it's the 1966 catalogue version of this artwork that they managed to hide the mouse by placing the T-H logo across the bottom - the mouse is on the top of the catenary mast. Can anyone supply a 1966 cover to prove/disprove this theory?

Am I right in thinking one year they put their logo over the mouse by mistake?

GWR 143s should be retired at the December timetable change. Just four daily diagrams now, all working coupled to a 150 or 158. TfW 142s and 143s should be gone by the end of the year unless they get another extension.

Yes, that's the correct definition but as always there are exceptions. The ground frame which controlled North Town Level Crossing at Furze Platt on the Maidenhead to High Wycombe line was described as "North Town Crossing Signal Box" yet it was NOT a block post. Its levers only worked the crossing gate locks and protecting distant signals. The only instruments provided were repeaters so the crossing keeper knew when a train was in section and he needed to attend to the gates. Interestingly, at Cores End just beyond Bourne End and at Spicers Crossing between Wooburn Green and Loudwater there were similar crossings both described correctly as Ground Frames.

There's a photo in C F D Whetmath's Bodmin & Wadebridge Railway book of 30585 at Bodmin General on 13 July 1962 with a single Bulleid coach in tow. The caption says it was possibly the last time it worked an ordinary passenger train. Can't tell from the picture whether it's a short or long Bulleid and what type it is.

Personally, one of the things I like about this format is the ability to view the layouts from angles that would be impossible at a "real" exhibition - track level views for example - and not feeling selfish for lingering too long at one spot and spoiling someone else's chance. I feel that there is a role for both formats provided Andy, Phil and the crew are prepared to do it of course.

Well that was a fantastic antidote to lockdown blues even if it did mean I didn't actually get any modelling done this weekend! Well done to all concerned and looking forward to the next one already...

Back in the early sixties my mother and I went to Corstorphine to visit a former colleague of my late father. Not sure of the way, she stopped and asked a policeman on the way out of Edinburgh for directions to "Cor-stor-pheen". Before directions were offered she received a very stern lecture on the correct pronunciation and was not allowed to go on her way until she had proved she could pronounce it correctly! Great looking project by the way!