Blandford1969

John, Not sure if you have seen, but a couple of new views have appeared on the SMJ web site this one should be of particular interest http://api.ning.com/files/NG69mQSjAkOr-x3t-sJHNnsjN4hCxS8xxKBEtGQ1MDjejw-bXH4RBxwAjkNzugSX32zVcjPIQx4Ruhyijs26Wj*rp0yKMiNP/towcesterstationafterclosure038.JPG It shows the detail of the abutments of the bridge you have been trying to get information on. regards Duncan

Hi Ron

Hi Ron, You can also Hi Ron, You can add 2809 Quidenham onto the list of B17s at Manchester. Sadly I can't seam to be able to attach the scan of the negative at the moment. Look forward to seeing more progress on this impressive layout. regards Duncan

Hi there was a discussion about motive power on the C&O earlier this year. See this thread http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/56425-callander-oban-passenger-engines-in-br-days/ regards Duncan

I came acorss this rather interesting shot of Shankend, an angle that probably most would have just flushed away http://www.flickr.com/photos/74596785@N06/8102509797/in/photostream regards Duncan

A new one on me anyway was this nice one of 60537 "Batchellors Button" entering Riddings Junction in 1961 http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream Duncan

I should have been on the Coal tank on Sunday, but sadly a three line whip has been put out for us to attend my father in laws 65th. The T9 and U pairing should be really good. 1501 is back in having had its smokebox repainted this week following scorching last week due to the door not quite fitting. Enjoy the weekend, looking at the timetable it looks good.

Have to laugh at this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JOB-LOT-OF-COMET-MODELS-BIT-AND-PIECES-SOLD-AS-SEEN-/200818250465?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item2ec1b352e1 £50 for some parts that total about £11 and a couple of wheels.

To explain to those who are not aware or have not been, Bridgnorth has for various reasons not had the level of investment the railway would have liked (certainly those of us based here at Bridgnorth) The buffet was temporary 30 years ago and is not best placed The public have not been able to access the yard and see engines under restoration certainly for about 20 years (but my memory fails me on the exact date) The bar itself is fine for quite times, however on busy days it struggles The toliets are not sufficent for busy days to allow for them being closed for cleaning (we need more) The one footbridge is not sufficent on busy days Platform 2 being shorter does create difficulties at times Over the last 12 months a small group has been working up plans and working with Howels Associates. The challenges that team have faced is Bridgnorth station building is grade 2 listed, and Pan Pudding hill is a scheduled ancient monument and English Heritage will take a strong interest in anything we do. Following lots of work a set of provisonal plans have been drawn up and the group are now ready to show them to a wider audience. There is a session planned for volunteers on the first weekend in October for us to see the plans. The following weekend the plans will be on show during the launch of the new three million pound share issue. What I do know is the plans include: 1) A new building to include buffet and shop- this allows an extension to the bar and the waiting room being returned to just that. 2) A new footbridge which will link to platform 2, and go through the shed so visitors can see the yard and engines being restored - linking to the overflow car park 3) A new building for mess rooms/ offices and pattern shop - this allows us to make more room in the shed for restoration work 4) A new interactive museum about the railway I have seen conjecture that some images used to promote the share issue might be the plans, however I have not seen the plans yet so cannot comment further. I hope this helps on the plans front. On the loco front 1501 is now released to traffic ( which we are pleased about) The coal tank has arrived for the gala and is working a special today ( sadly I had to give my turn away being on a three line whip to go to my father in laws 65th birthday) 31806 has arrived and was yesterday seen being moved to Bewdley - it is being based at Bridgnorth for the gala I am not sure if 30120 has arrived yet. Duncan

1501 has had 2 loaded test runs this week and will be having 2 furhter next Monday and Tuesday. From next Wednesday the 12th to Friday the 14 of September she will be hauling her first passenger trains. These being the 10.25am and 2pm departures from Bridgnorth. The Coal Tank should be arriving in the next few days, being booked to work a special at the end of next week.

1501 made it to Kidderminster and back without incident, a few more sucessfull light engine test runs and we should then see some loaded tests.

1501 made it on its first light engine run as far as Bewdley today. Hopefully more sucessfull tests will result in this good engine rejoining the fleet very soon

Now that brings back memories, should we all run for cover now as missiles are thrown? - Definatley as good as that!

5164 re-entered traffic yesterday following a sucessful test after its wheel turrning. Now attention is turning to 1501 which was lit up yesterday. Testing of this excellent if hot machine is about to commence, hopefully it will be quick and we will have another loco into traffic looking very good lined out with early BR crest.

Yes the box at Arley is an ex LNW structure (I cant remember where from right now) The colour is probably more to do with how it fades than anything else. Lovley model of Arley -

34053 Sir Keith Park will make its first solo passenger run since withdrawl by BR tomorrow on the 11.10am and 2.55 departures from Bridgnorth tomorrow. It will then be on Sundays 11.10 and 2.55pm departures and will then work all of next week on the same train through next week.

34053 has made it again to Kidderminster again today so hopefully is now not far off being released to traffic

I'm affraid that concrete cancer had just about done in for them, so they were going to have to be replaced anyway 1501 has now been out of the yard to be weighed - the furthest its gone (so far) and 2857 has had its left hand valve replaced and is back in traffic

7714 has not yet been started to be taken to bits, which I understand will start once 1501 is released to traffic. The work has been slightly thrown by additional work the shed staff have had to do on other locos which had unexpected problems. We are all keeping our fingers crossed that 77 is back in traffic soon-the panniers are restricted to 270 tons which they can happily do most of the time. only 4566, 47383 and 6443 are restricted to 200 tons.

Yes, it is now beleived it was due to a flaw in the tyre that did not show up with the normal tests run. She is a cracking engine. For those who have not been for some time Biridgnorth station is in the process of being improved by the replacement of the cast concrete lamps with replicas of those which adorned the building (certainly up till 1951- when I have three negs of a railcar special at the station ) There is also a share issue coming, which if sucessful should see the temporary buffet replaced by facilities that the railway should and wants to provide to visitors.

2857 - is now running again after problems with a valve at the end of last week 1501 is now waiting for running in trials -she has passed her steam tests- and as already said looks superb 5164 has had a fire in it and is now just about due for testing - its wheels had to be turned which has put it out of traffic for a couple of weeks 4566 is running 34053 - is still on test at the moment, hopefully she will be released to traffic soon 43106 is currently running 42968 - Has had a fire in her yesterday, which hopefully means the new springs which have been on order for about 8 weeks have arrived 7812 is currently running 3650 - from Didcot is having her stay extened until early September Incidently 7714 is now in Bridgnorth and cleaning has begun prior to her being stripped as the spare pannier bolier now has all the parts on hand so work can recommence on that. I should also say to enjoy 2968 as she is due to finish at the end of this year (10 years goes so quickly) hope that helps Duncan

The Bylines have some photos of the goods shed / Signal Box and main building, but sadly not the Lucas bridge. It seams that the standard books on the line by the OPC / Oakwood and the most recent (whose publisher I cant remember) do not have any photos which show a side on view of that bridge. I am sure I have seen another photo somewhere but at the moment cannot find it. None of my negs of the station show the bridge either i'm affraid. If I find the photo that is somewhere in my recollection I will let you know sorry not to have been able to help more Duncan

They were brick abutments as in http://thesmjr.ning.com/photo/bridge-12-towcester-lucas this one and it was an H girder. I will have a look at home later to see if there is anything clearer, but sadly it is probably the least photographed part of this station

Sorry I forgot for more general shots of Towcester have you seen these? http://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/6952849777/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses/4997075063/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses/4997075317/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses/4997075063/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses/4997075063/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/6952850265/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/steamtube/4092644806/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/steamtube/4091883179/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses/4997074927/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses/4997075001/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/steamtube/4091881987/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses/4997075243/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/steamtube/4092647212/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/steamtube/4091882305/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/steamtube/4091882641/ Then from Britain from above we have also got http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw023766?search=towcester&ref=8 which you can really zoom in on the detail

Hi I take it you have seen these? http://thesmjr.ning....ridge-towcester http://thesmjr.ning....towcester-lucas http://thesmjr.ning....towcester-lucas http://thesmjr.ning....-bridge-signals http://thesmjr.ning....ge-at-towcester Hope these help, the scalled plan seams very useful. Were you able to find architectural plans of the main building, signal box and goods shed? Duncan