Andy Kirkham

Here's an example that was still functioning as recently as ten years ago - Eastriggs between Annan and Gretna Interchange between standard and narrow gauge at Eastriggs, February 16 2007 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

Very sorry to hear this news. I think the top photo shows "Allendenac", which I was lucky enough to see at the Perth exhibition a few years ago.

I seem to remember a few years ago Network Rail floating the idea of diverting the main line through Cheltenham onto the old GW trackbed through the town and building a short new stretch to connect back to the Midland route near Swindon village (I remember being perplexed on first reading this as I had no idea there was another place called Swindon). This would have allowed a more convenient station, presumably near the site of Malvern Road. I think there was a good deal of opposition from those living near the GW trackbed, but in all honesty it's hard to imagine such an ambitious plan actually going ahead, as the benefits to the railway (as opposed to the passengers) don't seem all that great (elimination of a level crossing, I suppose).

From Railway Magazine, April 1969 “Gloucester eccentricity” British Railways, Western Region, Public Relations department explains: “Originally, in an attempt to reduce our costs at Gloucester, we planned to concentrate all passenger facilities at Eastgate and close Central Station. To make this possible an extension platform was built on the Cheltenham end of Central Station’s platform serving South Wales-bound trains. The extension, which also serves Cheltenham and Birmingham trains, was to have been linked by a footpath to Eastgate Station and thus eliminate the long triangular walk now necessary for interchange passengers. It was the introduction of multiple-aspect signalling at Gloucester that gave the opportunity for two-way working for South Wales-Birmingham trains at the extension and it is the track layout and position of the signals for this operation which prevents trains from continuing to use the original platform as suggested by your correspondent. The plan to provide a footpath connection between the extension and Eastgate, which would allow the Central Station buildings to be finally closed, has since been overtaken by a firm proposal to build an entirely new station for Gloucester at Barnwood. Because of the cost this project involves, no further money, beyond that required to maintain safety or to achieve economy, will be spent at Eastgate or Central stations.”

Having heard on the grapevine that a Deltic might be seen there, I turned up at Didcot on one frosty Sunday morning in January 1975. I waited a few hours but saw nothing and went home. Does anyone know what time I should have been there?

Ham Green Halt on the Portishead branch was built on a viaduct (which had been built for double broad gauge track, thus allowing space for a platform). I think you can just about see that in this picture. Remains of Ham Green Halt, May 4 2010 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

I never saw one in BR ownership. I started spotting at Temple Meads in September 1967, and I guess they had only recently gone from there at the time.

There has been more than one mention in various threads of D9542's 1966 mishap in the Afan Valley. Has this picture of the incident appeared here before? https://flic.kr/p/LUCeW1

Something else I've come across that I'm sure will be be appreciated here: http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-camwell-personal-film-no-62-welshpool-raven-square-railway-1963/ (n.b. the BFI player seems not to work in Chrome)

And they have the plaque all ready (currently at Treherbert station)

I do hope the reopening scheme succeeds. The Two Tunnels at Bath is a real asset and a great experience.

Something that I've always found a bit puzzling: why was the pit called North Rhondda when it wan't in the Rhondda valley? I think there was also a South Rhondda and a British Rhondda, which were even further away.

Llandudno? Looking at the rooftop on the right I googled "Boase and Son", and there was an EDWARD BOASE & SON ltd, builders merchants of Llandudno and Colwyn bay

How many (if any) of the preserved ones are true (former BR) J94s? I have mislaid my copy of Casserley's Preserved Locomotives (published 1968?) but I don't remember any austerities being listed there as preserved at that time. Since none went to Barry I would have thought the only J94s that could have been preserved would be those which BR had earlier sold off to industry.

I don't think there's any particular merit in either Train Station or Railway Station - it's just that the latter is what we've grown up with. The English language is so full of quirks and inconsistencies that I can see little point in trying to back up one or the other by logical argument. I think there have been a few occasions where I might myself have said Train Station where I didn't want to draw attention to myself as a fogey.

There were surveyors working at Redland station yesterday and, when I inquired what it was in aid of, they said it was in preparation for slewing the track away from the platform to allow for wider trains - presumably the 165s. Also they recently installed wiring in preparation for a new smart ticketing system http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2017-04-12/touch-smart-card-to-be-launched-for-bristol-passengers/ , although the actual validating devices have yet to appear.

Here's one I forgot OCT 74B 05 Bedwyn, September 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

A few from my album: APR 71 03. Birmingham Snow Hill, April 1971 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr Montpelier, October 1970 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr A single car emerges from Clifton Down Tunnel and is about to enter the station, 1972 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr Severn Beach Station in 1972 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr AG 3839. A single unit from Severn Beach enters St Andrews Rd. January 1974. by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr APR 72 13. Avonmouth Dock station, March or April 1972 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr At the Horseshoe Bend between Shirehampton and Sea Mills, June 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr JUN 74 18. A Severn Beach-Temple Meads service calls at Lawrence Hill, June 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr MAY 74 13. The Looe branch platform at Liskeard, April 20 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr MAY 74 14. Looe station, April 20 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr MAY 74 15. The Looe branch platform at Liskeard, April 20 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr OCT 74B 14. The 12:52 Bridport branch train leaves Maiden Newton, September 1974 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr

And in the same set of pictures, here's a nice one of Dover http://railphotoprints.uk/p142024154/h2fa406aa#h57ff831f

Which led me to this https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_des_chemins_de_fer_%C3%A0_voie_m%C3%A9trique_de_France Simply mind-boggling!

This one? https://www.abebooks.co.uk/Minor-Railways-France-W.J.K-Davies-Plateway/12938925471/bd It does look excellent, but it seems to be rather rare, and priced correspondingly.

Wow! Is there anything on the Web about these? A comprehensive map? A quick Google suggests that there is little apart from present-day heritage lines and famous systems like the Vivarais and Reseau Breton

Like this? https://www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/5976855873/in/faves-52554553@N06/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/13975902010/

The narrow gauge Welshpool & Llanfair had a famous street-running section http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-camwell-personal-film-no-62-welshpool-raven-square-railway-1963/ (the BFI player seems not to work on Chrome) [Edit] On reflection I suppose it was really a series of level crossings rather than running along the street. But it was magic all the same.

It also looks as if it should hold the distinction of the least impressive overall roof of any station.