highpeakman

Thanks. That makes sense. It seems to have changed about the time I left the area. I had always thought I had seen a run round in Bedford at some time before that.

Thanks very much for that. I hadn't realised that it stopped so long ago. Again, while I recognised that they had to run round before going to Forders, I didn't realise at the time that they went all the way to Wellingborough to do that.

I used to live in Ampthill (16 years ago now - where does time go?) so used to see the "Bin Liner" trains regularly. Haven't been back around Stewartby since and, while I am aware that the works has been gone for some time, I had wondered if the Bin Liners still operated. From your comment and looking at Google Earth it looks to be the case that Forders is no longer used for such trains (or anything else). Could someone let me know when all that finished please? Thanks.

Link here. https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/up-up-and-away-1960s-west-coast-main-line-railway-flyover-has-lift-off

I feel sure that this ticket should have been "marked" (i.e filled in) in some way. I am also fairly sure it was given to me at Liverpool Street by a railway official for some reason which I just don't recall but I am certain, as mentioned above, that I didn't take part in any "party trip" or travel to Europe from there. I did once catch the boat from Harwich on a school trip but got there using the train from Nottingham to Parkeston Quay.

I have been trawling through some of my old memorabilia and have just found a ticket from the early 60s marked Control Ticket. I have absolutely no recollection of why I have it except that I occasionally, over several years, used to travel into Liverpool Street from both Waltham Cross and Chelmsford when a young teenager and visiting a relative in the area. It is marked as Control Ticket in both French and German on the reverse. It mentions being used in conjunction with a "collective ticket" so I assume it is intended for use by individuals travelling as part of a party but I am sure that I never went through Liverpool Street as part of any organised group so I wondered if it was used for any other purpose? Any ideas?

I have a vague memory of a class 20 crossing at that point with a short, possibly works, train but it could well be my memory playing tricks.

Is the old box still there? I realise it would be out of use but wondered about the building itself. I can't make it out clearly from Google satellite although there appears to be something there. The view from the roads on Google streets is totally obstructed by vegetation and houses.

The resignalling of this line has been mentioned earlier. I took a few shots of Woburn Sands while this work was taking place but had not been completed. I guess the box didn't have a much longer life judging by it's condition.

Unfortunately I think that is most of what I have of the Bedford to Bletchley line (I do have some of the Midland Main Line near Ampthill tunnel but they are not really for this thread I think). I do have some of EMUs and HSTs around the time Bedford Station was rebuilt but, again, am not sure if it fits with this thread. I am currently slowly working my way through, what seems like thousands, of old negatives to see what else turns up. I accept that I was a poor photographer but, even then and in common with many others I guess, I am kicking myself for not taking many more shots of the "scenes" that were around then. Why is it that we all seem to think that things won't change much in future? Of course, again in common with many others, there was a cost associated with taking lots of pics then unlike now. Just one shot of the "New" Bedford Station and new EMUs.

Bedford Steam Shed Not sure if it is strictly within the remit of this thread but while searching for the other photos I found these taken about the same period (70/80s). The building still appears on Google (both satellite and street view) but surely must have been redeveloped by now? It looks like some work is happening on the site on street view and I guess that is a few years ago now.

I recently posted a couple of old photos of Stewartby and Millbrook taken in the 70s and 80s. I have finally managed to locate a few more. The one of Stewartby is taken from a similar angle to my previous picture but a few years different in time I think. The others show the work when the "new" St Johns was put in place. Hope they are of interest. Looking from just above the new St Johns over the chord to the Bletchley Line. The old St Johns was to the left and, in the left distance, is the bridge that went over the old original Midland line, through Shefford, to Hitchin. Old St Johns Station. Looking at Google Satellite view, the old trackbed is still not built on. Is that still true? Stewartby Stewartby Level Crossing Frame Edit: Added some titles to photos.

C14395. What is that in the siding (blue coach?) - top left of picture behind the signal? Great pictures Dave, as always. Peak Forest shots always welcome.

Solved!! http://www.westwardhohistory.co.uk/signal-box/ Thank you to the Westward Ho! History Group. My mind is at rest!

I really wish I could remember more about and exactly where in Westward Ho! I saw it. The problem is that when you are young you never realise how significant what you are looking at is, and therefore you don't note the details properly (Well, I didn't anyway). Roger, Thank you for the articles on the B, W H! & A, I have found them very interesting. It was easier to spot the traces in the 70s but much has "moved on" in the town since then. There are several web sites with information about the history of the railway and they mostly contain virtually the same information however I have just found the following on this site: http://train.spottingworld.com/Bideford,_Westward_Ho!_and_Appledore_Railway The fate of two signal boxes Upon closure one box was purchased by a local farmer, Mr. Atkins. He tried to convert it into an extension to his house, however he failed and sold the box to a person in Westward Ho! who used it as a Summer House. It still existed in 1968 (Dicker 1968). It now appears that this signal box was dismantled in 2001 by a railway enthusiast who has a garden railway near Newbury. He intends to re-assemble and use the box there. Another box is recorded by the 'Westward Ho! History Group' as still existing at No.7, Springfield Terrace in Westward Ho! now being used as a workshop. This box may have been owned by a W. Jordan in the late 1930s and his employer, who owned the house, was a Mr. Fred Bishop, antique dealer. It may not have come from the B.WH.&A.R., although one authority does suggest that its origin was Appledore. The most likely origin is Maddaford Moor on the old North Cornwall L.S.W.R line (Edmonds 1996). This seems to disagree with the common opinion that the Westward Ho! box ended it's years as a sweet shop on the site of the old station. However, having seen photos of the sweet shop, it certainly looked to be true. The only other box was the old Causeway and i didn't think my picture was that one. However, thinking back hard and working out where Springfield Terrace was, (behind what is now The Waterfront Inn. The field you see in the photo is now a car park). So I now wonder if my photo may have been the second one above. Although the fact that the first one mentioned above was still extant in 1968 suggests it might have been that one. So, still confused. Edit: Just found this additional, but similar information on another site: The fate of two signal boxes Upon closure one box was purchased by a local farmer, Mr. Atkins. He tried to convert it into an extension to his house, however he failed and sold the box to a person in Westward Ho! who used it as a summer house. It still existed in 1968.[9] Another box, which was for many years used as a workshop in the garden at No.7, Springfield Terrace in Westward Ho! had no connection with the B.WH.& A.R. The most likely origin is Maddaford Moor on the old North Cornwall L.S.W.R line.[16] This box was dismantled in January 2000 and removed for use on a garden railway near Newbury.[17] FRom http://everything.explained.today/Bideford%2c_Westward_Ho!_and_Appledore_Railway/ If there is anyone out there who can really explain about that signal box I would really appreciate it, Thanks.

Roger. I have just uncovered a photograph which I am sure was taken during the 70s at Westward Ho! My parents lived in Northam overlooking Westward Ho! at the time. Now, I am sure I remember seeing this myself but can't remember exactly where it was (Obviously not the original position). Possibly to the east of the old station site which I do remember quite well. My father always assumed it was from the railway but I wasn't sure and just wondered if it was an enthusiast who had bought a signal box from somewhere. However, looking through your articles it does bear some resemblances to the B,W H &H boxes - not the station one but perhaps the taller one in Bideford? I really don't know, but wondered if you, or anyone else, had any information on it please? Edit: I have just found a picture of the Causeway signal box (The taller one I mentioned above) in Douglas Stuckey's 1962 book about the railway and it is not the same as this box so I guess this one is an "import" from somewhere. I would still like to know more about it if anyone knows please?

Thanks to you and Melmerby (and for the much better picture!).

Another old pic dug out of the old photo box. Taken late 70s/early 80s? This, I think, is Verney Junction but it might be Claydon or Winslow. I used to have other pics which I am scrabbling to find - looks like I may be looking through hundreds of negs which is very slow work.

Thanks very much for the information guys. I really couldn't remember that the Westerns carried yellow panels that early. Most helpful and appreciated. I just checked and 1004 is underlined in my abc combined volume! I think the first Western we saw was 1005 Western Venturer. I remember my mate running his fingers over the letters on the nameplate for "good luck". I posted this picture on the Ghost in the Machine thread as well but the trip in 1962 was made using a "proper" ticket! It was the only Brixham Station had available to use!

Thank you for that view. It helps recall! However I still rather look down on the Hall being turned!

Ah!, Now I agree with that. I do recall that we went to Totnes. Thank you for that.

A few more of Millbrook Station and a newly built (new) St Johns Station. Lovely building. I was always a bit puzzled as to why St Johns new station was built but I assume it was because there were some bigger companies in the area. e.g. Granada - remember them? (Or had they gone by then?) Isn't the hand painted sign at Millbrook great? Tells you everything you need to know in a compact form.

I lived in Flitwick and Ampthill, close to Stewartby, for nearly thirty years so saw of lot of the "scenery". I also knew quite a few of the people who worked there - one our immediate neighbour. Like many such places, the scenery and pollution were accepted for the work they gave but that began to change quite rapidly in the 80s. We were lucky in that the wind blew most of the pollution away from us but I must admit to relief when the many brick works started to go but also surprise when Stewartby finally went as well. Luckily there was enough industry in the area to absorb most of the jobs (including a new Amazon warehouse). It has to be said that the view from Ampthill Park (Where the Midland main line goes through the tunnels. Also of "Golden Hare fame - remember that?) over Marston Vale is much improved these days.

Thanks. Now where did I put them? !!

Thanks. Ah! Yes, Tiverton Junction, where the Hemyock branch also left from. Unfortunately I still don't remember ever going there but certainly could have done.