Henstridge

[RailWest]

There used to be shunt signals at Henstridge for movements in to/out of the siding, but these were abolished in 1952 at the same time as the Home signals.

 

Those shunt signals are very elusive in the photographic record. Does anyone know of any photos please (ideally dated, if only approximately) which show them, especially the one for exit from the siding (no 8)?

 

Chris

 

[RailWest]

I've come across an entry in one of the old S&DJR WTT Appendices which said that any vehicles on UP trains intended for Henstridge had to be marshalled next to the engine. So how did they shunt these - were they tow-roped into the siding by the engine, or hauled in and then propelled back into the dock spur? 

[bécasse]

Probably tow-roped in (and then pinch-barred back if necessary). General tow-roping was outlawed in the Edwardian period so there should be a reference somewhere, I would expect it to be in the Joint Railway appendix but it could just be in local instructions, to tow-roping being permitted at this location (for just up trains?). Given the position of the cattle dock, it might be that, in practice, it was only cattle vans that were normally involved.

[RailWest]

It would appear that British Railways Journal No 54 (Winter 1995) had an article about Henstridge by Roger Carpenter. Might anyone perhaps have that issue and could scan the relevant pages for me please?