Recent content by euryalus

The signal box at Heacham, on the Hunstanton branch, was sited to the north of the platforms on the down side. However, I have been looking at some old photographs and have discovered that there was a second box on the up side of the line. This wooden structure seems to have appeared around...

The Staines West branch was a Southall duty, which is why I think No.9707 may have occasionally worked freight services on the line (?)

Back in the 1960s the range of locomotives available to railway modellers was somewhat limited. However, K's produced '00' and 'TT' gauge kits for the construction of '97XX' class condensing panniers and, in consequence, these models ran on many layouts, including branch line layouts set in...

The description says "Unlike World War Two Great Western 'ARP' boxes, the cabin was glazed on all sides (offering no protection from blast). A chemical toilet was installed for the benefit of the signalman, but there were no main services – all lighting being by means of oil lamps". At best...

My question was not about the rear window, as such. The reference that I have seen implies a cabin with a fully-glazed operating floor which did not conform to the usual SR design - I thought all SR boxes post 1930s were in effect 'ARP' designs of brick construction with small windows?

A question has arisen regarding the wartime signal box erected at Staines Moor by the Southern Railway during World War Two. Briefly, a Ms. source refers to the box having windows on all sides, unlike a GWR 'ARP' box which would have been designed to withstand blast damage. But the SR had its...

In December 2005 The Railway Magazine stated that the proposed "Greater Western" franchise would include "three of the new Community Railway (CR) Pilot schemes. It said that, under CR, rural lines would be "operated and managed on a different basis", the implication being that they would be run...

The 'Flying Scotsman' excursion was said to have been the last passenger train to call at Chesterfield Central - I think it ran southwards over the loop, although there was no corresponding northwards trip!

I was looking at a map of Chesterfield the other day and was quite surprised to find that there is a substantial tunnel beneath the town, which once connected the Chesterfield Central branch to the GCR main line, thereby creating the "Chesterfield Loop" between Staveley, Chesterfield and Heath...

Have had another look at some of the so-called "abandoned railways" explorations, and have noted that several sites have been targeted, including the Kent & East Sussex, Gloucester & Warwickshire and Swanage lines.

The "urban explorer" who filmed the derelict rolling stock calls himself "Seany". He is quite prolific. Most of the stock appeared to be in very poor condition - although there was also a breakdown crane which looked fairly complete (I am not sure when the filming took place).

I think Norden, on the Swanage line, is indeed the location. It is slightly worrying that a preserved railway could be mistaken for a "railway train graveyard".

I have had a quick search through the internet and think the "abandoned" rolling stock is on the Swanage line.

In his excellent book 'Crewe to Carlisle' (1969) Brian Reed refers to Wigan North Western station having "two islands and one single platform". He makes no mention of any bay platforms, so does this imply that the present bay platforms were added during the 1970s reconstruction scheme?

I have been following some of the so-called "urban exploration" video episodes on YouTube, and came across an "abandoned train" blog (or should that be vlog?) However, the abandoned train appears to me to be parked somewhere on a preserved railway - in other words it is not abandoned at all. I...