Trivia Investigation Team

[bobins]

Yep, 3" main, 2 metres away

[NewcastleFalcon]

Case number 3
The black rubber thing

the black rubber thing whatisit? (easy)

This is the station as was when it was in use

My assumption is the black rubber thing lying on the edge of the platform was originally as arrowed

REgards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

If it helps here is a more close up view

the black rubber thing (maybe not so easy?)

Regards Neil

[bobins]

Such a shame you didn't post that picture at the end of last week Amberley holds part of BT's Connected Earth collection, and in that collection is a large display of telegraph insulators. I could have given you chapter and verse on that particular insulator

[NewcastleFalcon]

Such a shame you didn't post that picture at the end of last week Amberley holds part of BT's Connected Earth collection, and in that collection is a large display of telegraph insulators. I could have given you chapter and verse on that particular insulator

Thanks Bobins I have just come across this. When our local branchline in Durham had the track taken up the white ceramic insulators were still left in situ on the telegraph poles. Excellent target practice for developing your stone throwing skills.

So that one is what I would describe as rubber but there is more to it. I do hope that I have stumbled across a genuine "gutta Percha" Insulator

http://www.igg.org.uk/gansg/3-sigs/poles.htm

To carry the telegraph and telephone signals and electrical block instrument signals the railways had to run wires alongside the track. Prior to the second world war electrical wires had to be insulated using natural rubber or material such as gutta percha, both of which degraded over time, hence it was more economical to suspend telephone and telegraph wires from glass or ceramic insulators on the lineside telegraph poles. Gutta Percha is a rubber-like Malayan gum obtained from trees which is liquid when heated and solid when cool. It is an excellent insulator and was used as the main cable insulation for underground and under sea cables for many years......

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

I find out the Gutta Percha is used in Dentistry today for filling root canals! Who knew

Victorian Gutta Percha Chess Set


Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

So that one is what I would describe as rubber but there is more to it. I do hope that I have stumbled across a genuine "gutta Percha" Insulator

....there is indeed more to it.... Case 3 gets more fascinating by the minute

A chap called William Keith-Neal has written a book called Searching for Railway Telegraph Insulators and it's priced at £235 on Amazon right now

If the book is £235, how much would a genuine gutta percha insulator itself be worth?

Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

It is amazing how books about such specialist subjects are priced. Presumably it is because the publishers need to cover costs reasonably quickly and can only expect limited sales to the interested few. Of course, based on that presumption, the list price probably is related to forecast sales and hence shows once more what a superb free source of information the FCF is to those with a mild interest!!

[NewcastleFalcon]

And there's even more....my flabber is well and truly gasted

There are people all over the world who are interested in telegraph insulators, and have collections of them, and there's even a telegraph pole appreciation society.

https://www.google.com/search?q=telegra ... 93&bih=482


Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

I am equally astounded!! Having spent a short time during my GPO apprenticeship working with an overhead construction team installing such things I find it very hard to get interested let alone enthusiastic about anything related to telegraph poles!!

[CitroJim]

And there's even more....my flabber is well and truly gasted

There are people all over the world who are interested in telegraph insulators, and have collections of them, and there's even a telegraph pole appreciation society...

Indeed, there's a society and a forum and/or Facebook group for just about any interest you care to imagine

It just goes to show just what a fantastically diverse and fascinating species we are. We all collect something or another and take interest in the most arcane of arcane...

May it long continue... It's truly the spice of life

[NewcastleFalcon]

Here's a bit of background to William Keith-Neal who wrote the book from this article in the Independant

Crown jewels of the wire

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Case number 4
A picture-Lets fill-in the backgound to this journey

tug and platform. The tug is called En Avant 20

Photograph taken Craster Northumberland 3.30 ish. Vessel moves very slowly. Right now off Bamburgh/Seahouses

https://www.marinetraffic.com

Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

Given the information on the tug which you can find here:
https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/EN ... -244790685

So I would advocate the journey is defined on the right!?

[NewcastleFalcon]

Thats the journey En Avant 20 is the Tug and the Journey is from The Tyne to Invergordon. Wonder if the barge itself is named and what is getting towed and where it was manufactured.

Regards Neil