One for the train buffs.

[bobins]

Yep, those sheds and any others still lingering on there by the side of them - there were Romneys there as well, but I don't know if they still survive. Somewhere I have a list of the sites from a particular point in time - quite interesting where these places were as they were normally in quiet 'out of the way' locations.

[CitroJim]

I think modern day trains should revert back to signal boxes, I'm sick and tired of train delays due to signal failure or a points issue or strikes

Indeed, the old mechanical signalling systems and mechanically operated points were tremendously well engineered, very reliable and easy to fix when problems arose...

And let's bring back proper locomotives - leaves were never a problem and nor was snow of any type - as long as it was not too deep!

Leaves are a big issue these days I believe - I may be wrong - due to the masses of vegetation now growing right up to the lineside. Some lines are almost hidden in it. It looks more like a jungle than a railway...

Compare and contrast at how well the vegetation was kept under strict control and kept well away from the tracks years ago and just how neat and tidy it was... It was a true joy to behold and these days it's just awful to look at the apparent neglect and litter strewn all over.

I suppose it took a huge workforce to maintain such neatness and these days would cost the earth and have the tree huggers up in arms. Also, back in the steam days, too much encroaching vegetation was a massive fire risk, as it still is when steam specials are run... They often need to be assisted by a diesel so they don't have to work so hard they risk spitting red hot lumps of coal, clinker and ashes out of their chimneys and setting all around ablaze...

[CitroJim]

Somewhere I have a list of the sites from a particular point in time - quite interesting where these places were as they were normally in quiet 'out of the way' locations.

I'd be interested in that Robin, I always remember my parents pointing out a Buffer Depot when I was a kid and making our way to see relatives in Bristol. I can't recall exactly now but I think it was in a small village and definitely out of the way. Farrington Gurney or Hallatrow it may have been...

[bobins]

Somewhere I have a list of the sites from a particular point in time - quite interesting where these places were as they were normally in quiet 'out of the way' locations.

I'd be interested in that Robin, I always remember my parents pointing out a Buffer Depot when I was a kid and making our way to see relatives in Bristol. I can't recall exactly now but I think it was in a small village and definitely out of the way. Farrington Gurney or Hallatrow it may have been...

I am still looking for that list, Jim. 4 hours and counting so far - I know it resides on my PC somewhere From memory, there was a buffer depot just up from Farrington Gurney - it was where The Bookbarn used to be.
It's the sheds right in the centre of the screenshot. You can see the route of the former railway line to the right going north/south.

Buffer depot site - Google Maps

[NewcastleFalcon]

And I'm following with great interest the construction of your own signal box

AS per usual recently, more rain so took a pic of progress and augmented it with a bit of rough and ready editing with "paint" (yes the microsoft tool not the real stuff), to give some idea of the look of the finished article. Plenty to keep me amused, basic brickwork and framework up just need to fill in the holes with windows doors and roofing. Don't have quite enough second hand slates to do the job I would like to do on it just yet. The scavenged slate is considerably cheaper than the bought variety. The windows will be and adventure in DIY, but its just wood and more likely to be perspex than glass, and I have managed to scavenge a couple of hardwood doors which may need a bit of butchering to fit to scale, and the current dimensions of the "hole".

The project is definitely a "rain maker", loads of interruptions.

Falcon Original

Neil

[CitroJim]

I am still looking for that list, Jim. 4 hours and counting so far - I know it resides on my PC somewhere From memory, there was a buffer depot just up from Farrington Gurney - it was where The Bookbarn used to be.
It's the sheds right in the centre of the screenshot. You can see the route of the former railway line to the right going north/south.

May your search eventually be successful Robin Now I've seen the aerial picture and looked closely on the OS map, that's the one! Between Farringdon Gurney and Hallatrow on the A37/A39 junction... I always remembered it being on a big road junction... Thanks ever so much for bringing back a memory

The railway was the old GWR Camerton line that ran through Radstock and Midsomer Norton and on to Bristol - through the heart of the Somerset Coal field. It was also the one the Titfield Thunderbolt was filmed on just after closure...

Good work on the signal box Neil. With your skills you could build me a new conservatory Looking for someone to do it!

[bobins]

Now I've seen the aerial picture and looked closely on the OS map, that's the one! Between Farringdon Gurney and Hallatrow on the A37/A39 junction... I always remembered it being on a big road junction... Thanks ever so much for bringing back a memory

Memories for me, as well. That's exactly where the clutch clip on my first Xantia went 'ping'. I managed to drive it to the Bookbarn doing clutchless gearchanges and then waited for the AA. And waited. And waited

[CitroJim]

Now I've seen the aerial picture and looked closely on the OS map, that's the one! Between Farringdon Gurney and Hallatrow on the A37/A39 junction... I always remembered it being on a big road junction... Thanks ever so much for bringing back a memory

Memories for me, as well. That's exactly where the clutch clip on my first Xantia went 'ping'. I managed to drive it to the Bookbarn doing clutchless gearchanges and then waited for the AA. And waited. And waited

Oh gosh, not the best of memories Robin I'll remember for ever the task of fitting a new one too - upside-down in the driver's footwell. I once got trapped when the door closed on me and I had to lie there until the girls came home from school and released me

[Gibbo2286]

Had a look through my photo albums today, this I think fits here, the little guy is me in the B&O railway museum in Baltimore on one of my visits to my daughter.

[Rp0thejester]

Had a look through my photo albums today, this I think fits here, the little guy is me in the B&O railway museum in Baltimore on one of my visits to my daughter.

Are you a pigmy or is that a big train!?

[Gibbo2286]

I'm five feet eight inches in me socks, it's a big train.

[mickthemaverick]

We came across a similar loco, 4-8-4 Number 2584, in Montana on our Chicago - Seattle train trip:

MTM Original

[Rp0thejester]

I'm five feet eight inches in me socks, it's a big train.

my 14yr old is 6 foot tall, he'll soon be taller than me!! So it's not a big train then..... Actually 5 8 is quite a good measure for the train wheels!!

[Gibbo2286]

We came across a similar loco, 4-8-4 Number 2584, in Montana on our Chicago - Seattle train trip:

Big stuff Mick. Just outside Baltimore there's a small town called Ellicott City, they have a branch of the B&O rail museum, it's on a bend in the tracks, the local youths used to sit on the fence watching the trains go by until one day a train derailed and dumped a hundred tonnes of coal on them.

[Hell Razor5543]

Had a look through my photo albums today, this I think fits here, the little guy is me in the B&O railway museum in Baltimore on one of my visits to my daughter.

Is that one of the eight remaining 4-8-8-4 steam locomotives (know as Big Boy)?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_Big_Boy