West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Heaven only knows what improper use of toilet paper involved. Maybe the railway signs of the past were as stupid as modern ones advising signalmen to "Beware of trains" .
RobinL

 

A few years ago at my local station (Shenfield) there was a sign saying "Passengers not allowed past this point" or words to that effect. It was mounted on a post made from a piece of old rail which was marked "LNER". I went back there recently to photograph it.... but it has gone... the new Crossrail developments have overtaken the past.
RobinL

 

I do like your plan, which has a track layout reminiscent of Horsted Keynes

 

A couple of questions, Robin,

1) How much would the platform need to be cut back at the north end so as not to need a very sharp turnout at that point - 1 coach length? Or more?

2) The new platform 2/3 would ideally be at least double the width of the present one so that passengers coming off in wheelchairs don't tip straight off the edge of the other platform - or Yorkshireman coming down the loading ramp on his buggy and the brakes failing! This, together with the new track, would take up all the roadway, so are you envisaging doing away with the road altogether?

 

This is probably a fruitless discussion. I doubt that much will happen at BL for several years yet. IF anything does happen then the first issue to be addressed is surely car parking.

 

That's why I have particular doubts about the authenticity of this sign although, of course, I am quite likely wrong! I just cannot imagine the Victorians putting such a sign up in a public place as opposed to employees' areas. Supposedly "jokey" fakes of this sort abound.

One example of the financial gains to be made by faking railwayana is the American Waltham pocket watch. Fine things but made by the million so a silver cased example is worth, say, £200. For some reason the L.B.S.C.R. indulged in sterling silver cased Walthams for their employees. These auction for £700+ so the financial rewards for jiggery pokery are tempting.

Both private collectors and museums of railwayana need to be very careful.

PH

 

Deleted

 

About one coach length.

Yes, road closed.

Maybe, but, having foolishly not purchased the MoF Depot for the song we were offered it many years ago, we are now not the only organisation with designs on the ground.

Without a plan, we are in no position to engage in the planning process.

Robin

 

Bye bye Dinmore.

Last day for Dinmore Manor today. It's been great seeing both that and Foxcote about the Railway in past months. Just the perfect loco for us. I look forward to the day when Odney and Ditcheat share a day's train service on the WSR.

(This is Foxcote passing Station House with the 10:10 from MD today.)

 

Just a quick observation from someone who prefers to see GW engines in green; the black number and name plates on Foxcote looked far more pleasing to the eye than the red ones on Dinmore at the gala last week. Good to see both Manors out and about though.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

 

I agree with your first point. As for the Goods Lockup, as a point of detail , this did not need planning permission, but did have to meet the stringent demands of the Conservation Officer of the local council. I guess this requirement does not apply to the newly erected signs as they are considered to be essential for an operating railway even though they have been erected in a designated conservation area .

What does concern me is the mindset of the installation of these new signs, and where is leads to next. A yellow line painted a metre or so from the platform edge? Dimpled coping stones? "mind the gap" in large letters at stations such as Watchet? Logically these should follow. Don't be silly I hear you say, that won't happen - well don't bet on it!

 

A shame, then, that the conservation officer did not look at a few old photographs of the actual building, nor the extant examples elsewhere.

As far as the signs go, you are absolutely correct. This is the thin end of a wedge when a foolish instruction is imposed from on high with no consultation or apparent sensible thought. A very dangerous precedent for the whole Railway if allowed to pass unchallenged / unreversed.

Entirely unrelated to the above, we have some lovely period enamel advertising signs on the stations... This example is at Bishops Lydeard.

Robin

 

Dimpled coping stones - Tactile Paving is the technical term

 

Yes. A requirement for all new platforms. If existing then grandfather rights apply so no problem at Crowcombe Heathfield.
Regards

Matt

 

So required on Platform 3 in Robin's plan?

 

I would say so, yes.

Regards

Matt

 

Probably! Mind, we already have a platform with dimples:


"Going to the Steam Rally"

Steve

 

This is the sort of thing that is so unnecessary: (at Winchcombe)



A thousand pounds? Really??? How many times have you collected that? Or even £5?

And the 'heritage' sign above is Cambrian....

 

I did say I would not comment on this issue again!!! Some one needs to decide whether the message is "be careful" or "Don't". Fully in favour of up to date penalties being displayed. Style of (both) notices is another thing.

PH