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Toddington...an observation

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Reading General, Jun 12, 2013.

  1. BillR

    BillR Well-Known Member

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    I suspect they are actually the portable ramps to enable disabled passengers to board/alight, in which case they are an essential part of any railway these days.
     
  2. frazoulaswak

    frazoulaswak Member

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    Well said, that man!
    It is to be hoped that, in the fullness of time, much the same will be said about Broadway station.
    Cheers,
     
  3. *8A*

    *8A* New Member

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    the other way, definitely a "prize length"

    [​IMG]
    Yes, having visited for the Bank Holiday event, I was very impressed with the 'new' route north and the efforts being made to tidy up the lineside, typified by this picture, the wild flowers looking lovely. I am sure there is a good reason for the track layout being this way but I felt it was a pity the double track couldn't have been taken a bit around the curve to have given the full impression of the original double track railway.
     
  4. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    nope....they were sales stands on the platform outside the shop I think with books on if i recall correctly and others were in use for catering purposes
     
  5. burnettsj

    burnettsj Member

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    There's a siding tucked around the corner, used partly to store out of use items and also a rake of coaches if there is only one in use.

    Stephen
     
  6. JFlambo

    JFlambo New Member

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    Should we read nothing into the fact that the track laid in the extension isn't in the centre, and to the left? (so double tracking wouldn't require moving it). And the run-around-loop at the current running limits just happens to be over a double track bridge? ;)
     
  7. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    probably not, it wouldn't look"right" if the track was in the centre somehow, but no cost incurred in keping open an option. I think you can just see that siding in the photo
     
  8. GeoffS75

    GeoffS75 Member

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    All the running line on the GWSR is slewed to one side of the original double track formation. I may be wrong but I believe in part this is to facilitate Permanent Way access as the unused side allows vehicles to drive along if required.

    The exception (again I may be wrong) is Stanway viaduct just north of Toddington (beyond the siding mentioned by Stephen) where the running line is central.
     
  9. JFlambo

    JFlambo New Member

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    Seriously though - they know what they're doing, the GWSR. I've visited many times and all of the staff I talked to were friendly and welcoming. Taking pictures and nit-picking over little things is extremely silly considering it's a (barry scrapyard) miracle you can witness steam trains anywhere to begin with... let alone at the GWSR where all of the stations are immaculate, and the line itself oozes atmosphere.

    I saw a man at the KWVR complaining to a volunteer about rolling stock once. This poor young guy, who was giving up his own time on a sunny Saturday, was just having to take it. When I was a child I used to go to Ais Gill a lot with my family. It wasn't uncommon for us (more precisely a 7 year old me) to be told to 'SHHH' by angry nearby cameramen who were filming the locomotive make the climb, and I guess my excitement was ruining their footage. Lets upset a kid so there's no background sound on this recording.

    Steam preservation is brilliant but I'm always disappointed by the (cough) it attracts.
     
  10. D6969

    D6969 New Member

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    Yes and no for the alignment, it does aid us on Pway, both maintenance and laying (or relaying in some cases), but there are a few bridges which we would have to slew track to one side or other to pass over. As Reading General surmises this does give the benefit of double tracking at a latter date. Also to add to RG comment double track to viaduct, it was originally intended to do this utilising the north siding as a running line but operational difficulties, the lack of suitable accommodation for the stock etc dictated the current layout.

    So far we have the viaduct with track central, a little bit of the infamous curve toward the middle, a change of sides at Southam road bridge (for embankment access sharing for the racecourse for Gold Cup) and a change of sides for the track on the southern approach to Laverton, due to the "nature" of heading north...., this section might see a more centrally positioned track.

    Overall the predominate side for the track is the Stratford to Cheltenham (or Cotswold) side.

    Laying of track onwards to Broadway will be subject to repair of a number of bridges, I believe announcements will be made later in the year regarding this.
     
  11. Corbs

    Corbs Well-Known Member

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    Anger?
     
  12. Pesmo

    Pesmo Member

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    I visited for the first time yesterday with a mate. I have to say that I was very impressed given the challenges that the railway has faced recently. The station that really surprised me was Cheltenham racecourse, which was far more pleasant and sheltered than I expected it to be. I presume the current works there are to rebuild a second platform ? With a few years and a clear wind the railway is going to be excellent and possibly up there with Severn Valley.

    One question I do have. Why doesn't Bishops Cleeve have a station or at least a basic halt ? Given its large 15,000 population there must be a significant source of income going begging there that is not being tapped ?
     
  13. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Racecourse station is pretty close to Bishops Cleve TBH only a short car/bus journey and walkable for the more abled so any traffic gains wouldn't amount to much I would imagine.
     
  14. Kinghambranch

    Kinghambranch Well-Known Member

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    Sadly, Bishops Cleeve Station was an early victim of the Line's closure to passengers, being demolished not long after local services ended in 1960. The Station buildings and signal box were built of Cotswold Stone (like Gotherington) and would have been a wonderful sight if they had survived. The goods yard was sold off many years ago and the local British Legion hall and car park now occupies it. The station area on both sides has suffered encroachment due to land sales after closure so that by the time the line was purchased by the GWSR in 1981 only the formation remained. The existing trademark GWR pine trees and a couple of railway cottages mark the site of the station today.
     
  15. michaelh

    michaelh Part of the furniture

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    Station is pleasant - pity the same can't be said for the signal box, though.
     
  16. louis.pole

    louis.pole New Member

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    I've got to agree with you there. Whoever designed it knows very little about the style of GWR signal boxes. The windows don't look right and the font on the nameplate is completely wrong.
    Had I been supplied with that thing I'd be asking for a refund in full.
     
  17. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I'm sure the loco owner will be devastated to learn that you think their reason for painting the loco they way they saw fit is a "lame excuse." Perhaps you could help them feel better by offering to pay for the changes so that it will no longer "horrify" Adrian.
     
  18. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Correct. W51363 it looks like. Perhaps the OP needs to visit Specsavers. :)
     
  19. louis.pole

    louis.pole New Member

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    I think you are missing the point completely. The owner should bear the full cost of a repaint as penalty for applying the ridiculously large logo in the first place. It would seem those at the G&W know little about the subtleties of GWR style.
     
  20. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Oh no, another rivet counter with plenty to say but no practical assistance to help.

    Thats all we need.

    Chris:
     

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