West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I think not. General policy is that only one discount is allowed per ticket, so as the Watchet Explorer is already discounted there cannot be any further discount.

 

Robin,

Very good then and now, thank you.

It was perhaps to much to ask that you erected a step ladder in the middle of the road to take the photograph, an extra 6 foot would be about right looking at the angle of the gutter line on the station building. Perhaps the only original structure which has remained unaltered is the stone vertical face of the platform. Oh to be able to go back and sample that late Victorian era, and all that wonderful detail of a bygone age. I wonder what splendid polished tank engine and rolling stock was soon to arrive to collect those waiting passengers.

PS do any of our signal boxes still have to hooks for the linesmen and signal engineers request signs (If I've got the 'T' and 'S' right)? Must have been trouble that day to have both up, or was the kettle on the fire?

Andy.

 

You are welcome.

In fact I was standong on the top rail of the fence west of the crossing, so true equivalence is probably 10 feet up in the air. The Victorian photographer must have found a real vantage point.

Displaying the T and S boards was, I believe, an 'alright' indication.

I don't think the wickets were locked.

Robin

 

Andy , its a nice surprise to see you wax lyrical about the Victorian era! I thought you were one of those who did'nt acknowledge anything before 1923! I see we think alike.

Robin you say the T & S boards were a alright indication but there must have been more to it than that, whats 'alright? the signalbox? the signalman!? Cant have been the line as the signals themselves indicate that.

 

Happy to be corrected but I believe 'S' was signal and 'T' telegraph. Displaying the letter the right way up signified'OK' and (I think) on their side was a signal for the passing technician to get off the train.

Robin

 

Here's another WSR 'then and now'.

After yesterday's Blue Anchor view in which quite a lot had changed in 117 years, here's a view where not that much has changed in over 140 years....

Watchet, viewed looking down across the station from the hill above.

About 1875



2017

 

Ah, now back before the goods siding was put in the ground must have been on a level with the house at the side, was it 1912ish they would have dug that out? Very much higher than the ground in the car park nowadays.

 

In the before picture at BA I see just the single line running between the platforms , where did they get the extra width for the second line ? Please

Paul . K

 

There was only one platform.

The cutting was widened for the second track and platform, remembering that this had been a broad gauge line less than 20 years before.

Robin

 

When was that done?

 

13th April 1904.

Robin

 

Blimey, those navvies worked fast!

Tom

 

Necessary extra land bought for £30.....!

Robin

 

Wot - on the same day as well? Looks like the GWR had a decent land agent as well

Tom

 

Parliamentary approval was necessary for the extra line of rails over the crossing - and that was obtained in 1903.

Robin

 

A ha ! Thank you very much Robin .

 

I can count five, possibly six thatched roofs that have been replaced in slate, but otherwise it looks much the same. Was the footbridge made from wood then? it certainly looks like it.

 

Yes, footbridge wooden originally.

Pretty much brand new in the 1875 shot.

Robin

 

One thing I noticed was that there isn't a clock in the roof of what is now ( or what was ) the Watchet Urban District Council Chambers at the top of Swain Street . I do believe it commemorates our Queen Elizabeth's coronation .

 

I see the solar panels have been taken off the boat museum.

.....runs and ducks for cover.