GWSR Broadway Developments

No it wasn't recent, it was (unsurprisingly) when the signal box roof was being built!

 

Maybe this one?:
http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.com/2015/04/easter-activity.html

 

I remember now. The roof is insulated, and the windows are double glazed. The walls are traditional brickwork, but that is only really (most of) the back. Two modern electric heaters were installed. After we handed the build over to the department heritage people lost influence over it.

 

I happened to be talking to a signalman today about signal box stoves etc. he was complaining about the one at Winchombe as it wasn't very effective (but isn't an authentic one), and was extolling the virtues of the type of stove that you offered to fit Broadway 'box with, so why it ended up with a fireplace is a bit of a mystery!

 

Ah yes, that's the one, thanks. The Station waiting room roof received its insulation much more recently, after the extension opened this year.

 

Yes, that's what I was thinking of.

 

I seem to recall they also used insulation blocks under the signal box floor.

 

With all this talk of insulation and double glazing, are Gloucestershire signalmen ‘nesh’ ?

Robin

 

I don't know what that means but Broadway is in the county of Worcestershire.
More wiring and rodding work is being undertaken in preparation for bringing the signal box into use looking at the blog:http://gwsrsandt.blogspot.com/2018/08/a-bit-of-wiring.html

 

Apologies for getting county wrong.

It’s a rather lovely Derbyshire word that originally meant ‘over sensitive to the cold’ and is now use to mean ‘oversensitive’ a bit more widely.

Robin

 

Probably not in common use nowadays, but I know my grandmother used the word 'nesh' regularly to mean oversensitive to the cold, so certainly a Lancashire word.

Andy

 

And South Yorkshire, as I know from a friend who indoctrinated me into some of the culture there. I don't know about the rest of Yorkshire.

 

Never heard anyone say it here in the Peak District, though I shall add it to my lexicon from now on.

 

Don't forget the windows are double glazed. They constitute the majority of the sides of the operating room. Then the roof is insulated. It's only part of the back wall which is plain bricks.
Then also we won't be running trains at Broadway for a large part of the winter. Not the Santas either, I understand. So the signal box will not be the Siberian hardship it seems to be.

 

It's a Nottingham thing as well.

 

At risk of going further off topic, Staffordshire too

 

The floor in the Broadway station cafe has been laid:



It's in oak effect Karndean. Not real wood, the concrete floor prevented that, but it looks convincing. Quite an atmospheric room now.
Still to do:
4 radiators (white)
Picture rails
Door furniture
Counter (being made by our C&W people based on an old photograph)

The white sockets are temporary, I have been asked to say.

Appropriate furniture is under discussion. Any bright ideas out there?

 

Will there be a....clock?

Robin

 

Quite possibly. We've had a donation that could cover it. I'm just not quite in agreement with a fellow heritage - ist (are we ever?) about whether it should be round or drop case. I favour the latter. I've had a look on ebay and there are a few around. They carry different inscriptions, e.g. one was marked 'Totnes' and 'DCC' and it occurred to me that it would be nice to find one with a local name or manufacturer, eg Kays of Worcester. Any suggestions/tips gratefully received!

 

As you are aware, if you find the right clock, it can bear any inscription you want...!

But I would favour ‘GWR’.

Robin