West Somerset Railway General Discussion

There’s a very interesting work of social history called “Young Voices” by Lyn Smith, published by & in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum, that highlights just how broad those experiences were.


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The government however at this time was under a lot of pressure , thank goodness most of the decisions were the correct ones .

 

(Sorry, way OT for West Somerset!)
I know part of Kinver Edge at Drakelow was used as an underground shadow factory for Rover during WW2, but I'm not aware of any significant munitions being stored there. Any info to the contrary would be welcome.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakelow_Tunnels
Robin (ex-Kinver resident)

 

Hi Robin (apologies everyone else for this) I've had anecdotal evidence from a local historian that some munitions were stored in some of the caves around Kinver, as you say there was the shadow factory for Rover there, looking online I can't seem to find any mention of Ordnance storage apart from the mention of the manufacture of Grenades here http://www.kinveronline.co.uk/a-brief-history-of-kinver/ you will have to Scroll down until the 1940-1950 section. I'm maybe thinking if I've got my parts of Staffs mixed up though https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Fauld_explosion. On the other hand with air bases at Bridnorth and Halfpenny Green nearby an series of underground caves would make a useful storage facility. Also I've heard stories of William Joyce briefly taking residence in Kinver for a while in the 1930's and him mentioning Kinver and what the Luftwaffe would do to improve Dudley! Again to anybody reading this for the latest goings on between Norton Fitzwarren and Minehead I do apologise!

 

Or most likely, Kinverted into rubble...... literally!

Like your mother, mine spent her formative years growing up in London through the war, but I think it was her 'parents' who put a stop to her being moved out, as it later transpired she was born out of wedlock & adopted - frowned upon in those days.

No idea how much of the area she grew up in was bombed, but I'd hazard a guess at plenty & what wasn't flattened by the Luftwaffe was finished off when they built the M1 - the area was flattened out of existence.

 

Deleted

 

While the Troglodytes have been re-housed.... in Westminster perhaps?

 

Apologies if this is the wrong thread, but I am trying to find out how to contact "Readers' Halt", as my brother is about to throw out a lot of old railway magazines and I was wondering if they would be interested in them.

 

Phone the BL shop who will be able to put you in touch.

 

The main number at Minehead would probably give you a quicker response.

 

Try Minehead rather than BL - 01643 704996.

 

[QUOTE=" On the other hand with air bases at Bridnorth and Halfpenny Green nearby an series of underground caves would make a useful storage facility. [/QUOTE]

From an article in the SVR magazine last year, it would seem that RAF Bridgenorth was a basic training camp for WAAFs from early in the war, not a flying station. This created much traffic for Bridgenorth station, of course.

EDIT: Sorry, this was a reply to Matt 37401.

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #80

Williton 1962 / 2017

Lots of period detail in the 'then' shot, including the pre-grouping signal still in use as the down platform starter.

Copyright Chris Gammell / Robin White

1962


2017

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #81

Williton 1910 / 2017

The 'then' date is an estimate between the loop extension and the footbridge having its 'prop' fitted.

1910


2017

 

The "now" Williton station certainly looks a credit to the WSR.

I think I prefer the current footbridge to the lattice one, but it could be my untrained eye yearning for something a little different - all "survivor" footbridges in Queensland are of the uncovered variety!

I don't suppose there is a spare water column hiding around the traps anywhere? I know there was some thread debate over the usefulness of one, but even installed as a folly it would be the cherry on top!

 

From an article in the SVR magazine last year, it would seem that RAF Bridgenorth was a basic training camp for WAAFs from early in the war, not a flying station. This created much traffic for Bridgenorth station, of course.

EDIT: Sorry, this was a reply to Matt 37401.[/QUOTE]

Or even Bridgnorth

 

Well, I think there is!
There isorwoz a water column sleeping in the 6-foot at the MD end of the platforms. It may be the black blob in the 2017 photo.
The pipe connecting from the original water tank to the 2 columns was un-earthed during the recent track extension. I don't know if it is usable.
For the odd occasions it would be needed, Water @ Williton would be very useful - it should be on the list, but maybe not very high up.
I recall SRM93 taking a sip from a garden hose laid across the Down line.

 

It would be lovely to see the column re-erected in or close to its old position. However, operationally, it would probably be better tompug it further back so that a loco standing at the signal the Minehead side of the footbridge could take water.

Robin

 

I do love the 1962 shot , that is at the end of the period of when I was coming to stay with my grandparents in Watchet on holiday . Seeing the Pannier and freight train , is just how I remember it along with the rain . Many thanks Robin for putting the memories into pictures .

 

Press Release from WSSRT:

PRESS RELEASE: immediate. 1 October 2017

Historic homecoming for railway treasure after 50 years


West Somerset Railway supporters have brought a unique Great Western Railway signal box name plate back to the popular heritage railway.


Minehead signal box closed in 1966 and its nameplate was sold. Railway volunteers clubbed together to buy the nameplate and bring it back to Somerset. Rapid work by 22 supporters, and the Friends of Minehead Station had the purchase price of £1,400 raised in less than a week. It is still in the same condition it was when removed from the signal box in 1966, complete with original British Railways Western Region chocolate-and-cream paintwork.


The plate will now form part of the collection of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, the heritage charity supportingthe line. Chris Austin, Chairman of the Trust said:


“This was a magnificent effort by supporters of the Railway to raise the necessary funds so quickly. This important piece of the line’s history will help us tell the story of railways in Somerset to future generations. In the dark days fifty years ago when the line was running down towards closure, who could have foreseen it would ever come back to today’s successful West Somerset Railway?”


The newly acquired name plate will be on display at the Trust’s Museum at Blue Anchor station, near Minehead from the 5th to the 8th October (10.30am – 4.00pm) during the West Somerset Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala.


Photographs:

(1) The newly acquired signal box name plate held by duty volunteer signalman Richard Neal in front of the present Minehead signal box on the West Somerset Railway.
(2) Minehead signal box which closed in 1966, pictured here in 1958