12th April 2020

The answer.
Tozers Teaser

142025 Exmouth Junction 24th March 1986. Copyright David Tozer

Congratulations to:- Tony Hill who was first in - he wrote = Taken at the back of the former Exmouth Jn C&W works, which at the time of the pic. was being used by the Civil Engineers Dept. for the maintenance of on Track Machines (Tampers etc), plant and other equipment.The Skipper was being tested with a mobile carriage carriage washing machine, which subsequently was located at the Exeter St D Depot. All the best, Tony.
Graham Mann wrote - Hi. I think the answer to the skippers location is Exmouth Junction Depot. Keep up the good work;
Colin Burges wrote - Dear Keith,That's the stores road at Exmouth Junction wagon shops, if I'm not mistaken. Cheers, Colin;
Bill Elston wrote - I have a feeling the location was Exmouth Jct C & W. where a temporary carriage washing facility was set up. Stay safe, Bill.
Roger Aston wrote - he was very honest, he somehow discovered the caption when he enlarged the picture - well done anyway.  
Mark Fishlock wrote - I reckon the photo of the 142 is at Exmouth Junction. Kind Regards, Mark Fishlock 

Congratulations and thanks for writing in to all of you -  If anyone out there has a similar 'Teazer' to offer please send it in.

Bradford Junction
Guy Vincent
and the late David Barlett of Bradford on Avon

Following on from Clive's reminiscences of the above train here are a couple of views of it approaching and passing through Bradford North Junction at 1320hrs on Saturday January 21st 1984.     These were taken by my good friend David Bartlett who often spent time here when his signalman friend the late Mervyn Halbrook was working the 'box.     Of interest is the array of railway infrastructure that can be seen in the foreground.    The 'loop' line trailing in on the left comes from Bradford West Junction and just beyond the tall semaphore starting signals the three lines merge into one.  After the 'Peak' (45121) had passed David,   Mervyn would have taken the single line token from the driver and restored it to the Tyer Instrument in Bradford Junction Signal Box.   I've also included  a couple of shots taken inside the signal box around the same time and two more of a diverted Bristol-Paddington HST using the now-lifted West to North Junctions 'loop line on a Sunday morning in 1986.  Note the strange looking chimney  in the background at the nearby Nestle Staverton food processing factory.  The chimney was replaced in 1989; the loop went in March 1990 when the signal box closed and Westbury Panel assumed control of the area.  At the same time the up main line was removed between Bradford South and North Junctions and both West and North Junctions ceased to exist with the South Junction becoming simply 'Bradford Junction'.  All photos by David Bartlett.

Guy Vincent.

Bradford North Junction. The 'Mendip Artificer' approaches from the Swindon direction. The metals bearing off to the left are those towards the west junction and Bradford on Avon. Copyright the late David Bartlett of Bradford on Avon

Bradford North Jct the'Mendip Artificer' slows to give up the token. Copyright the late David Bartlett of Bradford on Avon

Bradford North Junction Signal Box Interior the box looking towargs the south junction. Before 1984; Copyright the late David Bartlett of Bradford on Avon.

Bradford North Junction, Token Instrument Copyright the late David Bartlett of Bradford on Avon.

Bradford Junction. A view through the back of the box of an HST heading for the north junction on the chord line. Copyright the late David Bartlett. of Bradford on Avon.

Bradford North Jctn the HST heads away from the north junction towards Melksham, Thingley Junction, Chippenham and Swindon. Copyright the late David Bartlett.

A VERY BIG thank you to Guy Vincent for sharing these wonderful pictures with us. Visits like David Bartlett's to signal boxes may have been unofficial and frowned upon - but thank heavens they did and we can share these memories.

Bradford Junction
Roger Winnen

Bradford Junction Signal Box from the window of a HST which was from London then via Chippenham, Westbury and Salisbury to Penzance. 24th April 1983 Copyright Roger Winnen - N.B The box closed 17th March 1990 six days after the singling of Bradford South Junction.

Many thanks Roger, I recall another visit to the area when on a CRS minibus trip we parked up and followed the path the signalmen would have taken to view the box from just outside the fence.

Staverton
Paul Barlow

6412 poses at Staverton on a photo charter on the 15th November 2015 Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul - more of these can be found in our features section.