Norton Bavant
Martin Baker
Martin Baker
Hi Keith, some new photos attached for you
Norton Bavant is a delightful location situated in the Wylye Valley approx. 2 miles east of Warminster.
A quiet roadbridge off the B3414 is overlooked by the iron age Scratchbury Hillfort and a famers bridge 5 mins walk to the East provides a second location.
On the 8th July 1987 we see
33001 working an eastbound aggregate train probably from Westbury to Eastleigh.
59003 working an early evening Merehead Fareham
Later in the year we see
33204 on a Cardiff Portsmouth
47626 Atlas working a midday 3 coach Portsmouth Cardiff
The passage of some 36 years has seen the location completely change as we can see from 60009 Union of South Africa seen 19 July 2017 on the Cathedrals Express
A full link to the video can be found here together with a second from the location.
https://youtu.be/KRpZOqPs8zk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRmb0TSBpVk&t=105s
The last photograph illustrates the height extension to the structure of the original bridge and the difficulty to photograph over it.
Kind Regards, Martin Baker
Norton Bavant is a delightful location situated in the Wylye Valley approx. 2 miles east of Warminster.
A quiet roadbridge off the B3414 is overlooked by the iron age Scratchbury Hillfort and a famers bridge 5 mins walk to the East provides a second location.
On the 8th July 1987 we see
33001 working an eastbound aggregate train probably from Westbury to Eastleigh.
59003 working an early evening Merehead Fareham
Later in the year we see
33204 on a Cardiff Portsmouth
47626 Atlas working a midday 3 coach Portsmouth Cardiff
The passage of some 36 years has seen the location completely change as we can see from 60009 Union of South Africa seen 19 July 2017 on the Cathedrals Express
A full link to the video can be found here together with a second from the location.
https://youtu.be/KRpZOqPs8zk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRmb0TSBpVk&t=105s
The last photograph illustrates the height extension to the structure of the original bridge and the difficulty to photograph over it.
Kind Regards, Martin Baker
1 33001 working an aggragate train probably Westbury to Eastleigh. 8th July 1987. Copyright Martin Baker
2 59003 59003 working an early evening Merehead Fareham. 8th July 1987. Copyright Martin Bake
3 33204 Cardif to Portsmouth.Copyright Martin Baker
4 47626 Atlas on a midday Cardiff to Portsmouth train. Copyright Martin Baker.
5 60009 Union of South Africa at Norton Bavant. 17th July 1987. Copyright Martin Baker.
Bridge at Norton Bavant - overcoming difficulties in photographing and the solutions. Copyright Martin Baker.
Many thanks Indeed Martin - an excellent collection and excellent links. The last picture showing the difficulties experienced in getting just the right picture. Super job!
Highly recommended -
Railways in the movies
Andrew and Diane Jones
Railways in the movies
Andrew and Diane Jones
Dear Keith and Valerie,
Apologies for my absence this month.
A film which I had entirely forgotten about appeared on Film4 this week, ‘Young Winston’.
Directed by Richard Attenborough in 1972 it contains a considerable amount of railway input, especially the Neath to Brecon line which substitutes for South Africa and reference to ex GWR 1400 Class 0-4-2 No 1466 borrowed from The Great Western Society at Didcot.
This leads me to a website I have just found www.railwaymoviedatabase.com
Which contains a considerable amount of very interesting material linked to UK railways and the general film industry taken throughout the years.
By searching the database it is possible to glimpse many forgotten railways and the section on the ‘Titfield Thunderbolt’ gives an insight to the production and locations of this wonderful film.
So if you have a few hours to spare, I am sure all at the society would enjoy an evening by the fire full of nostalgia.
On the subject of the Ballast Siding at St Blazey, I suspect we should be braced for more recovery of redundant materials this year, as re signalling approaches.
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane
Apologies for my absence this month.
A film which I had entirely forgotten about appeared on Film4 this week, ‘Young Winston’.
Directed by Richard Attenborough in 1972 it contains a considerable amount of railway input, especially the Neath to Brecon line which substitutes for South Africa and reference to ex GWR 1400 Class 0-4-2 No 1466 borrowed from The Great Western Society at Didcot.
This leads me to a website I have just found www.railwaymoviedatabase.com
Which contains a considerable amount of very interesting material linked to UK railways and the general film industry taken throughout the years.
By searching the database it is possible to glimpse many forgotten railways and the section on the ‘Titfield Thunderbolt’ gives an insight to the production and locations of this wonderful film.
So if you have a few hours to spare, I am sure all at the society would enjoy an evening by the fire full of nostalgia.
On the subject of the Ballast Siding at St Blazey, I suspect we should be braced for more recovery of redundant materials this year, as re signalling approaches.
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane
Many thanks to Andrew and Diane - yes sadly one suspects there will be more recoveries along with the tresured semaphore signals which have so often enhanced our collections of images.
Swindon observations
Colin Pidgeon
Colin Pidgeon
Our very good friend Colin Pidgeon has sent several observations taken during a spell at Swindon.
Swindon - 60062 'Sonia' provides a very unusual and striking livery. 26th January 2023 Copyright Colin Pidgeon
70801 on 6M40 Westbury to Stud Farm Swindon 26th January 2023 Copyright Colin Pidgeon
158765 on 2M24 Swindon to Westbury Swindon 26th January 2023 Copyright Colin Pidgeon
Many thanks for your observations Colin - especially 60 062 in that stunning livery.