I mentioned back in July that I had been filmed for the Michael Portillo programme Great British Railway Journeys on the Royal Albert Bridge. Screening of the episode is on Friday 15th January at 1830 on BBC2. Enjoy (I Hope!).
Cheers, Paul. Many thanks, Paul, for reminding us as requested.
All the best, Craig Many thanks
The recent set of photographs from Julian Hanwell concerning Truro Cattle Pens box were most interesting. I found the local instructions for the site, dated June 1960 in the grandly titled “British Railways (Western Region) Sectional Appendix to the Working timetable and books of rules and regulations”. The title is too well bound to scan flatly, so I’ve typed the detail out in full for your readers’ interest.
This Siding has trailing connections in the Down Main line, 376 yards east of Truro East Box, and the points are operated from an electrically locked Ground Frame controlled from East Box.
Wagons may be drawn or propelled from the Down Main or Down Goods Line to the Siding over the Down Main Line, after the foreman, or person in charge, has come to a proper understanding with the Truro East signalman as to what is to be done.
The foreman or guard or shunter must accompany the train to the Siding to operate the locking lever and points leading to the Siding, and he will be responsible for seeing the whole of the train into the Siding after which he will set the points and locking lever in the normal position, and advise the signalman at East Box by the telephone that the “Line is Clear”.
When the train is ready to leave the Siding for the station, the foreman or guard or shunter will advise the signalman at East Box by telephone, and the signalman when he is in a position to accept the train, will release the electric lock, and the train will be propelled or drawn to Truro East or West Box via the Down Main line or Down Goods line, as necessary. If the signalman is unable to accept the train he must so inform the man at the ground frame, on the telephone.
After the train has drawn out of the siding, the foreman or guard or shunter must replace the Ground Frame levers in the normal position, and on arrival of the train at East Box, advise the East Box signalman that the main line is clear.
A foreman or guard or shunter must accompany all trains to and from the Cattle Pens Siding, and when wagons are being propelled without a brake van, must ride in the leading vehicle, or precede the train on foot.
It is not permissible to propel a train of more than 15 wagons without a brake van.
When trains are being drawn to the Cattle Pens Siding from East Box over the Down Main Line, a red head light must be carried by the engine, and a white tail light placed on the last truck. When being propelled, the leading vehicle must carry a red light and the engine a white light. The usual head and tail signals to be carried when proceeding from Cattle Pens to East box. So there it is, instructions for Cattle Pens ground frame. Hope it is of use and interest. Cheers.
Martin Duff
Many thanks for your time and trouble Martin, it is most certainly of interest.