Trespass at Westbury
John Pibworth
John Pibworth
Good afternoon Keith,
Looking at Michael Forward's excellent pictures of semaphore signals at Westbury set me thinking 1) That I should have switched to colour photography earlier and 2) Somewhere in my catalogue there was a pic of a Western at Westbury - in colour!
Herewith attached the result of my search which was taken at Westbury on 27 April 1974. The Class 52 appears to have lost its name plate but the steam loco is "Clan Line" on her first official railtour returning to Basingstoke after a few hours being crawled over by all and sundry in Westbury Station. The picture is not great by modern standards and if I recall correctly was taken on home processed "Barfen" colour transparency stock which could be stewed during development to boost the ASA rating to 400 - at the price of heavy grain.
Of particular interest, in the light of trespass problems with "Flying Scotsman", is the way in which enthusiasts and families camped out on the shed sidings with not an orange jacket to be seen. This was not an altogether happy situation for BR and subsequently several railtours were cancelled because of fears about co-lateral damage to spectators. At the time I was making sound recordings and recall having to edit out a long sequence of Ma, Pa, a toddler and baby in a push-chair clanking and cursing their way across the lines in order to have a good view. In the end we had to move back to the position shown and in doing so made a better recording but a somewhat distant image.
With Kind Regards,
Brian Many thanks Brian - the good old days!
Looking at Michael Forward's excellent pictures of semaphore signals at Westbury set me thinking 1) That I should have switched to colour photography earlier and 2) Somewhere in my catalogue there was a pic of a Western at Westbury - in colour!
Herewith attached the result of my search which was taken at Westbury on 27 April 1974. The Class 52 appears to have lost its name plate but the steam loco is "Clan Line" on her first official railtour returning to Basingstoke after a few hours being crawled over by all and sundry in Westbury Station. The picture is not great by modern standards and if I recall correctly was taken on home processed "Barfen" colour transparency stock which could be stewed during development to boost the ASA rating to 400 - at the price of heavy grain.
Of particular interest, in the light of trespass problems with "Flying Scotsman", is the way in which enthusiasts and families camped out on the shed sidings with not an orange jacket to be seen. This was not an altogether happy situation for BR and subsequently several railtours were cancelled because of fears about co-lateral damage to spectators. At the time I was making sound recordings and recall having to edit out a long sequence of Ma, Pa, a toddler and baby in a push-chair clanking and cursing their way across the lines in order to have a good view. In the end we had to move back to the position shown and in doing so made a better recording but a somewhat distant image.
With Kind Regards,
Brian Many thanks Brian - the good old days!
Clan Line at Westbury 23rd April 1974 Copyright Brian Pibworth An excellent view we can no longer get for many reasons - it includes the signalbox
Royal Duchy in 1995
Audrey Mills
Audrey Mills
The Royal Duchy Explorer ran down on Saturday 14 Oct 1995. The train powered by 70000 disguised as a regular Cornish engine 70019 was assisted by 7802 Bradley Manor. Unfortunately Bradley Manor developed a hot box and was removed at Plymouth. The Britannia carried on alone and was observed climbing past Carlyon Bay Golf Course at a good speed. However later in climb it stalled prior to St Austell on the 1 in 60 gradient. Rumour has it that the regulator was closed too soon.
Many thanks to Audrey Mills for adding these two smashing shots for all to enjoy.
Many thanks to Audrey Mills for adding these two smashing shots for all to enjoy.
Bradley Manor and Brittania storm Dainton with spectacular clag, on their way to Penzance on the 14th October 1995 Copyright Audrey Mills
The Royal Duchy with Brittania on it's own taking the train onwards to Penzance. 14th October 1995 Copyright Audrey Mills
West Cornwall Gems 7
Mike Morant
Mike Morant
A lovely shot from the Mike Morant collection of 5098 Clifford Castle in charge of a rake of LMSR stock as it climbs away from St Erth to Arch lane bridge.