As reported Roger Winnen moved from Bodmin Hospital into Karenza Care Home at with effect from last Saturday 18th January. He is in isolation for a couple of days yet - he could do with a chat.
He is at Karenza Care home at St Agnes. Post code TR5 0UD
He is available on his mobile the number of which is 07773808074
- he could certainly do with a chat.
Due to the Covid Precautions Roger is confined to his room for ten days.
He is at Karenza Care home at St Agnes. Post code TR5 0UD
He is available on his mobile the number of which is 07773808074
- he could certainly do with a chat.
Due to the Covid Precautions Roger is confined to his room for ten days.
'Check Rails' at
Polbrock Bridge
Andrew and Diane Jones
Polbrock Bridge
Andrew and Diane Jones
Polbrock Bridge and check rails Polbock Bridge 1971 Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones
The Humble Permanent Way………
I was recently reminded when submitting the Polbrock Bridge photograph, how two rails sitting on sleepers are seriously underrated in engineering terms.
I have attached a photograph at the same location taken in 1971 to illustrate just one of the many factors required to safely support the weight and mass of a typical locomotive weighing possibly a 100 tons with a trailing weight of say 200 tons.
Check rails are not particularly common on the mainline except for pointwork and level crossings, but many branch lines with tight curves often relied on some form of protection to stop wheels from climbing the rail and de railing.
(Check rails installed on level crossings were predominantly to reduce debris fouling the track and keep some form of clearance.)
When studying the profile of a standard wheel set it would be noted that the flange should not make contact with the rail except when traversing a curve. When encountering a sharp curve as often found on branch lines there is a tendency proportional to speed for the wheel to try and climb the rail and to counteract this a second check rail was often installed which acted upon the back of the flange to contain the wheel set from lifting.
The branch to Wenfordbridge from Boscarne had extremely tight curves but due to the low speed limit relied on flange greasers to reduce wear, however the squeal through the Outlands section could be heard for miles!
The science behind the permanent way is extremely complex and I was reminded when taking my HNC at Devonport Tech of the involved equations used to calculate all the forces involved and thats after providing the formation and drainage which is a science in its self.
If there is enough interest I would gladly continue this subject in the future.
Best wishes Andrew and Diane
I was recently reminded when submitting the Polbrock Bridge photograph, how two rails sitting on sleepers are seriously underrated in engineering terms.
I have attached a photograph at the same location taken in 1971 to illustrate just one of the many factors required to safely support the weight and mass of a typical locomotive weighing possibly a 100 tons with a trailing weight of say 200 tons.
Check rails are not particularly common on the mainline except for pointwork and level crossings, but many branch lines with tight curves often relied on some form of protection to stop wheels from climbing the rail and de railing.
(Check rails installed on level crossings were predominantly to reduce debris fouling the track and keep some form of clearance.)
When studying the profile of a standard wheel set it would be noted that the flange should not make contact with the rail except when traversing a curve. When encountering a sharp curve as often found on branch lines there is a tendency proportional to speed for the wheel to try and climb the rail and to counteract this a second check rail was often installed which acted upon the back of the flange to contain the wheel set from lifting.
The branch to Wenfordbridge from Boscarne had extremely tight curves but due to the low speed limit relied on flange greasers to reduce wear, however the squeal through the Outlands section could be heard for miles!
The science behind the permanent way is extremely complex and I was reminded when taking my HNC at Devonport Tech of the involved equations used to calculate all the forces involved and thats after providing the formation and drainage which is a science in its self.
If there is enough interest I would gladly continue this subject in the future.
Best wishes Andrew and Diane
Many thanks indeed to Andrew and Diane.
We look forward to your further thoughts on the subject.
We look forward to your further thoughts on the subject.
Before we leave January
Exeter & Dawlish '04
Paul Barlow
Exeter & Dawlish '04
Paul Barlow
43003 & 43188 on the 12.35 Paddington to Plymouth 16th January 2004 Copyright Paul Barlow
67018 'Rapid' 14.55 Plymouth to Low Fell the 1E43 seen at Dawlish Warren. 16th January 2004 Copyright Paul Barlow
Exeter St Thomas - 67026 on the 13.03 Bristol to Plymouth the 5Z65. It's 16th January 2004 Copyright Paul Barlow
Again at Exeter St Thomas. 67026 rear headed by 67026 the 13.03 Bristol to Plymouth the 5Z65 on the 16th January 2004. Copyright Paul Barlow
Many thanks Paul
Hanborough
Guy Vincent
Guy Vincent
Hanborough station as it was in December 2013. Hanborough is located 70 miles and 39 chains from London Paddington on the 'Old Worse and Worse' aka Oxford Worcester & Wolverhampton line. About as basic and spartan as it is possible to be and hardly an appealing 'shop window' to advertise the advantages and benefits of travel by rail. I've always found it sad to see formerly double main line railway routes reduced to single track with abandoned platforms lying disused and neglected as here. From what I've seen on the net recently little has changed since my visit; surely enough to set Churchill spinning in his grave! Being so close to the village of Bladon, Blenheim Palace and Woodstock I am certain it could be improved and when better times return become a hub for transport connecting these well known attractions. Next to the station is the Oxford Bus and Morris Motors Museum, well worth a visit in its own right. N.B. This is rather out of our region but as yesterday we covered Sir Winston Churchill's funeral train this was his final rail destination.
Hanborough Looking towards Oxford on the 9th December 2013 Copyright Guy Vincent. A special facing crossover was installed to allow Churchill's funeral train to come into the up platform.
Hanborough Looking towards Charlbury 9th December 2013. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Hanborough Bridge at the Charlbury end. 9th December 2013 Copyright Guy Vincent
Hanborough Sign as seen on the 9th December 2013. Copyright Guy Vincent.
The then modern image 180103 leaves Hanborough heading for Charlbury, 9th December 2013. Copyright Guy Vincent
Further to the recent Han(d)borough feature there are some very interesting items online concerning the arrangements for Churchill's funeral train. For two particular favourites search: 'Nine Elms Locomotive Shed - Winston Churchill Funeral Train' and 'Pullman Car Services - Pullman Car History'. The first is a well illustrated account of the day's proceedings written by the fireman who worked 34051 from Waterloo to Hanborough and then took the loco light to Oxford MPD. For the convenience of the funeral party a facing crossover * was installed east of the station so the train was able to arrive at the 'Up' platform from where a waiting motor hearse conveyed the late wartime leader the last mile and a quarter to Bladon churchyard (* imagine THAT being allowed today!). To return the funeral party to London Paddington station, Golden Ochre liveried D1015 Western Champion was provided and the train departed Hanborough at 1620. As a precaution D1028 Western Hussar was kept on standby duty at Reading but thankfully its services were not required.
The second item includes full details of the stock used and copies of the train running arrangements for the day. The stock consisted of 'Car No 208', PMV S2464 'Carina', 'Lydia', 'Perseus', 'Isle of Thanet'. PMV S2464 was repatriated from the USA and restored in time for the 50th anniversary of the funeral. It was displayed at the NRM York in 2015 along with loco 34051 and Pullman Car 'Lydia' which was the carriage used by Churchill's family. Perseus is still in use as part of the Belmond British Pullman; on 28th February 2005 it formed part of a special charter 'The Staite Pullman' hauled appropriately by D1015 resplendent in Golden Ochre and captured passing Berkley Marsh near Frome.
Final point: Why the missing D in Handborough these days??
Guy Vincent.
Looking at Wikipedia it seems that Hanborough is an acceptable alternative for Handborough these days.
The second item includes full details of the stock used and copies of the train running arrangements for the day. The stock consisted of 'Car No 208', PMV S2464 'Carina', 'Lydia', 'Perseus', 'Isle of Thanet'. PMV S2464 was repatriated from the USA and restored in time for the 50th anniversary of the funeral. It was displayed at the NRM York in 2015 along with loco 34051 and Pullman Car 'Lydia' which was the carriage used by Churchill's family. Perseus is still in use as part of the Belmond British Pullman; on 28th February 2005 it formed part of a special charter 'The Staite Pullman' hauled appropriately by D1015 resplendent in Golden Ochre and captured passing Berkley Marsh near Frome.
Final point: Why the missing D in Handborough these days??
Guy Vincent.
Looking at Wikipedia it seems that Hanborough is an acceptable alternative for Handborough these days.
D1015 passing Berkley Marsh, nr Frome, Somerset on PTR's 'The Staite Pullman' on 28th February 2005. Copyright Guy Vincent
Many thanks indeed Guy.
Before we leave Hanborough as we've finally got here - the following courtesy on Wikipedia.
Hanborough railway station is a railway station in the village of Long Hanborough in Oxfordshireserving the village and surrounding district. As a result of the Cotswold line being singled the former up platform is the only one now in use for both up and down trains. It is served by GWR trains between London Paddington and Worcester Shrub Hill. It is also the nearest station to the towns of Woodstock and Witney.
There is a passenger-operated ticket machine (card payments only; not cash) at the entrance to the station platform.
The station has two car parks, which between them provide 241 car spaces. However, on most weekdays the number of passengers parking at Hanborough exceeds the number of spaces available. Oxford Bus Museum is just east of the station, in the former goods yard.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hanborough railway station is a railway station in the village of Long Hanborough in Oxfordshireserving the village and surrounding district. As a result of the Cotswold line being singled the former up platform is the only one now in use for both up and down trains. It is served by GWR trains between London Paddington and Worcester Shrub Hill. It is also the nearest station to the towns of Woodstock and Witney.
There is a passenger-operated ticket machine (card payments only; not cash) at the entrance to the station platform.
The station has two car parks, which between them provide 241 car spaces. However, on most weekdays the number of passengers parking at Hanborough exceeds the number of spaces available. Oxford Bus Museum is just east of the station, in the former goods yard.
-------------------------------------------------------------