railway scenes http://railwayscenes.fotopic.net/ 3 rows en-gb 60 effects http://railwayscenes.fotopic.net/c1090150.html More than your standard 'three quarters view' of locos and stock.... Tuesday 1 August 2006: More than your standard 'three quarters view' of locos and stock....

Steam quietly escapes from a diesel locomotive fitted with steam heating. An HST heads westwards from Cardiff Central, towards the setting sun.

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]]> Tue Aug 1 2006 Signalboxes http://railwayscenes.fotopic.net/c871158.html Since my initial interest in railways from the age of about 5, one sphere of operation that I have always held in fond regard is that of signalling. Moving to Bognor Regis in 1976, I have early memories of the former Southern Railway signalbox guarding over the level crossing with its wooden gates at the north end of the station. The crossing only survived a few more months before being replaced by a road bridge, but I can remember standing on the footbridge overlooking the old crossing site, jotting the numbers down of 4-CIG, 4-BIG, 4-CEP and 4-VEP units. Early warning of their approach came in the form of activity in the 'box and the pulling 'off' of a nearby signal. With family in Radlett, frequent excursions from St Pancras were the norm. In those days the Midland was a delight prior to electrification. Radlett station was a gem, semaphore signals were everywhere, and the quaint Midland box to the north overseeing all activity. Sadly I have no photographs of Radlett, or indeed Bognor Regis signalbox. If anyone has a photo of either, I would be very grateful to receive a copy. In the meantime, I present this compilation of signalbox images as a tribute to the art of mechanical signalling! Please note that my early photographic equipment comprised of a Kodak Disc Camera, and later a basic 126 roll film camera. Please excuse the poor quality of some of my earliest photos. Tuesday 1 January 1985: Since my initial interest in railways from the age of about 5, one sphere of operation that I have always held in fond regard is that of signalling. Moving to Bognor Regis in 1976, I have early memories of the former Southern Railway signalbox guarding over the level crossing with its wooden gates at the north end of the station. The crossing only survived a few more months before being replaced by a road bridge, but I can remember standing on the footbridge overlooking the old crossing site, jotting the numbers down of 4-CIG, 4-BIG, 4-CEP and 4-VEP units. Early warning of their approach came in the form of activity in the 'box and the pulling 'off' of a nearby signal. With family in Radlett, frequent excursions from St Pancras were the norm. In those days the Midland was a delight prior to electrification. Radlett station was a gem, semaphore signals were everywhere, and the quaint Midland box to the north overseeing all activity. Sadly I have no photographs of Radlett, or indeed Bognor Regis signalbox. If anyone has a photo of either, I would be very grateful to receive a copy. In the meantime, I present this compilation of signalbox images as a tribute to the art of mechanical signalling! Please note that my early photographic equipment comprised of a Kodak Disc Camera, and later a basic 126 roll film camera. Please excuse the poor quality of some of my earliest photos.

Acton Canal Wharf Signalbox 1994 Acton Wells Junction Signalbox April 1994 Ancaster Signalbox 1992 Appleby North Signalbox (view 1) 1991 Appleby North Signalbox (view 2) 1991 Aylesbury South Signalbox 1989 Bamford Signalbox 1988 Banbury South Signalbox 1990 Barkston East Junction Signalbox 1992 Barnetby East Signalbox (view 2) 1992 Barnetby East Signalbox (view 1) 1989 Barnham Signalbox (view 1) 1986 Barnham Signalbox (view 2) 1993 Barnstaple Town Signalbox 1990 Barry Signalbox (view 2) 2006 Bedale Signalbox 1992 Bellwater Junction Signalbox 1992 Bestwood Park Signalbox 1990 Bingley Signalbox 1992 Blackpool North No.2 Signalbox 1992 Blea Moor Signalbox (view 1) 1990 Bopeep Junction Signalbox 1986 Bransty Signalbox 1993 Broad Street No.2 Signalbox - Final Day - 27 June 1986 Brundall Junction Signalbox (view 1) Brundall Junction Signalbox (view 2) Cattal Signalbox 2006 Clacton Signalbox 1994 Clapham Junction 'A' Signalbox 1991 (Thanks to David Ingham for identifying this signalbox) Clapham Junction 'C' Signalbox 1990 (Thanks to David Ingham for identifying this signalbox) Clarbeston Road Signalbox (view 2) 2006 Clarbeston Road Signalbox (view 1) 1990 Clipstone West Junction Signalbox 1992 Crediton Signalbox (view 1) 1990 Crediton Signalbox (view 2) 1990 Crewe Station A Signalbox 1986 Crumpsall Signalbox 1991 Dagenham Dock Signalbox 1991 Drayton Signalbox (view 1) 1984 Drayton Signalbox (view 2) 1984 Drayton Signalbox (view 3) 1984 Dunkeld Signalbox 1993 Eccles Road Signalbox 1985 Edgeley Junction No.2 Signalbox 1990 Falsgrave (Scarborough) Signalbox 1993 Fishguard Harbour North Ground Frame 2006 Folkestone Harbour Signalbox 1992 Goathland Signalbox 1991 Goods Yard Signalbox (Nottingham) 1992. (Thanks to David Ingham for identifying this signalbox) Grays East Signalbox 1991

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]]> Tue Jan 1 1985 Railway Miscellany http://railwayscenes.fotopic.net/c870259.html All around the railway network a variety of signs and other historical remnants and structures exist, some dating back to the days of steam. Since privatisation in 1994 attempts have intensified to replace old dated lineside signage, and sweep away non standard signals and long disused buildings such as P-Way huts. The new private operators have swept away the old corporate British Rail era (or older!) signage. These photos are a look at the signs and other relics from the past that can still be spotted by the sharp-eyed on, or adjacent to our railway lines. All the signs were 'in situ', and many may well still be today..... I have also included some older signs that I have encountered on my travels around Northern Europe. Tuesday 1 January 1985: All around the railway network a variety of signs and other historical remnants and structures exist, some dating back to the days of steam. Since privatisation in 1994 attempts have intensified to replace old dated lineside signage, and sweep away non standard signals and long disused buildings such as P-Way huts. The new private operators have swept away the old corporate British Rail era (or older!) signage. These photos are a look at the signs and other relics from the past that can still be spotted by the sharp-eyed on, or adjacent to our railway lines. All the signs were 'in situ', and many may well still be today..... I have also included some older signs that I have encountered on my travels around Northern Europe.

Buckinghamshire. Passengers on the WCML may have noticed this structure next to the line north of Wolverton. It is the former Castlethorpe Water Troughs storage tower, and once stored and supplied water to the water troughs that were used by steam engines to replenish the water supply in their tenders. Amazingly the tower was still in situ in July 2007. Belgium. A handpump at a closed station on 'ligne 55'. 2006 Belgium. A handpainted concrete kilometre post on 'ligne 55'. 2006 Leicester - BR era station nameboard. 1991 Watford Stadium - BR era station nameboard. 1985 Northamptonshire. BR era crossing signage. 1997 Somerleyton - BR(E) blue enamel station running in board. 1990 Radlett goods shed. BR(M) maroon enamel. 1986 Blackpool North. BR(M) maroon enamel direction sign. 1992 Watford Junction - BR era information sign. Harlesden is mis-spelled, and Broad St appears to be open even though trains now appear to run to Liverpool St! 1986 Duirinish - BR era station street sign. 1993 West Wales. BR(W) chocolate and cream enamel sign. 1990 Essex. GER gradient arm. 1990 Essex. Great Eastern origin gradient stone? 1997 Moreton-In-Marsh. GWR cast iron signal box name board. Llanfair PG. BR era station nameboard - the full spelling! 1990 Hertfordshire. LNWR boundary post. 1985 Meldon Viaduct - LSWR bridgeplate and a BR era warning notice. 1990 Leicestershire. Midland Railaway cast iron trespass warning sign. 2005. Copyright this photo: Mike Vincent Moorgate. This sign, quoting the Regulation of Railways Act, could be found at Moorgate adjacent to the LUL platforms. Derbysire. Midland Railway milepost. 1992 Norfolk. BR(E) blue enamel and BR era signage. 1997 Tyneside 2006. Surrey. Southern Railway cast iron trespass warning sign. 1990 Sussex. Southern Railway cast iron warning sign. 1989 Surrey. Southern Railway cast iron bridge restriction warning sign. 1990 Sussex. Southern Railway cast iron private road sign. 2006 Tyneside 2006. West Yorkshire, 2006. Parking restrictions referring to the British Railways Board. Belgium. A discarded sign under an overbridge on 'ligne 94'. 2006 Llanelli - BR era station nameboard. 2006 South Wales. GWR wooden milepost mounted on broad gauge rail post. 2006 Holyhead 2007. BR Corporate nameboard in situ. Holyhead 2007. BR Corporate signage in situ. Holyhead 2007. BR Corporate signage. Vienne, France. An unusual sign that I have not seen elsewhere in France. It reads: Warning, high speed trains. It is forbidden to stand or walk between the yellow line and the platform edge, except to join or alight from a train serving the station.

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