Great Western Coffee Shop

Someone suggested I make a quiz out of an earlier post .... nope, but here will be some for you to identify - or try to identify - as we come up to the bank holiday weekend.  I'll post them one at a time ... so guess this and I'll post another.

1.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_00.jpg)

Emma, the community owl, at Bath Spa station, sponsored by GWR

Correct

2.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_01.jpg)

I know an Emma who is a community manager - and she doesn't look as scary!  ;D

No2 Bath Stone so perhaps Bath possibly out the back of the station ?.

Good try ... but one out.

Chippenham then.

Indeed ... been redoing the awning / canopy over the station entrance for what feels like months

Oh good grief - an easy one has slipped in:

3.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_02.jpg)

Taunton.  Melksham

Beat me To Taunton by a whisker Bob.

Yes ... long platform didn't fool you for a minute!

4.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_03.jpg)

4. Warminster (sorry Grahame, the shunt signal number gave it away)......

Actually for a split second it did - not walked to that end of the lengthened platform yet so not seen the view from that perspective.

But only an S and T Engineer ...

5.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_04.jpg)

Hmmm. No buffer stops. That’s a worry!

...got a sand (stone) drag though.  Looks to be 1ft 11in gauge track, but not very well used (well one would hope not)....

I have an idea that's a plain bit of trackway.

You may be on the right track there.

So somewhere on Salisbury Plain I presume. I did notice a bit of old trackway when we were travelling around last Saturday, but can't remember where it was.

Someone on the bus I was on did say something about a railway line there as we travelled over the Bailey Bridge out of the Imber Park and Ride site en route to Gore Cross but I didn't see anything when we passed over the BB travelling back to Imber on the return, maybe I was sat on the wrong side of the bus at that point.

Spot on!

This Bailey Bridge appears to be on tracks to let it roll up and down ... taken from the open topped bus.

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_imx0.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_imx1.jpg)


Another picture from that Park and Ride - proving that if you put a public transport stop almost ANYWHERE and provide a good service, people will come along and use it:

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_imx2.jpg)

---

Next question

6.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_05.jpg)

Nice photos there Grahame
Is 6 Yeovil Pen Mill.

Yes

7.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_06.jpg)

Anyone who missed last weeks IMBERBUS day can still visit IMBER today as this is the last day of this years 'open week'. Grahames photos posted on this thread should provide a 'mouth watering' desire to sample the event which hopefully will operate again in August 2019. It really is a memorable day especially when you see the likes of James Freeman, MD of First West Of England driving preserved LT Routemaster RM1005, CLT 5 owned By Sir Peter Hendy, CBE, Chairman of Network Rail who in turn was waiting at Imber to relieve James at the wheel of his own bus for the last hour or so of last Saturdays event. An extremely well organised day and I hope will continue for a few more years into the future. One thing I did notice this year as also did my nephew was there seemed to be more tank hulks on the horizons and across the valleys this year or was it the army had uncamouflaged some more distanced tanks just for this years event. Maybe the 'plugs' given on this forum to the IMBERBUS event will become a 'mouth watering to do' for many members and readers of this forum for a future year as long as this annual event continues.

No.7 is Swindon. The former Wilts & Berks Canal Swindon Branch canal bed running under Commercial Road.

Yes, though I think it was the main line of the Wilts and Berks canal and not a branch.

Oh here comes an easy one.   Perhaps those of you who have already got one of the bank holiday bonanza pictures right might sit back and see who else knows it.    I have some more challenges coming up ...

8.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_07.jpg)

8. Freshford.

Correct

9.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_08.jpg)

9. Coombe Down Tunnel

Yes

10.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_09.jpg)

Edit to add number to picture!

I have already correctly guessed one but I think I can give a clue, I cannot guess the station but I have seen similar touch in points on the Severn Riviera line and at Weymouth and Upwey.

It's just the odd really easy one that I'm saying "give others a go" ... and I don't think this one is "really easy". In fact I don't think it's easy at all  ;D .

I would perhaps suggest that readers take a look at the buildings in the background - that look just almost as far from Weymouth as you're likely to get for a service that's enough to justify some sort of touch in / out system.  Martyjon has thrown a bit of a curved ball ...

Somewhere on the Manchester Trams?

No 6 reminds me of the Keadby slide bridge which takes the GC line to Grimsby over the Stainforth and Keadby canal. Once got trapped for two hours on a Rail Tour in Scunthorpe yard because they couldn't get the rail locks in place after opening it for a boat. 

Nah ... nothing like far enough from Weymouth yet  ;D


There's some interesting old stuff about, isn't there?

North of the boarder !.

You are geding there - wall you will be there soon.

Knowing you Grahame has recently visited Scotland and you stated that you travelled the re-opened borders line and you posted in past guess where piccys from that line could it be somewhere on that line ?

If they were, those bicycle lockers would have rusted VERY quickly, wouldn't they?    I have already said where it is - you just need to find the words in the trees  ;D

Dingwall!

Correct


Yeah ... that was a long way north.   Let's see what I have next.   Oh my goodness ... long way from home again!

11.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_10.jpg)

No.11 Ireland.  (I'll get my hat and coat yet again).....

You are correct, although I was looking for something a little more specific ....

I'll have a think, but its been nearly 30 years since I worked on signalling projects out there!

No.11 - Tipperary (I think ???)

Google Earth would seem to confirm Tipperary

Just as well as it's a long way to go and check.

I did say it was a long way  ;D

Perhaps closer to home:

12.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_11.jpg)

Well, it's Weymouth, obviously.

Obvious to you  ;D ;D

This one may be a little trickier!

13.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_12.jpg)

Would it be Canada by any chance.

It's a Metrolink station. Southern California Metrolink that is, not trams in Manchester!

I'd say a terminus station judging by the unhitched locomotive.

Lancaster, Los Angeles County?

Yes, Lancaster.   What looks like the unhitched loco is on the end of another complete train ... Sunday at the outer end of the commuter run, and spares parked up in the station

14.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_13.jpg)

14 is NOT part of Bristols Gromit Unleashed 2 trail but you can sit next to Long John Wallace on his bench at the head of Cascade Steps on The City Centre.

If anything, the number of tanks has decreased of late. Several that were very close to the road have been removed - they were probably deemed to be too attractive to those who thought that the warning signs didn't apply to them ! I think that those across the valley (RHS going to Imber from Warminster) were just more visible because of the dry weather's effects on the vegetation - old photos would seem to support that.

Attached is the "classic" Imber Bus photo showing one of the hulks that used to be at the roadside - taken 2012.
(http://i63.tinypic.com/5wfn1u.jpg)

I thought it was Pilning. Nevermind!

Yes I can see why you might have. There are no passengers waiting on the platform.  >:(

Pilning yesterday afternoon service 15:34  1 off 4 and a bike on .

If you're not careful you're going to be out of the "least used stations" list ...  ;D

Still looking for this lady, who I photographed a couple of hundred yards from a GWR station in a town that was crawling with enthusiasts and enthusiastic rail people on the morning I was there, even though no trains were running at the time.

14.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_13.jpg)

Caldecott I think.

Alas not.  Go west, young man.

I've found her! I'll leave guessing to others though.

If it's not gone in another couple of hours, please tell ... I have plenty more pictures up my sleeve for this fast-moving Bank Holiday Bonanza!

I think it is Newport (the Gwent one).

I'm afraid it isn't.

Saltash

Yes, it is ... I'm amazed in these quizzes how difficult pictures become even a hundred yards from the station - so though it was Cornwall, that one was tough.

Oh goodness - it'll be very interesting to see how we do with this one!

15.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_14.jpg)

I was curious as to who the Saltash lady was, so here is some information about Ann Glanville:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Glanville

https://www.cryllacottages.co.uk/saltashs-tribute-to-ann-glanville/

The signal in no.15 is lower quadrant so that narrows it down to GWR (of old) land...

No.15.  Sorry BNM, its Ireland again ::)    I can tell from the type of signal arm.  But exactly where.....

I'm disappointed SandTengineer, normally you could look at the shade of black paint used on the back of the signal, or the type of weed growing in front of the signal, and then tell us where the location is, and the exact date it was installed, the date it was commissioned and what the exact time of the first train to be signalled through it, with a detailed description of said first train as well!  :D

Pretty darned good to recognise Ireland.   We already had a long, long way to Tipperary ... and this one is even more obscure and hanging on by an even thinner thread.

The place was one I hadn't heard of a few years ago, but the name came up with ... leaving a foul and shameful taste ... in a film; a stain on the town, for I fear it's based on a true story and the names, I understand, are real.

No.15 Roscrea..... :P ;D

Well then.  Its a replacement signal using a galvanised steel post.  The maintenance platform is of the style normally fitted to colourlight signals.  Irish Railway signal arms are fluted along the middle to give strength to the arm......

And in less than a minute!

16.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_15.jpg)

No.16 Well of course you would expect me to know THAT ONE.  I'll let somebody else have a go....

Ah, I was only one letter and an ampersand out. The GS&WR (of old).

Following ones will be trickier.

16 Barnstaple Town

16. Somewhere between 34019 and 34046. So it must be 34005.

Indeed

17.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_16.jpg)

Clever ... YOU are sending ME looking for West Country list!

No.17 What no signal or signalbox?  I'm completely stumped.... ;D

Cheeky ;D

Perhaps I'm getting too old for all this S&T mularky.  Last Saturday I passed into my 50th year of working in the S&T industry ::)

So many comments that the current Bank Holiday Bonanza picture has slipped back onto the previous page ... so here it is again and as it's a very difficult one indeed, I've added a couple of others ... so you can answer in parallel (or is it in trimode).  I have another a few more pictures lined up to get through by the end of the Bank Holi(day) ... from the sublimely easy to the ridiculously difficult.

17.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_16.jpg)

18.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_17.jpg)

19.
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_18.jpg)

17 Wild,wild guess Cambridge Guided Bus way.

I think I saw something like on TV's best village competition (Penelope Keith)

Brave attempt ... thank you.  But, alas, wrong country.   Perhaps I should look and see if I have a signal photo from nearby, or some pictures of the bridges or OHL gear to help our international experts.

Well I knew you liked it.  ;D

19: Southern California from the top deck of the Metro

17 ...  is nowhere near Cambridge North

18 ... I am amazed no-one has told me straight away

19 ... is indeed on the Southern California (Los Angeles) Metro - though well outside LA itself.

No specific place names yet on any of the three.

Here are a couple of pictures close by no. 17 - the next station (not Pilning in 2020), and a picture I took last year which is very close by.

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_x1.jpg)(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_x2.jpg)

No.18 River Tavy Bridge on the Gunnislake branch (looking out to the river Tamar).

It is ... let's tell you the difficult overseas one ones:
17: Kilbarrack
19: Vincent Grande / Acton

move on to ...

20
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_19.jpg)

20 is Copplestone.

Looks too busy for there. Was thinking London Waterloo or Birmingham New Street?

It actually IS Copplestone ... until you go on a train and stop there you don't realise!

Oh - this will be a tough one.    I'll give you two with a link

21:
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_20.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_21.jpg)

No. 21. Well the first one is obvious cos its on the nameboard: NJPAC Center Street on the Newark Light Rail system in Downtown Newark, New Jersey.

OOOOooooops

So the second one is ....

....it must be Newark Northgate....(UK) that is....

It is!!

Ah - another easy one.   I have a handful more before the bank holiday ends

22
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/m_un_22.jpg)

Tuesday morning, back to work ... at Cambridge North.  Hope you enjoyed the Bank Holiday Bonanza!

Yes, Grahame.  Thanks for posting that QUIZ....Spent far too much time over the weekend racking my brain.  It needs a rest now  ;D

Brean Down

Sorry - that was Imber on Salisbury Plain ... I think the original answer has got lost in a flurry of other pictures!

Ahh, thought it was like this

I hadn't seen that before ... very interesting!   Thank you.

Is that Brean Down? Fascinating walk around there a year ago.

Brean is a regular dog walking spot for Finn and I. A great place for the dogs to run free. When the tide is out!

We'll occasionally walk up the Down(!) too. That is when my knees can cope with the steps. There is of course the winding access lane if a few hundred steps is too much.

And here we are at Brean this evening. De-stressing after work. Didn't go up the Down though. Too tired!

(https://preview.ibb.co/eT4Yq9/rps20180829_174633.jpg) (https://ibb.co/g1f6A9)
(https://preview.ibb.co/jF7mA9/rps20180829_174830.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kuha3U)
(https://preview.ibb.co/ggbPxp/rps20180829_174856.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fYtRA9)

You've got Billy and Gyp asking if they can come now.  It's a fair step for us though.

Billy and Gypsy would love it grahame. The far end of the beach, owned by National Trust is the best spot. Acres and acres of sand to run on, provided you avoid high spring tides. Dogs allowed year round. A National Trust cafe and shop, and an independent cafe too.

Then there's the Down. Well worth the hike up the steps or the switchback path. Once up there, on a clear day, the views toward Weston-super-Mare, across Bridgwater Bay, over Flat Holm and Steep Holm and across the Bristol Channel to South Wales are cracking. There's also the Victorian Palmerston Fort and the WWII gun emplacements to explore.

Attached is a photo of Finn and I on the Down last year. Me lying down recovering from the hike up the steps and Finn admiring the view!

I would concur, Marion and I went there during a Somerset Art Weeks a year or so back. There was an ‘installation’ in the fort which added to the interest. There is a lot to see, including an WWII arrow which pointed the direction to the aircraft.

Certainly well worth the climb, we avoided the steps and took the road.

It *is* lovely ... we did it once for a rescue event but by the time we took 3 trains and a bus out and the same back ... and hiked from the bus stop to the meet point ... well, they're getting a bit grey for that. Perhaps I'll see about d-r-i-v-i-n-g sometime to meet up with yous all.

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/woofs_201808.jpg)

You can of course take the train to Weston-super-Mare then the Somerset Coaster bus (First Bus service 20) to Brean Village Hall. From there its a walk of about 1.5 miles to Brean Down. A walk that can be done along the beach.

Said bus service is usually operated by open top buses and runs until 28th October 2018. Runs hourly Monday through Sunday (half hourly Mon-Sat until 1st September).
https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-bath-and-west/routes-and-maps/somersets-coaster


EDIT: Posted as you posted grahame. I see you've done the above in the past.

I of course drive across Somerset to get to Brean Down. Public transport for me would be bus, bus, bus or bus, train, bus. bus.

We may well ... though Billy finds he really gets thrown around on all those corners on the bus.  Problem is - he's a nosy dog and won't sit down, and greyhounds aren't exactly built for stability when standing and being nosy.  Also my own stamina would fail me on the walk.   Best drive some time; alternative is to stay away even that close to home.

Perhaps we should start looking for a forum Brean date?

The tracks in the picture were actually part of a testing area that was set up to test the "bouncing bomb"
A bit more information here https://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=1946