Great Western Coffee Shop

Not Timbuktu, but where is this?

(http://files.southwesternlines.co.uk/images/Ima.jpg)

Yatton?

I'm by no means certain - the tracks to the left look wrong for Yatton, but it's still worth a shout?

C.  :-[

Nope

Thanks, Tom!  I'll no doubt look a right chump when you reveal the correct answer, then!  ;D

Put it this way, I will be very surprised if Lee doesn't get it ;)

I Havant got any confirmation, but I'm sure I've seen that picture before somewhere ...

I'm going to stick my neck out and say its not on the GWR

Paddock Wood?

Reading?

It may still be GW but perhaps not on an original broad gauge as the 6' between the tracks is not wide enough it's only 6' so suggest station was built standard gauge.

There is a level crossing by the signal box with three lines across it including goods yard head shunt.

Signal Box, the signal arms footbridge and station building have a sort of GW feel although the signal post and the mainline  loco look Southern.  

Could be Paddock Wood or perhaps Three Bridges  before they were modernised.

As an aside it used to be said of Three Bridges that you could have a train in all six platforms and blow a single whistle and all the trains could start symultaneously but closure of the East Grinstead line stopped that.

However, to add another teaser to this thread there is still an open station served by FGW where you can have all six platforms occupied and blow a single whistle and start all the trains symultaneously. Any ideas?

Paddington - there are six lines in the throat ... ;)

Correct answer not said so far.

Another one is East Croydon.....

Platform 1 - up fast towards Victoria
Platform 2 - up fast towards London Bridge
Platform 3 - down fast towards Gatwick Airport
Platform 4 - up slow towards London Bridge or Victoria
Platform 5 - down stopper towards Purley
Platform 6 - down fast/stopper towards Oxted

That must be the new layout at East Croydon because in the 60s 3 & 4 were both up platforms and coverged outside the station, 1 and 2 were Up and Down only.

One of the tricks played on the East Croydon signalmen was get the London Bridge passengers on 1 and the Victoria ones on 3 & 4 , as booked, and then because  Coulsdon North /Purley boxes had swopped the trains and put them on the wrong line the passengers had to all change platforms.

I gather Reading is quite good at this as well.

How about teh FGW one? Not Paddington because although there are six lines out if you had all 14 platforms occupied and started them all off at once there would be quite a mess outside the station. The criterion is that they must have a proceed aspect on the platform end signal.

Really? Have a careful look at what I said in my post earlier in this thread  ;)

So that would make the mainline train an Up Waterloo and the one in the bay on the left is for Hayling Island.

Come to think of it I've seen a picture of a steam special in the 60s shunted into the goods yard on the right. It caused havoc at the level crossing.

There's some video clips of Havant station back in the day here http://www.havant.gov.uk/havant-2879

You really shouldn't do that!  ;)

Yes, it's Havant...

I shall dig out another one.

Here's another one.

Mr Ellis is banned from entering :p

(http://files.southwesternlines.co.uk/images/train.jpg)

I think I'm going to have to start obfuscating some of these...

Near Pirbright Jn/basingstoke

Nope

Oh good - that means I can sit here not knowing and you'll all think that I do  ;D

A clue, perhaps, Tom?

It's on what is now BML1 and is further south than 47m 63ch.

I think that it may be Allbrook (between Eastleigh and Shawford)

Well the DEMU in the picture is a narrow body
unit classed 13XX then 207 (3D), known as Oxted
units, built in 1962 and were used restricted
gauge lines where tunnels were narrower.  Common
on non-electrified LB&SCR and SE&CR lines in the
south east i.e Tunbridge - Eridge, Uckfield and
Hastings - Ashford e.t.c.  Looking at the
picture could I take a stab that the unit is not
far off its usual haunts at 'Coulsdon North", as
in the box and the prominent tree are very much
like Coulsdon?  I think the picture is looking
towards the box with the station just visable
behind, am I right???

Anyone that knows me as being an ardent NER and
LNER man, but have a big soft spot for the
Southern with steam, diesel and electric all
working together!

Regards

Karl.

Welcome to the forum, Karl.

It is indeed in the Allbrook area, although it's only about a mile north of Eastleigh.

Shall find another later!

Hello SW Lines and all

Well near Allbrook suprised me being a 3D, as in
the sixties it was usually 3H units that were
common around this area?  Although 3D's were
built at Eastleigh Works, its not new as the
underframe especially is quite grimy.  Had the
unit being back to Eastleigh for rectification
work?  Does the picture have a caption, as I
would be interested in more details?  Finally is
this part of a bigger collection of Thumper
pictures and is there a Fotopic or website to
view the rest of the collection?

Regards

Karl.
 

They're all taken from a book so far ;)

"By the time the Oxted-line units were being built in 1962, the front end design of the DEMU sets had been altered slightly to give a more curved appearance compared with the somewhat angular front ends of the 'Hampshire' sets. There were also minor changes in the location of passenger facilities, including the toilet, although none of these were ever really appreciated by the Hampshire passengers, as, aside from trial and running-in turns, the sets rarely worked in the Eastleigh area. Unit No 1304 (photoshopped out) is seen on trial north of Eastleigh on 23 May 1962." FWIW, the headcode was 16.

Here's the next one.

(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/tubechallenger/where-is-this.jpg)

Evening

Apologies if spelling isn't quite correct, but
I think its the down platform, Harmons Cross
station on the "Swanage Railway"?

Regards

Karl.

Yep, although technically its the up platform AFAIK! (former London platform).

If anyone is interested, I might be able to do a sort of daily quiz where people guess and I only give out the answer the next day? Submissions would be welcome if I did that though.

Nice thought, thanks, Tom ... but I wonder if it might be fresher to make it more occasional (and this will allow you to have "off days" too when you're stuck in a blizzard on the Penzance sleeper diverted via the Golden valley in August ... (replace my choice of delay, train, route and month with your own  ;) )

Its definatly on the Swanage Rly  :D

I should have known that, I went there a couple of weeks ago.

Morning

Just wondering if the "Coffee Shop" was still
serving 'A Challenge'?  I am missing my railway
brain teasser!

Regards

Karl.
 

Here you go, have a pig: (Challenge 1)

(http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6633/pigqb9.jpg)

(Challenge 2)

(http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/7080/rand2li8.th.jpg) (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rand2li8.jpg)

Yep, they're both pigs, all right.  I'm so glad you have said that I'm not allowed to take part in these challenges as I don't know these two - apart from xxxxxxxxxxxx and yyyyyyyyy  ;D

Here are another couple - shall we call them "Challenge 3" and "Challenge 4" so that people can answer them all at once?

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/hoz2.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/hoz1.jpg)

Oh oh oh let me guess the 4th one....

Oh, it's only Melksham ....  ::)

PM me your answers to mine though Graham...

Looks like you're down to (1) (2) and (3) Karl ... as I said a few minutes ago, I don't know (1) and (2) but there are what look like some good clues in there which I won't spoil!

(3) Your model railway Graham and Melksham station on it.

Late note added by Graham.  In reviewing posts, I note I hadn't folowed up on this one; rather than do so out of place at the end of the threat, I'll do so here.  Correct - it's a model railway. Not mine, and in fact I don't have a model railway nor work on anyone else's.  And it's a model of a location in Wales, rather than the place Conner guessed.

Evening

OK, I meant pictures with some sort of a clue in
them (as per Havent e.t.c), plus a real railway
not anybodies model railway.  I'm not even going
to bother with the second one, because it could
be anywhere on the Southern; probably only seen
by regulars and train crew.  I live c5 hours away
from any third rail.

The first which you rigtly say has a Pig in it
again hardly any hint of clues, but I think from
what picture we have it looks to be single track.
So from that basis with a Pig, I'm going to give
a few ideas of where it could be or between:
Eastleigh to Romsey, Botley to Fareham or a wild
stab at the Lymington branch or Alton.  This going
from an old Bradford-Barton pocket guide which at
the time this was printed were single track.  But
as said there isn't really any clues in them to be
bluntly honest; sorry!

And I have never had the pleasure of travelling on
one of the Pigs.

I agree with coments already posted for pictures
three and four.

Regards

Karl. 

I'll expand number 2 a bit further up when I find the picture.

Well I am going to say Number 1 is between Dorchester Junction and Weymouth I think.

And I am guessing it is just past Wareham.

Number 1 clue - this is in an area with quadruple tracks.

Evening

Well if its running on quadruple track then take
a stab at it being either Basingstoke, Eastleigh
or Southampton, but couldn't give you an exact
location to the junction.

Seen as we are on the Southern, does the BR Blue
4 Vep still work the Lymington branch and how/days
regularly?

The second pic needs to be re-sized by a country
mile SWlines!!!

Regards

Karl.

The VEP known as 3417 'Gordon Pettitt' has never operated on the Lymington branch and never will do so.

There are 2 slammers numbered 1497 and 1498 which operate the branch daily assuming they are available - if they are not then a 450 substitutes, or if they're in running condition then a slammer with a 73 attached is sent out.

I'll go further on the clue for 1, at the place where the 442 is in particular is 4 tracks, shortly further on there is a gain of 4 tracks from another line for a short time.

Challenge 2 enlargened:

(http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8780/challenge2is5.jpg)

Evening

The only places I can think of where 442s work
with a junction described in the usual area is
either Redbridge, Eastleigh or a longer shot at
Barnes taking the line to Guildford that way?
Is this a normal service or the recent Pig
farewell railtour?

After that will need another clue.

Regards

Karl.

P.S.  This is open to all members of the group,
not just Global Mods, swlines and me!

The pig in challenge 1 was on an empty stock working between a depot and a carriage washer, and where it becomes 8 tracks is not a conventional junction in the sense of the word.

Evening

Well the 442s are usually based at Bournemouth
T&RSMD.  There is a junction called Gasworks Jcn
as well, so one of those two?

Regards

Karl.

The location of the picture is nowhere Bournemouth.

Something to note of significance in this picture is the bridge in the background that the 442 is going through, and the shape of the arch. Also bear in mind the angle of the photo - these are significant in guessing the location of said photo.

For the pig how about up main approaching Clapham Junction LSWR station the other four tracks alluded to being LBSC.

Near site of Clapham accident.

Ding ding ding!

Correct :)

Evening

Well done 8f 48544!!!

A request please.  Could we make the pictures
used in "A Challenge" a bit more user friendly,
i.e so people that are not famular with the
Southern have a bit more of a sporting chance?
Both pictures were a bit too lacking in any clues
unless your very famular with that area.  Pics
like Havant, DEMU at Allbrook were a lot better.

I think swlines you had better give us the anwser
to pic 2 as no-one is going to get it even with
it re-sized!

Thanks for the info on Lymington, I got confused with
the 1498 I had seen on a fotopic site.  Info was
for a friend that produces DVD's commercially,
but won't say as haven't got his nod to do so.
Him, myself and another friend intend to take a
trip there to film it before it goes!

Regards

Karl.

The plan is for the Lymington branch to go 450 later this year (possibly after the summer) from what I'm aware of.

There is a KEY clue in the enlarged picture - and I did have a correct answer by private message.

The significant clue in challenge 2 are the two tracks curving off from the main route - and also the small segment of platform in photo.

Evening swlines

Sorry, but I beg to differ.  And if two lines,
a millimetre of platform or a tiny bit of bridge
are key clues then they tell me nothing.  Remember
not everyone lives by the Southern and these need
to be made a bit less obscure than they are.  Now
I don't think my request was too harsh, but you
can declare me out of even trying to attempt
pic 2.  Has anyone guessed that yet?

I will relay the info about Lymington forward,
thanks.

Regards

Karl.

I'll put you out of your misery, ironically - it is Brockenhurst! ;)

Evening swlines

Ah, nope wouldn't of guessed it although you could
of dropped me hint (as close), when I went for
Lymington for pic 1!!!!!!  Though the saying is
"Close but no cigar".

Please don't think for 1 minute I having a go at
you, just that I need a bit more pic and detail to
work on for deduction hence the previous pics in
"A Challenge" mentioned.  I do like these brain
tessers and I think I am right, in saying that they
have had quite a few of the group members interacting
as group in past challanges; which is a good thing.

Please do keep them up as they fun but only fun
when they not too refined, for want of a better
word.

I look forward to the next one!  I would try and
insert a smilley face here but my Internet TV
probably would not do/like it!

Regards

Karl.

The next one is ....

(http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4796/challenge3ei9.jpg)

Hello swlines

I think it 'may' be Rannoch with the goods shed
peeking through the scrub to the left.

I think the prob is the actual size of pic when veiwed
on screen, others were full scren?  But I'm veiwing with
a 14inch screen!

Regards

Karl.

It's in Scotland, somewhere in RETB land. Somewhere on the West Highland perhaps and, since I don't recognise, probably between Crianlarich and Fort William.

Not on the West Highland Line - that uses solely class 156 stock.

<picks station at random with a nearby footbridge>

Helmsdale?

Morning

Not Dingwall is it?

Regards

Karl.

Nope and nope.

Evening

Take a stab at either Elgin, Kingnusie or Pitlochry?

Regards

Karl.

Nope nope nope

It's on the far north ;)

Morning

Is it Georgmass Jcn, line for Wick and Thurso?
Excuse my spelling!

Regards

Karl.

Nope

Evening

Might need another clue.

Regards

Karl.

It's the southern north.

Erm .. thanks, Tom!  I'm even more confused, now!

Like Karl, I was inclined to suggest Georgemas Junction, near Halkirk, but I didn't have the nerve to do so - sorry, Karl, you did, and so you got the 'nope'!  ;)

Tom, is this, by any chance, one of your recent 'two weeks' full English breakfasts' bash pictures?

C.  ::)

I know where it is  ;D

My clue is accurate - it's in the southern north!

And I can neither confirm nor deny whether it was part of my breakfast bashing.

Afternoon

With what seems to be dense forrest in the pic
top left, stations with dense forrest around
them in the OS map are: Dunkeld, Kincraig and
Ardgay.  So any of those?

Whats your guess Devon Metro?

Regards

Karl.

Evening

Looked at a DVD of Scotland I've got and Garve
could also be a contender?

Regards

Karl.

Just to add that there are some other suggestions
swlines on previous page (5), as well that haven't
been given a yay or nay!

Regards

Karl.

No, no, no and, err, no.

Afternoon

Well running out of ideas, but a fair guess it
'may' be Clachnaharry.  There is a footbridge
like the one in the pic, assuming you've cropped
the swingbridge out so not to make it too easy?
Only other one I can think of at a wild guess,
is Strathcannon?

Regards

Karl.

All no.

This station is on the SOUTHERN end of the Far North route (which I consider to be Inverness to Wick).

Ironically, the picture isn't photoshopped at all .... (which is odd for me ;))

Morning

Well Clacknaharry, Dingwall, Ardgay and Georgemas
Jcn (already given by me), are between Inverness
and Wick so understood your instructions swlines!
Helmsdale has been given by another member, so
minus those I'll give you every station:

Beauly, Muir of Ord, Alness, Invergordon, Fearn,
Tain, Culrain, Invershin, Lairg, Rogart, Golspie,
Dunrobin Castle, Brora, Kildonan, Kimbrace,
Forsinard, Altnabreac and Scotscalder.

It's got to be one of them, which one?!

Regards

Karl,

It's one of them!  ;D

Afternoon

Well to bend the rules just slightly and be
technical about it, seen as I have given every
station except Strathcannon, which I missed out
I've answered it!  To be fair probably Beauly,
Strathcannon or Lairg going by background?

Regards

Karl.

Nope, nope and nope!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Afternoon

Acually I dont why I've put Strathcannon on the
list, put that up earlier????

Ummm, Fearn, Tain or Culrain, possibly Achnabreac
maybe to far up the line?  The background doesn't
look right for Muir of Ord nor Invergordon, not
is it?

Regards

Karl.

The correct answer is one of those - but I won't say which one ... ;)

I bet the one station I've been teling muyself
all along  isn't the one, is the one!  Muir of Ord?

Regards

Karl.

Bravo  :D

Indeedio!

Well thats changed a bit since I was last there,
scrub has especially grown, mind you c37's were
still running around then as well!

Regards

Karl.