A history of time - OTD 13th October 1884

grahame

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A history of time - OTD 13th October 1884

« on: October 13, 2024, 06:38:35 »

Standardisation of time is a fascinating subject. How with the coming of the railways times / clocks in different towns were co-ordinated to remove confusion, and aid safety on systems of signalling that were time dependent. GWR^▸ were in the lead on this in the 1840s. Story at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_time . It took until 13th October 1884 for the Greenwich Meridian to be officially accepted as the government's zero line according to Beautiful Britain

Here in Melksham, we aren't yet fully standardised. Time on Spa Road is a couple of minutes behind time elsewhere, and the driver of the x34 I rushed up to at 06:53 my time on Friday informed me I was lucky to catch the bus as it was 06:55 and he was due out at 06:54. A good example of why we should standardise time.

Time stands still in Melksham ... the Town Hall Clock is right just twice a day at 06:13 and 18:13


« Last Edit: October 13, 2024, 06:50:36 by grahame »	Logged

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bradshaw

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Re: A history of time - OTD 13th October 1884

« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2024, 08:31:38 »

With the plans for the Bridport Railway freshly announced Bridport Borough Council added a second minute hand to the Town Hall Clock so that it shiwed Local and London Time!


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GBM

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Re: A history of time - OTD 13th October 1884

« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2024, 11:09:32 »

Quote from: grahame on October 13, 2024, 06:38:35

Standardisation of time is a fascinating subject.

Here in Melksham, we aren't yet fully standardised. Time on Spa Road is a couple of minutes behind time elsewhere, and the driver of the x34 I rushed up to at 06:53 my time on Friday informed me I was lucky to catch the bus as it was 06:55 and he was due out at 06:54. A good example of why we should standardise time.

The number of times passengers have said how lucky they were to catch the bus when I've been running late! Thank you passenger(s), you've just added another slight delay to my already late running.
No, I've never said anything, apart from maybe "That's OK" on occasions.
Only one a few occasions in 14 years has a passenger queried if I was early or late.
Early? an offence with First (but not unknown.....).


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broadgage

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Re: A history of time - OTD 13th October 1884

« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2024, 11:11:48 »

The town hall clock pictured above is far more useful than a clock that is running.
It is accurate twice a day, and at the same times every day ! if a clock is running then it might never be right, or more likely will only be right at and long and unknown intervals.

P.S. on the Corn exchange, Bristol there is a clock with two minute hands, one shows Greenwich time and the other shows the local time. The difference is a little over 10 minutes. If that clock stops, it will accurate FOUR times a day.


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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU^▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.

grahame

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Re: A history of time - OTD 13th October 1884

« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2024, 13:18:16 »

Quote from: broadgage on October 14, 2024, 11:11:48

The town hall clock pictured above is far more useful than a clock that is running.

I used to have an analogue electric clock that would sometimes run backwards when plugged in. Right four times a day AND if you knew when it has started in was a good test if you were awake, intelligent and sober to work out the actual time based on what it said.


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Mark A

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Re: A history of time - OTD 13th October 1884

« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2024, 15:07:06 »

Sometimes known as a 'Bolinder clock'.


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