Back to my roots...

 

I didn't think I'd get the chance to do this again...  Well when there's nobody rostered to open Tutbury Gates for early turn and all other options are exhausted, whats a man to do....  Quite enjoyed it too!

Moira West Junction.

 

 The Stamford van.....  there it is look!  An entertaining tail including expresses to Kings Cross.

 Colwich, the history of the 1961 box - worth recording here?  Not really a branch line though, a very very main line :-) 

Back to New Mills Tunnel End... This little location fascinated me back in the late 70's when it had been closed for a few years - now this wonderful colour pic has appeared on Flickr - from the fine photographer John Spencer Gilks.

Something of a sedentary existence, however it had an hourly service up until abolition of the branch in January 1970......

Astrop Sidings....

I wonder if anyone ever chances upon my musings, not written anything for a few years so worth a try.

Astrop Sidings, an enigmatic little location south of Banbury, just beyond the iron curtain where east meets west, or at least LMR meets WR at Heyford.

Just a single turn box by the time of this Train Register, one regular man, busy little box though....  No running water, this was delivered by either a light engine (which did similar at Aynho) or DMU.

As with anything like this, it was too good to last and succumbed to closure in 1979.

Bearley time to do anything...

Where does the time go?  How many times have I heard people say that over the years...  Two little girls now, Kate (3) and Livvy (1) occupy most of my time, here relaxing after all the grass has been cut.

So what of the branch line, still no sign of anything happening, I'm quite occupied at the moment with the recent history of the North Warwickshire line and onwards to Lansdown Junction - in the photo I'm attempting to educate my daughters on the finer points of Absolute Block acceptances at Bearley Junction from this 1976 Train Register and elucidate why 8V85 had to wait fourteen miles away as there was no Outer Home for acceptance purposes...  Ah well, it helps me sleep at night :-)