Archive-1977

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1977
Silver Jubilee year found me in the third year at school in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. My interest in railways was growing but my trips were limited by a lack of money and confined mainly to the local area. I did manage a few 'away days' when funds allowed. This included two memorable visits to, and tours of, Swindon Works. The highlight was the scrap-lines where I took some now classic pictures. I also visited Crewe Works Open Day with two friends and a teacher from school who helped and encouraged me to develop my new-found hobby. Throughout 1977 I was using my mum's 'hand-me-down' Exa camera. It had a maximum shutter speed of 1/150th sec. so some of the photographs of trains at speed show a little motion blur! However, at least I was using 35mm which was a considerable step up from my mates who were having even more problems getting their Kodak Instamatics with 126 film to produce any decent pictures!

Statistics - 17 trips, 123 photographs, 4.7 GB
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1. Bathampton Junction-12.03.77 A local trip with my friend Simon to Bathampton Junction on the GWML just outside Bath. No fences or restrictions meant free access around the area of the old station (closed 03.10.66). Another example of the different attitude towards people on railway property th en! It is likely that we would have ridden our b ikes here as we seemed to do a lot of that then.
A local trip with my friend Simon to Bathampton Junction on the GWML just outside Bath. No fences or restrictions meant free access around the area of the old station (closed 03.10.66). Another example of the different attitude towards people on railway property then! It is likely that we would have ridden our bikes here as we seemed to do a lot of that then.
2. Westbury-19.03.77 Whilst off school and recovering from chickenpox I was allowed by my mum to spend a day at Westbury. A lot was recorded in the notebook but only two pictures were taken. I took the train from and to Bradford-on-Avon, but the highlight was undoubtedly a cab ride in a Class 31 from Bradford-on-Avon to Trowbridge.
Whilst off school and recovering from chickenpox I was allowed by my mum to spend a day at Westbury. A lot was recorded in the notebook but only two pictures were taken. I took the train from and to Bradford-on-Avon, but the highlight was undoubtedly a cab ride in a Class 31 from Bradford-on-Avon to Trowbridge.
3. Swindon Works-01.04.77 The first of two visits to the fabled Swindon works that I made during 1977. The Westerns had finished two months previously so there still plenty to see on the scrap-lines. Looking back now, I still don't quite understand why the scrap-lines were the highlight of a works visit, it seems a bit melancholy to me now? This first visit was done on a drab April Fool Day was with my spotting friend Simon Petermeredies. We took the train from Bradford-on-Avon to Swindon via Bath as there was no direct route via Melksham then. We joined the queue of hopefuls outside the public entrance on Rodbourne Road.
The first of two visits to the fabled Swindon works that I made during 1977. The Westerns had finished two months previously so there still plenty to see on the scrap-lines. Looking back now, I still don't quite understand why the scrap-lines were the highlight of a works visit, it seems a bit melancholy to me now? This first visit was done on a drab April Fool Day was with my spotting friend Simon Petermeredies. We took the train from Bradford-on-Avon to Swindon via Bath as there was no direct route via Melksham then. We joined the queue of hopefuls outside the public entrance on Rodbourne Road.
4. Bath Spa-01.05.77 Just one picture was taken at Bath Spa trying out a bit of black and white photography on the Exa camera.
Just one picture was taken at Bath Spa trying out a bit of black and white photography on the Exa camera.
5. A trip to Bath Spa-14.05.77 I am not at all sure why I ventured to Bath on this Saturday afternoon. My records appear to show that I took the train home to Avoncliff so I either got a lift there from my mum or took the 264 bus.
I am not at all sure why I ventured to Bath on this Saturday afternoon. My records appear to show that I took the train home to Avoncliff so I either got a lift there from my mum or took the 264 bus.
6. Avoncliff-18.06.77 A weekend of GWML diversions found all up and down Paddington workings being routed along the Avon Valley via Bradford-on-Avon. The nearest station to my home was the diminutive halt of Avoncliff. I nipped down to capture some of the diverted workings.
A weekend of GWML diversions found all up and down Paddington workings being routed along the Avon Valley via Bradford-on-Avon. The nearest station to my home was the diminutive halt of Avoncliff. I nipped down to capture some of the diverted workings.
7. Bradford-on-Avon foot crossings-27.06.77 Quite why I was off school on 27th June in 1977 I cannot recall! Given the labour relations turmoil of the time it could well have been a teachers' strike day? Either way, I took the opportunity to have a few hours at the the two foot crossings just to the west of Bradford-on-Avon. At the time, these were almost my favourite spots with open views of the line and I remember spending many happy hours waiting for trains to pass.
Quite why I was off school on 27th June in 1977 I cannot recall! Given the labour relations turmoil of the time it could well have been a teachers' strike day? Either way, I took the opportunity to have a few hours at the the two foot crossings just to the west of Bradford-on-Avon. At the time, these were almost my favourite spots with open views of the line and I remember spending many happy hours waiting for trains to pass.
8. A summer's day at Bristol and Severn Tunnel Junction-02.07.77 A day of pure summer Saturday fun spent with some school mates spotting at Bristol followed by a run under the River Severn to Severn Tunnel Junction. This day epitomises 70s spotting at its very best!
A day of pure summer Saturday fun spent with some school mates spotting at Bristol followed by a run under the River Severn to Severn Tunnel Junction. This day epitomises 70s spotting at its very best!
9. Bristol Temple Meads-??.07.77 Don't know why, but my record does not have the actual date for this visit. I had a roll of black and white film in the Exa camera and ended up with only 3 pictures from the visit.
Don't know why, but my record does not have the actual date for this visit. I had a roll of black and white film in the Exa camera and ended up with only 3 pictures from the visit.
10. Bristol Temple Meads-27.07.77 I took the train to Bristol and spent a day at the station. I only took a few pictures but my notes appear to show that I collected a lot of numbers.
I took the train to Bristol and spent a day at the station. I only took a few pictures but my notes appear to show that I collected a lot of numbers.
11. Crewe Works Open day-24.09.77 This was my first Open day and what a one to go for! Crewe Works was simply huge and the locomotives on display in various states of repair or overhaul took my breath away. The majority of what was seen were cops. I went with my school friend Guy Vincent, my friend and neighbour, Jo Bell and my teacher from school Mr. Brush, who organised the tickets. We caught the first train of the day from Bradford-on-Avon, a three-car dmu forming the 06.42 to Bristol, then a Peak took us to Birmingham New Street and finally an electric to Crewe.
This was my first Open day and what a one to go for! Crewe Works was simply huge and the locomotives on display in various states of repair or overhaul took my breath away. The majority of what was seen were cops. I went with my school friend Guy Vincent, my friend and neighbour, Jo Bell and my teacher from school Mr. Brush, who organised the tickets. We caught the first train of the day from Bradford-on-Avon, a three-car dmu forming the 06.42 to Bristol, then a Peak took us to Birmingham New Street and finally an electric to Crewe.
12. Swindon Works-01.10.77 My second visit of the year to Swindon works. A thorough tour of the works followed by some time spent on the scrap-lines. The weather was better than my April visit and things had moved on.
My second visit of the year to Swindon works. A thorough tour of the works followed by some time spent on the scrap-lines. The weather was better than my April visit and things had moved on.
13. The MKT railtour-09.10.77 The first of two subsequent Sunday visits to Fairwood Junction just west of Westbury to see railtours. This first one was for the MKT Railtour organised in association with the DTG. A fine autumn morning saw two class 40s lead the railtour from Paddington to the South Devon Railway and back. I cannot remember how we got there but I seem to remember that it could have been my dad as there was a row about him being held up because the railtour was late running?
The first of two subsequent Sunday visits to Fairwood Junction just west of Westbury to see railtours. This first one was for the MKT Railtour organised in association with the DTG. A fine autumn morning saw two class 40s lead the railtour from Paddington to the South Devon Railway and back. I cannot remember how we got there but I seem to remember that it could have been my dad as there was a row about him being held up because the railtour was late running?
14. West Wilts Scouts Jubilee Cruise to York-15.10.77 I was a scout for most of my youth. The West Wiltshire group developed a bit of a tradition that they would charter a train once a year to take the cubs, scouts and venture scouts off for a day. This one, in 1977, was dubbed the 'West Wilts Scouts Jubilee Cruise' and went to York. It picked up hundreds of boys and their leaders throughout Wiltshire and headed off up to Yorkshire. I was not interested in going to the Shambles, the Minster or walking the walls relishing the far more attractive prospect of Deltics!
I was a scout for most of my youth. The West Wiltshire group developed a bit of a tradition that they would charter a train once a year to take the cubs, scouts and venture scouts off for a day. This one, in 1977, was dubbed the 'West Wilts Scouts Jubilee Cruise' and went to York. It picked up hundreds of boys and their leaders throughout Wiltshire and headed off up to Yorkshire. I was not interested in going to the Shambles, the Minster or walking the walls relishing the far more attractive prospect of Deltics!
15. Deltic to Devon-Cromptons to Cornwall -16.10.77 The second of two subsequent Sunday visits to Fairwood Junction near Westbury to see a railtour. This time I went with Jo (I think her dad may have driven us this time?). In a re-run of the previous week's railtour we saw two 40s, this time hauling the Deltic to Devon railtour. The 40s were used in lieu of a Deltic as these were confined to depots due to industrial action. Jo and I took another 'unofficial' tour of Westbury depot on the way home. Groundhog day anybody?
The second of two subsequent Sunday visits to Fairwood Junction near Westbury to see a railtour. This time I went with Jo (I think her dad may have driven us this time?). In a re-run of the previous week's railtour we saw two 40s, this time hauling the Deltic to Devon railtour. The 40s were used in lieu of a Deltic as these were confined to depots due to industrial action. Jo and I took another 'unofficial' tour of Westbury depot on the way home. Groundhog day anybody?
16. Trip to Crewe-26.11.77 Having been so impressed by Crewe during our visit to the Open Day in September some mates and I made a repeat visit to take in the delights that the station could offer. We travelled up from Bradford-on-Avon and spent the day copping most of what we saw! A great day out was had by all.
Having been so impressed by Crewe during our visit to the Open Day in September some mates and I made a repeat visit to take in the delights that the station could offer. We travelled up from Bradford-on-Avon and spent the day copping most of what we saw! A great day out was had by all.
17. Trip to Swindon -05.12.77 I took a day trip to Swindon at the beginning of December 1977. As it was a Monday we would have had a day off school for some reason or another. I distinctly remember that this must have bene during the firman's strike. This because we saw a number of army Green Goddess fire engines outside a fire station on our walk to Swindon's Railway Museum.
I took a day trip to Swindon at the beginning of December 1977. As it was a Monday we would have had a day off school for some reason or another. I distinctly remember that this must have bene during the firman's strike. This because we saw a number of army Green Goddess fire engines outside a fire station on our walk to Swindon's Railway Museum.
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