1. Journey there-06.05.21

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2021 > 22. Spring break in Frome-06-11.05.21 > 1. Journey there-06.05.21

A leisurely journey from home to Somerset found us stopping off twice. Once for afternoon tea and a walk around Bradford-on-Avon and secondly for me to cop a mysterious former signal box that I spotted passing on the train a month ago.

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1. Wootton Bassett Incline signal box (BR, 1952) Over the years I must have passed this rather sorry looking signal box countless times whilst travelling up and down the GWML but I never spotted it until exactly a month ago today when travelling back from Bath to Didcot. As we were now heading towards Somerset (sort of passing close by on the M4) I persuaded my wife to allow me to take us off route very slightly so I could take a photograph. Once named Wootton Bassett Incline signal box it was a block post between Wootton Bassett West and Dauntsey boxes but only had a ridiculously short working life. It was built by British Railways, opening in 1952 but closing just ten years later. The SRS website shows that the box also controlled an up and a down refuge siding. Remarkably, it is still standing and even more so that it survived the electrification process evidence of which can be seen in the foreground. Keywords: Wootton Bassett Incline signal box British Railways 1952
2. 2t ventilated plank wagon (VVV), Tokenham SU033815 There must be thousands of these former VVV two-ton ventilated plank wagons scattered around the country performing many different duties. I could not identify any number on the side of this one with it having been painted over but it was still firmly in use being used to store equipment for an adjacent vineyard. It was adjacent to the GWML opposite the site of the former Wootton Bassett Incline signal box deep in the Wiltshire countryside. Keywords: 2 ton ventilated plank wagon VVV Tokenham SU033815
166202, GW 14.26 Westbury-Filton Abbey Wood (2D83, RT), Avon bridge Bradford-on-Avon Whilst eating our picnic lunch at Bradford-on-Avon's Barton Farm I was able to photograph this passing train leaving the Wiltshire town's station. Still in its First Great Western livery turbo unit 166202 leaves with the 2D83 14.26 Westbury to Filton Abbey Wood stopper. It is crossing the River Avon with a pleasing reflection in the water below the bridge. Keywords: 166202 14.26 Westbury-Filton Abbey Wood 2D83 Avon bridge Bradford-on-Avon Turbo First Great Western
166217, GW 13.11 Weymouth-Gloucester (2V68, RT), Bradford-on-Avon station 166217 leaves Bradford-on-Avon station working the 13.11 Weymouth to Gloucester GWR service. The photograph is taken from the station car park that occupies the site of the former goods yard. Keywords: 166217 13.11 Weymouth-Gloucester 2V68 Bradford-on-Avon station Great Western Railway

Images 1-4 of 4 displayed.