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willc
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« Reply #1245 on: June 04, 2011, 01:03:33 » |
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In case you don't happen to click on the right picture in my gallery and miss the comment posted, a chap by the name of Richard de Ste Croix has kindly given a link to an interesting gallery of pictures he took on the line at the end of the 1960s and early 1970s, mostly in West Oxfordshire. Lots of diesel hydraulics and the contrast between Charlbury station then and now is striking, to say the least. See https://picasaweb.google.com/118090022386086946294/CotswoldLineOldies# |
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #1246 on: June 04, 2011, 10:27:43 » |
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Crickey there's some magnificent pictures in Richard's collection there! How things can change so quickly as we're only talking about 40 years ago. You almost want to jump into the photograph and tell them to stop ripping up the second track in the ones at Charlbury taken during the singling of the line.
Also, thanks for your latest updates Will - Charlbury really is taking shape now. The one with the access ramp for track workers is quite interesting as, with double track now in place, the old approach of driving the van down the side of the single track for miles until you reach where you want to get to, will no longer be an option. There will now need to be be a few more access points such as the one in your photograph.
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #1247 on: June 04, 2011, 21:55:42 » |
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I got chatting with one of the Cotswold Line signallers this afternoon - not sure how reliable his source of information is, but he said that most of the earlier delay had been recovered and he's optimistic that handover will be on time Monday morning. But... - Ascott station is the biggest worry with lots of things to sort out in a very limited time.
- There was a section of the new footbridge at Charlbury missing when it was transported - probably where the seven foot rumour came from? This is hopefully being delivered tonight, and is connected with one of the sets of steps. If it doesn't arrive in time, then the footbridge may open without its full complement of steps.
- There was a bit of a cock-up with the installation of the new panel sections in Ascott box and one section was damaged (bent as he described it!). It's been patched up OK for Mondays service but will need a permanent repair in the future.
Not sure how that tallies with what you've been observing on your visits down there, Will? Signalling issues might well be forgiven, but it would be rather embarrassing if the platforms aren't ready on time given the amount of time that they've had to complete them. |
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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willc
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« Reply #1248 on: June 04, 2011, 23:50:09 » |
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Sorry, but had a day off today - family birthday - so can't say where things stand until I take a look in the morning.
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willc
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« Reply #1249 on: June 05, 2011, 14:26:56 » |
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All looking good today. Track and signals ready for trains - a test train is due to run mid-afternoon.
And if you chuck enough people at the stations you can get a lot done in a very short space of time. Not sure if Ascott will get its waiting shelter but everything else should be okay with a large part of Amey's Herefordshire highways team shipped in for the weekend to do surfacing and lamp fitting, going by the markings on many of the vehicles. The level crossing was getting road markings. At Charlbury the footbridge was still lacking steps but handrails and lights were being fitted, along with the departure screen on the new platform.
Pics later.
Thanks to Ivan and Owen for the visit to Ascott signalbox - the panel looked okay from where I was standing - and hello to SandTengineer who was on site at Ascott.
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willc
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« Reply #1250 on: June 05, 2011, 18:48:08 » |
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Got my 3 o'clocks mixed up - the up line test train will be in the early hours, fitting in with something I was told on Thursday, made up of the three Turbo sets that have spent the week stationed at Worcester to operate the services to Kingham. The empty train to form the 05.37 from Moreton-in-Marsh to Worcester will check the down line.
Pictures taken today to follow shortly.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #1251 on: June 05, 2011, 18:56:41 » |
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Thanks, yet again, for your very informative posts here, willc.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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willc
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« Reply #1252 on: June 05, 2011, 19:45:17 » |
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bobm
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« Reply #1253 on: June 05, 2011, 19:56:39 » |
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Thanks again for the photos - especially the ones in Ascott box. Signalling is my particular interest.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #1254 on: June 05, 2011, 21:02:29 » |
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Fingers crossed for the morning...
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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willc
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« Reply #1255 on: June 05, 2011, 23:25:59 » |
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One last little update for the day, a picture is now online of 165121 on the crossover at Moreton-in-Marsh moving from the up line to the down this evening after running wrong line from Kingham.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #1256 on: June 06, 2011, 00:00:08 » |
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Just for my peace of mind, willc - please reassure me that this one was moved to a position of safety?  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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signalandtelegraph
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« Reply #1257 on: June 06, 2011, 06:27:41 » |
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Thanks to Ivan and Owen for the visit to Ascott signalbox - the panel looked okay from where I was standing - and hello to SandTengineer who was on site at Ascott.
signalandtelegraph  |
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Bring back BR▸
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Nottage_Halt
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« Reply #1259 on: June 06, 2011, 12:07:08 » |
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That's a sight for sore eyes, Richard. Thanks! Now looking forward to the completion of the project.  Thanks also to willc for the terrific pictures of the work in progress over the months. Nick |
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