The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

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CSL
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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by CSL » Thu Jan 02, 2020 7:59 pm

Thank you for the positive reactions.
BorisSpencer wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 12:49 pm
Andrew wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 10:52 am Don't tell the inspector, but I love the mossy track!
+1, I've spent the last year with various concoctions of beer, yoghurt, milk, and chopped up moss trying to get an effect similar to that. :roll:
I am afraid I have no tips to give, as it has grown spontaneously, but it's on a rather rough and narrow concrete track base at ground level in an area shaded by a large hedge.
(Shhh... I like it too...)

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by CSL » Sat Jan 11, 2020 9:49 pm

MR I N SPECTRE
REPORT ON CLATTERBACH VALLEY LIGHT RAILWAY
PART 2

I am pleased to be able to record that my second visit to the Clatterbach Valley Light Railway has left me with a considerably more favourable impression than the first.

There had been a singular transformation at the site of the principal station, as can be readily observed by comparison between the opening illustrations in Parts 1 and 2 of my report. I cannot say how this almost magical change has been achieved, but the sight of a bustling station where previously I had found only desolation gladdened my heart and restored my faith.
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Operational procedures turn out to be encouraging too. I observed evidence of the use of warning signage in an appropriate location, and trains - both passsenger and goods - were fitted seen to be carrying headlamps (the headcodes themselves are either idiosyncratic to the Railway or a generic single lamp is carried, but given the nature of the Railway's operation this is not unreasonable):
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The preceding picture also shows appropriate use of buffer stop warning lights, and it was further noted that both passenger and goods trains were formed with suitable guard's vans and taillamps, which I was pleased to observe:
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The use of fixed signalling controlled from a standalone, covered signal box is perhaps more than would be expected on a designated Light Railway, but it was seen here, with the signals displaying the correct aspects. Again, confidence in the safety procedures was given by this:
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I had the opportunity to converse with a number of the Railway's servants as is seen in the following illustrations. First, the signalman:
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Next the guard of the passenger train:
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Then the driver and firem..., er, stoker (is this right?) of the passenger train:
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And also the driver of the goods train (I have to report that I found the attitude of this fellow a little laid back):
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Without exception, the Railway servants assured me that the General Manager was an excellent railwayman, manager and employer, and that this opinion most certainly was unconnected to the lack of alternative employment in the local area and potential destitution arising from talking out of turn. (Note to self: while taking this at face value for the time being, further investigation on this point may be required.)

I also engaged in conversation with other users of the Railway, who professed themselves satisfied with the transport service it provides:
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(I must confess that there was something about the scale of the man pictured immediately above which felt out of place, but he was pleasant enough in his own way.)

My travels as an Inspector have taught me many things, and a particular lesson from my visit of last summer to the Brockhampton & Umbridge Railway was the importance of the comfort of benches when horizontally occupied. I therefore tested the two types of benches on offer (quite unnecessarily attracting the ribald attention of passersby in the second case):
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My conclusion is that the second type of bench is preferable, also affording shelter under the canopy of the station building.

It may be noted in the illustrations in this part of the report that the Railway uses a wide variety of coupling and buffing arrangements (and I do not believe that I have seen all of its rolling stock in this visit). Nonetheless, the use of "translator" vehicles appeared to ensure matching of centre buffer and side buffer arrangements and, taking due cognisance of the nature of the Railway's operations, this practice would seem to address the relevant risks adequately if not in exemplary manner.

My final word is that, based on the observations summarised above, the Railway displays a degree of rigour in its operational arrangements that mitigate to a degree my concerns noted in the first part of the report. This is sufficient to allow me to declare that the Railway may continue to operate subject to continued adherence to said arrangements.

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by philipy » Sun Jan 12, 2020 6:40 am

Excellent report, as always. Thanks very much.
Philip

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by sjrixon » Sun Jan 12, 2020 8:47 am

Cracking report. Great little line, really embedded in the scenery there!

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by Andrew » Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:46 am

sjrixon wrote: Sun Jan 12, 2020 8:47 am Great little line, really embedded in the scenery there!
It is, isn't it? And I agree, a great report, amusing and enlightening, thank you!

I'd better get cracking on my signal box, the Inspector's visit is looming closer...

Cheers,

Andrew.

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by FWLR » Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:51 am

Nice report. Glad to see Mr I.N.Spector has got his clipboard back so he can keep all his notes to hand... :lol: :lol:

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by Peter Butler » Mon Jan 13, 2020 10:25 am

Mr. Spector's dedication to duty is commendable, particularly his insistence on trying out the seating facilities (even when sober!) on behalf of the travelling public.
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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by Soar Valley Light » Mon Jan 13, 2020 10:03 pm

A very good second report CSL. The Inspector appears impressed with your arrangements - quite a compliment!

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by CSL » Mon Feb 03, 2020 5:26 pm

Thank you all for your kind comments - much appreciated.

I can now advise that Mr Spectre has left the Clatterbach Valley for his next assignment.

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by ge_rik » Tue Feb 04, 2020 7:49 am

Only just caught up with this thread. A great read!

I agree with you about moss cultivation. It grows spontaneously on my railway but I think it's largely due to its location - ie a North facing shaded garden. The one bit of railway which was exposed to regular sunlight ( ie not in the shadow of the house) rarely had moss growing on it. However, that's changed now as shrubs have grown up on the South of that section so it's now shaded - and mossy!

That tall chap's fig leaf is enormous - or is he just showing off?

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by CSL » Thu Feb 06, 2020 9:54 pm

ge_rik wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2020 7:49 am That tall chap's fig leaf is enormous - or is he just showing off?
Never even occurred to me!

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by CSL » Thu Feb 06, 2020 9:55 pm

ge_rik wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2020 7:49 am Only just caught up with this thread. A great read!
Thank you very much.

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by philipy » Mon Feb 17, 2020 9:17 am

Just for general info, the Inspector arrived with me to 'do' The Elderbury & District a couple of weeks ago but with Ciara and Dennis around, not to mention the general state of the line and garden, I'm afraid he has been unable to get out and about and do his report ( I'm told that the bar takings at the Railway Hotel have mysteriously increased though!).
Sadly :roll: :lol: we are off on holiday to warmer climes this afternoon so it is likely to be towards the end of March before his report is issued but I will get it done asap. and forward him to his next destination.
Philip

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by ge_rik » Tue Feb 18, 2020 9:33 am

philipy wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 9:17 am Just for general info, the Inspector arrived with me to 'do' The Elderbury & District a couple of weeks ago but with Ciara and Dennis around, not to mention the general state of the line and garden, I'm afraid he has been unable to get out and about and do his report ( I'm told that the bar takings at the Railway Hotel have mysteriously increased though!).
Sadly :roll: :lol: we are off on holiday to warmer climes this afternoon so it is likely to be towards the end of March before his report is issued but I will get it done asap. and forward him to his next destination.
Well!!! I think you should cancel your holiday immediately and get out into the garden...... ;)

Enjoy :sunny:

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by philipy » Tue Feb 18, 2020 6:10 pm

ge_rik wrote: Tue Feb 18, 2020 9:33 am
Well!!! I think you should cancel your holiday immediately and get out into the garden...... ;)
Sounds like a good idea. Why didn't I think of it myself, or read your suggestion, before we got here a couple of hours ago? :D :D

Seriously, even if I was at home there is no way I could get down the garden, atm. Fortunately we missed 95% of the effects of both storms ( commiserations to those who caught the full force) but even so, the clag that we laughingly call soil is sodden and water is just laying on the surface. Put a foot down on the lawn and slimy clay clag just oozes half an inch up the side of your shoe. Lift your foot and the grass underneath it has mostly disappeared under water.
Philip

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by ge_rik » Wed Feb 19, 2020 7:03 pm

I hope you are having good weather, Philip, and get the chance to chill out (in the relaxation sense rather than literally) :occasion5:
I'm not envious, of course! ;)

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by philipy » Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:02 pm

Finally I am able to report on The Elderbury & District Light Railway. My apologies for the delay which has been due to various reasons beyond my control. I have been staying at the Railway Hotel in Elderbury which although acceptable has begun to get tedious and I'm glad that I shall soon be on my way.

Elderbury station itself is small and lacking all but the basic facilities. I was somewhat disappointed at the general air of dilapidation and grass covered platform,
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I was however, pleasantly surprised to find the maintenance dept busily attending to the surrounding vegetation and wearing suitable PPE. I did wonder if this was just for my benefit but they assured me that this is what they always wear. My only actual complaint was that there were no barriers to keep the travelling public back from their potentially dangerous tools.
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I had a brief chat with a lady waiting on the platform with her daughter. She complained that she had been waiting for a train for years but I think this was probably a slight over statement.
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There was a goods train waiting in the loop and I had a word with the Guard. He was a pleasant enough fellow, leaning on the end of his veranda with a mug of tea. He generously offered me a brew but just at that point my train arrived to take me to my next point of call, so I had to decline.
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A short trip down the line and after passing through Green Man Tunnel brought me to Cuttle Brook Halt. I had been anticipating this stop with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. It may be remembered that I previously made an unofficial visit to this location when major construction works were in hand and little progress was being made. Imagine my surprise to find the works completed to a fine standard and the whole line properly fenced at this point with appropriate lineside warning notices etc.
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I spoke to one the local residents who was just arriving to catch my train and he expressed total satisfaction with the works and the improved standard of things locally.
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Further down the line and through a second tunnel, we came across the sole example of signalling on the E & D and what a fine piece work it is.
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This signal controls a three-way junction just beyond, with Bench Junction Signal Box on the right hand side. The box itself is small but perfectly adequate for its purpose. It could, however, do with a major re-paint however and the gutters need refixing.
I was pleased to see that the box is provided with an outside 'privy' since it had been a long time since breakfast.....!
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I opened the door without thinking and was somewhat embarrassed to find it occupied!
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We took the centre road at the junction which took us down a tightly curving gradient and under a large girder bridge which carries one of the other lines from the junction. Given the quality fencing on other parts of the line I was surprised and disappointed at the total lack of fencing here and also, given the gradient and curvature, the lack of checks rails and speed limits. This should be remedied at once and I'm currently debating whether to issue a prohibition notice until these very necessary works are completed.
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After passing under the bridge we entered Lower Bench Station and pulled into the platform. This is a pleasant little station, nicely appointed and well looked after.
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I soon found out the reason for this station being superior to other parts of the line. The station and its branch line was a relatively late addition to the system. The current local landowner is Maurice Mower, 4th Lord Elderbury, ( family motto: "Gramina Viridiores Est" ) and initially the Mower family wanted nothing to do with railways until they realised that the they were missing out both financially and socially. This resulted in the branch being shoehorned into the landscape to give them rail access adjacent to Bench Hall. This history was relayed to me in a somewhat boring conversation with His Lordship, who buttonholed me on the platform. He did kindly invite me to visit his family home but I declined on the grounds that I need to get on my way to my next inspection.
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So overall the line is not in too bad condition but there is definite room for improvement. The Director has promised that action will be taken and given that he promised this in relation to the bridge works and was true to his word, I have very confidence that I can rely on him again.
Philip

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by ge_rik » Sun Apr 05, 2020 5:12 pm

Interesting report, Philip. I'm sure there are corners of your railway I've not seen before. I enjoyed the tour.

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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by Peter Butler » Sun Apr 05, 2020 5:54 pm

Well illustrated and described, I think you have had notice to make improvements.
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Re: The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

Post by LNR » Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:04 am

I too enjoyed the tour. That first pic. is fabulous, the whole line looks really part of the landscape. The inspector gazing at the brook from the bridge is good too, and the privy shot brings back memories of the privy comparison episode.
Thanks Philip.
Grant.
PS can't help wondering if there is a resemblance in that Lord Elderbury character!!

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