The Great Garden Railway Inspection Reports

[FWLR]

Well Phil, that is some transformation of the Veterinary's. You would never know it was a Play-mobile toy. Brilliant mate. Hopefully when we can get to some steam up's soon we can have a good catch up.

[Lonsdaler]

Well Phil, that is some transformation of the Veterinary's. You would never know it was a Play-mobile toy. Brilliant mate. Hopefully when we can get to some steam up's soon we can have a good catch up.

Indeed. Fingers crossed!

[Lonsdaler]

After a fine cooked breakfast and excellent service from Mrs. Twice-Knightley, I was collected from mons repose at 0900 precisely for my return trip to Black Burton Station, arriving in good time for my meeting with the senior staff of the GWLR.
I made my way to Platform 1, where Mr Mainwaring (Capt., retired); for some reason in his old home guard uniform, Trevor Trogg (a positive giant of a man!), Senior Civil Engineer (Structures and Permanent Way) and Mr Fred Dibble, Motive Power and Rolling Stock Manager.



Having introduced his senior staff to me, we started the inspection with a look at the facilities at Black Burton. The station is located in a former quarry, which severely limits the platform length as well as location of storage sidings etc. As an aside, the quarry was the only known location of the very rare mineral Unobtainium, a material so rare it is now used for nothing at all. As a by product, all the clay used for making pottery in Black Burton was sourced here too. Sadly another industry that is now only a memory. For the main station and terminus of this railway, the station itself is woefully small, with limited covered areas for waiting passengers. Mr Trogg then took me to view the turntable, engine shed, the stores building and the loco refuelling facility. It has to be said that the limited space makes the turntable a necessity, although I understand there are issues with the local water table.



I was very impressed with the fuel oil storage arrangements, with a metered pump for dispensing fuel and a safety cutoff switch in the event of mishap. The surrounding bund wall is sufficient to hold one and a half times the contents of the tank, further protecting both the staff and environment in case of spillage.



The station, as well as having a passing loop via Plarform 2, also has 2 sidings, arranged in a most peculiar configuration, which Mr Trogg explained was due to the strictures of operating in a disused quarry. One of those sidings also links to the turntable to provide (assuming not full of stock) an alternative loop for the station area. Both Mr Trogg and Fred Dibble proceeded to lament the general lack of available siding space throughout the company.

We proceeded to the station throat, to inspect the signalling arrangements employed at GWLR. As a light railway, the signalling system is not sophisticated, but to outward appearance looks most impressive. However, in talking to Mr Sem O'Phore, the signalman, it became clear that the signal provision is currently 'aspirational' in so far as the low number of train movements effectively mean the whole line is single engine use most of the time. As such, the signal network is ready for the hoped for renaissance of this line.





After a full day of detailed inspection and with time pressing on, Mr Trogg escorted me back to the station to meet with Mr Patel, for the return to my lodgings. On our way he shewed me his own enterprising project. Gretadale Grotto is a 'show cave' with a guided tour of the now abandoned Unobtainium mines, which display some remarkable geological features, found only in association with Unobtainium. I was most intrigued, particularly by the Notice of Disclaimer - I shall avail myself of the tour before I leave this area for my next appointment.





For the moment, however, I had the delights offered by Mrs Twice-Knightley to look forward to, prior to my tour of the rest of the railway tomorrow.

**ADVISORY NOTICE**
Now that Mr I.N. Spector is equipped with a TARDIC (Time And Relative Distance In Crate), time has become, quite literally, fluid. Thus, although to us it may appear that almost a month has passed since his arrival last night, to the good folk of the Greta & Wenningdale Light Railway only one night has passed. Admittedly, for some, it was a loooonng night

[philipy]

Absolutely brilliant Phil! I haven't stopped chuckling for the last 5 minutes.
Thank you.

[Peter Butler]

Most entertaining and original. Great pictures too!

[FWLR]

Brilliant Phil, this line is so funny...

Quote; "As an aside, the quarry was the only known location of the very rare mineral Unobtainium, a material so rare it is now used for nothing at all."


Just thinking about it is making me smile now. Brilliantly told also and I love the photo's of your excellent line.

[sjrixon]

Fantastic report, does he get a chance to ride a train somewhere?

[Lonsdaler]

Fantastic report, does he get a chance to ride a train somewhere?

I'm sure Mr Mainwaring (Captain, retired) has an excursion planned for the inspector. There are other stations and engineering features to look at yet. And he is keen to develop a good working relationship with the light railway inspection authority.

[BWLR]

This is great Phil, I'm eagerly awaiting the next instalment!

[Old Man Aaron]

Another great read, sir.

[Lonsdaler]

Another day another dollar, as our colonial friends say, and as I shall soon find out, for I have learned via telegram delivered last night to Mrs. Twice-Knightley's abode that my next stop will be in the Land Down Under.

An early start for the inspection of the railway itself today, accompanying Mr Mainwaring (blah blah etc.), Mr Fred Dibble and myself aboard a short consist P-way train, travelling in the (small) guards van with Garry Oretrain, the guard with driver Alf Hearted in the lovely little steeple cab loco. The consist included a tool van, a flat wagon carrying a rowing boat (for some reason!) and the mobile crane, with Cedric Rane, an engineer accompanying us as the crane operator.
Travelling the line is an excellent way to judge the condition of the track, the supporting infrastructure and engineering works. As we left Black Burton terminus and joined the main line, I noted the tunnel and portals were in good condition with no sign of subsidence, decay or water ingress. I decided to do this from the guards platform at the rear of the train with Garry.


Shortly after Bendam, a rather dismal halt with no facilities other than a crumbling island platform, we came to a shuddering sudden halt. The locomotive had derailed at Midgley points! Alf had seen the problem and managed to stop just as his front wheels derailed. With Alfs careful coaxing, and some skilful use of a rerailing tool wielded by Cedric, Alf gently reversed clear of the points so we could determine the cause.


It was clear that one of the blades had separated from the tie-bar perhaps due to some very heavy vehicle crossing the track and breaking the mechanical linkage at that point - perhaps a traction engine or tracked vehicle, or as Alf tried to convince me - a 'giant' :LOL: - the very idea!

Mr Dibble contacted Sem O'Phore at Black Burton to close that section until a permanent repair was effected. To continue to Birdbath halt, we were able to retrace our way back towards Black Burton, and take the spur towards Loon Bridge. As we crossed a bleak wilderness known as Flag Patyo, we came to an obviously new station bulding - we had arrived at Dublow (alight here for Hornby).

Mr Mainwaring (etc. - you get the idea) was most keen to show me the work so far, explaining that the Great Pestilence had been an ideal opportunity to refurbish much of the lines supporting infrastructure. He showed me around the building, including the facilities for staff, with bespoke doors and windows apparently.


Heading around back to platform side he shewed me the Ticket hall, with a spacious well ventilated public area.


Further down the platform I was allowed to speak to the contractors who were enjoying a well earned brew. There were three of them apparently, but I only met two.


We reboarded the train, and set off towards Loon Bridge. As we arrived on the bridge, our train came to a halt, and suddenly all was a hive of activity. Mr Rane set to rigging the stabilising jacks for the mobile crane, whilst the others readied the boat we had brought with us. On inquiring of the purpose to this exercise, I was told that the two employees who met us at the bridge were going to carry out maintenance work on the bridge piers and access to the waterline was only possible by boat. I was most pleased to see that Mr Rane positioned the outrigger jacks on supporting timbers for the bridge and not just on the walkways, clearly demonstrating an understanding of risk assessment. The boat was equipped with a life ring, which apparently meets local safety requirements for the people on board - life preservers would have been more appropriate, I felt.


Garry the guard was engrossed by the operation.


As the operation progressed I chanced upon an old seadog, sat smoking his pipe and watching proceedings.


I asked him for his professional opinion, and he said "Arr - gizzum rollocks an a wired pluckle ne'er to be wizzummed up a glert". I took his thumbs up to be favourable, and quickly returned to the train and P-way crew, who were making ready to continue to our next stop.

[Peter Butler]

Wonderful stuff.... I could live on that!

[philipy]

As enlightening , informative, and amusing as always, Phil. Thanks.

[FWLR]

Great report Phil and very funny in places. The skilful placing of staff behind the inspector was hilarious...

[Andrew]

The skilful placing of staff behind the inspector was hilarious...

It was, wasn't it?! Loved the lowering of the boat too - thanks Phil!

[ge_rik]

Thanks Phil
A really entertaining and imaginative report. Having read the report, when can we expect the movie?

Rik

[BertieB]

“Arr, Gizzum!”

Very nicely photographed — and the garden looks like a film set. Lovely.

[Jimmyb]

The report reads very nicely, however I will have to look again tonight as all the images are blocked on my works computer.

[Lonsdaler]

“Arr, Gizzum!”

Very nicely photographed — and the garden looks like a film set. Lovely.

And they say the camera never lies

[Lonsdaler]

The report reads very nicely, however I will have to look again tonight as all the images are blocked on my works computer.

I suppose Flikr is regarded as social media. I hope you enjoy them when you get to see them