Saturday 16 March 2024

Pink Panda


Pink Panda

It’s all happening outside The Miners Arms today. Newly formed railway guard dance trio and occasional Morris men; Dwayne, Dusty and Dillon also known as ‘The Three Dees’, are performing their latest moves which centre around a crate of moonshine, and this morning a point lever. 

Meanwhile it looks like Shrewsbury engine shed’s ‘Webb Coal Tank’ has ‘gone missing’ and turned up here again in the Forest of Dean. And this being The Forest, means there’s no way those in charge at Shrewsbury will be able to track it down. Though to be honest, they’ve been try to get the engine scrapped for years, with it usually disappearing when paperwork is about to be signed for withdrawal. 

And finally, PC Rob Banks is questioning everyone after his not very trusty Ford Anglia police ‘panda car’ was painted pink overnight. Of course, our fav’ Bob Geeza Cat is here to balance the scene which he always does so well, for he is such a clever cat 🐾

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Wednesday 13 March 2024

Using Expired Film


Cad, charmer, business and ladies’ man Terry Tuttle-Thomas-Smythe is taking Dizzy Lizzie for a wander around the docks, because as we know ladies (ask mother if you don’t know what one is) love a wander around a dockyard that’s seen better days with a smarmy pretend posh bloke with a penchant for tweed. 

And in contrast to the semi-derelict landscape, they come across an ex-works Little British Railways Standard Class 2 locomotive which has just finished pottering about with a few wagons from here to there and there to here, as well as movements in between. It’s believed that Hornby based their recent release on this particular locomotive, but of course that might just pure conjecture on my behalf. 

And finally for the photographyholics here, a couple of months ago I was given some expired fridge stored Kodak 400 asa 35mm colour negative film of unknown age (it was unboxed, but the graphics on the canister current). Rather than waste it, out of curiosity I popped it through my Nikon FE at half the box speed to compensate for reduced sensitivity due to its possible age of maybe 10 years out of date. It’s come out okay-ish, given the base fog level is higher than in-date film (another feature of old expired film). 

But in this era of smooth digital capture, we forget how grainy 400 asa film is. But it is what it is, and it certainly creates a vintage look. Using expired film I gather is quite fashionable these days, personally I don’t get it. But at least I’ve been there done that - but I don’t want the T shirt. 

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Tuesday 12 March 2024

Hobby Graveyard

Looking through my back catalogue for todays post, this one popped up from 2007 - 17 years ago, which in digital photography land is almost pre-historic. It’s a scene on Ankle Bend Crossing on my Combwich layout. The rather too shiny tanker I think is a Langley white metal kit, which proves that possibly moonshine transportation activities have been going on in the land of the inch high for far longer than I recall. 

I might even finish it one day, for it sits in the bottom drawer in the railway room. That drawer being called ‘the hobby graveyard’, it being full of wagons and other junk that needs fixing, along with almost finished kits that didn’t really cut the mustard. I should donate the contents to the local club for their exhibition where they always have a table of old tat for sale. Surprisingly most of the tat gets sold, though I imagine most of it ends up in somebody else’s ‘hobby graveyard drawer’ never to be fixed. 

I digress, for most I imagine be more interested in the single car DMU which is a Lima cut-and-shove made up from a twin car unit. I think I did that in the 80s when it’s quite likely the full sized version was still in regular use. It runs like pig, even though the crappy Lima mechanism was swapped out for a Spud or something similar. Still, it looks pretty if nothing else.

~~~😳~~~

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Sunday 10 March 2024

‘Look No Hands’ Technique

The light over Somerset Levels is often quite spectacular and unusually for a Sunday the bus replacement rail service has been replaced with a train. Those familiar will know that in Little England all trains must be replaced with buses at weekends, it being the law since 1883. 

So this is indeed a fabulous and rare sight with a most unusual engine in the form of one of Stanier’s super-sized class 4 tank locomotives on the front of the usual 2 coaches which form the Highbridge branch services. 

Average photographer Ivan Locksmith and local cad, bounder and charmer Terry Tuttle-Thomas-Smythe are over there pointing their cameras at the spectacle as the train plods over the crossing at Catcott. Terry as usual is performing his usual ‘look no hands’ technique, which whilst it might charm the gullible, never yields a photograph because he always misses the shutter release. Don’t ask about his technique, but it impresses Nasal Nigel who is always keen to try out new things to do with his clammy TT gauge Flying Scotsman he keeps in his special pocket. 

Fans of the great railway photographer Ivo Peters will spot the famous blue Bentley, but no, this one is Ivan’s, he being a fan-boy of the great Ivo. Ivan’s Bentley is a bit of a heap to be honest with faded paintwork, plenty of tin-worm and a back seat full with all sorts of strange most likely illegal plants being propagated for his huge greenhouse which rivals those of Wisley and Kew Garden. 

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Friday 8 March 2024

LSWR Steam Extravaganza 150

Fresh out out of the scanner. Over the weekend of 23 and 24 July 1988 to celebrate 150 years on the London & South Western Railway, BR Networkq Southeast ran several steam hauled excursions around the Salisbury area. I recall the lineside and bridges packed with chuffer fans including me. Tap, click, lick or whatever floats your boat for bigger images 

34092 City of Wells, departs Salisbury with the 'Atlantic Coast Express', Saturday 23 July 1988. Rolleicord Vb Kodak T-Max 400. Skew Bridge was so busy, I had to hold the camera over my head and look up in to the viewfinder to achieve this photograph. 

48151 on the 10:15 Salisbury to Yeovil Junction 'Blackmore Vale Express' Barford St Martin, Sunday 24 July 1988. Rolleicord Vb Kodak T-Max 400

Somewhere west of Salisbury during a heavy downpour, 34092 City of Wells is captured, on the return leg of 'The Blackmore Vale Express' (Yeovil Jct to Romsey) in 'Golden Arrow' regalia, Saturday 23 July 1988. Rolleicord Vb Kodak T-Max 400.

Viewed from the end of the platform, 48151 passes East Dean as part of the LSWR 150 Anniversary Specials around the Salisbury area 23 July 1988. Rolleicord Vb, Kodak T-Max 400

Thursday 7 March 2024

Screw in Strap Lugs

Many old cameras don’t have a means of attaching a cameras strap, they being designed to sit in a case when out and about with strap attached to the case. It always worries me that when I’m wandering around with some ancient pride and joy looking out for photo opportunities that I’ll trip and the camera will fly. 

I found on eBay (other online retailers can supply too) that you can get a screw in strap lug (sounds a little kinky I know) that will screw into the 1/4 inch tripod thingamygig for just a couple of sovs. Probably not new to you guys and gals, but I’m so excited I had to let someone else know seeing my wife doesn’t share my enthusiasm. 

The camera is a 1956/7 vintage Zeiss Contina in great working condition picked up for £12 on flea bay. I found the rather fetching red string in the bottom of the ‘stuff’ drawer in the kitchen.



 

Wednesday 6 March 2024

That’s Your Lot….

That’s your lot…..

Today we take the time machine back 58 years, to the 6th March 1966. And here we are at the end of the road for Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway apart from a few freight only stubs, spurs or whatever you want to call them lasting for just a few more years. 

Many of our favourites have come out to see the very last train, not hauled by anything fancy, just an old Western Region allocated Stanier 8F goods loco without steam heating. But it’s not too cold, and anyway the upholstery in the equally decrepit carriages burns well, so not an issue if a bit of heat is required. 

Goodbye old Somerset & Dorset, in my alternative parallel universe you have provided much fun in the land of the inch high. Farewell and Godspeed in that great fiddle yard in the sky, laters….

Tuesday 5 March 2024

High Speed 1.9

Down on the docks. For years Pete, Dud and Neil have been asking for a passenger service on the light railway system. The day has finally arrived with the delivery of the much hyped train! No expense is spared as we can see! Alas budgets are tight, with management announcing that there might be some minor compromises over the original specification. 

Pete, Dud and Neil check over the 1st class accommodation, in fact there is only one class - how very inclusive. And as a bonus, the management announce that the unusual 6 wheel arrangement will provide an enhanced ride over the rickety old rails. 

The motive power comes in the form of an old tractor, with top speed of 9mph, and in the event of a fuel shortage can be easily adapted to run on moonshine. There is always plenty of moonshine around.


 

Wednesday 28 February 2024

Wise Guy Wednesday

Wednesday morning looks like a good one, for once it’s not raining which makes a change. So much so that Terry Tuttle-Thomas-Smythe has taken his open topped passion wagon out for a spin so he can do a bit of ‘hello ladies’, something he’s very good at the dirty rotter, cad and bounder. 

On the left (which is rather like right, but the opposite side) Barry Bullhead from The Ministry of Misery and his feeble minion Timid Timmy who likes to dress up as a railwayman will be riding the cushions in a recently refurbished red and cream carriage to Burnham on Sea. Why Burnham on Sea, aka God’s Waiting Room? I have no idea, but at least it’s a nice day, and it is rather like Bognor but facing north rather than south. 

And finally, just as the train rumbles in, Terry shouts to Barry, “let’s race to Burnham, the winner getting first dibs at charming the recently widowed wealthy elderly day-trippers at the bingo hall”. Barry of course is always open to business opportunities however ill gotten they are, the nasty little toad - and so the race begins, such wise guys….

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Sunday 25 February 2024

Sunday Shenanigans


 More dubious activities outside The Kettle Inn this morning. Waving Willy and Waving Wayne look like they’re having a good time over there on the right. 

As for Bob Geeza Cat, I’m not sure he’s in a good spot, but he’s a quick mover. Neil has jumped off the engine to entice Bob with some treat by the look of it. Though he could just pick Bob up and move him out of the way. 

At least Fred the Flag appears to be aware of where they are, but being the weekend no trains are running. That’s been the law in the UK since 1883 many of you will know, so there is little danger. 

And who is the chap on the left? That’s the pub landlord Shamus O’whatashame who’s popped out to to see what all the commotion is carrying his trusty man-bag which contains every possible bottle opener and cork screw combination ever made. 

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Sunday 18 February 2024

Stormy Sunday

Sunday morning looks like it’s going to be a stormy one as Farmer George and Rufus hound watch the works train take the rough track in its stride. 

Meanwhile Harry the Hammer who is almost at the end of his shift is ready with his hammer should the track need fixing after the train passes. This usually the case, a quick whack here and there sorting it out. The weeds do the rest, the roots holding everything in place like Nasal Nigel grips his TT gauge Flying Scotsman in the sticky depths of his special pocket. 

And as for Terry Tuttle-Thomas-Smythe next to his open topped car? One thing for sure is that he’s about to experience an absolute shower shortly if he doesn’t get a move on and outpace the impending storm.

Saturday 17 February 2024

Peter Pug


 Saturday morning at the brewery, and Peter Pug, twin half brother of Peter Peckett propels a load of finest malted barley across the cobbled yard. 

When took this photo a few years ago on Brewhouse Quay, the Hornby Pug was as far as I recall the only ready to run small steam loco of this type unless we include the Hornby ‘Smokey Joe’. Of course we now have several splendid small high spec steam loco options from several manufacturers which are ideal for smaller layouts and industrial backwaters like here. 

This one I found on eBay 15 or more years ago in LMS livery when there was a gap in production. After a quick spray in Halfords matt black and renumber it represents 51202 which was based at Radstock on the former S&DJR for a while in the 1950s.

Thursday 15 February 2024

Class 50 Thursday!

A Class 50 heads away from Salisbury with a London Waterloo to Exeter service, June 1982. Minolta SRT101 200mm Rokkor. Kodak Plus X

 Class 50 Thursday!

The Class 50 is called a 'Hoover' in the land of geekdom and fungus smelling anorakland with dirty fingernails and a mouldy pasty bought 3 weeks ago at Paddington Station ‘Traveller’s Fare’. The nickname is probably because they sound like a hoover (the loco, not the pasty), though many trainspotters have probably never used or heard a real hoover, unless 'mother' still hoovers up for them living at home in later life. But to be honest I never got into the loco nickname thing, so as usual I’m probably just spouting out nonsense, but I might be accurate regarding the mouldy pasty. 

Fresh out of the scanner, my photography from when I was knee high to a grasshopper and still living at home (but not later in life). Each photo individually captioned for those who can read.

With apologies to any fungus smelling anorak clad followers of this blog. Ps, put your pasty in the fridge, not your pocket if you intend not to eat it on the day of purchase. 

As always, click or tap photo to enlarge! 

50015 'Valiant' slows for Salisbury with an Exeter to London Waterloo service, June 1982. Note the air reservoir for the recently decommissioned pneumatic signalling. Minolta SRT101 200mm Rokkor. Kodak Plus X

50006 'Neptune’  arrives Salisbury with a London Waterloo to Exeter service, June 1982. Minolta SRT101 55mm Rokkor. Yellow filter. Kodak Plus X


Wednesday 14 February 2024

#WTFWednesday


 #WTFWednesday

A hazy summer morning at Combwich, and it looks like it’s going to be a scorcher. So much so, that the little people made from low melting point white metal are hiding indoors, because the BBC have issued another ‘red warning’. The warning this time being the risk of melting into a pool of liquid white metal in the intense heat. 

The train in the left is the 10.00 am service to Bridgwater, and on the right we have the 10.02 am service to Templecombe via Highbridge and Evercreech Junction. 

But rather than following strict railway protocol, because invariably everything is running late, the station master (hiding safely under the canopy)  blows his whistle and the first train to depart gets the road. The signalman hates this messing about everyday at this time, because his has to anticipate which route to set first. Though quite often both trains depart at the same time, and then one has to apply the emergency brakes to avoid passing the starter signal at danger. 

And when this situation arrises (which is most days), the outcome very much depends on whether the signalman is an ex GWR or S&DJR man, which in this case being the latter will almost certainly give priority to the train on the left, the locomotive on the right being of GWR heritage. 

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Sunday 11 February 2024

The Pines Express, According to ChatGPT

The up Pines Express powers over the Mendips Hills ably hauled by 40564 and 53809. Double heading (often with whatever could be found) was usually only in the summer, but the Midland 2P would have struggled on its own. 

The rest of this post is written by ChatGPT, here goes…..

The Pines Express was a famous named passenger train service in the United Kingdom that operated between Manchester and Bournemouth. It was renowned for its scenic route through the picturesque landscapes of the Peak District, the West Country, and the New Forest.

The train service was inaugurated in 1910 and quickly became popular among passengers traveling between the industrial north and the southern coast. The journey offered stunning views of rolling hills, valleys, and forests, earning the Pines Express a reputation as one of the most picturesque railway journeys in Britain.

In addition to its scenic appeal, the Pines Express was also known for its efficiency and comfort, providing passengers with a reliable and enjoyable travel experience. However, like many other railway services, it eventually fell victim to changing travel trends and the decline of rail travel in the mid to late 20th century.

The Pines Express ceased operations in 1967 as part of the Beeching cuts, a series of reforms aimed at restructuring and modernizing the British railway network. Despite its discontinuation, the Pines Express remains fondly remembered by railway enthusiasts and those who had the opportunity to experience its scenic journey through the heart of England.

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Saturday 10 February 2024

Saturday Shimmy

On Saturdays, Double Denim Dancing Dando loves to stand on the footplate of passing locos. His magnetic heels helping him enormously, but making it tricky to dance. However he does do a great upper body shimmy better than most in time with the chuffetty chuff chuff of the engine. 

As always tap or click the photo to enlarge. 
 

Friday 9 February 2024

Like a Ninja on Amphetamines 🐾

It’s Rear End Friday! Okay, that doesn’t really work, but it is what it as they say, the rear end of a locomotive and it’s Friday. 

Waving Willy is on the early turn pottering about with the recently arrived USA Tank which went missing from Southampton Docks sometime last week. By all accounts it was attached to the rear of The Pines Express and as if by magic remained hidden in the goods shed at Evercreech Junction before being used on the 5am goods to Bridgwater via Edington Junction. 

“Bridgwater” I hear you splutter into your Horlicks, “That line closed in the early 1950s”. Well so the history books lead you to believe, for while the rails appear to be long gone, they are very much still there lurking in the tall grass which now covers the trackbed. It’s been like this for a good decade now, with only the occasional dog walker noticing the hidden sleepers and rails, which curiously have shiny polished tops. But that’s just put down to a play of the light and smoking too much weed, for the swamplands of rural Somerset do enjoy spectacular displays of both. 

The Bridgwater line, whilst officially closed and torn up, is used regularly as a smuggling route from Bridgwater Docks. This is always under the cover of darkness, with locomotives having special flame retardant hemp muffling to change the staccato ‘chuff chuff’ to that of a feeble ‘muff muff’ so as to not draw too much attention. 

I digress, for I’m sure the more eagle-eyed will have noticed that Bob Geeza Cat as usual has positioned himself to balance the composition of today’s photograph. Waving Willy has just spotted him far too close to the track and is waving Bob out of the way. But fear not my fellow neurotics, Bob, despite getting on a bit, will jump out of the way with a split second to go like a ninja on amphetamines🐾

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Sunday 4 February 2024

Watch the Birdie!


 It’s Sunday down on the docks, and several of our favourite naughty chums are out to greet the arrival of a proper engine which is well and truly suited to a tough dockyard life with its tight curves, rough track, aggressive shunting and a bit of hello sailor. 

Celebrated average photographer Ivan Locksmith has turned up with his ‘big camera’ to record the event assisted by Barry Bullhead from The Ministry of Misery. But miserable, Barry no doubt will be keen that the photograph will fail due to the fixer bath being mixed up with the developer bath, thus rendering a film with no image. But Ivan is prepared for this and has swapped all the chemical labels around in his darkroom in preparation, for he knows that Barry will want to oversee the entire photographic process and swap labels around whilst Ivan loads the film into the developer tank.  

My only worry is that once Ivan has managed to get his huge camera back home, and knowing the he likes to smoke exotic stuff grown in his tropical greenhouse, he might forget what he’s done and indeed ruin the film. We shall find out later this week I’m sure….

And finally, any ‘Flat Earth’ fanatics will take delight in seeing the edge of the world, but might be taken back in that the edge is next to a little known dockyard near Bridgwater in Somerset. But anyone who has been to Bridgwater won’t be surprised by this. 

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1951 vintage Zeiss Nettar - fully working and regularly used. 


Saturday 3 February 2024

The Best Rail Replacement Bus Service Ever!

A summer Saturday in July at Ankle Bend crossing on the edge of Combwich. And is is the norm for a weekend railway in Little England the rail-replacement bus service is running which you can see briefly paused outside The Royal Oak. As mentioned in past posts, the rail-replacement bus service is the law for weekends, the railway being legally bound to only run trains Monday to Friday, or frequently less due to industrial action. The bill was passed in 1883 should anyone want to Google things further. Though it was at that time known as the rail-replacement horse & carriage service. 

The convoluted route bears little resemblance to the railway route it replaces, but it does take in every pub between Combwich and Evercreech Junction, which at a rough guess was around 96 at the last count, but is likely to be far more for those prepared to walk more than 5 minutes from the bus stop. It also has the bonus of running on the hour, every hour in both directions. So for this reason it is far more popular than the train ever is, for that only takes in 15 pubs and runs only 3 or 4 times a day depending on the weather and phase the moon. 

Next to the gates, our favourite socially challenged Nasal Nigel is chatting to the crossing keeper, which is unusual, for casual conversation isn’t really his thing, unless you ask to see his TT gauge Flying Scotsman which he keeps in the special pocket of his sticky green anorak. 

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Friday 2 February 2024

Zeiss Ikon Contina 526/24

 
An occasional post about old cameras in my collection, this one being the latest....
 
 A spur of the moment £12 ebay find which arrived earlier. It looked rather grubby in the photos, that's grubby rather than worn. Good working examples of these Zeiss Ikon Contina cameras generally go for somewhat more. But at such an affordable price it was worth a punt even if it ended up as a door stop. Albeit a rather pretty one.

But after a full mechanical check over, deep clean and lens clean it's ready for action. The lens is fungus free, something quite uncommon for a camera that hasn't been used most likely for over half a century. And upon opening the back for the sniff text, it lacks that mildew aroma which is often the norm of a camera that's been in a damp loft for years, which suggests this one escaped that incarceration. 
 
The 35mm Zeiss Contina 526/24 was made between 1954 and '58, and after checking the cryptic 'O' series production number, I've worked out that it was in the 1956/57 batch. At that time Britain was still building steam locomotives and Lonnie Donegan was in the Hit Parade with skiffle hit 'Putting on the Style'. 
 
These cameras look like they're going to be light, tinny and rather rattly, but it really is rather the opposite, it being top end German engineering of course with a good weight and a well-assured feel which gives confidence. It makes a lovely wind on noise and assured click at all speeds other 1 second which is a little lazy. Though that has improved somewhat after a little exercise in the very short time I've had the camera.
 
The lens is a simple coated 'triotar' 3 element design which generally give excellent results, especially in the centre of the field. When used at wide apertures, I'm expecting a nice swirl to out of focus backgrounds - something that has become popular with modern day hipster digital photographers who seek that characterful old time vibe missing from today's excellent but rather uninteresting lenses designed for modern mirrorless cameras.








 

Standing Start


Most Fridays at the colliery begin with a race between the mainline locomotive and shunting engine. The competition being to see which one covers 75 yards from a standing start the fastest. 

Much like the Brooklands car races of the 1930s, the driver, at the blow of the starting whistle, has to run and climb into the cab, start the engine and then accelerate as fast as possible until 75 yards are passed. They must slam on the brakes before the single line section is reached to avoid a crash in the event of no clear winner, which due its proximity right next to the public bar of The Miners Arms must never happen. And of course it never has, for the public bar at The Miners Arms is an institution and the holy grail for post-shift activities. 

And finally, Clive who is running the competition today, is checking out the engines, also known as scrutineering, for any illegal modifications or loose components which might come astray during the race, that’s him up there on the right hand engine….

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Monday 29 January 2024

Another Mono Monday


 Monochrome Monday 

A blustery stormy day in the early 1960s as a BR Std Class 3 tanks departs Combwich with the 10.05 Combwich to Templecombe service via Highbridge. 

There are few passengers these days, with the Hawksworth brake compo being more than adequate. However the bogie parcels van is always full of churns of milk for processing at the Bason Bridge creamery. And of course there is always moonshine, much of it hidden in children’s plastic toys, rubber ducks, footballs and the occasional milk churn to avoid detection. 

Life was so much more fun in the olden days, especially if a milk churn of moonshine ended up at the creamery by mistake. 

~~~🧀~~~

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Saturday 27 January 2024

The Wheeltappers & Shunters Club


Saturday morning on Combwich shed, as ‘248 simmers next to the water tower. Over by the signalbox, linesmen Monty and Don are having a discussion about home-grown spring onions before discussing the state of the loo, which today is in an even more perilous state than normal. 

The reason being that at the local Wheeltappers & Shunters Club last night it was the annual pickled winkles championship, the winner imbibing the greatest volume washed down by pints of entire stout and moonshine chasers. The loo here being on the unofficial route back into Combwich from the club, for the effects of imbibing such a mix tends to manifest with 25 minutes of consumption and always after the club shuts. 

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Sunday 21 January 2024

The Flying Scotsman


 Today we have an photo from my time machine as 4472 ‘The Flying Scotsman’, on The Blackmore Vale Express aka The Sherborne Lunch Express, thunders out of Salisbury on the 7th of June 1987 with a fine display of clag, something which will almost certainly create nightmares for the more neurotic climate alarmist. 

I remember the bridge, ‘Skew Bridge’ on the western side of Salisbury was rather busy that day, with dozens of squealing gricers including me, pointing their cameras at the spectacle. Being a poser, I had two Rolleicord cameras mounted on a bracket (basically a strip of aluminium with a 1/4inch hole at either end to bolt the cameras in place), one with Ektachrome 100 and this one with good old Kodak Tri-X, thus allowing a simultaneous colour and B&W exposure. 

Looking to the right of the train, railway allotments were still a thing back in the 1980s, but sadly they’re very much a thing of the past if you pop this view into Google Street View. I presume down to health and safety, but I’m sure more injuries occurred due to over enthusiastic use of a fork or pruning secateurs than unwittingly wandering on to the track in front of the 11.00 Waterloo to Exeter, but I’m happy to admit that I know nothing… 

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