If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

S&D Midsomer

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by 37422 Cardiff Canton, May 29, 2008.

  1. afvideo

    afvideo New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2005
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Video camerman and editor
    Location:
    Montreux, Switzerland
    I've read the posts from you guys involved with the work at MSN regarding the reconstruction of the greenhouse which once stood next to the signal box . When I was up at MSN the other week, someone told me that now the work on building the signal box was pretty much done, one of the next jobs was to start work on the greenhouse - I presume this is the case?

    Sounds like you've done a nifty job of getting the dimensions to do it from the old foundations, brick sizes, photos etc. Somewhere in the back of my mind I had the idea that there was a book published of scale drawings of structures on the S&D, but I think I must be mistaken on that, probably thinking of another line?

    I did find on the shelf a Historical Model Railway Society book from 1982 entitled "All About Midsomer Norton - A handbook for modellers of S&DJR", I expect that one of you has got that one? That book has got a lot of photos, mostly from the Rimmer collection, along with 4mm drawings of all the structures, with two pages for the signalbox / greenhouse.

    But of course, on the drawings it says "Greenhouse drawn from photographs", so that's not much help!

    The text for that area states "Greenhouse - this was built prior to 1900, but by whom is not known. The access to the building was by a gate in the fencing of the up platform. It had a chimney and it is possible that the fireplace was reached from the rear of the building but unfortunately no information has been found on this side. The drawings have been prepared from photographs and a few interpreted measurements but are believed to be reasonably accurate.

    Livery - no details of this has been recorded but when viewing photographs taken in the 1960's the livery appears to be.. . Walls - red brick, Chimney - red brick with a yellow chimney pot, Woodwork frames - white. The interior would have probably been whitewashed."

    Of course, that was written back in 1982. I'm intrigued by the fact that, at that time, it wasn't known who built the greenhouse. Am I right in assuming that it was not something that the SDJR built and paid for themselves, would it have been built by the railway staff themselves out of their own pockets? Would they have been allowed to do something like that?

    I'm sure someone will put me right on this, haven't they got something similar on the Mid Hants Railway at Alresford by the signal box, the last time I was there I remember a lot of runner beans growing, but can't recall if they've got a greenhouse there as well? Don't think there is... I was just wondering how many other heritage projects around the country have horticultural additions like the MSN one?

    Anyway, the signal box looks great, best of luck with the work on this next bit.

    Cheers

    Andrew
     
  2. mendipsengineman

    mendipsengineman New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2008
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Civil Servant
    Location:
    Bath/Portishead
    Not sure about who built or paid for the greenhouse. Many stations had them, there was definately one at shillingstone. Robin, Steve and Graeme will be working on it. I actually had all 78 rimmer collection photos before I aquired the Childs book you mention. Line drawings are not much use, but square-on photos are. Like I said there is a brick pit at the base of the greenhouse steps. Whether this contained a coal stove or primative gas burner fed from a t-valve under the platform tarmac is unknown. Presumably the livery would have matched the S&D then L&SWR / SR then BR(S) liveries before ending up BR (W) white, but I doubt we shall ever know. It would be best to apply the Southern Railway rule of cream panelling, green main beams and white windows, where they were openable.
     
  3. afvideo

    afvideo New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2005
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Video camerman and editor
    Location:
    Montreux, Switzerland
    Thanks for the info, mendipsengineman. I've attached a couple of scanned photos below to give people who are perhaps not familiar with the station layout at Midsomer Norton an idea of what we were talking about. I'll look forward to being able to see scenes similar to this one day in the future at MSN... I suppose the 2P would be a bit out the question, unless young Mr.Riley has got one lurking in the back of his shed somewhere?!?

    Regards
    Andrew
     
  4. Maunsell man

    Maunsell man Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    Messages:
    1,593
    Likes Received:
    505
    Occupation:
    Senior Finance Auditor
    Location:
    Kent
    Que? - Victory to the man on income support. Is your 'victory roll' from the Tesco value range? If thats your idea of victory, I'd hate to see your view of defeat. Your rusty siding scheme still has no credibility and few volunteers. Oh well, heres a website for you: http://www.delni.gov.uk/.../skills-and- ... eekers.htm. There maybe something to tempt you in the refuse collecting line again. As I said, pair of wnakers (deliberate mistake as was last time)

    Bored now - back to my day job which is neither dull or boring or anything to do with debt collection or burying people. Fortunately, I got my degree (C.I.O.B) when I was in my early twenties, so the career path is fairly well established.
     
  5. Steamchest

    Steamchest New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2006
    Messages:
    169
    Likes Received:
    15
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Coach driver
    Location:
    Weston-super-Mare
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I've no doubt that a visit to MSN in a few years time will present an fascinating snapshot of this dearly departed railway. Nobody expects to see the S&D fully re-created but a small section, carefully restored will amply convey the unique character of the line.

    If I was wearing one, I would take my hat off to the team of dedicated volunteers who are taking the first steps along this long road. =D> =D> =D>

    By the way, I don't need to know membership figures or see a detailed business plan to appreciate that these folks have the vision to make this happen. Take my advice, ignore the troll. He has absolutely no right at all to demand such details from you nor to make such offensive remarks.
    :smt073



    John.
     
  6. mendipsengineman

    mendipsengineman New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2008
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Civil Servant
    Location:
    Bath/Portishead
    Despite my earlier request to exit the kingscote kindergarten I see we are still infighting. How do you think this would look to outsiders? Answer a load of “roy croppers” playing trains when in fact we are giving our labour free to preserve a worthwhile piece of much more civilised age that we’d all love to go back to. If this continues I feel that this thread should be locked.

    The original purpose was to discuss the restoration and future plans and lay to rest some misconceptions however we are now at the “Michael draper was correct” and “swearing “stage. I will say no more unless it is constructive. You have been warned. The public are watching us all…..
     
  7. mendipsengineman

    mendipsengineman New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2008
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Civil Servant
    Location:
    Bath/Portishead
    I believe, and I stand to be corrected without reprisal, that due to its historical nature that this is the first time in preservation that an entire station, including tracklayout and signalbox, have been rebuilt exactly as it was, allowing for operational and health and safety constraints etc? Such is the status of this legendary railway that’s draws such strong emotion.
     
  8. sleepermonster

    sleepermonster Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2007
    Messages:
    919
    Likes Received:
    1,024
    The Draper article was a long time ago. If I remember correctly, one embryonic project which Michael Draper was utterly certain would never, ever, succeed was the Gloucestershire-Warwickshire. I can remember years before that, another respected senior member of the preservation movement wrote an article proving to his satisfaction that no trackbed scheme could ever succeeed, that would be just as what was then known as the Bristol Suburban Railway was starting up, they were the targets of the article so that would have been the early 1970's.

    Tim
     
  9. mendipsengineman

    mendipsengineman New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2008
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Civil Servant
    Location:
    Bath/Portishead
    What we need now, is to think about acquiring one of Butterley’s Jinty’s, ex barry or not, as this has to be the iconic steam face of midsomer Norton and the only engine that will fit in our (current) shed.

    I also mentioned to others that I thought that we need to have the window boards off the station, when more volunteers are available on Sundays and Mondays to facilitate this task. As for the site, I think a building next to the stables of the same design but half the size should be built disguised as toilets. The awful 1970 loo block could then be demolished and porters shed rebuilt as a shop, allowing the station to become what it should be: A period waiting room and working booking office/s. Once the extension is underway, all p-way materials should be stored on the up verge around the rebuilt pway hut, de-cluttering the station (I know this is inevitable at present). Finally, along with a rebuilt greenhouse, telegraph poles and re-tarmaced forecourt the station will be complete.
     
  10. Birchwood

    Birchwood New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Messages:
    155
    Likes Received:
    1
    ...and re-numbered 47557
     
  11. beaky

    beaky New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2008
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Very true. I'll be just discussing the railway from now on.
     
  12. beaky

    beaky New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2008
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Right thats good news, presumably I can assist I suppose? That is, when I can get my renewal sorted.
     
  13. beaky

    beaky New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2008
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    I mentioned to Amanda, Graham's wife, treading cautiously since I didn't want to tread on her toes, that in the Ivo Peters shot of the station, several clumps of white flowered shrubs could be seen. They were too indistinct for me to identify, so I assume they were either roses or, even more likely I would argue, chrysanthemums.

    A minor point, but I think the vision you've just outlined there Nick is superb. Should look wonderful when its all done.

    :smt026
     
  14. Maunsell man

    Maunsell man Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    Messages:
    1,593
    Likes Received:
    505
    Occupation:
    Senior Finance Auditor
    Location:
    Kent

    Mr M.E.M, not wishing to re-enter the MSN kindergarden I suggest you control your colleagues and as their response to my perfectly valid points and questions was not so much 'Roy Cropper' but more 'Merchant Banker'. I do not consider my role as infighting in this sad spectacle, but defending myself from two people with personal intercommunication issues who made consistent personal attacks and speculated on my own lifestyle and professional position. The public are watching and focussing in on your project with 20% of your workforce blatently ganging up on one person who dared ask a question. Doesn't really make people want to turn up with their overalls does it?
     
  15. cheekylittlemonkey81

    cheekylittlemonkey81 New Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    Messages:
    160
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Dorset
    Maunsellman, as I don't know you I will refrain from being rude. However, if you read through the forum topic I think you will find answers to your questions spread around over several posts and interspersed with really annoying backstabbing and childish play. So please stop winding these people up who are obviously taking it personally. As for your repeated comments about 10 volunteers, this was cleared up about 4 pages back.

    Everyone else, great project and nice to see much progress since you had access to the site, here's to your successful future!;)
     
  16. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2006
    Messages:
    11,567
    Likes Received:
    5,224
    Although to give the author their due the BSR now the Avon Valley was severely hampered by the lack of track (and an unhelpful local authority).

    No track = no trains = no money.

    It took many years to break out of that cycle. I know I was there.
     
  17. beaky

    beaky New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2008
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Well I don't doubt that for a moment, but you managed it, didn't you? The Avon Valley is a fine project with some quite interesting loco's and a small but not uninteresting stretch of track. I especially like that Green Polish shunter they have there. I think this just goes to show whats possibe with a bunch of hardworking, dedicated volunteers.

    Incidentally, despite appearances, we are not just a "Ruston Diesel" line, we happen to have one of those small steam shunters that used to work the yard at Radstock. Okay, no chimney of course, but interesting nonetheless. Not only that, but when we get the signal box (nearly done) and the Greenhouse rebuilt, the station will have recovered that 'rural charm' that the S&D was famous for, and people will, I'm sure flock to us to sample the atmosphere while there's still time before peak oil really sets in. After that, well, we might all be stuffed after that anyway so its a bit pointless worrying about it.
     
  18. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2006
    Messages:
    11,567
    Likes Received:
    5,224

    This is true and I for one am not knocking what you guys are doing.
     
  19. beaky

    beaky New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2008
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0

    This is true and I for one am not knocking what you guys are doing.[/quote]

    When I moved to Bath back in 2006, it was a very close run between the Avon Valley and MSN. I chose MSN because I'm an S&D fan and have been since the age of 12 when I first got into railways. On the other hand, I also want to clean loco's and learn how to drive one, but alas MSN won by a hair's breadth.

    However, if I had more time, you'd see me more often down at Bitton!!
     
  20. Hunslets Finest

    Hunslets Finest Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2006
    Messages:
    1,047
    Likes Received:
    8
    The new S&D is one of my local lines and I can say I am very impressed with progress to date.

    The restoration has been very professional and although there is still along way to go is certainly heading towards a perfect recreation of part of the S&D. The Signal box is superb, as is the trackwork, both of which would put many of the bigger lines to shame. The group appear to have a number of contacts with the 'Big Railway' which obviously helps but also shows their professionalism. The magazine is in a modern style and the presentation is of a far better standard than many large railways.

    This isn't going to ever be a major line but it is certainly worthwhile in terms of impact on the local community and has a significant role to play. It certainly isn't a nut case job.

    A jinty or 4f on two Mark1s running a couple of miles on double track will be just perfect for me. As this will no doubt take a decade or more the Sentinal and Kilmersdon will do just fine for now!

    Good luck with the project and i will pop in soon to see progress.
     

Share This Page