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Last train from Bridgnorth (For a while at least)

Discussion in 'Bullhead Memories' started by olly5764, Dec 6, 2007.

  1. olly5764

    olly5764 Well-Known Member

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    Well, most of our inspectors do still do regular turns too, normally, I am one of these people that backs away from glory turns, and leaves them to some one else, but in this case, in light of me being the last one over the line before it got washed away, it would be fitting.
     
  2. jtx

    jtx Well-Known Member

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    Great story, Ian and nicely written. You should send it to the SVR News. I know people have seen it on here, but there will be plenty more who haven't. Timing is about right with re-opening imminent.

    Regards,

    John
     
  3. olly5764

    olly5764 Well-Known Member

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    Have been thinking about it John, was a little reluctant cos I wasn't sure if people would like it or be interested.
     
  4. olly5764

    olly5764 Well-Known Member

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    I have finally seen a copy of the guards roster, and yes, I am working the first service train from Kidderminster back into Bridgnorth! Hopefully, it is a nice final twist to a horible chapter in Severn Valley history.
     
  5. mendiprail

    mendiprail Member

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    Very good, can you see much evidence of the floods from the train still, or is it all hidden away?
     
  6. olly5764

    olly5764 Well-Known Member

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    I dunno, I ain't taken a train over there yet!
     
  7. mendiprail

    mendiprail Member

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    Oh right, have to wait then...
     
  8. 14xx Lover

    14xx Lover New Member

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    you can see clearly where the damage was to the line and where the work has been done.
     
  9. Stu in Torbay

    Stu in Torbay Part of the furniture

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    Then, add this to the tale and it would make a great 'article' for a future SVR book about the floods. Great story!
     
  10. olly5764

    olly5764 Well-Known Member

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    Indeed you can, but it is well disguised. The streaches I saw the other day between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade have been landscaped very well, so you have to know where to look.
     
  11. 14xx Lover

    14xx Lover New Member

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    Well at least you cant see much in the dark when your out on the footplate lol
     
  12. olly5764

    olly5764 Well-Known Member

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    As a hopefully final, and definatly planned twist, I am working the last train of the day (and therefore as close to the same diagram as we can) on June the 19th 2008. I am not one for superstition, but I hope it doesn't rain!
     
  13. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I remember that infamous day well, at the time I was working on the dray for Bathams that day and we had just dropped the beer off at Bridgnorth, when 7802 steamed in. Very difficult trying to get 20 odd cases of Daniel Bathams finest into the buffet store with a trainload disembarking, then trying to get out of the car park with folks wanting their photo taken in front of the Bathams lorry! I remember the rain coming down that evening, and thinking 'this is bad'.....
     
  14. jtx

    jtx Well-Known Member

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    I was on Ian's train, with a number of mates, having been to Ray's funeral. The journey back was superb, 4566 seemed particularly effervescent and the weather was wonderful, blue sky with big puffball cumulus clouds. I even left my beer to go and hang out of the door a few times. There was no hint of what was to come.

    One of my mates rang the following morning to say, "The Railway's been destroyed."
     
  15. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I'd like to think that the storm that night has done a lot of good. It's certainly shown that as a movement we all really stand together. Id also like to think the legacy of that awful night stands not at the SVR but at a railway that shares the same initials as the GWR. As the old proverb goes 'Miricles we can achieve, the impossible take a little while longer'
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2014
  16. jtx

    jtx Well-Known Member

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    I wrote this following the re-opening. I hope you enjoy it.

    Regards,

    John

     
    oddsocks and Matt37401 like this.
  17. olly5764

    olly5764 Well-Known Member

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    I am pleasantly surprised how interest in two of my older tales has been re-awakened! I promise I will send this to the Magazine in time for the 10th anniversary!
     
  18. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    It's the way you tell 'em! :) As I say I think that evening has left a decent legacy not just at the SVR but around the country.
     
  19. olly5764

    olly5764 Well-Known Member

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    I hope you are right mate!
     
  20. jtx

    jtx Well-Known Member

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    Ian,

    Merry Christmas!!

    John
     

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