Wearethemods
Aberdeenshire
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1126 of 1151
Mon 13th May 2024 10:21am
It could be mistaken for the Northern Lights, Philip ! |
Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
Thread starter
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1127 of 1151
Wed 15th May 2024 1:27pm
Hello,
Seeing recent posts on our forum, I'm more determined than ever to incorporate a horse and dray yard on our railway here.
Over the years, folks have told me about the horse & dray days.
The now late Ron Owen, recounted to me the tragedy of where his dad was leading a loaded horse and dray, out of the Foleshill Rd exit, from Courtaulds yard, adjacent to the canal road bridge, when he was struck by a tram.
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Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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Helen F
Warrington
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1128 of 1151
Wed 15th May 2024 1:37pm
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Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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20A-Manor House
Coventry
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1129 of 1151
Sun 9th Jun 2024 3:23pm
A model of this boat would look nice on your railway:
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Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
Thread starter
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1130 of 1151
Sun 9th Jun 2024 6:13pm
Very nice, both the cart & the narrow boat. |
Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
Thread starter
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1131 of 1151
Mon 8th Jul 2024 4:43pm
Hello,
My post 1122, back in May on this topic, shows my interest in the position of signals placed on a platform.
I know it's strategically correct, but was far too high. The train driver would snap his neck trying to see it. Also, the operational stand with cable counterweight would be beneath the platform, so quite invisible.
Seeing another example of such a semaphore signal last Saturday, I decided to put it in permanently.
I hope you like. It's a made up signal from my scrap box of mostly Hornby parts, but it's certainly grown on me.
![](../images/PhiliPamInCoventry/IMG_20240708_162146_163.jpg)
The signal is a junction signal, which allows access to the main single via the crossover points, to the running line disappearing in the distance.
Please give a wave to our members Pat & Mayjan, who have been stood behind the bench for over fifteen years. |
Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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Helen F
Warrington
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1132 of 1151
Mon 8th Jul 2024 5:06pm
![Wave Wave](../resource/emoticons/Wave.gif) I hope you let them sit down between takes. |
Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
Thread starter
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1133 of 1151
Tue 9th Jul 2024 9:53am
Hello,
This picture demonstrates the silly height of the platform signal.
Also, what used to be a very common sight of parcel vans & coaches. Traditionally, parcel coaches were often out of use passenger stock or guards accommodation, but with the introduction of the Red Star parcel service, new purpose built parcel coaches were in use, one at either end of normal express passenger services. The system worked well for those who knew how to use it.
We took our parcel to a train station, for delivery to another train station. The service lacked good publicity, so folks just didn't know how it worked.
Say if I had a parcel for Helen.
I know that Helen is on a direct line from Coventry, so I would take the parcel to Coventry station, then phone Helen to tell her it's going on whatever train, can you pick it up at your station.
If you knew how it worked, it was a brilliant service. Not just a next day service, Helen would have her parcel in a couple of hours. A bit longer if a change of trains was involved, but I always tried to avoid that.
Hope you like that.
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Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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Helen F
Warrington
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1134 of 1151
Tue 9th Jul 2024 10:44am
Some years back a woman accidentally left the airport in Switzerland with my suitcase, leaving her own on the carousel. Eventually mine was returned by train, in just the way you describe Philip. |
Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
Thread starter
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1135 of 1151
Tue 9th Jul 2024 11:02am
Hello,
That's wonderful Helen.
To avoid parcels having to be man-handled, I would often take the parcel to Nuneaton, Leamington or in some instances, Birmingham.
It started in 1963. Even coping with perishable stuff. The weakness was poor communication between the sender & recipients. So parcel offices became cluttered, needing staff to control it. Also politics got in the way with possible infringements with Royal Mail. It was closed down at the Minelium!
If mum or dad knew that I was working in B'ham, I would sometimes get a phone call from them, "You & Pam's dinner is on the train".
They gave me the label number & details. We never missed our dinner or whatever it was.
It had to be Birmingham, as they would take the parcel to Bodmin Rd, now Bodmin Parkway. Those trains don't come anywhere near to Coventry. |
Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
Thread starter
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1136 of 1151
Wed 10th Jul 2024 5:55pm
Hello,
I've added the advanced siding signal to the bracket frame.
They were mandatory where a running line that served passenger trains, continued to a dead end siding.
![](../images/PhiliPamInCoventry/IMG_20240710_174723_608.jpg)
There weren't many dead end branches around our area, but space dictates them on our Holbrooks Railway.
Birmingham had some, with their unique style. I've used one of there's at our Longford branch end.
![](../images/PhiliPamInCoventry/IMG_20240710_174744_252.jpg)
I thrive with little details like that on our railway. |
Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
Thread starter
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1137 of 1151
Sun 14th Jul 2024 6:51pm
Hello,
Sundays were often an odd day for public transport. I believe even today, train crew are not forced to work on a Sunday, a hangover from those days. During the fifties, Sunday train travel often used diversionary routes, much fewer trains anyway. My mum running her shops, her holidays started on a Sunday.
My Sunday school was right next to the now long gone Foleshill station, where I would sometimes sit & watch nothing. Maybe a wonder around the goods yard, seeing trucks & vans in the sidings, doing nothing.
Just now & again, I would hear the twang of the signal wires, then the peace shattered by a train of empties or even a diverted passenger.
So, as I've wandered into home after a busy duty day at my chapel, I've done the same at our Hall Brooks.
Nothing moving. Even the figures on the platforms are asleep. Yet, I enjoy it in almost the same way as seventy years ago.
It was a huge thinking time, as indeed it is now.
![](../images/PhiliPamInCoventry/IMG_20240714_182659_335.jpg)
Best wishes everyone. Our forum is alive & welcoming. |
Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
Thread starter
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1138 of 1151
Fri 19th Jul 2024 8:32pm
Hello,
Evening sunshine captures the colours so much better, I hope you agree.
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Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
Thread starter
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1139 of 1151
Fri 2nd Aug 2024 8:03pm
Hello,
I must be nuts. After a day of visiting Midlands locations by rail, we now have a playing trains evening at home.
Seeing to guests now.
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Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
Thread starter
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1140 of 1151
Mon 12th Aug 2024 12:26pm
Hello.
The 11am from Banbury via Leamington & Coventry held at Burrow Hill home signal. Already ten minutes late, out of sight, I'm hanging out of the carriage door window, seeing what platform that we are going into at Burrow Hill. Oh no, platform 4. That means a long walk & two lots of steps to get out & to the Red Lion for my lunch.
![](../images/PhiliPamInCoventry/IMG_20240812_121248_383.jpg)
Going to Birmingham nowadays from Coventry, if you are sat near the front of the train, viewed from the left, the last signal before New St. Tunnel gives that information. |
Memories and Nostalgia -
Our world in miniature, hobbies
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