1348

Loops round to the right; Tondu station and Bridgend are off bottom right.

ABOVE: Detail from the signalling diagram at Tondu.
BELOW: A train to Maesteg, the driver is about to collect the single line token.

NEXT PAGE: Inside the lofty Tondu signal box.



ABOVE: If only! BELOW: Back at Pantyffynnon Level Crossing: Annett's Key release (one for each gate)
in the station building. When the level crossing gates are closed to road and open to rail both Keys
have to be inserted here and are electrically locked in, to release the signals to be cleared for a train.
The only way the crossing keeper can extract both keys from the two gate locks is by securing both
gates to road traffic - this is portable interlocking, simple but effective and no risk of software failures!

BELOW: One of the two Annett's Key (the horizontal brass disc is the head) in a gate lock.

BELOW: The Llandeilo section Key Token Instrument at Pantyffynnon Signal Box.

:Details must be checked 1348 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN.

X.53] WANTED! Ex-signallers: Eastern (and in fact most parts of NR) are looking for ex-signallers
who might return to the role during the Coronavirus emergency. NR aims to build resilience to
continue operating trains even if a significant portion of the signallers are unable to work. We have
been asked to circulate this message. Those interested in returning to a box or trying out a ROC to
help cover, email [email protected] please. [email protected] is
the contact for Scotland; other areas have made similar requests. There is no limit on how long ago
you may have worked as a signaller, even if it was 10-15 years ago please get in touch. Please pass
this on to any retired signallers you know. Full refresher training will be provided where needed.

871] Walking Britain's Old Railways: (BLN 1345.475) This Channel 5 programme with Rob Bell came to
an abrupt end after only two episodes due to poor audience figures. There are 4 further episodes of
this second series. Channel 5 advises they will be shown later, then be available on 'My 5' catch up.

872] TV Programmes of interest etc: Please report these to BLN, preferably before they are shown in
view of the current enforced lack of fixtures, Heritage and Minor Railways and railtours operating.

873] Privett station: (BLN 1342.4127) CA 7 Feb 1955 on the Alton, Butts Jn - Knowle Jn Meon Valley
line in South Downs National Park. After failing to rent it out at £3,250 per month, this 1903 station,
now a 4-bed detached house, with many original features including a platform and road overbridge, is
for sale (£1.1M). http://bit.ly/2TH5N0n has 24 interesting pictures, details and plans; 01962278909.

874] The Station - Trouble on the Tracks: http://bit.ly/2vcRirQ ITV1 21.00-22.00 Thursdays from
12 Mar, three behind the scenes programmes about NR at New Street & Euston. Available on ITV Hub.

875] Chiltern Railways Duo Tickets: Off peak day return ticket (which can be used as singles) for two
people travelling together, a 50% discount applies to the second ticket. Advance booking not required,
no weekend restrictions, valid for London arrivals after 11.30 weekdays. Not valid for return between
16.00 and 19.00. Available on Chiltern services only from Kidderminster and stations to Bicester North
plus Oxford Parkway to Bicester Village only. Not available from London. Can be purchased from all
ticket outlets. No further discounts apply so Railcards or Child fares may offer a better deal for some.
(This may be to stimulate revenue which has fallen, particularly to Bicester Village, with Coronavirus.)

876] Hastings Diesels Ltd, Medstead Mountaineer, Sat 4 Apr: A 262 mile trip http://bit.ly/39r8Hfc to
Alresford; with the Up Cambria Spur & Down Brixton Spur at Loughborough Jn. CANCELLED

877] Southfield House Light Railway: (BLN 1345.478) (MR p20) Operating is likely to be cancelled but
the new contact details are: [email protected] or text/phone 07720 091111.

878] Steam Dreams, Sun 7 Jun: Steam hauled with 'Mayflower' a 'circular' tour from Harwich Town
(13.35/17.10) to Manningtree (rev) - Felixstowe Creek Sidings (rev) - Felixstowe Beach Jn (rev) -
Felixstowe Town (rev) and return. From £69 see http://bit.ly/2TTg1JW or 01483 209 888.

879] Rail Atlas of Great Britain, 15th
Edition Stuart Baker: Crécy's, website,
http://bit.ly/2WkurWx now shows that
this long awaited definitive atlas to be in
stock on 30 Apr. However, publication
has been deferred several times before.
The cover price is £20, watch this space,
our eagle eyed Sales Officer is keeping
an eye on the situation!

880] Vinter's Railway Gazetteer: Railway Ramblers have postponed all their walks but their website
(and magazines) are well worth looking at. Our BLS members might consider individually walking
trackbeds as exercise is advised during 'social distancing'. Jeff Vinter's excellent guide has details of
significant lengths of trackbed that can be walked. From £7.49 online (cover price £19.99) or...

881] Railway Rights of Way: A reminder that our website branchline.uk has very comprehensive list
of railway trackbeds that the public can access. On the home page go across to 'More options' and
down to 'Railway Rights of Way' where there is an extensive regional menu to choose from.

●Bookings: Mark Gomm [email protected] 84 Mornington Rd, STOKE-on-TRENT, ST1 6EL. 07983 541887.
●Fixtures: Kev Adlam :POSTAL CORRESPONDENCE C/O THE EDITOR BELOW: [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●Paul Griffin (Germany June): [email protected] School Bell Mews, Church Lane, Stoneleigh, COVENTRY, CV8 3ZZ.
●Sales Officer: Graeme Jolley [email protected] Dolbryn, Penegoes, MACHYNLLETH, SY20 8NN. 07484 646542.
●Paper BLN Problems & Membership Secretary: Lisa Sheppard [email protected] 186 Anlaby Park Road ..South, HULL,
...........................................................................HU4 7BU. Text or Phone: 07873354464 (note this phone is mostly turned off when at work.)
●Editor: Paul Stewart [email protected] 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351.
●Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Rd, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-0947.

882] Dr Angus McDougall: With great sadness that we advise members of the death on 14 March
of our prominent senior member. Angus was our Chairman for 20 years between the 1968 and
1989 AGMs (although he often said, with a smile and a glint in his eye, that 10 years was enough
for one person a post!). In recent years, amongst other things, Angus had helped to check BLN
(providing many interesting items and photos), tour itineraries and maps. Funeral arrangements
are not available at this time (and may, of course, be affected by the Coronavirus crisis).
Any member who can contribute information or anecdotes is asked to contact your Editor ASAP.

BELOW: A 'Meeting' (collective noun) of Chairmen at our York 2015 (60th) AGM, Angus McDougall is
second from the right. Left to right: Otherwise Robert Green, Don Kennedy, John Williamson (current
Chairman), Ian Mortimer (current Treasurer), John Ling (BLS Founder who has performed most jobs
over the years except Chairman), William Graveson (now a Committee member), and Dave Cromarty.

The photographer commented: Not easy trying to get eight grown adults to all face the camera at the
same time, hats off to those photographers who specialise in babies and kittens or puppies. The mobile
phone on the table was playing 'The Magnficent Seven' (Alan Sheppard, 13 Nov 2015.)