More Railway Thoughts Various contributors September 2022
The details in the last issue about the Mill Lane Railway Halt drew a number of interesting memories and contributions from readers. Thanks to all contributors
Mike Jacobs (Blaster Jake) Sent the Photos above
These fabulous photos of Mill Lane Halt were taken shortly before it closed by a Box boy, Michael Kick, with his box camera, including the new concrete platform. You can see just how much the village lost when the Beeching cuts came.
These fabulous photos of Mill Lane Halt were taken shortly before it closed by a Box boy, Michael Kick, with his box camera, including the new concrete platform. You can see just how much the village lost when the Beeching cuts came.
The Duchess of Sutherland captured going through Middle Hill Tunnel in September 2022 (courtesy Rob Coles)
Robert Coles Wrote
In the middle of September, Rob Coles wrote: I am standing by Middle Hill Tunnel to see the steam train due through Box today. It is rather special as it is not the usual loco on the Pullman; it is a big red London Midland Scottish loco, the Duchess of Sutherland in use from 1938 to 1964 and restored after being used at a Butlin’s Holiday Camp at Ayr, Scotland. It was once driven by King Charles himself. When he was Prince Charles, the monarch drove a number of steam trains: in 2015 a restored locomotive for the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society for which he had fundraised; in 2011 a narrow-gauge locomotive at Exbury, Hampshire; and in 2005 the Duchess of Sutherland itself in Cumbria.
In the middle of September, Rob Coles wrote: I am standing by Middle Hill Tunnel to see the steam train due through Box today. It is rather special as it is not the usual loco on the Pullman; it is a big red London Midland Scottish loco, the Duchess of Sutherland in use from 1938 to 1964 and restored after being used at a Butlin’s Holiday Camp at Ayr, Scotland. It was once driven by King Charles himself. When he was Prince Charles, the monarch drove a number of steam trains: in 2015 a restored locomotive for the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society for which he had fundraised; in 2011 a narrow-gauge locomotive at Exbury, Hampshire; and in 2005 the Duchess of Sutherland itself in Cumbria.
Box Tunnel and rail tracks (this photo courtesy Michael Rumsey)
Michael Rumsey Wrote
All the local stations between Swindon and Bristol Temple Meads were closed on the same date, 4 January 1965. These stations were Wootton Bassett, Dauntsey, Christian Malford, Corsham, Mill Lane, Box, Bathford, Bathampton, Saltford and St. Anne's Park.
The photo above is a good picture of the Tunnel mouth but it also shows features which enable it to be dated. As well as the Tunnel portal, it shows the rail to the Wharf Siding connecting to the main line. The track was changed to mixed gauge in 1875 to accommodate both standard- and broad-gauge traffic and fully converted to standard-gauge in 1892. This means the photo was definitely before 20 May 1892, as the old broad-gauge rail is clear for all to see and the stone trucks were standard gauge, not broad gauge.
All the local stations between Swindon and Bristol Temple Meads were closed on the same date, 4 January 1965. These stations were Wootton Bassett, Dauntsey, Christian Malford, Corsham, Mill Lane, Box, Bathford, Bathampton, Saltford and St. Anne's Park.
The photo above is a good picture of the Tunnel mouth but it also shows features which enable it to be dated. As well as the Tunnel portal, it shows the rail to the Wharf Siding connecting to the main line. The track was changed to mixed gauge in 1875 to accommodate both standard- and broad-gauge traffic and fully converted to standard-gauge in 1892. This means the photo was definitely before 20 May 1892, as the old broad-gauge rail is clear for all to see and the stone trucks were standard gauge, not broad gauge.
The photo below shows the banking engine station at Box with various members of the station and footplate staff. This engine, number 1567, had an interesting history and in its 58 years life it changed gauge and shape. It was built in December 1878 at Swindon works, converted to run as a broad-gauge engine in Cornwall in 1887, and converted back to standard gauge in 1892. In February 1914, it was rebuilt as a pannier tank (steam engine with water tanks on both sides of the boiler, often used for shunting and as banker engines). The locomotive was withdrawn and scrapped in August 1936.
Box Station workers (this photo courtesy Michael Rumsey)
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Stephen Eyles Wrote Thank you for another fact-filled issue! I was pleased to see the article and photos of Mill Lane Halt, as my father Graham Eyles had mentioned it many times. He related the story of going to school in Chippenham by train. If he heard the whistle of the locomotive when the train was at Box Main Station near the Northey Arms, he could run from home at Devizes Road, to Mill Lane Halt and catch the train! That says something for the acceleration of steam trains but also Graham's long running legs!! I was wondering whether you've written about the significance of the iron rail sticking out of the ground on the left before and just after Mill Lane bridge? I think it's part of the original Brunel-esque bridge rail which was originally laid in the times of broad-gauge railways. There are a few bits of it around the village, mostly in hedgerows so difficult to spot these days. Right: An old rail line used as gatepost at the foot of the steps which once led to Mill Lane Halt (courtesy Carol Payne) |
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Les Dancey Wrote
The photograph from Box Mill Lane Halt brought back memories of cold frosty mornings waiting for the train to take me to work at Westinghouse in Chippenham. Sometimes, we would have Hall or Kings class engines which were too highly geared to get the train up the gradient from a standing start at the halt and we would find ourselves stuck in the tunnel until they sent a shunter engine to give us a shove up the backside.
The photograph from Box Mill Lane Halt brought back memories of cold frosty mornings waiting for the train to take me to work at Westinghouse in Chippenham. Sometimes, we would have Hall or Kings class engines which were too highly geared to get the train up the gradient from a standing start at the halt and we would find ourselves stuck in the tunnel until they sent a shunter engine to give us a shove up the backside.
Andy Cannings Wrote
Re Mill Lane Halt: My Grandfather, Arthur Cannings was fireman and later driver on a Pannier Tank engine, as shown in one of the photos. He recalled driving the workers' train between Bristol and Box and having to get in to the wharf sidings before the London Express came through - I guess The Bristolian. He said there was always 'hell to pay' if they delayed the Express.
Michael Rumsey added to the story: The interesting fact about the high speed London to Bristol train The Bristolian, this first ran in September 1935 to commemorate the centenary of the GWR, the granting of the Act of Parliament which caused the line to be built. And a fine fact, all the country stations between Swindon and Bristol closed on 4 January 1965 although the signal box at Box closed the year before.
Re Mill Lane Halt: My Grandfather, Arthur Cannings was fireman and later driver on a Pannier Tank engine, as shown in one of the photos. He recalled driving the workers' train between Bristol and Box and having to get in to the wharf sidings before the London Express came through - I guess The Bristolian. He said there was always 'hell to pay' if they delayed the Express.
Michael Rumsey added to the story: The interesting fact about the high speed London to Bristol train The Bristolian, this first ran in September 1935 to commemorate the centenary of the GWR, the granting of the Act of Parliament which caused the line to be built. And a fine fact, all the country stations between Swindon and Bristol closed on 4 January 1965 although the signal box at Box closed the year before.
Thanks to all readers who took the trouble to write in. It's through these memories of past eras that we keep alive the history and the stories of the people involved.