We've just had a five day break at the White Horse Inn at Washford (recommended!) and travelled on the WSR. As we waited for the first train of the day a couple of the Washford S&D members were chatting to us (they'd heard of me!). I got the chance to pull a couple of the signals on site using the levers in the reconstructed Midford signalbox. I know I'm a dyed-in-the-wool modernist but I also have an interest in how things used to be done, as doubtless this will be how things will be done in an energy-constrained future. The signalbox is a credit to the members at Washford and it was a real pleasure meeting them. I also got some EXCELLENT second hand books in the sales area - way better than I've seen elsewhere.
Who knows, one day this fine exhibit may be winging its way back home to Midford ...
3 comments:
"The signalbox is a credit to the members at Washford....."
Glad you liked it, but to be fair most of the credit must go to the former Curator who put it all together in the first place. Now it needs to be put back into full working order :-(
"Who knows, one day this fine exhibit may be winging its way back home to Midford ..."
Well, of course, that all depends upon what the SDRT does about its Museum after the lease at Washford expires in 2020. There IS the option to re-lease the station and signal-box.
I wasn't aware of the option available to lease the station and box after 2020. That is good news indeed as it makes Washford really distinctive on the WSR and the shop was vastly better (at least the second hand bit!) from anything elsewhere along the line, which was geared far more towards tourists.
Although the option exists, at the moment it is just that - an option. Whether it will be practical for the SDRT to maintain a presence there (and to be honest, not many visitors really understand its distinction from the rest of the WSR) AND support the rest of its activities relocated elsewhere remains to be determined by the Committee.
You can read more about the 'Midford' signal-box display at http://www.sdrt.org/trust/resources/resource.php?resource=midfordsignalbox
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