This is the original forum of the Bristol Railway Archive that existed between 2003 and 2013. I finally rescued it after it seemed unrecoverable after a large crash. I have made it available for viewing. It is locked, all posts to the new version please!
Use this forum to talk about the railways in and around Bristol, or for any off-topic stuff you want to share. Also request photos and information that you are missing.
Who remembers the great blowing of whistles / sounding of horns that always used to happen at midnight on the 31st December? I do
It's probably been banned by 'Elf'n'Stupidity nowadays, but I always used to enjoy it, even if the lineside neighbours might not have thought much of it ...
So, for old times' sake - Here's a big old Hoot! Hoot!
Here here! We all appear to have survived the end of the world on 21 December so things are looking up. Talking of elf and stupidity,I found the following on another forum:-
Memo
To: All employees
Please be advised that all employees planning to dash through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh, going over the fields and laughing all the way are required to undergo a Risk Assessment addressing the safety of open sleighs. This assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly where there are multiple passengers. Please note that permission must also be obtained in writing from landowners before their fields may be entered. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance. Benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available for collection by any shepherds planning or required to watch their flocks at night.
While provision has also been made for remote monitoring of flocks by CCTV cameras from a centrally heated shepherd observation hut, all facility users are reminded that an emergency response plan must be submitted to account for known risks to the flocks. The angel of the Lord is additionally reminded that prior to shining his/her glory all around s/he must confirm that all shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to account for the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of Glory.
Following last yearÆs well publicised case, everyone is advised that EU legislation prohibits any comment with regard to the redness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr. R Reindeer from reindeer games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence.
While it is acknowledged that gift-bearing is commonly practised in various parts of the world, particularly the Orient, everyone is reminded that the bearing of gifts is subject to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must be registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even royal personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold are specifically precluded under provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Further, caution is advised regarding other common gifts, such as aromatic resins that may initiate allergic reactions.
Finally, in the recent case of the infant found tucked up in a manger without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be arriving shortly.
It's one minute to midnight here in South Africa as I write this, so if I'm browsing the forum at this time of day at this time of year it shows that I've not been invited anywhere this year!!
Oh - it's just turned midnight and the fireworks, whistles and those things they blow at football matches down here are just going off, so Happy New Year everybody
This does in fact pose a conundrum - is "my" midnight 2200 GMT because I'm here, or does "my" New Years Day start in 2 hours time when the UK clocks gets round to 2400?And when does Jules celebrate his - Bristol time or Oregon time, or does he celebrate both?
jules wrote:
Who remembers the great blowing of whistles / sounding of horns that always used to happen at midnight on the 31st December?
I certainly remember the sounds of ships' hooters (are they called hooters?) - in Wesbury we thought we were hearing them from Avonmouth and from the City Docks.
Madhattie, THANK YOU for Bristol Rail Archive- it's Fab, Ace, Star, and generally b. wonderful. And thanks to all of you whose stories, questions, answers and comments make this forum such a good read.
Of course - I'd forgotten ships did it as well. I can just imagine the noise from Avonmouth ... I stood outside in Sea Mills at midnight last night and enjoyed a few fireworks, but not a single hoot or a honk did I hear
On the subject of noises at midnight, My inlaws lived at Shirehampton for a period of time and always at midnight newyears eve most of the people from other side of street would come out of their houses and bang pots and pans for a couple of minutes. Funny lot.
In answer to Robin's conundrum about when to celebrate New Year, my solution is simple - I don't. I treat it as just another day and this probably comes from the many times I went to bed well before midnight so as to be up and sober for early turn on the 1st of January.
Despite no trains running, I worked many a Christmas Day over the years, especially the one in the early 80's when the fuel tanks at SPM were sabotaged. My philosophy was always to swap turns so that those with young kids could enjoy Christmas with their family or those who had to stop on until closedown of service on Christmas Eve didn't have to drive home. A couple of years ago, I even stopped on to help a driver who discovered that his car had failed big time after midnight on Christmas Eve. Faced with not being able to get home from Bristol to Bridgend he called his breakdown service for help but was told that they could only recover him if he could produce his MOT certificate there and then to prove that his vehicle was roadworthy. I'm sure we all carry such documents around in our cars. And that was a well respected organisation.
I've given up making New Year resolutions not to be such a miserable and cynical old git! After a few days I always revert to type!
