Nukes 6.6.6. Now with a Photo!

Post by **madhattie** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:32 am

The day of the devil brings us 20306 & 20313 on the bridgwater nukes.

Been a long time since I saw a pair of choppers on this. If anyone gets a pic, please post it.

Post by **James** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:53 am

Go and take your own pics, lazy bugger!

Post by **madhattie** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:03 am

James wrote:Go and take your own pics, lazy bugger!

Well, I do have to go to Thornbury at some stage today... If I get the timing right, and have a well-timed puncture/breakdown/emergency on the way back...

Post by **James** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:08 am

What time are they expected to head north?

There's loads of engineering trains heading through Bristol today as the Cogload - Castle Cary line is shut...they have to reverse at Taunton!

All Ying-Yings according to the gen...I was hoping for a 60 or two!

Post by **madhattie** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:33 am

James wrote: What time are they expected to head north?

The last time I posted that information I was phoned up by the Daily Mirror who wanted to know about the threat to national security...

(about half one

)

Post by **James** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:46 am

Summing up the enthusiasm to leave the house is a little tricky as of late though...

Post by **madhattie** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:03 pm

James wrote: Summing up the enthusiasm to leave the house is a little tricky as of late though...

What!?? It's been gorgeous in Bristle of late. I can't summon up the enthusiasm to stay IN! Grab your camera and get out there! Get a Filckr account and you'll forever be taking photos of just about anything.

Post by **James** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:10 pm

I need a job, I need a life, I need to move out.

So then, busy at the Book Cupboard?

Post by **madhattie** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:17 pm

James wrote:So then, busy at the Book Cupboard?

Actually I am! It just happens that I'm doing a job that requires intense use of the 'puter. And I keep skiving while I'm at it

simon · Post by **simon** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:27 pm

madhattie wrote:
I never worked there! Simon Whittingham did though.

Yep and I paid a return visit there last Thursday - good to see the amount of progress that has been made - have added a few shots to my fotopic website

http://simon71.fotopic.net/

They seem desperately short of motive power tho and Sir Fredrick looked a long way from being complete so I'm sure they would welcome your support. Can't help tho that it is standing out in the open.

Like a lot of railways, the AVR is in desperate need of more covered accomodation for its rolling stock -and somewhere to move all the "work in progress" out of sight of the public.

Post by **madhattie** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:55 pm

simon wrote:Like a lot of railways, the AVR is in desperate need of more covered accomodation for its rolling stock -and somewhere to move all the "work in progress" out of sight of the public.

I'd have to say that for me one of the delights of Bitton is that everything is on view! I just love the ramshakle, scrapyard-like look of the place.

Of course, I do understand that it doesn't do the stuff they're trying to preserve any favours, and I guess a fair number of visitors might find that kind of thing slightly offputting, but I love it.

You've added some excellent photos to your site of late. This one in particular is amazing:

http://simon71.fotopic.net/p29552258.html

Plus the Birdcage photos are nice too. I hate looking at that in a way. I just think of what was thrown away, and how useful it would be now, and it makes me desperately sad.

simon · Post by **simon** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 1:46 pm

Bitton does have a certain rustic charm but it is must be terribly difficult to restore a loco like Sir Fred in the open air like that; and the public only have limited access to all the stock - unless like me you tell someone that you used to work there in the 70's and they let you have a good look around

On the other hand sites there are sites like the Severn Valley where they've spent a fortune on covered accomodation so its all tucked away with no public access which is a bit frustrating.

Glad you liked the photos, I need to find time and go through and put more info on them.

The bird cage ones were taken because there is talk of the bridge being removed in the future (was supposed to be last week but I understand it didn't happen).

Post by **madhattie** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:47 pm

If it hadn't for been for the drunk having a shit in the middle of the footpath I'd have made it to the bridge in time to get this on vid. As it was I just got a grab and listened to the wonderful racket of two choppers climbing the hill.

I don't know when the police/BT Police etc are going to do something about the dossers hanging around the bridge. How many times do they have to set fire to it, rip it to shred, throw things at trains from it etc. before they start visiting it and putting a stop to it? I've been there twice this week and there's been trouble on both occasions. AND... it's one thing to stand in dog shit on a footpath, but human excrement is getting as low as it goes.... For goodness sake, someone get down there and sort it out!

Rant over....

Post by **James** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:20 pm

Have you reported it? The police probably don't care, but the environmental health lot will probably have more to say about it!

I went to the Avon Valley in the end, and met the owner of 34058 who was there with Jim something also from Portsmouth. They sat around drinking tea in the sun for most of the day so perhaps it's no wonder that 20 years after it arrived it still looks ex-Barry!

Maybe it's time for the exuberance of youth to give the oldies a kick up the collective backside

simon · Post by **simon** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:26 pm

James wrote:They sat around drinking tea in the sun for most of the day

Ah well, some things have changed then, when I worked there it was a good mornings work and then it is was all up the Cherry Tree at lunch time for a quick half (or two or three......

)