Sunday, 12 April 2026

Sunday Variety

 Spring Indulgence!

Approx 73 years ago, a very young fbb plus sister, mum, dad and gran were on holiday in Devon courtesy of the family car, soft top Austin FBM 770. Mum saw a sign to the above and dad negotiated the Devon lanes to take the ensemble to see the castle.

There wasn't one!

It was later rebranded as Blackbury Camp.

There wasn't one of those either. Almost certainly it wasn't a fort!
Most likely it was a secure guarded cattle pound ...
... dating from 4BC. All that you see today is the protective tykes that circled the contented but captive cows. In the above plan, the entrance was on the left, geographically the southern arc of the banking.
You can get there by bus.
Stagecoach 9A (Exeter Sidmouth Seaton) passes by a footpath from the A3052.
There is a stop which was once called 'The Three Horseshoes' ...
... long since demolished.

The fbbs went by car yesterday. The joy if Blackbury Camp at this tine of year is ...
... a swathe of adorable bluebells.

Going to Glasto
Who doesn't enjoy the vibe at Worthy Farm each year. The Pyramid Stage is where it's at, man. It is a hip hop happening place.
fbb never has and never would!

But so many enjoy the overcrowded trains and the long queues for the over priced connecting buses.
Such fun!

fbb never has and never would!

But there has been local pressure to provide a good quality bus service from Castle Cary to Glastonbury (town) seven days a week.
The campaign is labelled Glastonbury Train Link and comes with  bus decorated (artist's impression) appropriately.

The proposed route runs from station ...
... to town.
The aim is to meet as many trains as possible which is a huge challenge. Trains hardly provide a standard "minutes past the hour" timing ...
... as shown in the above timetable extract. But the aims are noble.

The proposal includes a route diagram ...
... showing all useful stops. Geographically the route is due west from Castle Cary.

There is a stop at Chalice Well ...
... whence there is a short walk and a steep climb ...
... up the somewhat spooky Gastonbury Tor.
The people behind this proposal are to be congratulated on the detailed and realistic planning for this innovative service. It deserved to succeed ...

... IF somebody comes up with some start-up funding.

Somerset Council might, using some of the various bus development scheme money?
Will it or won't it?
 
Talking Of "Government Money"
There is a bit of a kerfuffle north of Hadrians Wall.
The feeling is that UK  (Scottish?) money should be supporting UK (Scottish?) industry, NOT helping boost the economic supremacy of China.
The objectors have got a point!

How Much?
fbb though he had seen it all with some British OO gauge locos now costing £400! European quality models can be up to 50% more but are often of superior quality, superior features and superior detail.

But this one is up front and takes the biscuit.

Guess how much this limited edition Marklin HO model of an American "Big Boy" might cost you.
As a clue, note that the bits that look as if they are good plated, are gold plated!!

Got you cheque books out and be ready to pay ...
... just a smidgen under two thousand quid.

You wouldn't dare run it on any layout in case of a very expensive mishap.

fbb has considered the matter carefully and, much to his readers' surprise, will not be buying one.

Is This Public Transport?
Wushan is a district of Chongqing, China. The district us on a steep incline from the Yangtze River. 
Below, an interior shot of one of the 'Travolator" style moving walkways.
The best way to try to understand it is in this video ...
... and then you probably won't!

There is Chongqing, top centre.
Eat you heart out Angel station on London's  Underground - with the longest escalator in the city.

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This is what is happening using some of this:-





??????????

Hmmmm?

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 Next Museum blog : Monday 13th April 

Saturday, 11 April 2026

Saturday Variety

Not A Tram : It's A Train

At 0548 on Thursday last the first train left from South Yorkshire's  newest station. Yes it looks like a tram! but just under Sheffield's Tinsley Viaduct ...
... the Supertram stops being a tram and becomes a train, subject to National Rail regulations and National Rail signalling. The little used line once ran from Sheffield Victoria and once took trains to Tinsley Marshalling yard.

Magna is a station at Templeborough, Sheffield on the tram/train route to Rotherham and Parkgate.
The line gets a service of two trams (trains!) an hour; it would be too simple to make it half hourly!

The new station has a footbridge ...
... linking the staggered platforms. It has lifts ...
... and a rudimentary shelter.
Crossing the track on foot is forbidden; all because a 'proper' train could chug by.

The station looked very pretty at 0530 on Thursday morning!
It also offers substantial Park and Ride facilities.

And this is the first ever ticket issued for a journey from MagnA.
It's  stuff like this which makes this blog so stunning!

Look, Printed Timetables!
This selection is on display at Lincoln's new bus station.
They call it the "Transport Hub" but this hub is only for buses. But the trains are just across the road ...
... at the very attractive railway station.
Back to the buses ...
... where passengers are well protected from the weather. There are departure information screens at each stand, plus seats.

Buses pull in head first and reverse out, but well clear of any jay-walking passenger.
A printed leaflet has a plan of the stands ...
... and a colour coded index in route number order.
fbb assumes something similar is displayed at the hub.

Well done Lincoln City! Well done Stagecoach! BUT ...

Where's the enquiry office?

No Surprise There!
It was inevitable that Res Funnel, under new investment company ownership rather than ferry company ownership, would have to 'ditch' the Hythe Ferry Comoany. Without Red Funnel money, the end was inevitable.

Somebody might buy it, usually described as a "fire sale"but somewhat inappropriately for a ferry!

No Offence? New Fence
One of fbb's myriad of duties is as Company Secretary to the property management company that takes care of the shared car parking area to the rear of fbb mansions and five other palatial (?) residences.

Only it doesn't!

The company has no money, no insurance and is merely a legal nicety to ensure all six property owners agree and pay for any work to be done in the shared areas.

The process started in February 2025 when part of the fence fell down.  It was propped up temporarily.

But they didn't agree. There was a mass outbreak of prevarication.

Then came this year's storms and more fell down.?

This tine they agreed.

The old fence was removed revealing the hitherto hidden but richly refreshing views ...
... to the rear of fbb mansions. A temporary fence was installed.
The picture below was taken on Tuesday 7th when new fence posts began to appear. All were properly posted precisely perpendicular on Wednesday 8th. 
How fbb will miss the view from the master bedroom at fbb mansions!

Thursday and yesterday the work came to a conclusion with rails and vertical boarding all in place. Note a finishing rail across the top and substantial footboards at the bottom.
A good job well done.

But it has pushed fbb close to insanity as he battled to 'encourage' the other five owners to agree. Below, fbb eagerly awaiting the next few emails about the fence.

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fbb is very aware that many of his readers do not share the old man's  excitement for his model railway projects. But your worthy blogger has more to tell on the matter of model Newton Chambers car carriers.

So, to avoid dominating more thoughtful public transport blogging fbb will tell his latest tale in short sections at the foot of the next few blogs.

These scintillating snippets will be indicated by a section of Peco OO Setrack, as here ...
We begin with a puzzle Picture!

What is happening here ...
... and what is this?
More to follow!

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  Next Variety blog : Sunday 12th April