Simon
Flying Squad
Saturday 6th April was a momentous day for Bath, the re-opening of both Devonshire and Combe Down tunnels as part of the new Sustrans "Greenway" cycling route along the S&D from Bath to Midford.
I have not always been a fan of Sustrans, but even if they never did another good thing what they have achieved with this project has made their existence more than worthwhile. It is a fantastic achievement and a huge asset for Bath, even if the city itself doesn't quite (yet) realise it.
There was an opening "do" on the hillside below Devonshire tunnel, and I got myself a pitch there as a "local railway enthusiast" to celebrate the event. Other railway related stalls were both the Midsomer Norton and Washford S&D Trusts, together with an absolutely brilliant display put on by surviving S&D Enginemen.
Unfortunately it clashed with Bryan Chalker's "Heritage Day" at Twerton Park, but ever resourceful(!) and with the cheerful co-operation of my family, Lesley and Charlie manned the shop and Harry took on the "local enthusiasts stand" for the morning while I attended Bryan's event, returning to the Two Tunnels event with Bryan's agreement at lunchtime.
Setting up early in the morning, Harry puts my bike back together ready for later on.
Returning from Twerton at lunchtime, this was the queue waiting to go through the tunnels, the path they are on leads to the trackbed running at right angles to the queue from left (Devonshire Tunnel) to right (Bath bank).
Harry mans the stand later in the day, the fire bucket is an original BR example from Green Park goods shed.
Lots of people dropped by to chat and giggle at the photographs in my "S&D scrapbook", Jerry Clifford "Queensquare" spent some time with us in the afternoon, which was extremely pleasant.
The wagon plate is from the last ever wagon to exist in the Midland yard, it was a BR 12T box van, left there for some reason after the track was lifted and cut up on site circa 1972.
The natty windbreak was Harry's idea and made our little corner very comfortable in the sunshine
I have not always been a fan of Sustrans, but even if they never did another good thing what they have achieved with this project has made their existence more than worthwhile. It is a fantastic achievement and a huge asset for Bath, even if the city itself doesn't quite (yet) realise it.
There was an opening "do" on the hillside below Devonshire tunnel, and I got myself a pitch there as a "local railway enthusiast" to celebrate the event. Other railway related stalls were both the Midsomer Norton and Washford S&D Trusts, together with an absolutely brilliant display put on by surviving S&D Enginemen.
Unfortunately it clashed with Bryan Chalker's "Heritage Day" at Twerton Park, but ever resourceful(!) and with the cheerful co-operation of my family, Lesley and Charlie manned the shop and Harry took on the "local enthusiasts stand" for the morning while I attended Bryan's event, returning to the Two Tunnels event with Bryan's agreement at lunchtime.
Setting up early in the morning, Harry puts my bike back together ready for later on.
Returning from Twerton at lunchtime, this was the queue waiting to go through the tunnels, the path they are on leads to the trackbed running at right angles to the queue from left (Devonshire Tunnel) to right (Bath bank).
Harry mans the stand later in the day, the fire bucket is an original BR example from Green Park goods shed.
Lots of people dropped by to chat and giggle at the photographs in my "S&D scrapbook", Jerry Clifford "Queensquare" spent some time with us in the afternoon, which was extremely pleasant.
The wagon plate is from the last ever wagon to exist in the Midland yard, it was a BR 12T box van, left there for some reason after the track was lifted and cut up on site circa 1972.
The natty windbreak was Harry's idea and made our little corner very comfortable in the sunshine