by Mark Found

Down to the West Somerset Railway for this one, and the Blue Anchor Signal box. Sometimes people are just so helpful, and this proved the case with the country's longest preserved line. All it took was a quick phone call, confirmation via e-mail, and the shoot was arranged. Our signalman for the day was Gerry Brown, who'd only been told about our arrival a few minutes before we pulled up in the van. He'd been called in as relief that morning, but he handled it with good grace and humour, and it was a real pleasure to spend a day in his company.

The box itself is, well, as you'd imagine, absolutely immaculate, and Gerry gave myself and the cameraman, Richard, a full guided tour of its' workings.

I must confess to having only the barest of grasps when it comes to understanding signalling, and, to be honest, after fantasising that life in a quiet country box might just be the for me, I think I might be changing my opinion. What became quickly apparent is that a signalman is a dedicated fellow, with a great sense of responsibility - he has, after all, people's lives in his hands - not really a job for an idiot like me!

There was a young chap on duty that day, Steve, from Manchester. He'd only qualified as a signalman the day before, and was acting as a gateman. Naturally we wanted him on the programme, although he may not thank me for one of the observations that I made, and that was when I said "So, Steve, you've qualified as a signalman - and what makes it remarkable is that you're from Manchester!".

Obviously I meant that the remarkable thing was the distance between his home and where he qualified (Somerset), and not that it was remarkable for someone from Manchester to qualify. By the way, I'm from Burnley - so don't be thinking I'm a soft southerner who thinks everyone up north eats tripe etc. etc.

Anyway, apologies Steve.

I did notice that every single train that came through that day was absolutely packed - a sight to gladden the heart! And, it has to be said, I'm not really surprised. The West Somerset Railway is a truly lovely railway, well run and totally evecotive of a time gone by.

Many thanks to Gerry Brown, Steve, Peter Treharne (stationmaster - and lives in the house with the greatest location I've ever seen) and Mark Smith, who made it all happen.

Trainspotting.links (will open in a new window)

West Somerset Railway
Official site and very comprehensive.
UK Heritage Railways Website
Excellent. Nuff said.
Signal Box, The
If you're into this stuff you should get acquainted with this site pronto. This is the site of a devotee!