Captain Kernow
Western Thunderer
And even harder to believe that it is still a derelict site...
Prototype Bristol Area 1970s and 80s
- Thread starter Devonbelle
- Start date
Dan Randall
Western Thunderer
That’s a classic looking timepiece and my late father wore something very similar, back in the day.My late Father worked on the railway in the Bristol area including at St Phillip’s Marsh and retiring from Bath Road; this was from the early 1960s until 1990 (if I remember rightly). He was involved in ultrasonic testing and allied matters when he left.
He was presented with this fine watch after 35 years service, which I wear now with pride.
steve
I can remember as a child, my mother ran a mail order catalogue and for some reason, I always liked looking at the watches section. I often noticed the ”Jewels” inscription on the various watch faces, without ever knowing what it meant. Well, 50+ years later, after seeing your father’s watch, curiousity got the better of me, so I paid a visit to my friend, Mr Google….
Watch Jewels 101: What They Are & Why They Matter
Find out what jewels in a watch actually do. This guide explains how rubies reduce friction, improve accuracy, and enhance movement quality.
www.the1916company.com
So, now I know, as do any non-Horologists reading this!
(With apologies for the thread drift).
Regards
Dan
Residing for over a decade in Weston-super-Mare, I have fond memories of the railway scene in this neck of the woods.
Here's a shot taken from the high vantage point to the rear of Bath Road depot in 1982 showing the running shed and water tank still in situ.
It's this thread that persuaded me to sign up as a member, due in part to the mention of a new Transport Treasury book about Bristol Bath Road depot.
As anyone will attest, unofficial entry to the depot was almost impossible due to being surrounded by running lines and the river. With closure pending I gave it one last chance to see if I could get around and was duly rewarded by the kindness of the gentleman shown.
His identity remained a mystery until years later I finally found out that it was Lee Jewell, who was referred to as "Six" due to a likeness to the Steve Austin character in "The Six Million Dollar Man" TV series.
(I’ve sent the image to the author of the book who's hopeful it can be included).
As anyone will attest, unofficial entry to the depot was almost impossible due to being surrounded by running lines and the river. With closure pending I gave it one last chance to see if I could get around and was duly rewarded by the kindness of the gentleman shown.
His identity remained a mystery until years later I finally found out that it was Lee Jewell, who was referred to as "Six" due to a likeness to the Steve Austin character in "The Six Million Dollar Man" TV series.
(I’ve sent the image to the author of the book who's hopeful it can be included).
Unfortunately only just discovering about the book means it's too late for any further input from myself but I can list stuff here if it's of interest.
Although not a great image, this certainly shows that the past is a different country - no high viz vest or using official walkways for this guy as he goes about his day ready for action with trousers tucked in!
Although not a great image, this certainly shows that the past is a different country - no high viz vest or using official walkways for this guy as he goes about his day ready for action with trousers tucked in!
daifly
Western Thunderer
20 years earlier that would have been me at BTM. Diesels were green but there were also still plenty of steam locos coming and going through the station. I certainly kept my interest apart from during the corporate blue period which nearly put me off railways for life.
Dave
Dave
ullypug
Western Thunderer
That could quite easily have been me on platform 12 waiting for a Weston train.
I remember sitting on those trailers which had a protruding edge.
From the same high vantage point as my first image, 47.508 "Great Britain" sits on the Bath Road turntable on 27th December 1984, one of only two locos I saw on it with the other being 47.805 at the 1991 open day (I was told that it was used more for turning delivery road vehicles due to the constrained site).
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Not an everyday occurrence, 50.006 "Neptune" is seen coupled to HST power car 43.131 (with 43.145 to the rear) after arriving at Temple Meads 31st August 1984. I was normally quite good at recording details of the pictures I took but as I recall this was a late running service which arrived out of turn so the platform screens didn't show what it was.
Captain Kernow
Western Thunderer
I'm beginning to wonder if that was the occasion that I coupled that loco to the HST power car in the up platform at Taunton... I certainly did that during my tenure as a supervisor there and the date fits exactly.