 A view of the steelwork, eyebolts and chains
after they had been painted black. There are also about 4
other chains as well that are not in this picture.The
next task is to preserve the rope.
|
 As noted on the Lineside
2000 page the Nene Valley Railway did not have its
own lineside gate, the Rail Mail 2000 event borrowed the
one from Didcot. We have always known that we would have
to make one ourselves at some stage, this became even
more urgent when it was agreed that Didcot's TPO 814
would be coming back in 2002.In the later part of 2001
Jon Cooper started work on building one from scratch.
Since we had not been able to locate any engineering
drawings Jon visited Didcot one day to make a set of
drawings he could work from.
From these drawings Jon ordered the materials he would
require, which are seen in the picture to the left.
Note: The TPO group have some Post Office drawings
which date from 1953, showing other parts of the
apparatus. Assuming these drawings were made in order to
constuct lineside equipment (even at this late stage in
TPO history) and that the last lineside appratus was used
in October 1971 then it may well be that this lineside
gate is the first to be built in at least 48 years! Does
anyone know when the last lineside apparatus was built?
|
 December 2001. The construction of the gate
is almost completed. The eyelets need adding, as well as
the gate stand and baseplate. |
 16th April 2002The new gate is shown on
the right hand side of the picture (closest to the rail),
with the rope having only just been installed. Note: the
gate is set in the 'operational' position, this was set
during the installation of the rope so that the rope
would be tight during the exchange of mails.
|
 The view looking the other way. |
 You can almost imagine the scene, as dusk
approaches. Lineside workers watch on, waiting for the
approaching LMS pacific to pass by with the west bound
mails. The gate is set to collect pouches from the train
as it speeds into the night, yet there are none to be
despatched to the train.Back to reality, Brian White
and Peter Brelade survey the work undertaken on 16th
April 2002 when the nets were installed ready for the
events in June 2002. David Pond and Brian Hallett
(Holding Camera) were also on hand during the evening to
assist in putting up the nets.
|
 21st May
2002The lineside hut, to be known as 'Barkys Hut' is
installed at Sutton Cross. The hut has taken Jim Rowden
several weeks to build and is based on drawings made of
the one at the Didcot Railway Centre.
|
 Another view of the hut once all the sides
and roof were in place. |
 14th June 2002The night before the Rail
Mail 2002 event saw the marker board installed on the
completed hut. It has been noted that the hut can be seen
from Castor Mill road and from the A47 road - a bit of a
landmark!
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