Modern Railways Pictorial Magazine, October 1983 Issue

IT SEEMS that although interesting 'train workings, new station openings, line and station closures, and locomoti.ye'withdrawals are all well-documented in the railway press, the many other changes that occur from day to day happen without any central register of appropriate dates being maintained. On recent travels it was noticed that the station awning at Saltash station has been removed, the Hayle Wharf branch has been lifted, colour-light signals are ready in situ to replace semaphore signals on the Bishops Stortford-Cambridge line, Shepreth Branch Junction signalbox has been demolished, Keymer Junction signalbox has been demolished, some down signals at Greave's Junction south of Leamington have been removed, Treeton Junction has been redesigned and mas signalling installed, Markham Colliery signalbox has been demolished, station buildings at Slough and West Drayton have been demolished and awnings removed, and so on. The list is endless.

Of course, there will always be the local railway historian who records certain facts, but much of the detail of sometimes important changes and modifications is lost in the mists of time. In the future it will be valuable to know when the run-round facilities of a branch terminus were removed, or when a signalbox was demolished following the installation of an automatic half-barrier crossing. Quite obviously, there has to be some limit to the recorded facts, otherwise any record would be swamped by minor events concerning sign removal, station decoration, or the date an electric clock replaced a clockwork one. May we hope that at some future date a society dedicated te-recording current railway history will be established and that lists of the changes noted will be published at regular intervals.

At recent Open Days at Eastleigh, Coalville and Brighton, BR has made determined efforts to import exhibits for the event from other Regions. Despite the usual BR plea of shortage of resources some organisers have been very enterprising in securing novel items to attract the public. At Brighton, for example, a Class 56 worked along the Coastway line from Westbury, a Class 50 was sent down from Stewarts Lane, the ER provided the named Class 47 Rail Riders, LT loaned Sarah Siddons and also assorted emus based in the London area all travelled to the seaside, as well as several other examples of rolling stock. Not only that, but most of the exhibits had been specially cleaned for the occasion. With the proceeds of most events going to railway charities these events deserved a healthy patronage and doubtless neither side was disappointed. May such events continue and may the public relations exercise do some good for the railways.

Next month, Railrover takes us up to Newcastle for a glimpse at railways in the north-east, and for the south we feature the SR's diesel worked Oxted line serving East Grinstead and Uckfield. The Assistant Editor shows us his best photographs in Picture Parade and there is something Whistling on the Warcop branch. The latest specials will appear in Special Spot, we will have a look at the soon-to-be abandoned Broad Street station and Les Nixon will continue with Photoguide. Add to this the latest news in words and pictures and you have a splendid 85p worth of magazine. Order your MRP today.