A virtual tour of the Gartell Light Railway, Somerset

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A virtual tour of the Gartell Light Railway,
Somerset
Sit back, relax enjoy the following slides of
the GLR. Photos words by J Penny
rodders
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Starting at the loco yard with loco shed in
background, we see GLRs longest serving
volunteer, John (CJ) Penny and his grandson
Chandler. Looking North in this view
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Turning 180 degrees we see the first of the
lines signals, and a view into Common Lane
station where most passengers start their
journey. Turntable/inspection road on left and
water tower to the right, with the Pines
restaurant and function suite just about visible
on the extreme right.
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Looking through Common Lane station, with Keith
and Kevvy repairing the walkway to the signal
box. Hello! Theres Chandler again! The
footbridge is the datum point for the next
picture
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as the line turns West, from where we look to
see the station throat, signal gantry with ringed
starter for exit from yard, starter for Platform
2 and No.1 Amanda waiting patiently at the
starter for Platform 1. T o the left is the
head-shunt, the line rising to the right at 1 in
30, and the line curves away in the distance
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which is where we pick things up again, along
with the 6.5 MPH speed restriction sign, as the
line turns again to the North-West. Note
line-side cabinets that are full of electrickery
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and are better seen in this picture. These cabs
came from doing a swopsy with our good friends
at the Swanage Railway. The gradient eases a
little
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then come the tight turns near Common Lane
crossing house, recently rebuilt. The line goes
under the bridge that will hopefully take us one
day in the Templecombe direction
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and as we go under, another tight turn means we
are heading South
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and up the bank onto the trackbed of the
late-lamented Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway
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where we see Pinesway Junction, at present
just a crossing point, but the future?
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A worms-eye view! Where 9Fs once roamed
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A drivers-eye view, adjacent to the down stating
signal. Note down advanced starter to the left
(just visible centre but not lit as work was
being carried out on a closed day)
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The down advanced starter (Pinesway 25, semi
automatic) Token post/telephone and up outer home
on the right. Note home-made concrete sleepers
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The road ahead. Concrete sleepers come to an
end.
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Drivers-eye view in the up direction, what a
marvellous array of signals!
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Approaching the level crossing viewed from No 5
on a works train A lot of this shrubbery has now
been cleared (Nov 07)
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and again still heading South. Cattle cross
regularly here.
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the ¾ milepost (lower left) refers to ¾ of
total GLR length, not ¾ mile! Just past the two
big bushes
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we cross the abandoned cattle creep and then we
bridge a small stream.
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Approaching park Lane
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No 5 rests in the platform. Note new fence.
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The end of the line.
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Works train in the platform
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and viewed from the other side.
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The track-bed South beckons tantalizingly
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• Thank you for viewing our little virtual tour.
• Now come and see us the scenery of the
  Blackmore Vale
• Dont forget to visit the website.
• www.glr-online.co.uk or
• www.gartell.blogspot.com or
• Our new facebook group, search for Gartell
• This has been a GLR presentation.