Yesterday the pensioners' social group that OH belongs to organised an outing to a working railway signal box museum.
As with many restoration/museum projects this signal box is run by enthusiastic and knowledgable volunteers who are keen to make sure you enjoy your visit. A group of 30 of us were made very welcome, including the one and only dog on the trip - Eva. We went into the actual signal box in groups of 10 and everyone had a go at operating the controls while the guide explained the safety systems which ensured only one train at a time was on a given section of track.
In the 'old' days these signals were all semaphore signals operated mechanically - no electronics or computers - and it was a signalman's sole responsibility to ensure those procedures were followed to the letter. There was a system of bells with quite intricate codes to communicate with other signal boxes on the line. No train was considered 'clear' of a section of track until the signalman had seen the red lantern on the end of the train. To this day, all trains have to have a red light at the end of them.
Romsey is a small market town with many interesting features. It's built on the banks of the River Test and its medieval streets have some incredible Norman buildings, including an Abbey. After our visit to the Signal box we strolled along the banks of the River Test. The water is beautifully clear and with the sun shining out of a summer-blue sky the reflections of the riverside buildings were exceptional.
The rest of the group had a look round the Abbey while OH, Eva and I sat in the shade to give her a drink and a rest. By then it was lunch-time and we walked through the town to return to the pub where we had parked our cars. Everyone was ready for their pre-ordered lunch by then, so we didn't have to wait long to be served. I've never seen such huge beefburgers! I'd chosen something else - not a burger fan - but I was amazed that everyone cleared their plates!
It was a lovely, rather gentle day out, with good company, and I really take my hat off to the gentleman who does most of the organising for these regular trips out. Eva was very good and welcomed a fuss from quite a few of the group - not just the ones who sneaked her a share of their biscuits at coffee time. She was ready for a good sleep while we had lunch and didn't ever stir when people stepped over or round her!
As with many restoration/museum projects this signal box is run by enthusiastic and knowledgable volunteers who are keen to make sure you enjoy your visit. A group of 30 of us were made very welcome, including the one and only dog on the trip - Eva. We went into the actual signal box in groups of 10 and everyone had a go at operating the controls while the guide explained the safety systems which ensured only one train at a time was on a given section of track.
In the 'old' days these signals were all semaphore signals operated mechanically - no electronics or computers - and it was a signalman's sole responsibility to ensure those procedures were followed to the letter. There was a system of bells with quite intricate codes to communicate with other signal boxes on the line. No train was considered 'clear' of a section of track until the signalman had seen the red lantern on the end of the train. To this day, all trains have to have a red light at the end of them.
Romsey is a small market town with many interesting features. It's built on the banks of the River Test and its medieval streets have some incredible Norman buildings, including an Abbey. After our visit to the Signal box we strolled along the banks of the River Test. The water is beautifully clear and with the sun shining out of a summer-blue sky the reflections of the riverside buildings were exceptional.
The rest of the group had a look round the Abbey while OH, Eva and I sat in the shade to give her a drink and a rest. By then it was lunch-time and we walked through the town to return to the pub where we had parked our cars. Everyone was ready for their pre-ordered lunch by then, so we didn't have to wait long to be served. I've never seen such huge beefburgers! I'd chosen something else - not a burger fan - but I was amazed that everyone cleared their plates!
It was a lovely, rather gentle day out, with good company, and I really take my hat off to the gentleman who does most of the organising for these regular trips out. Eva was very good and welcomed a fuss from quite a few of the group - not just the ones who sneaked her a share of their biscuits at coffee time. She was ready for a good sleep while we had lunch and didn't ever stir when people stepped over or round her!
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