Time Capsules
Disused shed
Here's one for the Detectives. Can you pick this disused Shed? One clue, it's North of Edinburgh but South of Dundee. I know where it is, I took the photo. No prizes for guessing! Good luck! Bill B.
Picture added on 20 January 2012 at 19:58
Don't know, Bill. Suggest somewhere near the coast/Firth of Forth. Assume the location is the terminus of a branch. Thought it might be Bo'ness, perhaps before the Scottish RPS took over, or Bridgeness. The disused stations site hasn't covered Linlithgow or Fife, as yet, I think. Certainly the shed is too small for places such as Thornton Junction. And Methil, Ladybank, Kirkcaldy and Burntisland all appear to have different topography
Added by Martin Bodman on 21 January 2012
You are getting warm,Martin! It was on the coast but not a Terminus.Another clue, there was a turntable there.
Added by Bill Brown on 22 January 2012
Sorry Martin, it wasn't a Terminus in the 20th Century. I wasn't implying that it never was! You should pick it now or some-one will. ;-)
Added by Bill Brown on 22 January 2012
This is the shed at Anstruther Wester in Fife.
A sub-shed of 62A Thornton Junction, it closed on 31 December 1960.
The photograph was presumably taken from a northbound train approaching Anstruther Station.
In front of the lady, the extreme left track led to Anstruther Station and the other to the turntable.
The platforms are possibly the remains of the original station which moved to a new site when the line was extended in 1883.
The “new” station closed in September 1965.
A sub-shed of 62A Thornton Junction, it closed on 31 December 1960.
The photograph was presumably taken from a northbound train approaching Anstruther Station.
In front of the lady, the extreme left track led to Anstruther Station and the other to the turntable.
The platforms are possibly the remains of the original station which moved to a new site when the line was extended in 1883.
The “new” station closed in September 1965.
Added by Vic Smith on 22 January 2012
Spot on Vic S! I will elaborate in a couple of days, no time now. Bill
Added by Bill Brown on 24 January 2012
O.K.Back to Anstruther. Vic is correct. The line was extended to St. Andews. I will not go into the Historical details, that's Martin's bag! Anyway, the photo was taken from the Warwickshire Railway Society's "Aberdonian" special tour train. I'm not sure if I took it on the way in or on the way out. The Train had run from Edinburgh behind a pair of J37's with enthusiastic crews who left a large pall of black smoke behind on departure! The Train ran via Haymarket,Larbert,Alloa, and Dunfermaline to Thornton Junction. I believe the train was to run right through to St. Andrews but news filtered back that because of late -running the Locos. would run around at Anstruther and the train return to Thornton. More likely the condition of the track but I don't know. The Loco's were turned at Anstruther with some help from a few enthusiasts on the train(including me for one of them!)Funny it was from memory. The turntable was a bit stiff so a bit of help was needed.No problem, many helping hands. Second Loco goes on and same willing hands push away. By this time the old turn-table had freed up a bit! That loco did a turn and a half I think. If not we shoved it back, don't remember. Good fun and I think the crews saw the funny side too! The train returned to Thornton Junction and a V2 no. 60813 took over for the run to Aberdeen.June 25th,1966,19.30p.m. I have a few photos which I took at Anstruther, two of which I will post now.Incidentally, I was able to note the numbers of quite a few locos. at Thornton junction Shed. Fair few ex. WD's, 'J's and a few B1's.
Added by Bill Brown on 25 January 2012
Your special went over the line after it had officially closed to passenger traffic, Bill. The last service train ran on 9 September 1965. The line failed to generate much traffic - the stations were remote from the centres of the burghs and locals preferred to use buses in consequence. Sir Thomas Bouch was involved in the construction of the line; he was the engineer responsible for the design of the first Tay Bridge.
Captain John Keay, master of the tea clipper Ariel was born in East Green, Anstruther East, in 1828. He raced the clipper Taeping back with China teas from Foochow, both vessels reaching Gravesend in 99 days. Taeping was one of six vessels owned by my distant relative Alexander Rodger, who was born nearby at Cellardyke, and first learnt seamanship on a brig plying to London with coals. His clippers were built on the Clyde. I ought to visit Fife sometime!
Captain John Keay, master of the tea clipper Ariel was born in East Green, Anstruther East, in 1828. He raced the clipper Taeping back with China teas from Foochow, both vessels reaching Gravesend in 99 days. Taeping was one of six vessels owned by my distant relative Alexander Rodger, who was born nearby at Cellardyke, and first learnt seamanship on a brig plying to London with coals. His clippers were built on the Clyde. I ought to visit Fife sometime!
Added by Martin Bodman on 25 January 2012
Yes Martin, the line had officially closed to passenger traffic.Lots of info on Google for Anstruther Station and the line. Don't know much about the Clippers, only their exploits in the race back to England with tea. Cutty Sark is a legend. Would be a good idea to visit the home of one of your Ancestors.
Added by Bill Brown on 26 January 2012
It seems I omitted the No.s of the J37's. They were 64618 and 64570. Both looked fairly Ex Works with the late BR Tender logo. Clean too and really performed well.
Added by Bill Brown on 26 January 2012
Rather off thread - but one for Bill perhaps. BBC2 has scheduled a programme on the Cutty Sark clipper, built 1869, for Friday 3 February at 9pm. The vessel was nearly lost for good in a fire at Greenwich in 2007, during conservation. Since fully restored at some expense. The fire added £10m to the bill. Can you catch it later on iPlayer in Tasmania?
Added by Martin Bodman on 29 January 2012
Scotland
