Picture(s) of the day....

[Peter.N.]

We had a friend in Axminster before we moved down here, lived in a lovely cottage in a lovely spot, went down there one day and there was a 400kv pylon in his garden.

It wasn't until we had been here a few years that we realised his cottage was the same as ours, must have been a standard design in the 1700's. Ours has an 11kv line but we can't complain about it as its our electricity supply. Was only installed in the late 60's just before we bought the cottage. I wouldn't like to live here with a 400kv line over the house Jim.

Peter

[myglaren]

You could probably run loads of fluorescent tubes without needing to connect them

[CitroJim]

You could probably run loads of fluorescent tubes without needing to connect them

I used to do that as a 'party trick' at the HF radio transmitting station I worked at back in the 70s and 80s... The strong RF fields present with a few transmitters running would light up a florescent tube a treat... And if the transmitters were radiating morse you could read it off the light

In fact the switches for the transmitter hall lighting were often off but the lights were on despite that

Not that it made any difference to the electricity bill... Not with over 250Kw being consumed by the transmitters...

[NewcastleFalcon]

I often ride past this pylon and others on the same line so next time I will

Meanwhile, you can identify fairly easily where I was by following the course of the old railway as it runs southeast out of Olney

I can see the power line near Newton Blossomville. It originates at Sundon Bedfordshire and terminates at Grendon Northants.

There is also 400kV transmission Line From Sundon to Grendon which is probably the Line running almost in parallel but a bit further east. It was the first 400 kV transmission line part of the 150 mile section between West Burton power station in Nottinghamshire and Sundon substation in Bedfordshire.

Regards Neil

[Peter.N.]

You may remember some years ago a scare at 'Fishpond' a village just over the hill from us. The villagers were up in arms about the 400kv line that ran over the top, scientists were consulted, people objected and there were films on the TV news showing people walking along under the lines with fluorescent tubes held aloft glowing.

This was back in the days of 'Westward Television' which was a bit like a one man station run on a budget, very endearing though. There was an 'above normal' incidence of people dying of cancer in Fishpond at the time but it all seems to have gone quiet now. I had quite a few customers there.

When I got my HF radio license the fluorescent tube in the shack used to glow and flicker when I was using 400 watts.

Peter

[CitroJim]

I often ride past this pylon and others on the same line so next time I will

Meanwhile, you can identify fairly easily where I was by following the course of the old railway as it runs southeast out of Olney

I can see the power line near Newton Blossomville. It originates at Sundon Bedfordshire and terminates at Grendon Northants.

Spot on Neil, Newton Blossomville Well done

This was back in the days of 'Westward Television' which was a bit like a one man station run on a budget, very endearing though.

I remember Westward Television so well from when I was a kid Peter Where we lived we could get both Westward and HTV (formerly Harlech) equally well on Band III... Back in the days of proper 405 line TV

I preferred Westward as it had Gus Honeybun reading out birthday wishes between children's programmes... Magic and as you say, very endearing

Happy days!

My bike ride today was again railway themed, but this time to one still very much alive and thriving The West Coast Main Line

Class 66 Near Hanslope Junction on the WCML

I was intrigued to learn the Class 66 Locomotive has a V12 two-stroke diesel engine... Surprised to see this one still wearing EWS livery too...

Following on from yesterday's talk of railway bridges, here's the identification plate from the bridge I was standing on to get the above picture..

Pindon End Overbridge

Good to see Network Rail remain traditional and still use proper railway measurements The distance is measured from the buffer stops in Euston...

Is this the last and only official use of chains as a unit of measurement?

[NewcastleFalcon]

Following on from yesterday's talk of railway bridges, here's the identification plate from the bridge I was standing on to get the above picture..



Good to see Network Rail remain traditional and still use proper railway measurements The distance is measured from the buffer stops in Euston...

Is this the last and only official use of chains as a unit of measurement?

A cricket Pitch is one chain long, and an acre has some connection. The chain was originally called an "acre's breadth", because it was the width of a acre, while a furlong was the length. 22 x 220=4,840 sq yards ie an Acre.

The bridge plaque is a bit more decorative than the ones I have seen, but has all the relevant info. The engineers line reference is LEC1 which is the first section of the West Coast Mainline and the asset number for the bridge is 196. The OB identifies it as an overline bridge.

The notation I come across up here seems to double up with an information notice with the full reference and a emergency telephone number, and a painted engineers Line Reference/Asset number on the masonry or metalwork.

ECM7-Engineers Line Ref East Coast Mainline sect 7
86 number of Bridge

REgards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

Due to excitement I have missed posting a 4700cc celebratory car which just won't do!! So here is a belated picture of the first supercar I ever took a liking to:

Ford GT40 (1965) Engine 4700cc

BFTW

[CitroJim]

Neil, thanks for your very comprehensive information on chains and the bridge plate I've learned loads! That plate is simply loaded with information in very few characters!

[CitroJim]

Another sign near the bridge from yesterday...

I could not get all that near to it because of security fencing so I've had to zoom it somewhat...

Railway Information Sign

And from my run this morning I'm loving seeing all the Christmas decorations... Really brightens my day!

Very festive...

And puts a spring in my step

[NewcastleFalcon]

Well HNR is the engineers line reference for the Hanslope Northampton and Rugby Line at that point running alongside the West Coast Mainline

REgards neil

[CitroJim]

Well HNR is the engineers line reference for the Hanslope Northampton and Rugby Line at that point running alongside the West Coast Mainline

Thanks Neil, I've just spent a good bit of time puzzling that one and you have now answered it. Magic

[NewcastleFalcon]

If you are ever at a loose end or want to look something up heres a site of Railway Codes!

This page is for the very line in Question NTM1-4 are the various sidings at Northampton

http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mi ... h/hnr.shtm

Regards Neil

[CitroJim]

If you are ever at a loose end or want to look something up heres a site of Railway Codes!

This page is for the very line in Question NTM1-4 are the various sidings at Northampton

http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mi ... h/hnr.shtm

Regards Neil

Wow! That's excellent and very much appreciated Neil I will spend quite a lot of time looking at that - as soon as I can find a loose end

[mickthemaverick]

Wow! That's excellent and very much appreciated Neil I will spend quite a lot of time looking at that - as soon as I can find a loose end

You should have a couple on each shoe Jim!