Just finished mowing the lawn. It's 103 degrees! 

The Tale of the Lost Railway (Part – Thirteen)

It was around 9-30 that evening that the six men retired to the Drawing Room to re-join Flic and Melissa.

As they strolled along the wood panelled passageway Archie caught up with Bertie Poppingham, "I say, old chap, I think that this evening has gone remarkably well. Better in fact than I had dared hope. Just one thing though that I didn't want to bring up in front of Gerry and John . Whilst we were inspecting the track around six weeks back we came across an old, dilapidated shed. Inside was a rather old Manning Wardle 0-6-0 saddle tank whilst outside was a sheeted over pile of coal and a very rudimentary water crane. One of the young lads who was part of the inspection party piped up that some  years back his grandfather had driven the locomotive, under cover of darkness, through the grounds of Baskerville Manor with his Lordship, my Grampy Bill, also on the footplate. The young lad claimed that his own grandfather had performed this duty on several occasions in the 1920s. That would most likely  be the source of some of the tales related in the village pub by  some of the older regulars about mysterious steam trains in the night. I don't want Gerry and John to find out as it could, feasibly, sway any decision to help me out with my plans.I'm sure they would be fine about it but best not take any chances,eh".

"Thanks for telling me", replied Bertie, "Your secret is safe with me".

Once everyone was assembled in the drawing room Archie once again addressed his guests :

"I hope you have all enjoyed this evening. Tomorrow morning I  have arranged a trip along my railway from Moretonhampstead station to the site of the new station at Baskerville.  I must extend, at this point, my grateful thanks to John Hammond for organising  this trip. He has kindly arranged to bring an 0-6-0 diesel shunter plus carriage over from Exeter  just for us", at which point everyone spontaneously applauded. "Could I ask that we all assemble in the dining room at 7-00am sharp for breakfast  I have arranged for a small motor coach to collect us at 8-30 to take us to the station and a  departure at 9-15. It should be a good day and, as I mentioned earlier, you will all be in for a big surprise when we travel through the tunnel just after departure. For now though  I wish you all a very good night and I'll see you all in the morning".


The little shunter making her way towards Moretonhampstead. She is here passing Hackney Yards at Newton Abbot. It seems that John has arranged a rather special coach for the trip along the railway tomorrow

Meanwhile that same evening :

We return to the Baskerville Arms where Colin Penn is just finishing his final pint before returning to his guest house. By now the pub is almost empty so Colin takes the opportunity to engage the landlord in conversation.

"I hope you don't mind me asking", I said, "I came stay in this area for a Summer holiday several years back as a young boy . My  Uncle, with whom I was staying back then, always teased me about hearing the occasional steam train and this evening there have been veiled hints from one or two locals. Is there any truth in the rumours do you think?"

The landlord gave the very faintest hint of a smile, " 'Tis a bit quiet up 'ere. People do imagine things, specially when the fog do come down. An mighty thick 'tis sometimes. Some do say they 'ave 'eard a stem engine in the past and some do say there be stories of an 'eadless woman roamin' round. Some do talk of 'owlin dogs. 'Tis all twaddle in my opinion. However, if you do go explorin'  I'd stay away from the grounds of the big 'ouse . If that scoundrel of a gamekeeper do catch ee look out. I don't trust 'im so best stay out of 'is way".

I finished my pint then wandered back to my accommodation. By 9-45 I was in bed. My plan for tomorrow was to try to walk the railway line back towards Moretonhampstead if I could once more gain access via the gate in the wall.

To be continued.............

Watching my Carly Simon DVD. Recorded on the QM2.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OBL2P8_Ot8

Quote from: EtchedPixels on July 20, 2026, 02:09:39 PM

Quote from: Bealman on July 20, 2026, 12:19:34 PMYou need a passport to go to Scotland? I've never heard of anything so ridiculous!

You don't. Not yet anyway although the Scots are working on it  and hopefully Wales too one day 

The problem is that airlines should accept other documents for internal flights but that requires training their minimum wage staff so they often don't bother. There are other options but the photo ID has to be government issued.

I just get the train.

Sadly, flying is both quicker and cheaper from our neck of the woods (even using a TwoFor railcard), even if it does entail a drive to Exeter and waiting around for ages because of ridiculous check-in rules.

PayPal does seem to be using it as a 'authorisation fee' on a lot of transactions to me, it is instantly refunded back to my PayPal account once payment has completed. Perhaps it's a anti-fraud measure to do with the buyer protection, I don't really know
 

The Tale of the Lost Railway (Part – Twelve)


As was protocol, Lady Hardcastle asked Bertie to take her into dinner - after all, he is a Viscount. Bonzo accompanied the only other lady present, Melissa Barton, Archie's personal secretary.

The other gentlemen then followed, with Archie bringing up the rear. Lady Hardcastle - Felicity, or as she preferred amongst friends, Flic, sat, one chair in, on the far side of the table. She motioned to Bonzo to sit on her left and Bertie on her right. Bertie noted he had been given an honoured place to the hostess' right. Next to Bonzo was John Hammond, Western Region General Manager and the ranking BR officer attending.

Opposite John was Melissa. She is in her late twenties, married to William, a solicitor, well educated and especially attractive. She is also very competent at her job and knows how to handle a group of middle aged men. On her left was Gerry Fiennes, in the place of honour to the host's right and, on Archie's left and directly opposite Bertie, was  Ronald (Ron)  Parker the stationmaster at Moretonhampstead.

Bertie observed immediately that Ron was ill at ease, probably feeling rather out of his depth and a tad uncomfortable in such exalted company, including two very senior railway officers. The butler also noticed this and asked if anyone would care for a glass of ale rather than wine.

Bertie caught the drift immediately and replied, "Rather; some fine, foaming ale would be just the thing. Will you join me, Ron?"

Looking suitably grateful, Rom replied, "Yes, please."

Bertie then engaged Ron in conversation about his family and job as stationmaster. Bertie has a gift for putting people at ease and soon Ron was talking happily to him.

At the other end of the table, John and Gerry had fallen for Melissa's charms and were having a wonderful time. Melissa's eyes were sparkling in the candlelight and she looked like she had never been happier.

Flic's first attempt at engaging Bonzo in conversation was not completely successful. He is, by nature, shy and diffident and she was asking about his Wartime service in the RAF. He answered, politely of course, but wasn't really forthcoming. You see, unless you are one of his fellow RAF people, he is disinclined to discuss the War.

Fortunately, the conversation moved onto the animals, birds and wildflowers around Baskerville Manor and Bonzo was transformed. Then they discovered they were both keen watercolourists and they talked animatedly about their shared interest.

Archie sat, nodding and occasionally interjecting. From his expression, it was clear things were going precisely to plan.

After pudding, there was a slight break in conversation and Archie asked Bertie and Bonzo about Poppingham Estates' purchase of the recently-closed BR branch line from Bobbington to Sillybury.

Bertie replied, "Excuse me gentlemen, but we thought it was dashed stupid for BR to close the branch line. Poppyshire and Sillyshire are gently prosperous and Sillybury is a small seaside resort, but popular with the right sort. We thought it was bonkers to choose to keep open that white elephant line that ends at the 'Bridge to Nowhere' at Silliness station. And, as it's a high-level station, the approach is up a long flight of steps. Hardly anyone uses that line."

John shook his head and Gerry said quietly, "It was madness."

Bertie continued, "As you know, my Father was Chairman of the old Table-Top Railway before nationalisation and we simply couldn't abide such a useful asset going to waste. So, Poppingham Estates purchased the railway and employed as many of the railwaymen as wanted to work for us.

We also bought the Bobbington steam shed, which had been closed at the same time as the branch line. We are converting it into a workshop to refurbish and repair the locomotives and rolling stock we use on the railway.

Just like the Bluebell in Sussex and the Middleton in the West Riding, we have volunteers - the Welsh narrow gauge railways proved that would work - many of whom are retired railwaymen.

Our trains connect with BR at Bobbington and most of the tickets we sell are through tickets, often for more than local journeys. The passengers changing to our trains at Bobbington have often travelled considerable distances, so the irony is BR receives more of the revenue than we do."

At that, John looked surprised and Gerry exclaimed, "Well done! I knew it would work out well."

"Some of that is due to you, Gerry. Father and I will never forget the support you gave us behind the scenes."

"Thank you, Bertie," said Gerry, "And, of course, Lord Poppingham seemed to have considerable influence with the Prime Minister."

"Yes," said Bertie, "Harold MacMillan and Father have known each other for years."

At this Archie said, "Well Bertie and Bonzo, you have proven that a private railway can run as a service to the local people, provide revenue for BR and benefit everyone."

John and Gerry both looked impressed and nodded in agreement. Both were astute businessmen but they probably didn't fully understand the implications of the general proposition to which they were seen to be agreeing.

"One thing is vital, though," said Bertie, "The full co-operation and support of the local BR men has been of enormous help. It's chaps like Ron we have to thank for much of the success we have achieved."

"Precisely," said Bonzo. "We have been jolly fortunate that our venture has enjoyed the whole-hearted support of the local BR railway people."

The bonhomie was palpable and Flic nodded to Melissa and said, "As coffee has been served, we'll withdraw and allow you gentlemen to talk some more about trains. Please do join us in the Drawing Room when you are ready." The men all rose and the ladies left the room. As the door closed, the butler brought the decanter of Port to the table.

Conversation flowed easily as the Port circulated. Gerry, in particular, seemed to be enjoying talking to Ron. Needless to say, the old 'Stop that dog - it's a parcel' anecdote received a thorough airing. It's always hilarious after a good dinner.

Bertie handed round a few photographs of their private railway, which everyone seemed to find interesting.




[A preserved LMS '3F' 0-6-0T, No. 7277, stops at Port Poppy station with a train to Sillybury. A BR DMU can be seen at Silliness high level terminus station in the background. Everyone in Poppyshire and Sillyshire thinks that line ought to have been closed instead of the one that actually got to Sillybury.]


John spent a good few productive minutes asking Bonzo about some of the details regarding the business relationship between BR and the private railway.

Bertie summed things up in the convivial mood of the evening by suggesting to Gerry and John that it jolly well ought to be possible to run a through carriage from Paddington to Sillybury. "From the Lawn to the sea," as Bertie put it.

Archie, sensing that was a good note upon which to end, suggested they join the ladies, to which all agreed enthusiastically.

John and Gerry were last to leave. They delayed for a couple of seconds at the door and John said, "Bonzo Poppingham is a dark horse. He seems so shy and reserved, but when I asked him for some hard financial facts he was sharp as a razor. I'm mightily impressed with that man."

"So you should be," replied Gerry, "Air Commodore, DSO and Bar, DFC and Two Bars and  an AFC."

"Blimey," said John and they went into the Drawing Room, looking forward to Melissa's delightful company.



     

Quote from: msr on July 20, 2026, 02:53:24 PMThe £1 charge from PayPal on an eBay purchase or linked card is a temporary verification fee used to confirm the card is valid. You can check your PayPal account to confirm that the payment has been refunded. I get the same treatment from Rails too.

As a one-time verification the first time you use the payment method then yes that does happen, but not every time you make a purchase as @class8mikado is reporting?

The Tale of the Lost Railway (Part – Eleven)

The six men filed through to the dining room where they were joined by Archie's wife Flic and his personal secretary Melissa Bartram who was heavily involved with the various negotiations relating to the railway.


The dining table awaiting the guests

The menu for the evening meal was as follows :

Appetisers
Spanish olives
Cheese Balls
Cocktail sausages with baby onions

To Start
French Onion Dip with herbed potato wedges.
Marinated Fried chicken livers and  water chestnuts  wrapped in bacon.
Garlic mushrooms

Main Course
Duck a l'orange
Steak Diane
Dover Sole
Pork chops with apple sauce
All served with a choice of baby new potatoes, French fries, roasted wedges, fresh carrots, broccoli, green beans, peas and roasted courgette.

Dessert
Tunnel of fudge cake
Pineapple upside-down cake
Traditional apple tart
Vanilla ice cream
Custard

The Cheese Board
Featuring an array of cheeses  served with  biscuits, sliced apple, walnuts and grapes.

Coffee to finish

Wines to include :
Bollinger RD (as supplied by Bertie and Bonzo)
Bordeaux (1959 vintage)
Rioja Reserva 904
Chardonnay – 1958
Cabernet Sauvignon (1955)

Digestif

1954 Madeira
1951 Colheita Tawny Port
1950  Courvoisier  Cognac

By 6-00pm everyone was sitting around the table ready to tuck in to what would surely be a lavish feast.

Quote from: class8mikado on July 20, 2026, 09:35:20 AMHave noticed that some of the pricing on ebay is optimistic, from one point the starting price and the selling price grow wider apart and some sellers still think putting £ 5 post on a £10 wagon isnt going to put people off...

But if it is a wagon you need you have the choice of paying the postage, which at £5 is realistic, or visit a model shop to buy it if they even have it in stock. If I were to do that it would cost over £10 in petrol and my time.

The £1 charge from PayPal on an eBay purchase or linked card is a temporary verification fee used to confirm the card is valid. You can check your PayPal account to confirm that the payment has been refunded. I get the same treatment from Rails too.