The Tale of the Lost Railway - Part seventeen

For the next couple of episodes I am indebted to John @Train Waiting  who has written the text so eloquently

After a detour to collect Colin Penn's luggage from the Guest House, the party returned to Baskerville Manor so that everyone could have plenty of time for a bath and then change for dinner.

Flic had really gone to town with the arrangements for dinner, drafting in additional people to help the Manor's servants. Archie had invited some local dignitaries to join his house guests at dinner and, hopefully, hear a positive response from Gerry Fiennes and John Hammond to his plan to re-open the Moretonhampstead branch to passenger traffic, connecting with his private railway to run through to Okehampton.

Their assistance with the important matter of Ministry of Transport approval for the private railway to open to passenger traffic would be essential.



The changing bell rang at 6.30 and, by 7.00 the house guests had assembled in the library for drinks. Archie and Flic stood by the door of the library to welcome their evening guests when they were announced by the butler.

At 7.45, Flic led her guests in for dinner. Due to the numbers present, this was served in the Manor's Ball Room which was magnificently decorated for the occasion. There were two long tables, arranged side-by-side along the main axis of the room. Across the room, at one end, was High Table, on a dais, set for five.

During the day, Archie had spoken to Bertie and Bonzo, inviting them to join him at High Table. To his slight surprise, both had declined, preferring to be seated with the other guests. Although Archie knew both of them, he didn't know them as well as you do and you won't be in the slightest surprised at this. At Bertie's suggestion, Flic had arranged for he and Bonzo to be seated at end places of each of the long tables, with a somewhat over-awed Colin Penn opposite Bonzo and Ron Parker opposite Bertie.

Archie sat in the middle chair at High Table, with Flic at his right and Melissa to his left. Gerry Fiennes sat next to Flic, with John Hammond at the other end, next to the lovely Melissa. These two gentleman enjoyed enchanting company for dinner.


Archie had arranged to open several bottles of wine from the cellars which had been retained for this very occasion

Looking at High Table, Bertie allowed himself a moment of self-satisfaction - that was precisely the arrangement he had suggested to Archie. The dinner was absolutely fabulous and Ron was greatly relieved to be seated opposite his new friend, who had, of course worked his magic on the butler and a young footman kept that end of the table well-supplied with lashings 'N' lashings of fine, foaming Devonshire ale.

Although the guests were in black-tie order for the occasion, there were four exceptions. Realising that neither Ron nor Colin would have the correct clothes, Bertie and Bonzo were informally attired - Bonzo in a neat grey suit and Bertie in a yellow-ish tweed suit with a loud purple check. Apart, perhaps, from Gerry Fiennes, no other man in the room could have carried off that garish garment; they would have looked like someone who had escaped from a circus.

Ron told Bertie how much he had liked meeting Gerry Fiennes and had enjoyed Gerry's anecdote about a locomotive, thirty-seven wagons and a brake van ending up in Granton Dock in the autumn of 1939.

"Granton," said Bertie, "I've a good chum who used to live there. A Welsh chap - he's delightful company, you'd like him enormously."

Colin enjoyed talking to Bonzo but, at one point, asked about his War service. Bonzo mentioned he had been stationed in Kent for a while and then went on to say that there were some lovely wild flowers to be seen in the Weald. Although a young journalist, Colin realised his question was being diverted in the most polite and gentle manner and resolved to look into the War service of this courteous and diffident man.

To be continued........

A very short test of Ragley Hall today and a little look over. In my view such a good loco and really looking forward to modified hall now.

Graham

Quote from: Newportnobby on Yesterday at 04:56:52 PMI'm still dithering as there's nowt really wrong with my Dapol Wollaton Hall

2 old Farish bogie tankers, 2 Dapol Syphons and a NGS/Dapol Stove-R up a 5 degree slope with a 30cm radius curve at the top

Quote from: thebrighton on June 12, 2026, 03:28:18 PMI was wondering how to spend the first 2 weeks of August, some country walks, visit the odd preserved railway etc but, no, 2 weeks jury service with the joy of trying to negotiate the 15 miles of gridlock to Lewes for 9am every day.
I love the invitation: You have been "selected", have 7 days to respond to the summons and if not could be committing a criminal offence and fined up to £1000 all in bold type.
Gee, thanks!

And it gets worse. Being retired they now expect me to sit on a 4 week trial. I could make up reasons why I can't but they want evidence to back up any claims.
Words cannot sum up how angry I am about this.

I'm still dithering as there's nowt really wrong with my Dapol Wollaton Hall

I picked one up today, non-DCC and it's very nice. However it might run a little *too* well. Putting it on my test track to run in with my Kato Standard SX Controller, it launched off at a fair pace even with the throttle on 0. Forwards or Reverse. Top Speed isn't insane, just not dropping below about 20mph scale speed at all.
I suspected the Kato controller gives a slight amount of power at 0 to keep lights on etc. but kind of surprised at this setting (also impressed the motor can quite happily run at such a low voltage).

So I did the sensible thing and measured the voltage. +- 6.5V at 0 on the dial up to 13v at top.Tested with another controller 0 - 13. So it's a wonky controller. Phew

Still impressed it's quite happy to start and roll away at 6.5V though, especially as it's not even been run in yet.

Delighted you're out of works again Mick. 

The Tale of the Lost Railway (Part – Sixteen)

Giles Forsythe swung the gates open then stepped out into the sunlight giving a signal to the driver of the diesel to move slowly forward.

Giles was somewhat taken by surprise to see someone who appeared to be rather frightened standing on the bank to the side of the track.

"Who the devil are you?" Asked Giles.

Before Colin Penn could reply the man with the gun walked forward, dog at his heel, shouting "Caught 'im red 'anded. I bin followin' 'im from Baskerville bridge. I knew there be poachers round 'ere lately now I got one of '  can clearly see two birds down by 'is feet".

Colin looks nervously towards the tunnel as the little diesel, still out of sight, gives two short hoots on the horn. The German Shepherd has dropped a brace of pheasants at Colin's feet

The train, by now, out of the tunnel, came to a halt. Archie, who had been leaning out of the window, climbed down. He approached the rather shaken  man, "Colin......it is Colin isn't it?" What on earth are you doing here old chap?".

With that Archie suddenly remembered Colin's questions about the Dartmoor line when they last met on the sea wall. Colin must have come up here to have a snoop around.

Colin replied, "Archie....I'm sorry, I'm just being a bit  nosey. I'm no poacher, in fact I don't know a pheasant from a chicken. That dog simply dropped those pheasants at my feet".

The man with the gun, who Archie and Giles realised was the estate gamekeeper, was by now standing next to all three men, "See them birds at 'is feet? I knew 'e were up to summat."

Archie butted in "He is up to something but it isn't poaching. If he was he'd have a gun and most likely a poacher's bag. No this is my good friend Colin Penn, he's just having a look around at my invitation. Climb aboard Colin and enjoy the rest of our journey with us".

Archie, of course, hadn't invited Colin but the gamekeeper wasn't to know that.

Archie whispered to Giles, "I knew that gamekeeper was up to something. I've had the stable lad, Tom,  do a bit of snooping  around. It seems that man has been selling our pheasants at the local market but claiming it was poachers. I think we've caught him out. I want him sacked first thing in the morning unless he's got a darned good excuse.

Giles sent the gamekeeper on his way with instructions to be in his office for 7-30 next morning.

The train, now with an extra passenger, continued on its way.

"So, Colin, what's this all about? I think you told me a few days ago that you had a holiday up this way as a young lad and that your uncle had told you stories about a lost railway".

"Exactly right", Colin replied, "I thought I'd come and have a look for myself. I am so sorry if I have trespassed and sorry if I've caused any trouble or bother".

"Not at all, not at all", replied Archie as he introduced Colin to everyone on board, "Now, we are just coming up to the outskirts of Baskerville which is as far as we can go at the moment but you will, of course, join us for luncheon. I think cook has rustled us up a pretty good spread".

Over lunch Archie explained to everyone all about his idea to open the entire section of railway between Moretonhampstead and Okehampton.

Archie continued, "Colin, you will join us for a dinner this evening. I'll not take no for an answer. I believe that Gerry and John will be, hopefully, giving me the nod to continue with my plans for the railway but I'm not counting my chickens just yet. Oh and you'll be very welcome to stay  the night Giles will arrange a room for you".

Colin didn't really know what to say so utrered  a rather nervous thank  you. In truth he was mightily relieved to have escaped whatever punishment the gamekeeper might have had in store.

Soon after two thirty, the little diesel was on its way again. This time reversing the Pullman back towards Moretonhampstead where the motor coach was waiting to take the passengers back to The Manor House, first travelling into Baskerville so that Colin could collect his things from the guest house.

Everyone was looking forward with great anticipation and excitement to  the evening ahead of them.

To be continued.......

Met him once in a bird watching hide on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour a couple of weeks after one of the TV Nature watch programmes; we spent most of the time watching the nesting terns on small islands on the lagoon (it's what we were there for!)

Met him a few times. Found him to be quite the popinjay.