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Westbury Wagon Repair Yard

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hobbm013

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15 Apr 2019
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171
Hi all, I have some questions about the wagon repair site at Westbury (although I believe it is now occupied by Colas instead) to help me with a modelling project:

1) Are the points within the site hand worked or motorised?

2) Does any signalling exist within the site (assuming not as only a couple of sidings but I know oddities do exist!)

3) What facilities are/were exactly on site? Is it just a shed for inspection and light repairs?

4) Any photos would be much appreciated!

Not too familiar with the area myself so any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks
 
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Adrian Barr

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2 Jul 2020
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154
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Doncaster
I just happened to notice this post today...

1) Points within the yard are hand operated. There are some traditional point levers, but the majority in this part of the yard appear to be American-style "switch levers" with a sort of white hoop instead of a lever, the type of thing seen here (in the USA) - https://www.flickr.com/photos/dldruss/52273434059/

2) The only signals are located at the exits from the fans of sidings onto the running lines, as seen on the Open Train Times signalling map:
https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/westbury#T_WSTBRYW

If I'm looking at the map correctly, 702 is the ground position light mounted on a pole (or whatever the technical name is for a GPL that's not on the ground) controlling the exit from the spoil tip sidings.
704 is the same type of signal, also on a pole, controlling the exit from the wagon repair sidings and sidings 12 to 7

3) The shed is marked as an "OTM Shed" on my Trackmaps (i.e. for On-Track machines) and labelled as the "Elephant House."
This is a decent shot of the exterior: https://www.flickr.com/photos/93293618@N05/53109842233/
And interior, with inspection pit and some stairs / scaffolding visible: https://www.flickr.com/photos/90265707@N03/52004067733/

I assume it used to be used for track machines (or elephants) and that Colas have taken it over for loco servicing. The pit would be useful for this - depending on the loco type and the work being done, certain routine exams or repairs can only be done where there is a pit for accessing the underside of the loco.

The wagon maintenance / repair area is on concrete hardstanding alongside. There are storage containers alongside but not much fixed equipment.
In this photo there are wheelsets adjacent to the siding, and the red machine is possibly a lift truck used for wheelset changes:
https://railphotoanthology.weebly.com/uploads/7/0/6/6/7066978/dji-0155ed_orig.jpg

4) The main reason for answering is because I was recently looking at some photos of Westbury yard on this RailPhotoAnthology page (not my website but I recommend having a look). I think the drone shots here will answer most of your questions:
https://railphotoanthology.weebly.com/westbury-yard.html

Judging from these photos, locos and track machines also stable in the Up Yard. There are couple of YouTube videos on that webpage too, if you click through to watch them on YouTube itself (RailPhotoAnthology channel) the quality is better and it gives a good overview of the yard by drone, including the area you are interested in near the wagon repair sidings.
 

twpsaesneg

Member
Joined
21 Jul 2009
Messages
418
Hi all, I have some questions about the wagon repair site at Westbury (although I believe it is now occupied by Colas instead) to help me with a modelling project:

1) Are the points within the site hand worked or motorised?

2) Does any signalling exist within the site (assuming not as only a couple of sidings but I know oddities do exist!)

3) What facilities are/were exactly on site? Is it just a shed for inspection and light repairs?

4) Any photos would be much appreciated!

Not too familiar with the area myself so any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks
I have PM-d you a photo which might be of use.
 
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