Off to Play the Slots in Burnham

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Here we are at Catcott, as the 10.07am Evercreech Junction to Combwich via Highbridge arrives. Although it’s only mid September, there’s quite a chilly brisk northerly breeze, the clag from the slowing engine being an indication of its strength as it blows down off Mendip. 

Awkward Teresa, Wee Nicola & Dizzy Lizzie are off for a day out playing the slots at Burnham on Sea, something they regularly do at weekends, usually followed by a few gins at the Royal Clarence Hotel. Though Wee Nicola will have a large glass or three of Buckfast wine, a popular tipple with those from north of the border. Allegedly. 

They’ll have to get a bus from Highbridge to Burnham, because whilst the railway still runs there, trains no longer use the line which will shortly be dismantled, for sadly the line finally closed on the 8th of September at the end of the summer timetable. Though even before that date, the regular passenger service ended in 1951 and was thereafter only used occasionally for holiday specials and goods. 

Since the Western Region took over control of much the former ‘Somerset & Dorset’, many of the old LMS and Midland engines have been replaced with those from the former Great Western. With today’s service being hauled by a Collett 0-6-0, number 3206 of Templecombe Shed. 

In tow is a relatively modern modern Hawksworth brake composite coach, and a bogie parcels van. The trio have splashed out on first class tickets I hasten to add, for these Hawksworth coaches are far more comfortable than the former LMS suburban coaches they’re replacing. 

And finally, Bob Geeza Cat is back from his short break in Bristol after accidentally falling asleep on the footplate for the Bristol goods a few days ago. 

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It’s all Bananas

The new even greener container train has only taken 14 days from Southampton Docks, travelling at less than walking pace with plenty of breaks and several horse changes. This was not helped by the rather convoluted route required to avoid bridges, the consist being rather out of gauge. 

Poor old Hubert, the much loved former conversational Latin speaking horse has found little use for his language skills since Britain formally became Little Britain, so has gone back to pulling things around, so sad for an old boy who is so clever and on the verge of retirement. 

But at least The Ministry of Mayhem’s green agenda has been given another tick, but sadly at the expense of the perishable fruit within the containers which is now well past its ‘best by’ date - it’s all bananas.

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A lot of work goes in to creating these scenes, you can ensure their continuation here 👉 www.buymeacoffee.com/Nevardmedi3

Mirror on a Stick

A quiet Sunday over at Brew Street down by the canal. 

Very little is going on, not even the omnipresent cat is to be seen, something that is most unusual. But Bob Geeza Cat was spotted snoozing on the warm footplate of the Bristol goods yesterday, so it’s likely he’s ended up there for a few days. But I’m sure he’ll be back in due course. 

Meanwhile Cyril ‘Flange’ Cupcake-Smith is checking out the wheel flanges on his locomotive. He’s a bit obsessed with such, being the leading light in the fine scale section of The Bridgwater & District Model Railway & Pigeon Fanciers Society which has been flying strong since 1883. 

Cyril always carries a small ruler, measuring callipers and a mirror on a stick with him so he can check tolerances and clearances of almost everything he comes across, especially the underside of things. 

But only last week he was thrown off the bus after wanting to check the size of the bus ticket before buying one. It was during the rush hour, so one can understand the actions of the clippy, especially when Cyril got out his mirror on a stick to look up the conductor’s left trouser leg ‘to check clearances’. 

Cyril is married, something that might come as a surprise to many here. But it would appear that Mavis quite likes being poked with his measuring callipers on Sunday mornings before church. Ooohh, saucy…..

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The National Moonshine Grid

Back on the 23rd of August, I wrote about the new directive from The Ministry of Mayhem to install fresh running moonshine to every property in Little England. 

Pubs have been prioritised, because most will close within the next 5 to 10 years, and it’s hoped it will give them a little extra life along with their ageing customer base who also have a similar life expectancy. 

Such a huge project will take decades, and will likely be scrapped by forthcoming governments due to future cultural changes and running over budget (Gen Z preferring vapes, TikTok and drugs to pubs and booze supposedly). 

Here we are outside The Pedant & Armchair, the sort of pub popular with a certain demographic, and the first of the expert team of installers have arrived to start the all important work. 

Shortly the road will be dug up to allow the installation of pipe work, all so important for the safe transfer of boozy tincture straight to the bar, or wherever else inside the property for that matter. 

There will be health benefits too, because being at 180% proof, it will also be antiviral, something useful in a pub with regulars that never wash their hands after fiddling with their Flying Scotsman. 

And finally, the little crate next to Bob Geeza Cat has some moonshine samples, so the landlord knows what to expect once connected up to the National Moonshine Grid. 

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A lot of work goes in to creating these scenes, you can ensure their continuation here 👉 www.buymeacoffee.com/Nevardmedi3