Box instruments glinting in the sun

A busy day in the signalbox at Tenterden Town. Three return trip to Bodiam interspersed with 5 charters, three to Wittersham and two to Northiam. These were themed charters using the Paddington Bear character organised by a heritage railway charter specialist, Fox and Edwards.

I had a trainee signalman with me on his taster day in the box. Picked the busiest service possible, we lost count of the number of times we had to work the gates in the course of the day, perhaps 40?

Give his his due, he was very interested, very engaged and wanted to learn as much as he could during the day. He will make a good signalman in the fullness of time.

Even though we were very busy there was a hour at the end of the day when the last service train was down at Bodiam and the charters had finished and the stock berthed - so we polished the brasses, hoovered and mopped the floor to leave the box in a tidy state for tomorrow’s service. Today’s blip shows those sparkling brasses.

Good job I’m not on tomorrow and there as an early morning bird watching train leaving at 7.15 meaning a 7.00am booking on time.