rob237

The A610 bend at the Red Lion was my first thought, with the Stockhill Lane housing on the extreme right...although the apparent Dark Lane/Basford College? site seems contradictory. I'd be surprised if the picture was as late as '53, as that was the year the buses briefly took over the A1 service and by then all of the 'Ripley Rattler' trolley stock was double-decker. Both the original tram lines, and the eventual trackless catenary went all the way to Ripley Market Place... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottinghamshire_and_Derbyshire_Tramways_Company Cheers Robt P.

The livery change to two-tone green, with full yellow ends (from half yellow ends) was introduced during the mid 60's - thus dating the pictures very near to the line closure date. BR Blue soon became the standard livery, but many green examples were still around more than a decade later! My twice daily Rathole visits in the mid 50's invariably produced only A8's, or L1's, on the Derby Friargate-Grantham workings...any departure from this came in to 'rocking horse droppings' territory. Cheers Robt P.

For the Spit' fans...Carolyn Grace, in concert. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-12655848 Cheers Robt P.

As the caption states that the trio had come from Annesley, they would stop beyond the crossovers then reverse on the down line to Basford North and then change again (to be headed by the B16, once more) to take the steeply graded spur to Bulwell Common - thus completing the 'triangle' turning process. Recall seeing, from Bulwell Forest top, a pair of 01's do that same manoeuvre in the mid-50's... Apparently the Annesley turntable was often prone to breakdown, due to its excessive work load. Cheers Robt P.

The trailing crossovers, being used by the 3 loco's in that picture, rather support my earlier expressed view that it would have been more viable to lay the 'up' Rathole line alongside the 'down' line to Basford North - thereby doing away with the huge extra expense of tunneling and excavating, incurred on the Rathole construction. Cheers Robt P.

Have to agree with Lord Radcliffe...which is rather a rarity! The Austerity is heading up the GC, having just crossed Valley Rd, en route to Nottm Vic etc. The row of council housing on the left is Heatherley Drive. Line from the Rathole is featured alongside Bagthorpe Jct box... Heathfield Road/Harmiston Rise sited out of picture, to the right. Cheers Robt P.

George Melly Hub Caps Sir Simon Rattle Ultra aggressive red-shirted football fans... Edwina Currie

On reflection, the cost of tunnelling, grading and landscaping the whole single line that became the Rathole must have been many times more expensive (and inconvenient) than simply routeing the down line alongside the up track. viz: Leaving Basford North, then taking a right fork, and arriving at Bagthorpe Jct at the opposite spur, to actuality. Wonder why that more straightforward option wasn't taken? Cheers Robt P.

Rather surprising that there wasn't a High Pavement casualty list, as many of the scholars - muggins included - would often do the 'Rathole Run' (through the tunnel, and return!) whilst waiting for the teatime 'fast fish' on the GC above... Once missed a rare Botanic Gardens B1 on the working, by being involved in such a stunt! Cheers Robt P.

Yes indeed... That was also my reaction when I saw the map. Certain that there were never ever such operational sidings and, as you say, it would have been physically impossible! Can only think that a short-term temporary siding might have been there for spoil removal at the time of construction? Cheers Robt P

This seems quite "bussable", for yours truly... Date and venue also fine. I'll make every effort to attend. Cheers Robt P.

Many thanks for the superb map collection, that you've posted. Surprising to see, on this 1905 map,how many earlier place spellings still apply... "...on-the-Woulds","Ratcliff etc..." Cheers Robt P.

Welcome Fred, tell us something about yourself... Cheers Robt P.

Yes Mick...immediately south of the Trent Bridges... There are two separate bridges and two separate tunnel bores, but alongside. Cheers Robt P.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/973234 Cheers Robt P.

Red Hill Tunnels (Ratcliffe) are in Leics... Cheers Robt P.

No sir... !tony! [for Paulus...] The second answer (at 67 yards), is often said to be the shortest genuine tunnel on Network Rail. Cheers Robt P.

Correct...the former GCR Annesley Tunnel, reopened for the Robin Hood Line. Where's t'other? Cheers Robt P.

Name the two currently 'active' railway tunnels in Notts... Cheers Robt P.

He also played in the City Ground's FA Cup 6th round tie in 1959, when Tommy Wilson's brace took Forest to the semi-final. The following season (his last as a player) he scored Bolton's winner v Forest, with a superb last-minute header, in their 3-2 victory at Burnden. Maximum pay-packet during his magnificent career...£20 a week! Somewhat surprisingly, he came to Bingham for Bobby McKinlay's funeral, some ten years ago...telling all those that shook his hand that he was there because Bob was one of the best centre-halves - and one of the nicest blokes - he ever played against. RIP Nat...

Surely Ferguson,Sirrel,Allardyce and Wenger were not 'great' players... Cheers Robt P.

Once flew from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon, in a 4 seater,single-engined Cessna. Sat besides a young - and extremely nervous - pilot, who seemed unconcerned in flying directly towards the ominous looming storm clouds. "Shouldn't we be avoiding those black clouds?", sez I. Following his encouraging reply of "Dunno!", I was then convinced our time was up and then, strangely, became quite relaxed and began taking pictures for the coroner. The clouds suddenly dispersed as we flew down the Canyon, and the eventual landing at their airstip was something of an anti-climax...to coin a phrase

Yet more evidence that great players make ineffective managers... http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/9346787.stm Cheers Robt P.

"Second time the Saffers have won a series in Australia, in two years..."...Rod Liddle Cheers Robt P.

Yes...there was a Dronfield Place at Cotmanhay, when I briefly worked there some 40 years ago... Had occasion to drive through a couple of years ago, and the housing has certainly changed since the late 60's! Frankly, I've encountered many worse East Midland places than Cotmanhay, over the years. Reckon Leicester takes the biscuit, with such dumps as Beaumont Leys, Saffron Lane, Newfoundpool and the notorious Braunstone Estate! Cheers Robt P.