Shipping Forecast

[PeteB]

We had a map on the downstairs loo door as kids,  was a laugh to find out the whole family could recite it! Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland........

[Stubby]

6 hours ago, sime42 said:

Any fans of the Shipping Forecast out there? This is an interesting listen. One of a whole day of programs about it on Radio 4 on Wednesday.

 

The Shipping Forecast: A Beginner's Guide - BBC Sounds

WWW.BBC.CO.UK

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Paddy O'Connell guides us through the history and meaning of 'The Ships'.

 

 

 

Yep . Used to listen on a bakalite radio when I was a kid . I loved the names of the grounds . Viking , Cromity Dogger bank etc etc. Rising slowly , good 🙂

[Steven P]

Going back on topic, We got it at the weekends - Dad had it on in the van (Radio 4? He always had Radio 4 or later Classic FM because they had the best coverage over Northumberland)

[eggsarascal]

1 hour ago, Steven P said:

I saw the wages ages ago and was tempted - no specific qualifications needed, it was £30k when I was looking (but before 2012) - which would have been a handy 1/3 extra at the time... but the obvious competition for the jobs, like thousands of applicants for each interview spot. Think the wages were equal to train drivers so I guess about 80k now?

I guess the wages were good due to the responsibility involved, get it wrong, send a train on the wrong track, even worse cause a derailment?

[eggsarascal]

14 minutes ago, Steven P said:

Going back on topic, We got it at the weekends - Dad had it on in the van (Radio 4? He always had Radio 4 or later Classic FM because they had the best coverage over Northumberland)

Still on Radio 4 daily at 00.48 and 05.20.

[patrickgalloway3]

Still some railway signal boxes being used. Settle to Carlisle line has a few, as does Carnforth to Carlisle. Also a few manned railway crossings that I know of. 

[sime42]

Solomon Browne - BBC Sounds

WWW.BBC.CO.UK

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Forty years on, the dramatic story of the Penlee lifeboat disaster.

 

That was also on the same day. Very moving. It'll obviously resonate more with those who come from the West Country, or other coastal communities. I'm always happy to contribute to the RNLI. They go above and beyond in their sacrifices to others, this story is a tragic example.

 

 

 

 

 

[Stere]

Quote

I guess the wages were good due to the responsibility involved, get it wrong, send a train on the wrong track, even worse cause a derailment?

 

Job advert from recently: The box is still manned

 

Signaller Grade 2 - Valley (Holyhead) & Gaerwen | 07 September, 2023 | Jobs and careers with Network Rail

CAREERS.NETWORKRAIL.CO.UK

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Jobs and careers with Network Rail - Your decisions will make all the difference Based in one of our Wales Route’s signal...

 

 

Interesting &  some mildly amusing answers to  what they get/got up to in the "spare" time unoffically..

 

 

 

You'd  think  falling  asleep would be an issue if sat for hrs between trains on some ones?

 

 

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/how-did-station-staff-and-signalmen-keep-themselves-occupied-in-between-trains-on-quiet-branch-lines.240058/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Monday at 11:54 by Stere

[GarethM]

Well there was a series of books called the railway children, I thought that would be more than enough of an explanation of what to do between trains