GB9 - Gunnersbury

IIRC, gunnersbury was converted from semaphore to colour light when I was on the District in about 1972/3, along with Richmond.

I've reversed at Gunnersbury a couple of times when BR had engineering work towards Richmond. The BR service used the e/b platform to turn backtowards South Acton, using the crossover on their bit of line which still had 4th rail at the time.

I was also pilotman once when running single line working from GY to richmond using the w/b line. a lorry struck the South Circular Road bridge, which in those days was 13'6, and lorries and buses hitting it was a regular occurence. IIRC the lorry moved the bridge up about 6"!

I seem to remember the original 1970's colour lights were controlled from Gunnersbury box. In semaphore days, there was a subsidiary/shunt/dolly/call it what you will for reversing w/b to e/b from the platform, but a passenger train would always be hand signalled too.

Another item from semaphore days was the Intermediate Block home signals, giving an additional section each way between GY and Richmond. They were usually colour light, but the IBH at Revelstoke road on the Wimbledon line was semaphore.

In the last knockings of semaphores at richmond, in platform 1 the guard had to phone the driver to see if the signal was off as there was no platform repeater. My mate said, yes, it's off alright; the arm had broken and was laying on the floor!

No, I'm certain GY changed to colour light earlier than that. the bus yard at Richmond was actually rented from BR by Continental Pioneer who ran a motely collection of buses and coaches. I used to drive for them at times too; one conductor was a young chap by the name of Hendy, Peter. Yes, HIM!!

Ted Brakell rented space from Pioneer, along with me and a number of other preservationists. Remember too there were 2 electrified sidings in the goods yard at that time. They were never used in all the time I knew the area; there was also a double junction between the DR and BR lines for through working. It was onle ever used by a pm parcels train, usually 73 worked, which used to shunt into the bay at Richmond.

The w/b to e/b crossover at GY had to be clipped and scotched for passenger trains, hence the hand signal from the box too. Don't forget too the triangle at GY for steam operated coal trains from the north London to access West Kensington goods yad. In earlier times, there was also a connection with the Hounslow loop just south of GY, and a centre bay platform at GY!

Yes, there was a long non-electrified siding between the NL ans SW at richmond. there was also the double junction I mentioned earlier. when that was removed, the siding was the only connection between the two systems. when the NL used 2EPB stock, a crossover was electrified to allow easy transfer.

The NL/Hounslow loop connection at Gunnersbury was in LSWR days, and was probably taken out after WW2. there was also a triangular junction at Barnes from the Windsor lines towards Barnes Bridge. You can still see parts of the formation there today.

CP did indeed have a few BEA Regal IV coaches. I still have 2 of the 5 known survivors, both undergoing restoration. Location Facilities moved out of the CP yard to be replaced by Len Wright. The yard was offered for sale by the BRB. A little Irishman called Murphy (really)who rented a corner from CP to park a couple of JCBs bought it, and sold it again for redevelopment! That spelt the end for CP.

On the other (signalling based) forum that I frequent, a picture of the panel at Richmond covering the Gunnersbury area has now been put up; it shews GB9 plated as an 'auto' with an 'entrance' [1] button and an emergency replacement button.

The considered opinion of the worthies on the signalling forum is that GB9 is a true auto with emergency replacement; cases of Motorm^H^H^H^T/ops being held at GB9 would stem from NL sevices reversing at Gunnersbury and the signalman not pressing the auto button to restore automatic working after a North London service has revesed.

[1] eNtrance - eXit working - which ties in nicely with my point about the 'main exit proving ring' for the circuit in Richmond 'box in post No. 3. GB9 stepping-up to green immediately is the norm - based on track occupancy ahead.

I finally managed a cheeky Gunnersbury turn last night!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

I was running about 30 late by the time I got to Earls Court on the West (basically down to an earlier failure at Tower Hill), and probably could have put me foot down for a Parsons Green turn, but I knew there was another Richmond behind me and the one in front was a Richmond too - so I hedged my bets....

Once I got to Ravenscourt Park, I duly requested a Gunnersbury turn and was rather pleased when the answer was a yes.

On arrival at Gunnersbury, GB9 was off (Yellow aspect cos of the one in front), so I got on the blower to check the signaller knew I was reversing - he said knew one was, but not which one - anyway, GB6 was duly cleared with the 'D' but I noted GB9 also went to Green. It certainly had the punters confused ;D ;D ;D

So there we have it - you can get a Green at both ends at the same time at Gunnersbury!

73s aren't autherised for use on National Rail lines, so wouldn't be allowed. In most probablity a Picc train which took a wrong stick would be wrong direction moved back to Turnham Green.