In a model railway world, brakevans have no brakes at all – so a breakaway can spell big trouble…
The afternoon branch freight from Wempole had stopped at Knottewith Magna to pick up some wagons. The signals were cleared, and the guard waved the ‘Right away’.
However, as the train passed his ’box, the signalman noticed that there was no red lamp on the brakevan – indeed, there was no brakevan at all!
It and some wagons were still standing in the siding, and the guard was running after the front portion of the train as fast as he could, waving his red flag.
The signalman at Knottewith Magna immediately sent nine beats on his block bell, telling Knottewith Junction that a divided train had passed his ’box.
He worked the advance starter signal on and off to attract the attention of the men on the footplate, but they didn’t see it. He phoned the junction to advise the signalman there of the situation.
At Knottewithought, signalman Arthur Platt immediately put all his branch signals at danger and used the local omnibus circuit to phone Lower Knottewith Sidings.
He instructed George to stop the approaching freight train.
For the full article and to view more images, see the March 2019 edition of Modelling – available now!
For a complete list of stockists and how to get your copy, visit: www.railwaymagazinemodelling.co.uk/distributors
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