Posted by Peter H (another gricer 'outs' himself) on 12/09/99 from 213.1.3.20:
In Reply to: Re: Update on The Walker Family Home Address posted by A. Gricer (aka D Shelton) on December 08, 1999 at 08:53:13:
Talking of Oxenholme, I always used to think that the illustration on p. 17 of PP 'Letting fly' had been reversed by AR from the original location. Judging by the position of the end part of the old partition wall with its glazed upper screen (now gone, but seen above the engine's smoke box in AR's drawing), the train appears to be heading south. I had a good look round Oxenholme station during a Lit Weekend a few years ago (rail enthusiasts were ever truants), and I decided that there must have been originally an extra line and platform west of the present platforms specifically to serve the Windermere branch. In that case, AR would have faced east as he drew the loco and the train would have faced the right way - the trouble is: what are those fells in the background? Can anyone solve this mystery?
(Gricers: what do you reckon the loco is? I have always thought it was an unrebuilt 'Scot' 4-6-0 because of the huge parallel smoke box and stubby chimney, but it seems to have an unusually low running plate - you can see the clearance just behind the porter's back. Too early for a black 5 - might be an ex-L&Y Fowler engine I suppose. Any ideas?)