Cranbrook level crossing communications hub

A day spent in the Cranbrook Road crossing keeper's hut goes like this:

Open up, sign in, check all is OK. Wait for first train.

When the alert bells ring open gates, show green flag (if all is well), watch train go by looking for any signs of distress (wheels not going around, door handles not correctly shut, tail lamp showing), close gates and retire to hut. Make tea, coffee have a nibble, read a bit, wait for next train.

Repeat 16 times during the day, levened with catching a carton of soup from the Pullman on its way down and a bag of roast potatoes on the way up (Sundays only)

At the end of service, sweep out, lock up and go home.

All our equipment is heritage, meaning old and how it used to be. These are the telephones which keep the hut in contact with the outside world. The nearest only communicates with the Tenterden signal box but the furthest allows communication anywhere on the railway.

Mind you it was a bit of a rush this evening as we needed to be in Canterbury for a 7.30pm concert with John McCusker and his band. But it all went well and we had a very enjoyable evening with a bunch of very talented musicians and entertainers.