Lamp store at Tenterden Town

My second turn at Tenterden Town signalbox since passing out as competent to work the box in early September.

An easy timetable of 5 return trips, three with steam and two with the heritage Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU). Thankfully, at last some decent weather apart from a slight shower which coincided with having to work the gates.

The prestige Wealden Pullman is running tonight which means the signals which are not electrically lit have to have oil lamps put in. There are 6 that need lamps that are kept in the lamp store. Here, the lamps are filled with paraffin before being put in the signals. You’ll just have to imagine the smell of this place. Takes me back to childhood when many people had oil stoves for heat and some, like my old great auntie Dolly used to boil a kettle and cook potatoes on the top of her oil stove.

In other news, a great win for England against Australia in the Rugby World Cup. An Brexit never ends. Gripping. Or should that be griping?