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GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton
Widney Manor Station: gwrwm434
Looking towards Birmingham north of the station this view
shows the initial stages of widening the route to accommodate four tracks. It
was standard practice that the earth dug from cuttings would be transported to
other parts of the route which required an embankment. The view above shows an
embankment has been created between Widney Manor and Solihull. The hut opposite
the signal is probable a 'fogman's' hut used during the winter period when
visibility was severely reduced by fog. The fogman would place a given number
of detonators on the track which would explode as the locomotive travelled over
them. Each would make a loud sound with the number placed providing a code to
train drivers. The detonator is the size of a large coin with two lead straps,
one on each side. The detonator is placed on the top of the rail and the straps
are used to secure it. When the wheel of the train passes over, it explodes
emitting a loud bang.
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