Road Trip to find a suitable Signal Box for Chadwick Model Railway | 139. 

Dear Charlie, this video brought me to tears. I was born and live in Australia, but in the 90s I lived with my Uncle in the UK (who was like my dad). His passion was railways, and he would take my out every weekend to look at the stations and trains around his area. My layout is British in honour of him. He has passed on and I’ve not been able to return with my family to the UK. Your video was like being back with him again, having a day out and learning his about his love. I was also able to share this video with my children, showing them what it was like for me going out with their great uncle. They were fascinated and finally saw why I have such passion for British model railway. Thank you so much for all your time and effort in putting this video together. So heart warming. Would love to see more. God Bless you Charlie Anthony

Dear Mr Bishop. How dare you place that signal box that you paid for, on your layout in your own home in the wrong position. At our last meeting of the Wanksworth Entitled Rivet Counters and Twats Club, it was decided you that we will send a strongly worded telegram to your manager. It has also come to our attention that some of your sleepers are slightly too close together and that you gain FAR too much enjoyment from your trains. This is an appalling situation and must be rectified immediately. You seem to be under the impression that you can "do what ever you like" with your own property. If people just did anything without care, it would be chaos. Where would we find situations to be superior? Yours Sincerely J Knobhead. Secretary.

A good mix of on the road and back in the studio shots Charlie. Some good ideas of how to make railway buildings into something different. Clever shots from drone which put the trains in context. Please do a few more of these from time to time they make a welcome and refreshing break.

I think you should use the Signal box your Daughter gave you. Some where really prominent.

That was a nice change Charlie 😁 At the end of the day it's your model railway layout and if you wish to incorporate a signal box,that holds a great deal of sentimental value, then install away.

Train Chasing with Charlie! What a great journey! I'm up for trips like this all the time! One of your best, my friend! Thank you!

Really enjoyed this one, really relaxing, history and steam locos… perfect combo with my morning coffee. I’ll need to cross the pond from Canada some day… take care!

今回はずい分と遠くへ出かけられたんですね。イギリスの田舎の古い町並みがとても綺麗でした。レイアウトの完成楽しみにしております。体に気をつけて是非完成させてください。日本より応援しております。

Might I suggest the village name be "Studley Constable" - the fictional village from the film 'The Eagle Has Landed'.

and an old fashioned AA patrol box at your first stop. You’ll have to include that on your layout.

as one of those disgraceful former colonists, getting to know the world that inspires Chadwick is wonderful. Great content as usual, highlight of my Friday.

6:32 shows perfectly where the old link line from the L&SWR to the S&DJR used to run - the wall on the right was a bridge abutment leading into the back road of Templecombe station, with the road to the left running along the old track bed, round to the industrial estate where the S&D's goods yard used to be.

Well, Charlie, you've surpassed yourself with this one, Wonderful scenery great drone photography and proper steam locos thrown in for good measure. Love to see some more “out and about” videos as it makes such a pleasant change to get out and about after the last eighteen months. Well done, keep up the good work, take care and stay safe.

Do we see "Charlies Road Trips"-series incoming?

As I sit in my lounge in Adelaide, South Australia watching your video and tracking you via google maps. What a great bit of countryside. Another classic Charlie video.

My real name is Michael McCluskey. I'm also a model railroader. I do like to see things of railroad history, even in countries like England. I did some research on my ancestry and found all my ancestors came from Ireland. My parents and four grand parents were all born here in the United States. Thank you for putting this video for me to see.

Really enjoyed Chadwick on the move Charlie, great aerial shots too must have been interesting to film. Would love to see more of these types of videos in the future. All the best

For a name for your junction Charlie, how about "Stackton Tressell", which was the home village of those wonderful Dear Ladies- Dr Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda Bracket.

Hi Charles, there are some harsh people out there giving you a hard time about the signal box, i would certainly use this on the layout due to the fact it was a gift from your daughter! Enjoyed your outside trips and reminded me of our touring around the area on our last trip over there in 2018. Stay safe over there, cheers Paul.

What a treat, thank you Charlie. It was refreshing to see a different format, not to say any of your "productions" are boring, far from it. Thanks again.

Charlie: It is good to see the UK country side and visiting other layouts is always a good way to get new or different ideas of how to do things.

Charlie, I enjoyed your travelling to see the signal boxes, and it would be neat to talk with the fellow that built that first one you showed. I also agree that the last model kit seemed pretty expensive for what it was. Can't be more than a few pounds in cost the make it.

At 5:30 didn't realise SWR were still running my absolute favourite DMUs

Hi Charlie. Glad you enjoyed your visit to the SDR. It’s my local preserved line and the subject of my layout. I particularly liked the drone shots. The Ratio kit is actually based on Buckfastleigh North box, but shortened so they could use the roof moulding from an earlier kit. The small box at Staverton is the small Wills box. And the Gaugemaster Teignmouth Box is close to the Totnes Riverside box, But of more interest maybe, is the signal box you pass shortly before Staverton, Bishops Bridge Signal Box. This can be constructed by changing the brickwork on the 1st floor to wood by using micro strip or plasticard on your Ratio kit. Or by using the top half of a Gaugemaster Fordhampton Signal Box on top of the bottom half of the Ratio kit. And there lies the advantage of plastic kits, they can be used to make almost any variation if you want an exact replica. But for a fictional line I think I would take the ease of a resin one. Horses for courses. PS forBuckfastleigh North I used two of the Ratio kits to get the length right, new roof from wills slate sheets and two ratio interiors to fill it, so kits are definitely not the cheap option. A full history of each box and loads of photos are on the SDR Association sdrsignalling.com website. If you pop down again I hope I’m there. I’ve always found your channel to be very informative with a good sense of humour. Very much appreciated.

have just signed up as a patron. First time I have done it. You have been someone who has inspired me the last year to just get on and get started on this amazing hobby. Your videos and inspiration has helped me through this past very tough year we all have had.

At Templecombe station I loved the green toy train planter boxers on the platform in front of the signal box ….

Hi Charlie. Your outdoor filming, made me realise that those of us who live abroad, get little chance of seeing close up a lot of what is around you. We can watch you tube video’s but we can’t touch. This particular video is pertinent to me, as I am about to embark on getting a signal box for my own layout, and I just thought of getting any kit, but now realise a bit more research is needed, to get one suitable for my era and location. Thank you.

Hi Charlie. A day out is always a good thing, especially enjoying some fresh air. Great video and more of them, please.

As always another great video. Thank you Charlie. I’m of the personal opinion that I will use whatever models/landscape that I choose and if people don’t like it they don’t have to look at it. Of course my layout isn’t open to public viewing like yours but I feel extremely grateful that you allow us to share with its construction and operations. Thank you again Charlie. Well done.

Was watching your latest video for the first 5 minutes thinking he’s going to have an accident if he keeps on the wrong side of the road. Fool am I then realized your in the uk.

Just got around to watching this and it was great! Stuck over in Canada so I really appreciated the little tour around Somerset. Charlie, your narration is excellent, I could listen to you ramble on all day.👍 Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Charlie, as usual a very informative video, I loved it and would welcome more "Out and About" Videos in the future. I think you do a good job with all your videos, both on the Model Railway and out and about. I have learnt a lot from your videos. Also it was great to see the "Out and About" video of modern day UK, I migrated to Australia back in 1963, so have difficulty trying to model England in the 40s and 50s, especially GWR country, my memory tends to glamourise the railways of my youth. - Regards Chris

ROAD TRIP! ROAD TRIP! [Packs sandwiches and waits by the front door, two hours early]

Hi Charlie, that was a brilliant video. Enjoyed it a lot. Regards, Paul.

Really enjoyed this one, but like them all. I have learned a lot from your videos. Sorry people were such sticklers about your signal box, I think your daughter should have been thanked by them for being kind enough to support your hobby. I have always been a fan of steam but my grandmother always bought me diesel locomotives. As a kid my railroad was the "All Tymes Line."

Loved the little UK rail tour. The things you have to do to please people on the internet .. ;)

Charlie, a very different and enjoyable video. More of these would be great if you can find the time. I also follow Tony North Eastern who models railways in Tyneside. Recently he has done some competley different videos by interviewing an ex signalman who worked the area that he is modeling. The stories and info that he told brought the whole layout to life. It's not all about laying track, points, DCC or DC. It's also about the people who used to work on it and the history and knowledge that they can pass on. See you in 2 weeks for another great video. George.

Fascinating. The road trip is a bit of a change compared to your usual content but very welcome to see you out and about. Some lovely examples of signal boxes. As to the name of the branch station... As you aren’t trying to faithfully / slavishly model Barnstaple Victoria Road how about changing Victoria to Albert make it different but acknowledge a link to the inspiration - Albert Road?

Very good. Nice to get out and see deepest, darkness Somerset. Well done

Great Video Charlie, nice to see you out and about looking at all things trains and enjoying a slice of Bakewell tart with your tea!

Hi Charlie, another great video and very enjoyable to watch. For what it’s worth, I think you should install your daughters signal box on the Chadwick layout. To the ‘really knowledgable’ types it would be a talking point as to why a midlands signal box was sitting in Yeovil town, but for me, the family significance of the midlands box would outweigh all that ‘prototypical’ nonsense. As a father of 3 young children and being in the early stages of a model railway project, I fully expect to be the recipient of many a non-prototypical addition to my layout. Your HST shares platform space with your Western Pullman so why not apply a similar poetic license to your signal box selection?

Hi at roughly 12:27 the gentleman outside the steamer, handed the firemen a ring, key ? What was it ? As for the people jumping on you about the signal box, I would like to see how on point their rails are. Mine starts in the 1800''s and ends in the 1980's, then after an army base supplies you go into another room which is a 50's/60's monster wars. So my train so far off traditional, but it is my world. Keep up the great work, canadian subscriber.

What a lovely idea those signal box-style offices are. I'm sure they cost way more to build than the ugly concrete box ones we usually see, but in 20 years the concrete boxes will be knocked down to make way for bigger uglier ones while these will have a bit of age to them and look even better. Great to see some video from the old country (I'm in Australia now). As for the modelling, well I've got a GWR signal box on my LMS layout and if people don't like that they can go tickle a tiger. 😊

Thanks Charlie. Greetings from the U.S. One of my fantasies is to go back in time(pre WW 2) and ride the rails across your great country.

Hi Charlie. Now that's a modelling idea, a lorry stuck under a railway bridge.

Great video tour of signal boxes. Made a great change. Very well put together Charlie. Thanks for your dedication. Roy.

Charlie, your daughter bought you the signal box for your railway. Not much to consider there. This latest road trip film was outstanding, very enjoyable informative and entertaining, thanks. I was also curious to know what your Japanese viewer had written earlier so I ran it through a translation app. “ Yasuto Tsujii ・ 1 hour ago You went far away this time. The old streets of the English countryside were very striped. I am looking forward to the completion of the layout. Please take care of yourself and complete it. We support from Japan.

From the US (New Hampshire)...Enjoyed road trip VERY much.

Very enjoyable and different video. Great to see you out on the road - can just taste that Bakewell Tart !! More road trips please ! Cheers Euan

Just to elaborate on my previous comment about the post box, my dad always used to say that you could imagine a red post box anywhere, they just seem to fit their environment. Some signal boxes are a bit too modern but the one you say came in for some stick is surely like the red post box, it would fit anywhere on any layout because these old fashioned dinky signal boxes are to be found on any stretch of track round the country, villages, cities and the middle of nowhere. So never mind the pedants, the one you have ready for your layout would go nicely anywhere on it.

Afternoon Charlie from sunny Plymouth on our honeymoon watching your videos lol 😆 I can remember standing on Totnes station in the 70s when the milk tanks were running 🤣 That was a lovely video of you being out and about for a change and the camera work and commentary was superb 👍🏻 Take cheers Stevie 😎

Charlie, I thoroughly enjoyed everything you were able to put into this presentation. I used to tour around Somerset from time to time, and would take weekend trips out of Bristol while attending Brunel Technical College (Higher Diploma Marine Electronics) back in 1983! I am looking forward to getting back over there again and visiting some of those wonderful heritage railways, once the world draws a little closer to normality! On the subject of signal boxes, I was born less than a mile from Lymm Station, near Warrington. There are a number of good images of the signal box on line. Your layout is looking great and I particularly like the variety of subjects you cover.

Hi Charlie, thanks for this video ! One little thing you are driving the wrong side of the road !! lol. I luv that art deco signal box "Templecombe" and the Totnes Café

Great tutorial Charlie , plus a run out . Next time we go out I'll take a lunch . Great idea going out

Another brilliant video Charlie - although something a little different. I visited the ESR not long ago as I'm just up the road in Trowbridge. Fantastic day out, hauled by 4555 and of course I got up to some great photography. So glad you are using the Cranmore style box and I think it will look brilliant about 3/4 of the way up the branch towards your representation of Barnstaple. And yes it would be nice for you visit other layouts and see what you could produce from that inspiration, and could inspire us (the viewers) too. See you again in 2 weeks :)

Charlie, Signal boxes can be a can of worms. Templecombe, haven't been back for many years. Just passed the station was a shop that served ice creams in the summer. When railway stations were being " modenised" ( 60's) you could have a British Rail, signal box. Some looked like World War 2 gun emplacement bunkers ( all concrete) and at the other end of the station a Pre- Group signal box. Even though British Rail had their own "House colours" a lot of signal boxes could be found in pre grouping colours. At Liverpool's Lime Street station in the cuttings was an L.N.W.R. signal box in full pre-group glory. Until it closed in the late 60's. I wonder what happened to Airfix's Midland Signal Box kit? In 1963 it only cost around 2/6d. Cheers Chris Perry.

Nice video as always Charlie! For those of us who watch a number of good modellers produce nice model railways and create wonderfully edited video's, it can still become a bit repetitive. This was something differently nice. The tie together of audience feedback, need to model something authentic, a bit of real life 12inch to the foot research, and entwining the obvious preserved with the original office block at Bruton - together with some real steam and diesel trains - was thoroughly entertaining and enchanting. One of my YT video's of the year. Yes, lets see more of these when you have time and need of some real life research - Good Luck!

I have met Gordon Fry on numerous occasions at the Gartell Light Railway and at his offices where I was shown around. He is an extremely nice fellow, and if I was working in the area I would stop off at Bruton station for an hour or so (my time; I was self-employed!) and Gordon would come out for a chat and brush up the station. By the way, do try and get to the GLR if/when it's open again during the breaks in all this covid nonsense. There are two fully fitted and working signalboxes, tokenless block, a plethora of working signals including upper and lower quadrant, colour light, and even one pneumatically operating one. I'm sure you will be impressed. Incidentally, when you were at Templecombe station you were less than half a mile away from the GLR!

Charlie, I loved the road trip. I live in Australia but for a time lived In the West Country. Your filming brought back many memories . I also like the differing signal box types that you showed. Frankly if my daughter bought me a signal box as a present it would be on my model railway and stuff any negative criticism..

Enjoyed this Charlie. Travel, signal boxes and commentary. Thanks. Bob, Erie Pa USA!

Thanks Charlie. A nice change this video.loved the GWR signal boxes as I’m building the Llangollen Station Signal Box at the moment, so seeing other GWR boxes has given me a lot of help.

I am quite amazed that an outside aircon unit was allowed to be mounted where it is on Templecombe signal box! Surely there must be a more appropriate position for it!

This documentary style was well filmed and edited to a pretty professional standard, and full of interest. Well done. The effort was worth it.

Road trip theme is a brilliant idea. You even visited a station I know very well, Totnes..

I bet that bakewell was amazing hehe. My sister in law hails from Templecombe. You can still find the remains of the old S&D platform on the other side of the signal box and the former location of the old Templecombe station between the two bridges south of the line. I really must visit Cranmore at some point too. Should be fun. Great video!

Charlie what a wonderful video content which I’m sure touched many an old boys heart ❤️

Hi Charlie - You picked a lovely time to go out in your beautiful part of the country. Loved the signal box tour. If I had a large lottery win I would build have someone build me the signal box at Bruton as a home and the upstairs would be one big model train layout, mind you with all the sun coming in I might have to rethink that. Possibly have it in the back garden with automatic blinds just as a railway room, I can dream. Loved the walkway around the building though. The art deco signal box at Templecombe is the same as the one we have at Bognor Regis and which I am going to have to scratch build as I model in N Gauge. Must visit the signal box at Totnes as I just love Bakewell tart. What a lovely building, looking forward to paying that a visit. I think I know where our next caravaning holiday is going to be, thankyou. Regards Chris

Well done once again Charlie Always something different and interesting. Thanks .

Such fantastic seanery! I live in the US but all my life I have felt like a misplaced Brit. You all have such a wonderful country. I really hope that the one thing on my bucket list comes true, Move back home, to ENGLAND! My blood line is English and traced back to Bristol to the early 1600's. I havent been able to trace it farther back but at least i know my family was at one time living in England. You all are so very BLESSED, such wonderful people and the HISTORY ohh my dont get me started! Yep, I LOVE all things England!

Great video Charlie. I enjoyed the format of the road trip! Great to see some real signal boxes. Hugh

Charlie, very grateful for your time and videos. This was quite interesting Even though I live in Minnesota USA and totally in a smaller scale N scale. I found an N Scale Peco/ Ratio building, of which I have 5 in total, which I found a bit expensive. However the detail is amazing as is the assembly. This Video You produced was very helpful for me and very much useful 👍. I model in late 1940s to early 1960's. And enjoy watching video for inspiration purposes . Thanks again for the time and effort You put into these great videos. You are very inspiring. Hope You're Loved one's and you are safe and healthy. Bruce in Minnesota

Really enjoyed the video. Signal boxes come in all shapes and sizes, and that was just in Lincolnshire. Have taken 100s of local signal boxes, covering the Cleethorpes to Barton line, Cleethorpes to Sheffield via Brigg and Worksop, Barnetby to Nottingham and Doncaster to Peterborough via the GN &GE joined line. Photos all on Flickr, but one of my favourites must be Hubbert's Bridge signal in Lincolnshire 1960s, wish it was a better day when I took the photos. A few of the boxes I have photographed have been pulled now, modernization plan, Ulceby, Pasture St, Sleaford South and North. Did manage to take pictures of the last place to have a signal boxes called North, South, East & West back in 2010s, Sleaford.

Thank you for taking me back to Cranmore. You brought back fond memories of my last trip across the pond.

The signal change at Templecombe should be interesting to those who model auto change signals. It changes a lot quicker than often thought.

I just joined your channel! I could watch these videos all day and I love his sense of humor!

Thoroughly enjoyed that Charlie. It is nice to see what UK rail is up to. I'll have to go looking about to see what remains of South Australia's signal boxes. I can't say that I have seen any other than at platforms. In Victoria and NSW, there are plenty of old signal boxes about. I'd like to see more of your local railway area for sure.

Hi Charlie, I enjoyed your road trip video very much. I think it's a good idea to go out and look at the "real" world once in a while.

traveling around the country side was really fun. Great job A+ video thank you

Charlie: The odd thing about your own railroad is that it is your railroad and you can do what you want. That signal building was not bad... So tell your detractors to buzz off. (but I understand why and what you did because it made for a good video) Cheers from the Third Coast of the US.

Absolute pleasure to watch as always and a departure from the usual. Been sorely neglecting my model railway due to a combination of working abroad, weather and tardiness but watching videos like this gets me motivated again!

That was a bit different. Beautifully produced and edited too: like watching an actual TV programme. I kept expecting Tim Dunn to pop up and explain interlocking or something. Had to laugh out loud at the "scratchbuilding" of the first two signal boxes. Many years ago, there used to be a model shop at Carnforth, in a signal box on what was then Steamtown, when the public could visit the depot. As well as the shop in the signal box, they also had a model railway layout in a parcels van parked next to the signal box. Wonder what happened to that? Or at least I think it was a parcels van. Someone else is bound to remember better.

Very nice. I enjoyed seeing the English countryside and the railways in action

Can I commend you for being able to confidently and naturally present to camera when you’re in public. Sitting in a cafe and talking to a camera the way you did would probably make me anxious as I’d feel silly. Luckily my step daughter does most the presenting on mine and her videos, as she has all the confidence that comes with being 9 years old. lol

Nice to see you got to Buckfastleigh. I work as a volunteer in the model shop once a week. Didn't see you.

What an excellent Video, with Drone Shots too, very impressive, and it made a nice change to be out and about, bit like the end of COVID Shutdown as it were. I haven’t seen Tones since I last worked there as P Way Engineer, and being based at Plymouth it was the beginning of our Section down to Penzance. Thanks for the Video.

Heart video Charlie. Lots of information. Always look forward to your videos , it gives me ideas and the right information to use when I get back to building my layout.

Really enjoyed your video. Loved the mix up by going out and seeing real life railways. Of course I love seeing your layout, however, was great to see the real life inspirations. Keep up the amazing work

Hi Charlie, thanks for taking us on a drive around your beautiful part of the country. Some places there that have been put on my ' To visit' list. Some great shot with the drone too. As an ode to the builder of Chadwick and the area it is roughly set in, how about ' BISHOPS HO!' for the branch name. Keep well, regards Bobby'T'.

Well done Charlie, do not take any notice of J Knobhead; you do what ever you like with your own layout, and more travelling too would help rid us of the stifling past months of isolation.

another great video Charlie, being across the pond its very interesting to see the other railways. The steam portions are very unique. thanks again.

Very much like your vid Charlie. Love the intricate research you’ve done. Also like the comparison between the different models you showed. £23,- indeed seems a lot for the last one. Anyhow, whatever which signal box you decide on to put on your layout; you should also consider the one from your daughter, even though it isn’t historically accurate. The gesture of her present is recognition from her heart. Than historical inaccuracies have a lot of leeway. It’s not that I don’t count my rivets, after all we all try to depict our layouts as accurate as possible. But in the end it is your railroad, your 3d view on what constitutes your passion, with images that are yours. To close, my humble railroad, I mainly build for myself. Because it’s a great hobby, because I love to scratch build, predominantly from junk. That in itself requires a level of compromise to accuracy, which defies too stubborn rivet counting. Thanks for sharing!!

Thoroughly enjoyed the road trip Charlie and some wonderful signal boxes too. I did see the one at Totnes had been turned into a cafe on my recent train ride down to Penzance..... I didnt stop for a coffee and bakewell tart though! Look forward to the next road trip, wherever that may be.

Great video, the drone footage makes it very polished. Anything railway related is interesting, thank you for your time. Keep up the good work.

Those doobry signal boxes are seriously weird. I am surprised he got planning permission! I believe they are the only doobry signal boxes to be seen in this part of the world unless you know differently. I have got the Bachmann Templecoombe signal box on my layout. I got it from Hattons before they fell out with Bachmann! I can't drive anymore since I lost the sight in my right eye, so I enjoyed this road trip video. Thanks for uploading.

Really enjoyed the road trip. It is wonderful that you can still find so many signal boxes still standing. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Love your drone footage Charlie. I was somewhat surprised to see a Southern Railway signal box at Templecombe. There is a smaller version in Deal, Kent which Hornby produced at one time. There is a preserved one somewhere, but I can’t remember where? I did not realise they will not list it if it has changed its windows - sadly the Deal one now has Upvc windows!

Really enjoyed that one Charlie and a fantastic road trip. It was nice seeing the different styles of signal boxes and the history behind them ect. and there are some good options of 00 gauge signal boxes too.- Nicholas.

Great video. Thanks for spending the time and effort with this polished production. I think it’s a great move to get out and film the real railway, comment on details and possibilities for modelling- after all this is the source of our inspiration and passion - of which you have plenty, which is fantastic. Thank you.

Loved the road trip, particularly seeing what is a very beautiful part of England, loved those little villages. Thanks Charlie, I really enjoyed it. Oh, the signal boxes were interesting, too.

Charlie, thank you for an interesting trip around your area, as I've said before I don't have a layout but enjoy watching those that do, yours and other you tubers give me inspiration that goes with my interests.