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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

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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