168 entries.
wrote on 9 April 2009
at
7:22 pm
My little Sis & I were born in Sidley Station-Master's house in ‘64 & ‘66! My big Sis was born in Sheffield Park SM’s hse back in 58 in Bluebell Railway’s early days. Anyway, this will bring back so many memories for my big Brother & us 3 girls as the railway track was our playground. I can remember at an early age jumping across a big hole whilst crossing the footbridge you mention. In fact I think we may have a couple of the green iron balls from its top somewhere! I can't wait.
wrote on 28 March 2009
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2:41 pm
Dear dumpman, Thanks for quick delivery, I was part of the local civil defence organisation in Guernsey for many years, and although we dont have bunkers like this one, we used the ones the germans kindly built during wwII. The small pipe to the left of the big pipe was for a Bomb power indicator which was a baffle plate attached to the pipe with a pressure guage mountd to the wall via another pipe this gave the overpressure that a bomb would give when it exploded, this could be used to work out the bombs size, also the probe for checking the radiation levels outside went up inside the big pipe with the flange. The room by the bottom of the entry shaft was for a chemical toilet (elsan) and other kit, the cables could be attached to a 12v generator which would power the batteries for the post's radio and small light circuit. I have never seen a monitoring post in the flesh, but did all the training on monitoring and fallout predition etc.
wrote on 24 February 2009
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3:23 pm
All hail to the mighty dumpman! This dude rocks with the best of 'em! Seriously though, without dumpman, none of my projects would have ever come to fruition, so a big shout out from ghost-trains!
wrote on 22 January 2009
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10:22 pm
We could only have been separated at birth,we share every interest....scary!. Keep up the good work mate and well done.
wrote on 24 November 2008
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9:10 pm
I'am trying to locate pictures plans of singleton station for a project of making a 1/76 model of it Seen your photo any chance of copies at a price? Have you any more material or knowledge of where abouts of any more material Best regards Denis
wrote on 29 October 2008
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12:59 pm
I enjoyed watching the dvd about the West Pier. I went on it the day it closed and I have the odd claim to fame of actually being born on the pier in the theatre on 21.4.57. How's that !
wrote on 7 October 2008
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8:55 pm
I have purchased most of the DVD's issued by Chris. The presentation of the subjects is not only unique but most enjoyable. My favourites are the Dyke railway and HardhamCanal Tunnel.
wrote on 18 September 2008
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7:52 pm
Hardham Canal Tunnel I would like to say I did enjoy the DVD and didn’t realise that there was an under pass, let alone being so complex.
wrote on 18 September 2008
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7:48 pm
Hi Chris Hope you are well, you'll probably remember me, I bought one of your DVDs a couple of months ago re the Kemp Town branch line and you were good enough to deliver it to my door and only charge me a fiver for it - thanks! That was certainly money well spent Chris, it is a superb piece of filming and very comprehensively covers the route of the old Kemp Town branch line, but its crowning glory has to be the journey into the tunnel: this has served to whet the appetites of myself and a growing number of enthusiasts who are now desperate to get in there to see things for ourselves.
wrote on 9 September 2008
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12:12 pm
Hello, The DVD of Offham Chalkpit arrived safely today. It is very interesting to see, in detail, something we drive past/over, without ever getting round to explore. As a significant part of our industrial heritage, it would be nice to think that, one day, this feature could be restored and on view. Many thanks. Regards, Barry H.
wrote on 13 April 2008
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10:04 am
Very interesting and constructive work carried out by Dumpman, must have gone thru several pairs of shoes! The DVD's compliment all the pictures I have of the Abandoned Railways of Sussex. The same can be said for Hellingly Mental Asylum and the Branch Line. A very comprehensive collection, nicely put together.
wrote on 1 April 2008
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6:19 pm
The derelict flour mill at Horsebridge near Hellingly is crying out for your treatment, especially as it is earmarked for redevelopment very soon.
wrote on 7 March 2008
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6:46 am
Dear Chris, Just to let you know that I thought you did a fantastic job on the Sheffield Park to Lewes DVD. Fascinating footage and excellent commentary. The Barcome Station footage was particularly good. My own interest has really come from my Dad who was a Bluebell Railway Fireman and occasional driver, up to about 5 years ago. I decided one day that I needed to know where the Railway had come from (i.e, from behind the demolished road bridge at Sheffield park!) ….Hence why this DVD has answered so many questions…. Thanks again and keep up the good work!
wrote on 15 February 2008
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9:10 pm
Just though it was cool cuz my name is dumpman also and I've never met another dumpman
wrote on 6 February 2008
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11:52 pm
Hello, Having just bought your 8 DVD set and the Ouse Valley DVD off eBay, I'd like to say how delighted I am with them. So far I've watched the Ouse Valley DVD and disc 1 of the other set. It's really great to see what you've uncovered. I'd always wanted to know what the tunnels on the Midhurst/Chichester line were like - and now I know. I'm amazed at how fast nature takes over - especially at places like Singleton station. It's a shame that places like the station buildings at Cocking and Singleton could not be filmed in detail. Have you found owners hostile to you filming them? You asked for any comments or suggestions. As you know, The Midhurst/Chichester line was closed between Cocking and Midhurst following collapse of an embankment just South of Midhurst. I would like to have seen the site of the collapse and any evidence remaining as this is such a fundemental part of the line's demise. Keep up the good work - it's fascinating and, as you say in your literature, it saves us having to do it! Best regards, Peter
wrote on 6 February 2008
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11:50 pm
The two DVDs most recently purchased from you on the routes from ThreeBridges to Groombridge via East Grinstead were, as usual, excellent.Although I have in the past walked various sections of these lines I mustsay that the use of filmimg from your bike certainly adds somethingdifferent and really makes you feel you are travelling on the line.
wrote on 6 February 2008
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11:47 pm
Chris Thanks very much, just watched it. Fascinating stuff, well done. Really enjoyed it. I will definately have some of your other films. I'll have to make a decision which to get next. Thanks again Dave
wrote on 6 February 2008
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11:44 pm
Hi Just wanted to day how delighted I am with the DVD bringing back many memories of when we lived in Ashurst Wood (between EG and F Row) and rode our (now sadly long gone) horses along the railway line from East Grinstead to Hartfield. I managed to get a permissive route opened which came onto the railway line on the LHS just past the 2nd bridge from Forest Row - you can see the gate on the DVD! Also managed to get the council to surface the track from the top of the first bridge from EG down to the railway line as all the horses left their shoes behind in the thick mud! A great DVD - many thanks. Heather
wrote on 16 January 2008
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7:24 pm
Now I have read all your descriptions, I can say that I managed to get to see Mayfield station (The road bridge was missing just to the south, so I went up the bank.). The funniest thing was the station (can't remember the name, but think it was last one before Eridge.)which had a swimming pool between the platforms! (seen by climbing the bank left after another demolished road bridge to the south.) It was from here heading North that I lost the track. After wandering for ages through forest (on the road!)I came to the main Tunbridge to Eridge road. Of course I turned Right, the wrong way! so ended up in Tunbridge. All of my track bashing was on foot. I used Railway Rover tickets, and tried to "bridge" between used bits, such as Polgate to Eridge. I have also covered the Kent and East Sussex railway from Robertsbridge to Tenterden (How I got home is a LONG story! No Buses!) All my trips were a LONG time ago (The K&ESR wasn't working to Bodiam yet, and it was a wonderful place, a pity I didn't have a camera...No Digital cameras then!) OK, must have been the mid to late 1970s! (Yes, I have "done" the whole length of Kemp Town Tunnel (and been inside the old junction Signal Box!). Was the shuttering still up where they blocked up the door that was left when the Lewes Road end was blocked up? I actually had a section (Corner Gusset Plate)of the girder span from Lewes Road viaduct (put in after Bomb damage)which I carried home when it was being cut up. (I had to get rid of my collection of rail, chairs, bit of viaduct etc. to the scrappy by the viaduct when I moved home!) So, you are not alone in being a little crazy!
wrote on 16 January 2008
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6:44 pm
Well, well. I used to live in Brighton, and reckon I must have covered pretty much the same ground, walking the old railways. For some time our house fire was fuelled from a huge pile of coal that was left in the coal yard at Isfield Station (Lavender's yard.) I too have scrambled down and up the Dyke Steep Grade Railway, and found the concrete supports for the Cableway. Also followed most of the Dyke branch up from Aldrington. I got a bit lost following the Polgate to Eridge line, it all got a bit overgrown with Gorse (ouch) Nort of Heathfield Tunnel! I will have to read the rest of your descriptions!