I'm doing a bit of research about Chelfham while I wait for the turnouts. I've wondered for a while about the taller telegraph pole in the above photo - the one with a buzzard sat on it. In various photographs from the opening of the line until it closed, it is evident that the pole took the telephone wires over the running lines to another pole just this side of the station building. It was a little less tall - a tad higher than the flu.
Ah, yes - the flu that was on the gable end, but which is absent from the model. As are the pole and any termination insulators.
Anyhow, I am reminded that from day 1 of owning the layout I've found the telegraph poles to be rather delicate. One has sheared off completely, and several have lost their cross-pieces and insulators (the tall one pictured was modelled with 2 but should have 3). One pole between the water tower and the down starter signal is not modelled at all (it should connect to the one with the buzzard), and I'm left with the distinct impression that by SR days the poles on the viaduct were very short indeed. So short that using the refuges might have posed a health hazard. The pole that broke off was timber, though the prototype seems to have been concrete by the period modelled - dates are sketchy.
The buzzard, by the way, I perched on the pole for a children's competition at Warley. The question was: "What is the station cat looking at?" It was early Sunday before I'd managed to find the buzzard, paint it, and install it.
My other research subject for the day has been wiring lists ... more anon, because tomorrow I take possession of the first turnouts.
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