| This is one of several rail block sites that still exist on the
disused Great Western Railway track. The
structure that faces the one in the pictures has
not been photographed as it is
overgrown. [Map ref. ST 34170 13951] |
| A short distance south along the
old rail
track is another rail block site (photographed from the south). Unusually, both structures in this pair
are free from undergrowth. [Map ref. ST 34174 13551] |
|
Barrier slot with 'closed top'. |
|
Barrier slot with 'open top'. |
|
When being prepared for action, one end of an iron or steel girder would be placed into the 'closed top' slot of the first structure of the rail block and the other end of the girder would be lowered down into the 'open top' slot of the second structure - on the other side of the track. This procedure would be repeated until sufficient girders were in place. To prevent the girders being lifted out, a long locking pin, or bolt, would be inserted into a channel in the upper side of the 'open top' structure, passing all the way through the structure and above the girders, before being secured on the far side. In the picture above the aperture of a locking pin channel can be seen near the top of the structure. The rail block would have been covered by defending forces. |