About 5 miles east of Night Crawlers thread Pillbox's along the Thames lies Gatehampton Viaduct.This carries the GW mainline across the Thames approx 2 miles Reading side of Goring Stn.Apart from the viaduct itself there are another three sites of intrest next to it.
A type 22 pillbox guards its south side and is in very good condition externally and internally !!
Its ID number still in place.
A view thrrough an emrasure looking east towards Reading.
On the viaduct itself at the Reading end on the south side is a gun emplacement.
Complete with its rusting gun retaining bolts !!
Amazingly on the opposite side of the viaduct lies a decaying van which (i think) used to carry water softening bricquetts to the long since removed water treatment plant which used to supply the water troughs at Lower Basildon.These were troughs placed between the running rails of all four tracks which were filled with enough water to replenish the tenders of steam locos-and the boiler water tanks of early diesels-whilst the train passed over them.(Picked up by a scoop on the loco)These troughs must have been removed around 1965 yet the little van still remains overgrown and decaying but still showing the remnents of its old livery of maroon and cream.!!
PS If anyone knows what type of vehical this is i would be glad to know.
A type 22 pillbox guards its south side and is in very good condition externally and internally !!
Its ID number still in place.
A view thrrough an emrasure looking east towards Reading.
On the viaduct itself at the Reading end on the south side is a gun emplacement.
Complete with its rusting gun retaining bolts !!
Amazingly on the opposite side of the viaduct lies a decaying van which (i think) used to carry water softening bricquetts to the long since removed water treatment plant which used to supply the water troughs at Lower Basildon.These were troughs placed between the running rails of all four tracks which were filled with enough water to replenish the tenders of steam locos-and the boiler water tanks of early diesels-whilst the train passed over them.(Picked up by a scoop on the loco)These troughs must have been removed around 1965 yet the little van still remains overgrown and decaying but still showing the remnents of its old livery of maroon and cream.!!
PS If anyone knows what type of vehical this is i would be glad to know.