The day had started out bright and sunny, so I decided that finishing work early and a walk through the countryside would be a good tonic. Leaving the disusedairfield where I work, I headed west, leaving the memories of Spitfires with their wonderfully sounding Merlin engines far behind. About 30 minutes later I was along a little used footpath, when I heard the shriek of a steam whistle and the puffing and clattering that usually signifies that something interesting is happening, and nearby as well.

Cresting a small rise I saw a small vertical boilered steam locomotive pulling a string of dilapidated tippers. I managed a quick snap with the camera, and then as it passed I ran up a grassy knoll to get a second picture as the train clattered into the distance.

I continued over the field and up a steep hill,in the distance I could hear machinery, so curiously headed off in that direction. About five minutes later I found my objective; a small railway yard with a lot of activity. On closer observation, I realized that the steam train that was sitting quietly in the yard was the one I had photographed earlier on.

A Simplex diesel sat on a spur, whilst further along the yard, a number of rather short rotund gentlemen appeared to be addressing a large pile of gravel with some shovels. Not wishing to trespass, I walked over and introduced myself to them.

It transpired that they were 'Shropshire Dobbers' (you have to say it with a rustic burr) and they worked for a Mr. Bennett who owned the Burlap Pits, Sand and Gravel Company. He was a very amicable man, when he was about, and the Dobbers assured me that my presence would not be a problem as long as I watched out for moving trains and plant...." We wurdn't want then gennlemen frum the Elf an Safty Eggezecutive cummin over ere an snoopinn around loik.."

I moved off to soak in the ambience of the site when the peace was shattered by the roar of a diesel engine as a crane sprung into life. This was driven by a rather large and very rude American gentleman called Eddie, who after asking me rather impolitely to move out of the way, proceeded to direct the clearing up of the gravel pile by some profanity and a cloud of cigarette smoke. Apparently, it was all the dobber's fault that the gravel had ended up where it was, and as far as he was concerned, they could clear it up; it was not a job for his crane.

I moved away from the gravel pile and was climbing the embankment on the other side of the yard when a second train pulled in. It's driver pulled up and left the loco simmering whilst he went into a small office,presumably for instructions. (I was going to say directions, but a train is stuck on the rails witha fixed route isn't it?)

After a few more snaps I realized that time was marching on and the sun was

beginning to drop below the horizon. I bade farewell to the dobbers, and made a rude gesture to Eddie, but only when his back was turned! Then I started to walk along the track which I knew would eventually bisect the footpath I had walked along prior to stumbling on this little gem. Lo and behold, as I rounded a tight curve, I met none other than the Mr. Bennett, who was inspecting a section of permanent way at what was obviously a disused station.

He explained that the line had been a part of the 18" gauge Poynton Estate and Roden Uplands. The dismal state of the station was due to the fact that one of the PERU owners used this place as an illicit drinking den, and a quick look inside revealed a place festooned with beer cans, gin bottles and what looked suspiciously like a still.

After a few minutes of polite conversation, I asked that my thanks should be passed onto the Dobbers for their hospitality earlier on in the afternoon. Mr. Bennett looked at me horrified. "You've seen Dobbers?" he whispered. I replied in the affirmative, and told him about the trains and Eddie. Bennett shrank back from me."Eddie died ten years ago, and the dobbers haven't worked around here for about the same time. As for the trains, well it must be twenty years since the last one ran...I think you've been out in the sun too long! And with that he turned and walked quickly away.

Did I imagine it all, or had I stepped through a time warp into the past.........

Richard Ough