J IS FOR… JOINT RAILWAYS

such is the appeal of Britain’s Joint railways that any single item bearing the initials of two railway companies attracts a premium. of the big companies, the somerset & dorset will always get a lot of attention. talisman stole a march by holding an annual auction at the Gartell light railway, beside the old trackbed, where you can now enjoy a narrow gauge train ride. this year has added extra appeal, as it’s the 50th anniversary since closure of most of the s&d system in 1966 and a number of s&d-related items have come on to the market. the Midland & Great northern Joint railway is not far behind, with signs such as those found by fire buckets making regular appearances at auction; likewise, signal box tread plates bearing the magic M&Gn letters. of course, anything from the more obscure joint lines are even more sought after. recent examples at auction include a Hull & Barnsley & Great central railway cast iron trespass notice that made a hammer price of £480 at stoneleigh on september 3. also at stoneleigh, a lne & lMs Joint no. 3 bridge plate sold for £230, while a Gn pattern M&Gn cast iron boundary marker made £140.