@vrsimility.bsky.social
Ness and RSPB Burton this morning for a nice change of pace. Coffee at the RSPB cafe.
December 12, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Ness and RSPB Burton this morning for a nice change of pace. Coffee at the RSPB cafe.
Think Bury cheated a little on orientation of the water tower. Summary on thoughts to date. vrsimility.micro.blog/2025/12/11/t...
December 11, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Think Bury cheated a little on orientation of the water tower. Summary on thoughts to date. vrsimility.micro.blog/2025/12/11/t...
And I'm wrong about truncation. Matches Shaw's sketch apart from the white building which I assume is distinct from the building shown on Shaw's sketch. Possible mess accommodation for engine drivers etc?
December 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
And I'm wrong about truncation. Matches Shaw's sketch apart from the white building which I assume is distinct from the building shown on Shaw's sketch. Possible mess accommodation for engine drivers etc?
The fact that the railway arches and old water tower don't align, ie that the window is partially occluded, is odd. The span of those arches was probably about 20' which works with the 16' water tower span but doesn't explain the disparity. Weird.
The leftward portion thereafter is truncated.
The leftward portion thereafter is truncated.
December 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The fact that the railway arches and old water tower don't align, ie that the window is partially occluded, is odd. The span of those arches was probably about 20' which works with the 16' water tower span but doesn't explain the disparity. Weird.
The leftward portion thereafter is truncated.
The leftward portion thereafter is truncated.
@edfarrell.bsky.social So if the old water tower piers/abutments are 5' and the span 16' then the remainder rightwards should be 26' -- which it is! So my guess is it was preserved but built around apart from areas where daylight and/or ventilation was required by whatever was under the arches.
December 11, 2025 at 2:30 PM
@edfarrell.bsky.social So if the old water tower piers/abutments are 5' and the span 16' then the remainder rightwards should be 26' -- which it is! So my guess is it was preserved but built around apart from areas where daylight and/or ventilation was required by whatever was under the arches.
Wondering whether the righthand arch is an air intake for the engine and whether the area in front corresponds to the open area under the lefthand arch of the water tower in the 1849 map.
December 11, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Wondering whether the righthand arch is an air intake for the engine and whether the area in front corresponds to the open area under the lefthand arch of the water tower in the 1849 map.
Possibly worth mentioning that there is something different about the arch under the water tower and apparently also the next arch to the right (not shown). Whether that relates to equipment under the arch or whatever is above them (road, tanks) is unclear.
December 11, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Possibly worth mentioning that there is something different about the arch under the water tower and apparently also the next arch to the right (not shown). Whether that relates to equipment under the arch or whatever is above them (road, tanks) is unclear.
Nice day so walked to #WestKirby and around the Marine Lake. Always a pleasure.
December 10, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Nice day so walked to #WestKirby and around the Marine Lake. Always a pleasure.
Assuming those are ladders it might suggest that work was underway c1833 and access from track level might suggest it projected over the ramp at that time? Not sure about the arches but it does suggest there was no passage on the south side. collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/alma...
December 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Assuming those are ladders it might suggest that work was underway c1833 and access from track level might suggest it projected over the ramp at that time? Not sure about the arches but it does suggest there was no passage on the south side. collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/alma...
The absence of pillars associated with the cistern house contrasts markedly with the arrivals station. One rather curious feature, however, is the narrowing of the footpath, especially below east end of same.
December 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The absence of pillars associated with the cistern house contrasts markedly with the arrivals station. One rather curious feature, however, is the narrowing of the footpath, especially below east end of same.
I would say look to see how early railway engineers solved the problem elsewhere but the situation is unusual as the cistern/water tower is on a viaduct. Will ponder further but first observation is that 17ft is about right but 44ft is significantly longer than 4x8ft.
December 6, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I would say look to see how early railway engineers solved the problem elsewhere but the situation is unusual as the cistern/water tower is on a viaduct. Will ponder further but first observation is that 17ft is about right but 44ft is significantly longer than 4x8ft.
Great music, great setting!
December 5, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Great music, great setting!
For anyone camera-shy, the story goes that this little girl disappeared but, after much searching, she was found under a table clutching a bunch of grapes where she was duly painted by the artist, Sir Joshua Reynolds. From today’s visit to the Lady Lever.
December 5, 2025 at 4:15 PM
For anyone camera-shy, the story goes that this little girl disappeared but, after much searching, she was found under a table clutching a bunch of grapes where she was duly painted by the artist, Sir Joshua Reynolds. From today’s visit to the Lady Lever.
For a bit of fun I tried using ai to make the image photorealistic and adding some passengers. Not entirely successful, mass trespass!
December 4, 2025 at 10:31 PM
For a bit of fun I tried using ai to make the image photorealistic and adding some passengers. Not entirely successful, mass trespass!
Great stuff, Ed. Very rough #OpenSim build reimagining the 1837 station along similar lines. Canopy copied from Earlestown, emphasis on use of wood. Long way to go.
December 4, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Great stuff, Ed. Very rough #OpenSim build reimagining the 1837 station along similar lines. Canopy copied from Earlestown, emphasis on use of wood. Long way to go.
Bright but chilly circuit of #Royden punctuated by coffee at Benty’s and a Big Wing flyby. #crapNaturePhotography
December 3, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Bright but chilly circuit of #Royden punctuated by coffee at Benty’s and a Big Wing flyby. #crapNaturePhotography
It's the OpenSim Community Conference this weekend. I'm not presenting this year but thought I'd post this as a token of the booth that accompanied last year's talk before I tear it down.
December 2, 2025 at 10:23 PM
It's the OpenSim Community Conference this weekend. I'm not presenting this year but thought I'd post this as a token of the booth that accompanied last year's talk before I tear it down.
Brief visit to #WestKirby this afternoon. Coffee at Slinky’s.
December 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Brief visit to #WestKirby this afternoon. Coffee at Slinky’s.
According to wiki Rocket was elsewhere by 1836. Curious as to the commotion in Liverpool Road in this picture.
December 1, 2025 at 4:49 PM
According to wiki Rocket was elsewhere by 1836. Curious as to the commotion in Liverpool Road in this picture.
Pleasant stroll around #PortSunlight this morning. Coffee at Hulme Hall.
November 30, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Pleasant stroll around #PortSunlight this morning. Coffee at Hulme Hall.