Bridport branch exhibition

MarkR

Western Thunderer
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Bridport to Maiden Newton branch line closure.IMG-20251013-WA0004.jpg
To mark the event Bridport museum are holding an exhibition.
Shame about the advertising poster!
It would seem Panniers have evolved over the 50 years!
 

Longbow

Western Thunderer
How strange. A train that doesn't look remotely Great Western, running through scenery that doesn't look remotely like West Dorset.
 

MarkR

Western Thunderer
Quite! We plan to visit soon, I hope the exhibition will be more meaningful than the advertising poster.
Mark
 
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simond

Western Thunderer
One of the many curses of AI, I suspect. Which, since the whole point of the museum exhibit might well be to show archival images and artefacts is ironic.

The more so when you look at the museum’s webpage advertising the same exhibition: Exhibition: The Bridport Branch – A Railway Remembered Bridport Museum

Adam
If my recent experience in Manchester is anything to go by, the objective seems to be “an experience for all the family” rather than anything to do with displaying archival artefacts and images with sensitivity and supporting context.

I'm not sure if my view is an accurate reflection of the stupefaction of the public, or the reaction of a grumpy old git. Probably both, I think.
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
If my recent experience in Manchester is anything to go by, the objective seems to be “an experience for all the family” rather than anything to do with displaying archival artefacts and images with sensitivity and supporting context.

I'm not sure if my view is an accurate reflection of the stupefaction of the public, or the reaction of a grumpy old git. Probably both, I think.

Probably irrelevant to Bridport Museum (volunteer-run, supported by a charitable trust with a very general brief), to be fair.

Not sure which museum in Manchester you have in mind, but the tensions between funding, conservation, research, and presentation in any museum are always present, leaving aside fashions in curation (which doesn't always speak to the other bits!). I suspect here that someone was tasked with whacking together a poster and just asked a 'bot. Which you can, but is poor practise, for lots of reasons. A shame because whoever designed the website could have managed it in 10 minutes - but this is not how small museums usually work, for a range of reasons, only one of which is money.

Adam
 

simond

Western Thunderer
Probably irrelevant to Bridport Museum (volunteer-run, supported by a charitable trust with a very general brief), to be fair.

Not sure which museum in Manchester you have in mind, but the tensions between funding, conservation, research, and presentation in any museum are always present, leaving aside fashions in curation (which doesn't always speak to the other bits!). I suspect here that someone was tasked with whacking together a poster and just asked a 'bot. Which you can, but is poor practise, for lots of reasons. A shame because whoever designed the website could have managed it in 10 minutes - but this is not how small museums usually work, for a range of reasons, only one of which is money.

Adam
Fair point, Adam. And I should apologise to Mark for the thread tangent.

I suspect “fashion” has quite a bit to do with it, coupled with new capabilities “ooh, let’s make it an audio visual experience”, possibly coupled with a very strong imperative to generate footfall, and demonstrate relevance in days when things like museums are at risk of being sidelined, particularly as “there’s no money”.

I had long looked forward to the Manchester Science & Industry museum, and timed it rather poorly as it is being significantly refurbished, but I note that the website Home | Science and Industry Museum apparently fails to mention the cotton spinning exhibit, which is unique, very impressive, about a quarter of the ground floor, and totally fundamental to the development of Manchester.

cheers
Simon
 

David B

Western Thunderer
50 years? Surely not….I remember a cab ride in the Pressed Steel single unit from Bridport to Maiden Newton just before closure as if it was yesterday - the gentle rolling gait of the DMU over the jointed track, the burble of the engines as they coped easily with a surprisingly hilly route, the beautiful West Dorset countryside, the friendliness of the guard and driver chatting away. Much missed.
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
50 years? Surely not….I remember a cab ride in the Pressed Steel single unit from Bridport to Maiden Newton just before closure as if it was yesterday - the gentle rolling gait of the DMU over the jointed track, the burble of the engines as they coped easily with a surprisingly hilly route, the beautiful West Dorset countryside, the friendliness of the guard and driver chatting away. Much missed.

Much like this:


I think dad travelled on it a couple of times in the last months - not in the cab though. The film gives a good impression of the line as you describe it.

Adam
 

MarkR

Western Thunderer
I travelled to Maiden Newton 3 times on the last day, my wife and I where on the last train to arrive at Bridport station!
 
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Tim Hale

Western Thunderer
50 years? Surely not….I remember a cab ride in the Pressed Steel single unit from Bridport to Maiden Newton just before closure as if it was yesterday - the gentle rolling gait of the DMU over the jointed track, the burble of the engines as they coped easily with a surprisingly hilly route, the beautiful West Dorset countryside, the friendliness of the guard and driver chatting away. Much missed.
David,

West Dorset, is surprisingly lumpy, we live on a steep hillside and enjoy epic views from the top of the hill across to Bullbarrow. The hills that separate Yeovil and Dorchester (A37) stretch right across the county, Maiden Newton is in a cleft with the line to Bridport following the terrain down to the coast to West Bay.
 
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