LNER J39 0-6-0 No 64887 with a Leicester Belgrave Road-Colwick freight leaving Hose tunnel just to the south of Long Clawson Station on 22 August 1959.

Richard Pike observes " The LNER Sectional Appendix, 1947 has this.... 'A telephone, communicating with the signalbox at Long Clawson Station, is fixed in a cupboard in front of the Watchman's hut on the downside of the line, 120 yards south of Hose tunnel, to be used when neccessary by the Engineer's watchman, or by Guards or Enginemen of trains which have to stop near this point owing to failure of the engine or other cause'.

Whilst this is clearly not as described it's still unusual for a lineside phone to be provided like this. Why was there an Engineers Watchman? The French drains suggest stability problems perhaps?"

Photo: T.G. Hepburn / Rail Archive Stephenson