In a much more carefree era, the use of a running line as a place for railwaymen to sit down and 'chew the fat' was perfectly normal. At Audenshaw Junction near Guide Bridge in 1951 this is exactly what is happening as ex-LNER Gresley 'J39' 64714 trundles past unconcernedly! 64714 was built at Darlington in Dec. 1926 and was withdrawn in May 1959.
