Beyond Honiton to Chard Jct Excl

Beyond Honiton to Chard Junction (Exclusive)

Honiton Tunnel

Taking it easy - Copyright John Cornelius

The last stages of the climb from Honiton to Honiton tunnel Sunday 8th November 1959 Copyright Mike Roach

34006 Bude on a special in January 1966 nearing the end of the climb to the tunnel. Copyright Mike Roach

34006 about to plunge into Honiton tunnel January 1966 Copyright Mike Roach

East of Honiton Tunnel

Heading west West Country 34006 Bude bites into the 1 in 80 bank towards Honiton tunnel. The year is 1949. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

Merchant Navy 35010 'Blue Star' on Honiton bank heading west. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

Another Merchant Navy 35007 'Aberdeen Commwealth' . This is the Down 'Devon Belle' Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

41299 with the 3-coach 1.08pm Lyme Regis to Exeter Central local train in late June 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

Merchant Navy 35014 storms up Honiton Bank with the down ACE (11.00am off Waterloo) in late June 1962. Copyright Mike Roach

34076 coasts down from Honiton Tunnel in June 1962. Copyright Mike Roach

Willmington Class 802 on 1122 Plymouth-Paddington Approaching Wilmington 26th February 2019 Copyright Paul Barlow

4472 on Honiton Bank 29th December 1999. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection. 160710_Heritage_E_LNER_4472_Honiton_29-12-99 (Thought to be east of the tunnel)

Seaton Junction

Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

S_BR_30831_Seaton_Junction Maunsell S15 class 4-6-0 no. 30831 draws into Seaton junction station with a stopping train from Exeter to Salisbury. 30831 was a Salisbury engine from nationalisation until withdrawal in November 1963.
[Mike Morant collection]

Seaton Junction 11th Sept 1963 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co at Seaton Junction 11th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach. Built at Eastleigh locomotive works in December 1941 and given the Southern Railway number 21C6. 21C6 was allocated to Salisbury Shed where she remained based throughout her working life. In December 1942 the locomotive's Bulleid chain-driven valve gear failed near Honiton on an evening goods service when one of the valve chains parted, throwing oil over the boiler cladding, track and lineside vegetation, which then ignited. In 1948 the locomotive was renumbered as 35006. From November 1955 all members of the Merchant Navy class were substantially rebuilt, with 35006 and 35028 Clan Line being the last two examples to be modified in October 1959.Rebuilding included the removal of the air-smoothed casing, and the fitting of Walschaerts valve gear. 35006 was withdrawn in August 1964, with a final mileage of 1,134,319. She was bought by Dai Woodham for £350 and sent to Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales. Whilst at the scrapyard the tender was sold to a group restoring another Merchant Navy locomotive, and many fittings were removed from the engine. The remains of 35006 were purchased for preservation in 1983 with the intention of restoring her to running order. The locomotive was moved to Toddington, the principal station of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. She was the 144th locomotive to leave the scrapyard.

With reference to the history above here is Sids picture of 35006 at Woodhams scrapyard in June 1965 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Seaton Junction 34083 '605 Squadron' runs in with an up stopping service 11th Sept 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

780513d The exterior of Seaton Junction station Copyright Roger Winnen

On the longest day of the year Mike Roach kindly sent in these pictures of this quite remarkable footbridge - furthest away in the picture above.

The leading locomotive has quite a history. Built March 1968. Named 'Hercules' 6th March 1975, Renamed ;Sir Edward Elgar' 25th February 1984. Originally withdrawn in 1991. then reinstated for railtour use in 1992. Now owned by Boden Rail Engineering Ltd. Original name 'Hercules' reapplied. As for the train engine Built as D437 in September 1968, Named in June 1968, withdrawn 9th September 1991 and scrapped at MC Metal, Glasgow in December 1992. Seaton Junction station closed 7th March 1966. Copyright John Cornelius

47711 passes through the remains of Seaton Junction Sunday 24th May 1992 with 1O41 1454 Plymouth to Waterloo. Hard to believe the station had closed over 26 years earlier. Copyright Ron Kosys

'Lion' had Cornish connections in that it was the first of the 50's seen in Cornwall, it was sent from 'up north' to the South West for driver experience. This was sometime before it gained the name. Note the sad state of the station, there is already a boat parked nearby, the cable ducting in a credit to those who laid it - 'straight as a die' '50027 still 'roars' being based in preservation on the Mid Hants Railway. Copyright John Cornelius.

47709 passes through Seaton Junction 2V13 1258 Sundays Waterloo to Exeter 24th May 1992 Copyright Ron Kosys

Seaton Junction, the station closing along with the Seaton branch on the 7th March-1966 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Seaton Junction from the public footbridge west end of station Copyright Andrew Triggs

Seaton Junction, gate firmly shut. Canopy roofless Copyright Andrew Triggs

Seaton Junction from the roadbridge at the east end of the station. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Axminster

Axminster, the approach from the west. The Lyme Regis branch bridge in situ 8th April 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

A powerful image. Although there was some doubt the signalbox behind the locomotive confirms the location to be Axminster. The loco, 34052 Lord Dowding, was one of the last of the class to be withdrawn in July 1967. Copyright Steve Richards

In the bay waits 41291 ready for the East Devon Railtour. 1965 Copyright Mike Roach

The East Devon Railtour was over subscribed and thus ran on two successive Saturdays 28th February and 7th March 1965 - being East Devon Railtour Number 1 and East Devon Railtour number 2. The timings were Axminster depart 11.48, Lyme Regis Arrive 12.10 depart 12.20 return to Axminster arr 12.54

The train crew checks the coupling of the lead engine on the train. East Devon Railtour 1965. Note the lines ahead - the Lyme Regis branch climb steeply first to the right and then left to cross over the Southenr main line. 1965 Copyright Mike Roach

Axminster a view of the railtour prior to departure. January 1965 Copyright Mike Roach

41206 on the back of the train follows it out - it will lead on the return journey from Lyme Regis. 1965 Copyright Mike Roach

Axminster 34072 257 Sqd 11th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Axminster 11th September 1963 34072 257 Squadron has come to a stand at the up platform Copyright Mike Roach

Axminster 34088 213 Squadron at the down platform 11th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

On Travelling Safes - John Cornelius
I remember the travelling safes from my time at Axminster.
If I remember rightly the safe was on our 0940 to Exeter and one of my duties was to put the Axminster remit in the safe which was chained and padlocked securely in the guards van.Of course very occasionaly I would forget it due to being busy with something else as the train arrived much to the displeasure of the booking clerk,who then had to advise Exeter of the error.Of course the money was then sent the next day.
all part of lifes rich tapestry. cheers JOHN C.

S_BR_35006_Axminster_8-54 Bulleid original Merchant Navy pacific no. 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co storms past Axminster with a West of England express in August 1956. 35006 would be Jarvised sic in 1959 but would last only until 1964 being withdrawn from service at Salisbury mpd in the August of that year. Yet another profligate waste of the taxpayers' money it seems.
[Mike Morant collection]

A London bound train calls at Axminster. The Lyme Regis branch bridge is clearly visible in the distance. Copyright Roger Winnen

Axminster 14th April 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen It would appear as if the Lyme Regis branch bridge is still in situ.

780513c Class 33 arrives Axminster with Exeter-Waterloo service Copyright Roger Winnen

Heavy work by the local PW gang. Copyright John Cornelius

Copyright John Cornelius This view of the station looking almost derelict can be compared with a modern view where the scene has changed almost beyond recognition. Double track once more, a new footbridge and a very smart appearance.

205029 approaches Axminster on the 7th December 1991. Copyright John Cornelius N.B. John adds a note :- A 'HAMPSHIRE' demu on an Exeter- Waterloo service arriving at Axminster. When I worked at Axminster station, they would be pressed into service to cover, when there was a loco failure and nothing else was available. Sometimes a '4TC' SET and a '33/1' were used.

140607zh Axminster Station frontage for the Axe Valley Change herefor a bus Service to Seaton and Beer. Copyright Roger Winnen

50010 went into traffic in March 1968, the name Monarch was applied on the 16th March 1978. It was withdrawn on the 27th September 1988 and scrapped at Laira by Coopers Copyright John Cornelius in May 1992

Many thanks to Brian Pibworth who brings us 'bang up to date' with tis view of Axminster from the road overbridge. On a mizzly January afternoon DBS 66107, running as 042M, the 1134 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Westbury Down T.C., drifts through Axminster Station on a test run in advance of planned diversions in February and March 2019. The LSWR "Mock Gothic" buildings are largely intact and as well as usual station facilities, accommodate a base for on-train caterers. In the background is the new overbridge built to house passenger lifts. It's 12.27 on 24th January 2019. Copyright Brian Pibworth.

47701 Axminster 1V15 1458 Waterloo to Exeter on Sunday 24th May 1992 Copyright Ron Kosys

47709 approaching Axminster with 2O03, the 1722 off Exeter St Davids to Waterloo Sunday 24th May 1992 Copyright Ron Kosys

Axminster Gates Crossing

Morning Keith , Looking through some negs in the last day or so
I thought this one would be of interest to you.
A train at Axminster gates xing when it was still single line and the old signal box still in situ. When I was at Axminster we used it for shelter
if we were manually operating the barriers when their was a failure.
Cheers JOHN C.

A further note from John Cornelius. Axminster gates crossing was situated at the bottom of castle hill about a quarter of a mile east from Axminster station.The area east of there has been developed over the years with housing.
When the line was double track, Axminster gates box controlled the the crossing,but when the line was singled it was closed and remained as a refuge for staff when the barriers were on local control and of course all equipment was removed. When the new loop was put in through Axminster a few years ago the old box was demolished with the modernisation at the crossing.

A lovely colourful shot of the redundant signal box was used as a shelter if there was a need for manual operation of the barriers. Copyright John Cornelius.

Axminster Gates Level Crossing Control
Further information kindly supplied by Chris Osment (Rail West)

Axminster Gates used to have a 10-lever ‘knee’ type ground-level frame (which I believe has been preserved privately). It was opened in 1893 as a block-post, but downgraded to ground-frame (GF) status in 1913. When the signal-box at Axminster station was closed on 5th March 1967 the GF was upgraded temporarily to block-post status until the line was singled on 11th June 1967, whereupon it reverted to GF status again. The gates were replaced by full lifting barriers on 25th February 1973, then subsequently the GF was closed on 16th December 1973 and control of the signals and barriers was transferred to a new control point in the station office, with CCTV supervision of the crossing. When the ‘dynamic loop’ was installed at Axminster the station control-point was closed and control of the crossing transferred to Chard Junction signal-box. Now of course it is all controlled from Basingstoke.

My photo shows the control point in the station on 13th July 1984.

Regards

Chris

Coaden Bridges is about one and a half miles east of Axminster N . The picture is of a train crash in June 73. Note the vans pilled up in the field and the tanker standing in the ballast. Copyright Doug Nicholls

Tony Hill has kindly written in concerning this accident and why it happened. I remember this extensive derailment caused I think by a severe hotbox/sheared journal on a Vanfit..this was the 1925 (or thereabouts) M-F freight from Avonmouth Royal Edward Yd to Ponsandane which for some reason (either due planned or emergency closure somewhere on the Bristol to Exeter main line) was diverted via Westbury and Yeovil to Exeter Riverside. This train mainly conveyed Vanfits of animal feedstuffs from the Avonmouth Mills & Docks and fertiliser from the ICI works at Severn Beach for the then still several rail served goods yards in Devon & Cornwall. The sacks were manhandled into and out of the wagons on sack trucks, with no pallets or forklifts, yet alone dumpy bags or in bulk ! Once the M5 motorway opened this rail traffic was soon lost to road transport as the Agricultural merchants found it quicker, more efficient with less handling, and cheaper to send their lorries up and collect it themselves, delivering direct to their depots and farm customers. Tony Hill
Many thanks to you Tony

And more from David Tozer. The line was blocked between 7th and 11th March near Fosse Way Bridge, Axminster. The freight train was hauled by a 'Peak' when nine wagons were derailed. The freight train was diverted from it's usual route via Taunton. The service started at Severn Tunnel Junction and was bound for Riverside Yard. The wagons conveyed large bags of fertiliser produced at Ince and Elton, Merseyside and was for delivery in Devon and Cornwall. Many thanks David.

Taunton STOP LINE
Just at the east end of the current Axminster Loop two concrete pillars will be noted either side of the track.
These formed part of the Taunton Stop Line. They were erected during WW2 and intended, should an invasion have occurred, to hinder progress up the country from the south west. See screen shot below by Colin Burges.

Taunton Stop Line at Axminster. Image courtesy Google Earth. Sceenshot by Colin Burges

Axe Crossing

Broom Crossing Approximately two and three quarter miles from Chard Junction

Severe Flooding at Broom Crossing. Some pics of the result of severe flooding down the AXE valley during the night of December 31st 2000 & January 1st 2001. I was on late turn at Chard Junction that Sunday evening.
The water started rising around 2100 and by midnight the floods had more or less reached a peak of 6 feet deep in the milk factory yard and on the road both sides of the crossing. The water was also running down the the railway line through the old branch platforms like a river. The men in the factory weighbridge hut were marooned there for three or four hours until the water subsided. Likewise I couldn't get out to go home because of the floods in the road, so I advised Waterloo control of the situation and told them I would remain on duty through the night to monitor the situation. Gradually the water receded and by 03.30 was clear of the road and milk factory yard and the milk lorries got on the move.
I then took a handlamp and walked the station limits between both sets of points inspecting the line,thankfully the track was o.k. After this I reported to Waterloo control and told them, that while the track was ok at Chard junction, I suggested that p/way carry out a full examination of the line before any trains were allowed to run in the morning. This they did and found the washout at Broom.
What a night!! cheers JOHN C. Luckily for us John has sent us pictures from his 'Treasure Trove'of the washout at Broom Crossing. Many thanks to the man at the scene, John Cornelius - it's recorded history. By his actions in phoning Waterloo Control and closing the line there is no doubt that John prevented a serious accident.