Beyond Honiton to Salisbury

Beyond Honiton to Salisbury

Honiton Tunnel

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

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1959.Rebuilding included the removal of the air-smoothed casing, and the fitting of Walschaerts valve gear. 35006 was withdrawn in August 1964, with a final mileage of 1,134,319.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

Seaton Junction as D400+50007 pass by on the 24th May 1992 1O39 1543 Sundays Exeter-Waterloo Copyright Ron Kosys

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

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

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

Axminster station with Tangmere passing through on the Atlantic Coast Express ACE 7th April 2013 Copyright Paul Negus

Axe Crossing

Broom Crossing

Chard Junction

Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

Milk Traffic from Chard Junction
An article by Brian Pibworth

In the course of catching up with "Cornwall Railways" postings, my eye was caught by Dave Tozer's reply re. refurbished milk tankers.

"I can only recall seeing them once heading to Chard Junction. I suspect they were never used much".

It rather depends on what you call "much", as during the summer of 1981 Chard Junction Creamery was host to freight movements unseen for several years, as two rakes of milk tanks, refurbished through some sort of EEC funding, carried surplus milk from the Milk Marketing Board creamery, to a similar plant at Stowmarket in Suffolk.

Unfortunately, while providing a spectacle for us local rail enthusiasts, the project suffered from the "dead hand" of BR and local self interest and didn't last long.

I may be a bit thin on remembering detail but as I recall, the working depended on an inspector, signaller, pilotman and shunter being driven in a Transit van the 60 miles from Westbury Shed to enable the mainline loco to access the milk siding and extract/return the tanks. This cavalcade was often late and the MMB shunter, restricted to their private siding and headshunt, was sometimes reluctant to start . Delay was the order of the day and there was still considerable local resentment of BR (W) taking over "our" freight as they scaled down the old Southern route in favour of "their" GWR main line to Exeter.

Having unlocked gates and points and shuffled the rolling stock, the train would eventually be dispatched eastwards, to the relief of Chard Junction Signal Box, who viewed the whole exercise with great scepticism. The full trains took the Southern route to Yeovil Jnc then via Castle Cary to Stowmarket, but returned the empties via Exeter.

The last nail in the coffin resulted from the lack of washout facilities at Stowmarket which meant that the empties spent many hours sitting in the summer sun with the residual milk contents rapidly "going off". On return to Chard, one of the milk dock reception gang was detailed to climb into the tank and clean out the curdled mess with just a brush and hosepipe. For this privilege he was awarded 50p per tank and there was significant resistance to taking on the task, not only from the workers but also from wives burdened with additional laundry. Added to this, the job theoretically took road driving turns away from the Chard plant, so the project was doomed even before the EEC funding ran out and after a few fits and starts eventually ceased later that year.

So Dave is right to say they were never used much, but when they were, we certainly enjoyed the spectacle.

Best Wishes. Brian Pibworth Very many thanks to Brian for his notes and photographs.

Chard Milk 1) 47346 arrives at Chard Junction with empty milk tankers 22nd August 1981 Copyright Brian Pibworth

2) The Milk Marketing Board shunter propels empty milk tanks into the MMB siding 22nd August 1981 Copyright Brian Pibworth

3) 47346 assists the MMB shunter back to milk factory 22nd August 1981 Copyright Brian Pibworth

4) The next day 31123 sets back onto a rake of full milk tanks 23rd August 1981 Copyright Brian Pibworth

5) Calling for the road at Chard Junction. 31123 with MMB and BR attendants 23rd August 1981 Copyright Brian Pibworth

6) 31123 ready to depart with full tanks for Stowmarket 23rd August 1981 Copyright Brian Pibworth

7) 31123 hard at work on the climb past Ammerham between Chard Jnc and Crewkerne 23rd August 1981 Copyright Brian Pibworth

Many thanks to Brian Pibworth for this account of a very short but interesting period in the history of Chard junction.

A footnote from Andy Richards dated 8th March 2016 Excellent article on the Chard Junction Creamery. I moved to Chard Junction in 1998 (no milk train then unfortunately) when the St Erth Dairy shut.
I stayed at Chard until 2008 before moving on. In 1998 Chard was part of the St Ivel group, St Ivel sold Chard to Dairy Crest in 2001. Sadly Chard shut its doors for the last time in September 2015. The site has been decommissioned and if the rumours are correct demolishion will start shortly. Another part of the railway history gone for ever.

Chard Junction. Passing P470 8th April 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

780513h Chard Junction (Closed 7th March 1966) Copyright Roger Winnen

780513g Exeter-Brighton passing Chard Jct. - Copyright Roger Winnen

780513k The LSWR Signal Box at Chard Junction Copyright Roger Winnen

780513k The LSWR Signal Box at Chard Junction The bay platform for trains to Chard Central was on the far side of this platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

790613d Chard Junction with an Industrial Diesel in the Milk Factory. Directly opposite the station lay a milk factory on the down side. Copyright Roger Winnen

780513j Nameboard still in place on the branch platform at Chard Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

Chard Jct Sun HST diversions through Chard Jct. The driver, already exercised by the long single-line sections, was now stopped to advise of cattle on the line ahead!! 11th October 1982 Brian Pibworth

920606f The new Signal Box at Chard Jct. Copyright Roger Winnen

IT was the end of an era on Friday night 9th March 2012 as Chard Junction’s historic signal box saw its final train through the former station. At 23.53 the last train to be signalled by the signal box passed through on its way to Salisbury. From Monday, trains between Yeovil and Honiton started to be controlled by a state-of-the-art Signalling Control Centre at Basingstoke. By April 2012, all remaining signal boxes between Salisbury and Exmouth Junction will have transferred to Basingstoke to end 148 years of manual signalling on the line to Exeter. There has been a signal box at Chard Junction for 137 years with the current box replacing the original in 1982, but re-using the original stone base. The last train was passed through by signalman Tim Hoad, who worked on the railway for 23 years, 16 of them at Chard, and Chris Phillimore, managing director of railway consultancy and equipment company TIR, watched it race through at midnight. From This is the West Country 15th March 2012

More notes on Chard Junction Signalbox kindly provided by Martin Duff, Operations Manager
Reference photographs below. Seen on a freezing Sunday morning in December 2010 during a visit when I was on-call. The panel at Chard seen in the photograph was short lived, it was provided in 2009 when a new dynamic loop was provided at Axminster to allow an hourly service to operate (services to Paignton and Plymouth finished at the same time). The box was new in late 1982 (the earlier structure already the subject of a fine study by Roger Winnen on the CRS web pages) and was pleasantly situated on the up side of the line, almost opposite the former creamery. With the hourly service, occasional diverted HST's and ad hoc moves it was a reasonably busy place to work, especially with passing trains at Axminster and supervising the CCTV level crossing there too. Closure came in March 2012 when all signalling was re-controlled up to Basingstoke in phase 2 of 3 for the Salisbury - Exeter scheme. Sadly the structure came down within weeks - literally disappearing one mid week night. The panel however survives as an exhibit in Yeovil Railway Centre. When it was decommissioned I made enquiries of my colleagues in NR and there was no use for the panel and it was not required as strategic reserve, even its shell so it was gifted to YRC.

The smart panel at Chard Junction new box. December 2010 Copyright Martin Duff

Taken on a foggy morning in December 2010 just as the sun was beginning to break through. Copyright Martin Duff

Looking towards Exeter. December 2010 Copyright Martin Duff.

A study from the platform at Chard Junction across the level crossing looking towards Salisbury. Double track remains at this point. December 2010 Copyright Martin Duff

THE END.
Chard Junction Box on the last day.

Chard Junction signal box on the last day Left to Right John Cornelius, Colin Comber, Bob Discoll, Eric Tyler, Tim Reynolds, Tracey Herrin, Tim Hoad, Helen Tisco, Mike Herrin, John Penny Signal Manager. Picture Copyright John Cornelius

An Interlude
A review of pictures at Chard Junction collected by John Cornelius while he was signalman.

A particularly notable photograph for this site as 'Salisbury' was, very much to the surprise of Cornish folk, the loco which hauled the last BR main line steam train to Penzance and the last steam to use the turntable there. on 3rd May 1964. Copyright John Cornelius

How appropriate. 'Chard' at Chard in April 1961. Copyright John Cornelius

Well off the normally beaten track we see A4 60024 Kingfisher at Chard Junction in September 1966. Copyright John Cornelius

D200 Chard Junction 31st Aug 1987 Copyright John Cornelius

A stranger on these metals. Copyright John Cornelius

Johns post as signalman at Chard Junction gave him the opportunity to witness and us to see unusual workings on the 'Southern' - here is an example. Many thanks John, copyright.

Pausing a while at Chard Junction.
D449 had taken D821 Greyhound, temporarily renamed 'Cornwall', to Falmouth Docks for a twinning ceremony with a Royal Navy ship of the same name - this occurred on the 24th March 2001. Subsequently D821 visited the Bodmin and Wenford Railway for a spell before moving on up country.

It couldn't have happened at a worse time and place! A report from John Cornelius, at the time he was signalman at Chard Junction. Many thanks for this report.

This happened around 06.30 at Chard Junction on March 16th 1997, when a machine leaving an engineers possession suffered a broken hydraulic oil pipe and became a total failure on the crossing, stopping lorries from reaching the milk factory and causing a queue back for nearly a mile.Luckily trains were not affected as they used the loop. The only road traffic that could get by was cars, small vans and cycles.
The crossing was blocked for around three hours whilst waitng for a spare pipe to be brought to site.
When it arrived, it didn't take the mechanic long to fix it and to everyone's relief the machine was moved off the crossing and into the yard and the delayed traffic was able to get moving again.
Just another day of life on the railway. cheers JOHN C.

Also pictures of an earlier possession at Chard Junction.

The end of the Creamery at Chard Junction

Brian Pibworth has kindly sent in the following pictures he took in July 2016 of the demolition work of the Creamery now well advanced.

1) Chard Junction Creamery Demolition July 2016 Copyright Brian Pibworth

2) Chard Junction Creamery Demolition July 2016 Copyright Brian Pibworth Note the tracks serving the creamery still in situ.

3) Chard Junction Creamery Demolition, West End, July 2016 Copyright Brian Pibworth

4) Chard Junction Coal Yard July 2016 Copyright Brian Pibworth. Brian writes :- The coal yard (4) is almost unrecognisable from the old Darch's Coals operation that I remember and the current coal merchant has concentrated business behind a wall of railway sleepers adjacent to the road. This must be more efficient than the historical yard but effectively covers the remains of the Chard Branch station.

Putting things in perspective. Brian took this view with the kind permission of the late Mike Chubb then manager of the creamery. 6) View from top of Chard Junction Creamery 1982 Copyright Brian Pibworth The branch from Chard Central station ran down hill to terminate at an independent platform behind the station building. The branch made a curving approach from the right just off this picture. An HST diverted off its normal route due to work on the Whiteball tunnel stands on the passing loop.

A letter kindly sent in by Brian Pibworth in connection with an inquiry concerning the demolition works of the Creamery at Chard Junction produced some very interesting additionl shots concerning a runaway and a Deltic Railtour.

Hello Keith,

The Chard Junction Creamery appears to have reverted to the original brick buildings which had previously been dominated or enclosed by pre-fabricated additions.

Almost everything in the view from the top of the building in pic 6 has now gone and I am grateful to my friend, the late Mike Chubb, for arranging for me to tour the plant when he was manager there in the 80s. From the HST running by it must have been a Sunday diversion while work was going on re-lining Whiteball Tunnel. (Picture above)

The coal yard (4) is almost unrecognisable from the old Darch's Coals operation that I remember and the current coal merchant has concentrated business behind a wall of railway sleepers adjacent to the road. This must be more efficient than the historical yard but effectively covers the remains of the Chard Branch station.

Regarding the terminus of the Chard Branch, pics (7 & 8) show tracks in the road left by a 20 ton brake van and a wagon which escaped from a shunting operation at Chard Town in 1962 and survived the runaway journey, over several miles of curving downhill track, to hit the blocks at Chard Junction Branch station at about 35 mph. The wagons demolished the blocks, careered across the road and the van embedded itself in the side of the Chard Road Tavern. The tracks remained in the tarmac for several decades but those across the road have now gone and the pub and car park are now part of a private house. A full account of this incident (which had no casualties apart from the wagons and pub wall) can be found on pp 82/83 "Working the Chard Branch"by Derek Phillips and R Eaton-Lacey pub Fox & Co. Yeovil.

Pic (5) Shows the creamery in full operation complete with milk tankers and the old LSWR signal box in 1981. The occasion was an unscheduled stop of the Deltic Devonian Railtour, headed by 55016, which waited 15 min to allow the 11.10 Waterloo - Exeter to pass. The stop attracted many local enthusiasts and photographers including the chap on the right sporting no less than two Exakta cameras! (PS If anyone collects old Exaktas, I still have the odd one deep in our loft). My notes show the film to be HP5 rated at 1600 ASA which indicated November twilight and credit goes to my wife, Patricia, for recording the event.

Hope this fills in a few gaps.

With kind regards

Brian

Gradients - Chard Town to Chard Junction
From a level start at Chard Town the line fell continuously for almost the whole of its length (2 1/2 miles) to Chard Junction where after a final dash down a 1 in 80 curve to a short level section at the platform. The gradients were 1 in 194, 163, 277, 600, 94, 200, 80.

7) Tracks left by runaway wagons, Chard Junction 1982 Copyright Brian Pibworth A view towards the station.

8) Tracks left by runaway wagons, Chard Junction 1982 Copyright Brian Pibworth

Chard Junction - the runaways call for a pint! From the John Cornelius Collection of newspaper cuttings - the original picture taken by David Wheadon

Deltic Devonian Railtour, Chard Junction Nov 1981. Copyright Patricia Pibworth The gentleman with the two cameras is indeed Brian Pibworth

A report received from John Cornelius 31st July 2016 ;- Chard junc milk factory now virtually demolished, has featured quite a bit on the web in recent times.
So here's some pics from 2001 when several million pounds were being invested to update it, including four milk silos, two of which are seen arriving, then being craned into position and the finished job all on the new base.
More on the Runaway wagons. CHARD photographer David Wheadon, captured the scene shortly after the incident and a picture appeared in the local press the following week. I have a prèss cutting of the photo showing the guards van and wagon in the pub yard.
Another runaway.** Also some years before, 0-4-2 No 5812 arriving on a passenger train from Taunton slipped on icy rails,failed to stop, slid through the platform and demolished the buffers,the force of the impact stopping the loco from going into the road.
Enjoy, cheers JOHN C Many thanks for the report and pictures.

** Back in the 1930's 0-4-2 No 5812 arriving on a passenger train from Taunton slipped on icy rails, failed to stop, slid through the platform and demolished the buffers, the force of the impact stopping the loco from going into the road.Photo taken by the late Peter Kirkland - from the John Cornelius Collection,

Buckhorn Weston Tunnel

780513e Class 33 Approaching Crewkerne Tunnel Copyright Roger Winnen

South Western Limited Railtour Copyright John Cornelius

The same railtour returning - this commemorated the passing of the Lord Nelson class in BR service. Copyright John Cornelius

Crewkerne

S_SR_306_Crewkerne Drummond 700 or 'Black Motor' class 0-6-0 No.306 in SR days hauling a down freight at Crewkerne. No. 306 was built by Dübs & Co. And entered LSWR service as its no. 702 in May 1897 but was renumbered as shown here in 1898. This class gave sterling service and 306 would eventually be withdrawn as BR no. 30306 at Eastleigh mpd in April 1962.
[Dr. Ian C. Allen / Mke Morant collection]

780513f Crewkerne Station Copyright Roger Winnen

130630ac Crewkerne Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

130630ag Crewkerne Station looking towards Exeter. Copyright Roger Winnen

130630af The boarded up former Crewkerne Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen

The Railtour is the Exeter-Solent Railtour. The brickwork on the left is the lower part of a retaining wall for Crewkerne's upside goods yard. The footpath across the line from Misterton can be seen with the loco passing over it. Footpaths also ran from either side of the line to the upside and down goods yards. I think this pic (Below) of 30827 on an engineering train at Crewkerne on 2-9-1962 will make it clear. The foot crossing is just behind me in this pic. Copyright John Cornelius

See caption above. Copyright John Cornelius

Sutton Bingham

Sutton Bingham, the down platform including the signalbox and waiting shelter.The signalbox closed 6th May 1969, the station had already closed to passengers on the 31st December 1962, the station previously losing its goods service on the 4th April 1960. This picture courtesy of the Mike Morant Collection

Courtesy of the Mike Morant Collection

Sutton Bingham Halt (Closed 31st December 1962) Pictured 13th June 1979 Copyright Roger Winnen

Yeovil Junction

Map courtesy Google Maps showing both Yeovil Pen Mill (Top of the map) and Yeovil Junction (bottom). The line heading off the to of the map is towards Castle Cary, whilst that to the right is towards Salisbury. The lines heading off the bottom of the map are left hand side to Exeter and right hand side to Weymouth. Please use Zoom and Pan to observe recent track layouts.

790613a Approaching Yeovil Junction from the west. Copyright Roger Winnen

Yeovil Junction 23rd November 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Yeovil Jct Shuttle 30048 2.10 to YT 8th Nov 1959 MLR

A Class 33 Arrives Yeovil Junction with a train to Exeter St Davids 24th April 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen

Busier days in Yeovil Junction Yard on the 31st March 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Friday 13th February 2015 and 159 009 calls at Yeovil Junction with a service from Waterloo to Exeter St Davids. A nowadays most unusual view seen from the former down island platform. The island platform on the up side is now bi-directional. Copyright Craig Munday.

Yeovil Railway Centre

For further details of Yeovil Railway Centre and operations and events please click here https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=yeovil+railway+centre

John Cornelius restores the station sign from Ottery St Mary in the transfer shed at Yeovil Junction

History of the South West Main Steam Co at Yeovil Junction. It was formed in 1993 to preserve the turntable at the junction for future steam railtour locos that required turning. Of course things have moved on a lot since then, from erecting a 15000 gall water tank, recovered from Morlands at Glastonbury in 1994 and building a two road locomotive shed in 1997-1998,plus a myriad of other things over the years. Our greatest coup to date was the signing of a new lease which included the south chord and two small fields. The former Transfer shed is our visitor centre and refreshment area. We have five locos on site, two steam, 'Lord Fisher' and 'Pectin'[which is having its ten year overhaul], and three diesels, Ruston 4wd 'River Yeo', two 0-4-0 Fowlers 'Cockney Rebel' and 'Sam',plus several goods vehicles. A temporary platform was constructed of scaffolding at the east end for special events. Trains normally run on 1st & 3rd Sundays March to October,any other as required plus our
Santa Specials at Christmas.
The future There is talk of south west trains reusing platform 3 again and reinstating the footbridge
and possibly the south chord so Weymouth train could use the junction station. But this is only hearsay at present.
So Keith,this is a quick preamble of the 'Yeovil Railway Centre' as we are better known.
I hope this is of interest cheers JOHN C.

The passenger coach used on the short but interesting line at the Yeovil Railway Centre. Photographed by Mike Bojko on 7th May 2016. Copyright

Morning Keith, I was interested in Mike Bojko's pic of the coach at Yeovil Junction.
I have been a member there for over 20 years. It was the middle coach of a dmu set, No 59515, at the WSR.
It was purchased by one of our members in 2013.The first pic is of it shortly after arrival at Yeovil.
It was modified for our use by our members, the carriage connctions at each end were removed and blanked off and with windows fitted at each end. The toilets in the centre of the coach were removed to make way for wheel chair access and a wider door fitted. A cab has been fitted at the leading end and a vacuum brake fitted for the trailer driver[brakeman] to control stopping the train at the end of the out ward runs.
Its first public appearance was on the 2013 santa specials then in undercoat grey livery.
Since then it has been painted in a light green livery of our choosing and not representing any particular
railway livery. It is normally used on the busier days, on other occasions the 'GWR' brakevan only is used.
I thought this may be of interest. cheers JOHN C.

Recd - 29th August 2016.
Morning Keith, We are quite versatile at Yeovil junction in what we have achieved over the years.
This is one of them. The restoration of Fowler 22900'SAM' which has taken 10/12 years to complete.
IT entered service about two months ago and is used for shunting when our Ruston is not available. It cannot operate passenger trains at present as it has no vacuum brake, only a hand brake.
But it makes a welcome addition to our fleet of small loco's.
'IT' was named 'SAM' after one of our members 'Jack Russell' dog, who was a regular visitor with his master at the centre for several years and nick named 'the railway dog' cheers JOHN C.
A lovely story John, many thanks.

A sequel to Sam
'SAM' belonged to John Barrett,who was our treasurer at Yeovil for several years.
SAM always accompanied him on his visits and became a friend to all the members who came to work at the
centre,hence the nickname 'the railway dog'. Sadly when he was about 12 years old,he was out walking with john one day,both had stopped at the side of the road to let a car pass, when Sam suddenly ran out in front of it and was run over with fatal results.
As John had loaned the money to buy the diesel loco,he suggested that when the loco was restored
it be named Sam in memory of his dog.
However not long after Sam's passing, John bought another 'jack russell' puppy from near Barnstaple
and named it 'BARNY' and of course it comes to Yeovil when ever John comes.
So their we are, hope this is of interest. cheers JOHN C.

Welcome signal

A signal which was at Pen Mill for donkeys years, and was sited at the west end of the up platform has been resited at the Yeovil Railway Centre where it makes a most attractive feature.
History This signal with its indicator boards signalled dopwn trains out on to the 'down main' [To Weymouth]. 'down branch', or 'to shed'.
I think the 'up branch' was used when a Weymouth train was signalled to leave at the same time as a Taunton train, and 'to shed' the loco ran down the up line to Pen Mill shed. 'Down branch' was used only when a train for Taunton was leaving as it crossed to the down main and then onto the branch. The signal was replaced at least five years ago or more. There still are semaphore signals at Pen Mill.
Many thanks for the info John.

A smashing colour picture - Copyright John Cornelius

Yeovil Junction Signalbox

We are most fortunate in having contributions from Martin Duff concerning the signalling of the Basingstoke to Exeter line. Martin was Operations Manager for the changeover from manual boxes to the control centre at Basingstoke.
Many thanks to Martin for letting us have your rare and valuable pictures.

The panel inside Yeovil Junction Signalbox. The double track to the left continues to Templecombe, the single line to the right leads towards Exeter. The single line dropping away to the left is the route to Yeovil Pen Mill which joins the line from Weymouth just before reaching Yeovil Pen Mill. Copyright Martin Duff The grey lines are sidings, those on the top of the diagram serving the private loco shed and turntable.

Detail of the left hand side of the above board. Note various amendments during the changeover period. Copyright Martin Duff

The tokens for the single track section to Pen Mill. Copyright Martin Duff

The fine array of signals controlling entry into Yeovil station from the single line from Pen Mill. Copyright Martin Duff.

A 'drivers eye' view of the above signals. Copyright Martin Duff

Ground Disc YJ10 this is with reference to the catch point on the single line ahead before it enters the station complex. Copyright Martin Duff

Yeovil Junction signalbox Notes courtesy of Martin Duff Operations Manager

Winter 2012, including diverted HST to Penzance - Sunday February 4. Of interest is ground signal YJ16, with its yellow band on a black cut out disc background. This allowed movements toward the siding next to the Pen Mill single line without the signal being cleared. This arrangement is retained in colour light form today. After closure, the frame was recovered for use at Pontypool. Sadly, the structure was doomed, both due condition and location. Not situated for a museum piece, it would involve crossing the track, and then there was a large crack in the brick work at the back. Demolition came in the early hours of Sunday 09/06/2012. YVJ was a lovely little out post of mechanical signalling, with electric token to Pen Mill and tokenless block to Templecombe and Chard Junction. Add the occasional movements in and out of the railway centre and diverted traffic including the night sleepers, the box was an interesting place to be.

DSCF9463 Sunday 4th February - a diverted HST on its way to Penzance. Copyright Martin Duff

A view towards Yeovil Junction for the site of the signalbox 4th February 2012 Copyright Martin Duff Note the steam activity in the background.

Signal YJ16 - see notes above - Copyright Martin Duff. The doomed box in the background.

Yeovil Junction signal box now just a memory - since the 9th of June 2012 Copyright Martin Duff

DSCF9478 Another view of the box - a repaired crack is to be seen to the right of this picture. Copyright Martin Duff

Wyke Crossing signalbox

Wyke Crossing box was reduced to ground-frame status in 1960 and closed in 1964. The box then languished in a nearby orchard until it was rescued by the Gartell Light Railway in 1993, refurbished, extended (by inserting a 6-feet section in the middle), erected on a new base and fitted with a 30-lever McKenzie & Holland frame recovered from Becton Gas Works (in London). There was further refurbishment in 2013-14. Many thanks to Chris Osment for these details.

The former Wyke Crossing box in its current location on the Gartell Light Railway. Copyright Chris Osment

Sherborne

From the Mike Morant Collection

50013 Agincourt departs Sherborne heading for Exeter on the27th June 1982 Mike Morant Collection

780401c Sherborne Station Main buildings are on the up side. Copyright Roger Winnen

780401a Sherborne Signal Box Copyright Roger Winnen

780401f A old turntable behind Sherborne Station Copyright Roger Winnen

Sherborne crossing notes courtesy of Martin Duff N.R. Operations Manager

A local control unit was provided, attended by a crossing keeper. The LCU was situated in a locked cupboard at the London end of the up platform line, and a small panel of indications was provided in the office where the keeper resided between trains. The indications and LCU are seen weeks before closure in February 2012, and the photographs of the crossing and former signal box was taken one Sunday in July 2011. The former signal box which had been dormant since the 1960's changes had to be removed to site equipment for the re-control to Basingstoke, and is now a memory. CCTV is now the method of operation. The small team of four here who worked the crossing were charming, welcoming people. Indeed, some of the finest tea and right railway welcomes could be sampled anywhere from Gillingham to Honiton!

Sherborne signalbox and level crossing. The box sited on the up side of the line. July 2011 Copyright Martin Duff

DSCF9522 Sherborne Crossing and track layout. Picture taken seven weeks before closure in February 2012. Copyright Martin Duff

DSCF9519 Instruments at Sherborne Crossing box taken seven weeks before closure in February 2012

DSCF8172 Barrier equipment at Sherborne Crossing. Feb 2012 Copyright Martin Duff

Millborne Port

Milborne Port 780331c Milborne Port Station (Closed 7th March 1966) - Copyright Roger Winnen

Courtesy of the Mike Morant Collection

Templecombe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Templecombe LocationPlaceTemplecombeLocal authoritySouth Somerset Coordinates 51.002°N 2.4164°W Coordinates: 51.002°N 2.4164°W Grid reference ST707225OperationsStation codeTMCManaged bySouth West TrainsNumber of platforms1Live arrivals/departures and station information
from National Rail EnquiriesAnnual rail passenger usage*2002/03 69,9152004/05 75,3942005/06 80,5022006/07 85,4992007/08 98,5032008/09 107,8002009/10 98,8522010/11 106,5562011/12 112,3582012/13 106,750HistoryOriginal companySalisbury and Yeovil RailwayPre-groupingLondon and South Western RailwayPost-groupingSouthern Railway1860Upper station opened1862Lower station opened1966Closed1983Upper station reopenedNational Rail – UK railway stationsA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z* Annual estimated passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Templecombe from Office of Rail Regulation statistics. Methodology may vary year on year. UK Railways portalTemplecombe railway station serves the town of Templecombe in Somerset, England. It is situated on the London Waterloo to Exeter line 112 miles (180 km) from London. The main station opened in 1860 but a smaller station on the lower line opened in 1862. It was closed in 1966 but was reopened in 1983 following local community pressure. It is currently operated by South West Trains.

The Church St Mary of Abbas has seen many changes at Templecombe station - here, probably in 1989 it looks on to a closed station - on damp day. The S &D has all gone but as yet the forest of trees hasn't obliterated the trackbed. Copyright Roger Winnen

790613e Templecombe Station (Closed 1966 reopened 1983) This picture taken in 1989 from the back of a Waterloo train shows the station during its closed period. Copyright Roger Winnen

920606b A Waterloo bound train behind a Dutch liveried Class 33 calls at Templecombe. Copyright Roger Winnen

780331b The old S & D at Templecombe - Copyright Roger Winnen. This a very interesting shot from the Southern Main line looking back though the bridge to the site of the former Somerset and Dorset shed. Until the demise of the S & D in March 1966 there were sidings passing under this bridge. These metals once made a connection towards Salisbury however this was removed many years before this picture was taken in 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen

Templecombe Signalbox.
More very interesting information from Martin Duff. Operations Manager.

Reference the pictures below. Seen in summer 2010, this box had 16 levers with working distant signals. It fringed with Gillingham (Dorset) SB and Yeovil Junction SB. It could be switched out if required, as it often did on Saturday nights with all traffic running via the Up Exeter line to Yeovil which was, and remains bi-directional. In addition to signalling, the signalman here sold tickets between trains and indeed did so after closure until June 2012 when temporary alternative arrangements were provided by SWT. After the signalling was re-controlled to BSK in late February, the box remained in use early and late turn until June as a pedestrian crossing keeper job. The platform on which the signal box was situated is now closed, together with the footbridge and the pedestrian level crossing. The old down platform has been built out to abut the single line and a new ticket office provided. For now, the old box survives, albeit with no function.

Templecombe Signalbox and station at the time, in summer 2010 using the former up platform for up and down trains. The single line here becomes double towards Yeovil, to the left in this view. At one time, until March 1966, the far side of the platform served the Somerset & Dorset Railway, most trains between Bath and Bournemouth ran into this platform before continuing their journeys. Copyright Martin Duff

Access to the former up platform was either by the footbridge or by means of a level crossing at the west end of the platform. As can be seen the crossing had to be strictly controlled and wheel chair passengers had to be there in good time. Copyright Martin Duff

A view looking from very near the waiting shelter towards Salisbury in the summer of 2010. The former down platform has since been extended to abut the single line seen here. This occurred in March 2012. The former up platform and the footbridge have been closed and the signal box although out of use remains in position. The footbridge seen in this picture originally came from Buxted and dates from 1893. Copyright Martin Duff

Inside the signalbox at Templecombe, the track diagram is from the Yeovil direction on the left to Salisbury on the right. The short siding, formerly the down main, was used amongst other things for the naming ceremony of class 47 739 ~ Robin of Templecombe 1938-2013 ~ at Templecombe with Robin Gould himself unveiling the plates. September 30th 2008. Copyright Martin Duff

Another view of the frame in the pristine signalbox at Templecombe. Summer 2010 Copyright Martin Duff

The station name adjacent to the figure on the former up platform. Summer 2010 Copyright Martin Duff

Templecombe re-visited on the 7th August 2014

Many thanks to Peter Butt for this drawing. The S &D line closed in March 1966 and the main line station to passengers in May 1966. The main line was reduced to single line to the right between a new point situated approximately where the words 'To Exeter' are on the drawing. The views from the viewpoints on the drawing will be covered when we do the Somerset and Dorset.

For details of an incident which occured soon after the opening of the new platform at Templecombe

Templecombe 7th August 2014 The station approach, a new station building is seen to the right, the former goods shed now in private use is seen in the distance. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Templecombe 7th August 2014 As the 11.25 service departs for Exeter note the former up platform now out of use but still looking good. The former down platform has been extended across the formation. Copyright Keith Jenkin

For details of an incident which occurred soon after the opening of the new platform - it wasn't amusing at the time but is now. It prove guards are human and make mistakes. Go to Google and look up Templecombe and - The Phantom 2:43 Templecombe to Waterloo

In relatively recent years the former double track bridge over the road here has been replaced by a single track version. The station approach is up to the right beyond the bridge. Before the closure of the Somerset and Dorset in March 1966 there was another bridge crossing the main road just behind the photographer at this location. 7th August 2014 Note The underside of the bridge is scored by vehicles a little too high.

A view looking towards Salisbury under the now redundant footbridge - the shelter serves as protection when the spacious booking office and waiting room is closed. Note on the former up platform the step which was used by agile railway staff having sprinted across the main line to gain access to the platform - long since out of use. 7th August 2014 Copyright Keith Jenkin.

The redundant signalbox remains on the up platform. Prior to March 1966 trains for Bath and Bournemouth departed from the far side of this platform. 7th August 2014 Copyright Keith Jenkin

The goods shed survives at Templecombe albeit now in private hands. 7th August 2014 Copyright Keith Jenkin

The 12.25 to Exeter rolls into Templecombe passing the now isolated statue on the former up platform. 7th August 2014 Copyright Keith Jenkin

This shot taken at Templecombe by Barry Lucas on the last day of the Somerset and Dorset 5th March 1966 Serves to illustrate the view across the S & D tracks across the main line up platform to the main line down platform. Copyright Barry Lucas

The footbridge is now securely fenced off with Padlocked gates. 7th August 2014 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Gillingham

790613g Gillingham Station seen from the back of a train on the 13th June 1979 - Copyright Roger Winnen

An additional note on Gillingham box provided by Martin Duff N.R. Operations Manager

Gillingham box fringed with Salisbury and Templecombe. It could also be switched out, and if Templecombe was switched out too, then that created a long single line section from Tisbury to Yeovil Junction. This box, together with Templecombe and Sherborne crossing were abolished in phase 1 of the re-control to Basingstoke in February 2012. Image 9759 shows the very first train, 5L91 (empty carriages, Salisbury Depot to Yeovil Junction) entering the new Basingstoke West of England signalling panel area from Tisbury loop at 04.24 on Monday 27/02/2012 - it had been a long weekend of work for us all and commissioning came just before 04.00. The exterior photographs of Gillingham SB were taken late afternoon on Friday 24 February - the last day the box worked. After closure, it was reduced to ground frame status. With a release provided by Basingstoke WOE, the operator can control movements locally between the Up Main (furthest from the box) and the up siding. This was a one time Shell Star siding and handled fertiliser traffic for UKF (the same flows which served Truro, Bridgwater, Torrington and Carmarthen). Images 3558/3562 show the interior of the ground frame November 2012, a condition which remains today. It was a fairly busy box and at certain times of the day Waterloo - Salisbury trains are extended to Gillingham before starting back, mainly to cater for large swathes of school children.

DSCF9759 The very first train enters the Tisbury loop (top of panel, left hand side) Monday 27th February 2012. 5L91 is the illuminated train number. On the top level from left to right is Tisbury loop, followed by Gillingham station and then proceeding to the lower level left hand side is Chard Junction with its level crossing and TV monitor above. Going the right beyond the end of the loop are the automatic half barrier crossings at Broom and Axe Copyright Martin Duff

Gillingham Signalbox sited at the west end of the station on the down side 24th February 2012 Copyright Martin Duff

Gillingham signalbox looking at it from the down platform. 24th February 2012. Copyright Martin Duff

Gillingham as it is today as a ground frame DSCF 3562 Copyright Martin Duff

Gillingham as a ground frame DSCF3558 Copyright Martin Duff

DSCF6044 The lever frame at Gillingham prior to the change over. Copyright Martin Duff

DSCF6046 The track diagram in Gillingham signalbox prior to the change over to control from Basingstoke. Tisbury to the left and Chard to the right. Copyright Martin Duff

Semley

Semley to Marlborough Via Andover Junction. Just look at the date August 2nd 1894. From the Mike Morant Collection

790613b Semley Station Closed to goods on 5th April 66 and to passengers 7th March 1966

780331l Semley Station Copyright Roger Winnen

Tisbury

760913K Tisbury Copyright Roger Winnen

A smashing scene witnessed by a young couple and a dog as 50024 Vanguard heads a Waterloo to Exeter service at Tisbury 11th October 1986 Copyright Roger Geach

47707 in charge of the Exeter to Waterloo service on Saturday 14th September 1991. Seen here at Stoford. Copyright Roger Geach

Tisbury 50015 Waterloo to Exeter depts Tisbury Sat 4 th October 1986 Copyright Roger Geach

Dinton

790613h Dinton Station (Closed) Used by the M.O.D. Copyright Roger Winnen

Wilton

Wilton Junction

Near Wilton Junction. 780331h With Salisbury Cathedral in background, a Class 47 departs Salisbury Copyright Roger Winnen

Salisbury 

Salisbury Map courtesy Google Maps. Zoom and Pan to see track layouts Pan to the left to see Wllton Junction and Quidhampton Quarry. Pan to the right to see Tunnel Junction and Laverton Loop.

Salisbury area satellite view courtesy Google Earth. Pan and zoom as required.

Salisbury to Chiseldon (On the line to Swindon) The very cheapest way to travel. Ticket dated April 1884 From the Mike Morant Collection

780331i The former Great Western Station at Salisbury Copyright Roger Winnen

Salisbury 34026 Yes Tor 13th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Salisbury 34109 Sir Trafford Mallory 13th September 1963 Copyrght Mike Roach

Salisbury 34109 Sir Trafford Mallory 13th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

780328a Class 33 approaching Salisbury - Copyright Roger Winnen

780331j Class 33 Waterloo-Exeter service at Salisbury Copyright Roger Winnen

780331k A thumper Unit departs from the east end of Salisbury Copyright Roger Winnen

790613i A Hampshire Unit in the bay at Salisbury. Copyright Roger Winnen

Looking smart in the Network South East colours 50024 Vanguard heads out of Salisbury for London. 16th November 1990 Mike Morant Collection

A Class 31 arrives Salisbury on a Bristol-Portsmouth working. 30th June 1979 Copyright Roger Winnen

33043 on the 1507 Cardiff to Brighton approaching Salisbury Station Saturday 20th June 1987 Copyright Roger Geach

780331g The western end of Salisbury Station Copyright Roger Winnen

34023 Blackmore Vale, now in preservation on the Bluebell Railway seen departing Salisbury on the 11th June 1967 with the 'Farewell to Steam railtour'. Copyright Roger Geach Note the trespassing on the running lines - wouldn't be tolerated these days. Copyright Roger Geach

Salisbury 'B' Box and Blue Peter 14th August 1966 Copyright Geoff Matthews

August 1962 30021 on shed at Salisbury. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

30844 August 1962 - Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Salisbury shed 30531 and 31811. August 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

31638 on shed. August 1962 - Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Here we see 31638 in a much better state at Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway July 2007. Very grateful to Sid for this one making a trio of pictures of the loco at various stages in its history. Copyright Sid Sponheimer