Trains to and from Exeter City Basin and the Alphington Branch.
USEFUL MAPS
Members and general visitors to the CRS site will be interested in visiting http://www.railmaponline.com From the opening page a full map of the UK can be accessed which can then be enlarged to show every railway line in the UK. Not just today's network but lines from the past have been overlaid. As you zoom in sidings and even tramways become visible.
A valuable tip from Guy Vincent.
Members and general visitors to the CRS site will be interested in visiting http://www.railmaponline.com From the opening page a full map of the UK can be accessed which can then be enlarged to show every railway line in the UK. Not just today's network but lines from the past have been overlaid. As you zoom in sidings and even tramways become visible.
A valuable tip from Guy Vincent.
(Photo 1) EXETER ST DAVIDS 1 25318 awaits a through road to City Basin with the 01.50 Bitumen tanks from Elsemere Port. 28th August 1981 Copyright Clive Smith
Note from Clive Smith Re Bitumen traffic
Wigan Springs Branch allocated 25318 awaits the signal on the through road to City Basin with the 01.50 bitumen tanks from Ellesmere Port on the 28th August 1981.It was in October 1980 that Laira lost its class 25 allocation so further visits to Devon were only occasional and confined to Exeter, usually on these tanks. Unbelievably the next year saw this train reach Exeter Riverside with 40126 paired with 25209, surely one of Devon's all-time rarest workings.
Regards, Clive Smith. Many thanks to you Clive.
Wigan Springs Branch allocated 25318 awaits the signal on the through road to City Basin with the 01.50 bitumen tanks from Ellesmere Port on the 28th August 1981.It was in October 1980 that Laira lost its class 25 allocation so further visits to Devon were only occasional and confined to Exeter, usually on these tanks. Unbelievably the next year saw this train reach Exeter Riverside with 40126 paired with 25209, surely one of Devon's all-time rarest workings.
Regards, Clive Smith. Many thanks to you Clive.
(Photo 2) EXETER ST DAVIDS 2 08760 going to King's Ashphalt sidings April 1983 Copyright Nick Gaskell
Photo (3) EXETER ST DAVIDS 3 08760, coming back from King's Ashphalt, Exeter April 1983 Copyright Nick Gaskell
Photo (4) EXETER ST DAVIDS 4 08945 passes through with new Sieras and Fieatas bound for UBM Ford at Marsh Barton (Alphington branch) 7th Nov 1988 Copyright Julian Stephens
Photo (5) 56053 Scrap from Exeter City Basin to Cardiff for processiing. Seen at Pilning Saturday 25th September 1993 Copyright Roger Geach
Many thanks to Colin Burges who has very kindly allowed us to publish his full and detailed account of railway development at Exeter City Basin.
More on Exeter City Basin & Area
More on City Basin Junction and traffic on the Alphington Branch at the end of this article.
History Reference to 'West Country Railway History by the late David St John Thomas'.
A broad gauge branch to the City Basin and this Exeter's ancient ship canal was opened on the 17th June 1867. Narrow or standard gauge metals were laid on the down main enabling L.S.W.R. trucks to reach the waterside from 1871. Trains of both gauges were run - there is still evidence of standard and broad gauge tracks on the quayside at the basin.
Note :- Re the turntables please see photos 20 &21 to these there is no sign on these of ever providing broad gauge access. The very short section of broad gauge still extent on the quayside could well have been used for cranes.
A broad gauge branch to the City Basin and this Exeter's ancient ship canal was opened on the 17th June 1867. Narrow or standard gauge metals were laid on the down main enabling L.S.W.R. trucks to reach the waterside from 1871. Trains of both gauges were run - there is still evidence of standard and broad gauge tracks on the quayside at the basin.
Note :- Re the turntables please see photos 20 &21 to these there is no sign on these of ever providing broad gauge access. The very short section of broad gauge still extent on the quayside could well have been used for cranes.
General The tracks either side of the Basin went for just a few yards from the two turntables located at either side of the Basin. One t/table was excavated and preserved in 1985 and is still visible, but the other was excavated in 2008 and then covered in again with protective material in case in was ever decided to reveal it again. But then they built on top of it, so that building would have to be demolished if the turntable was to be excavated again!! I think I am right in saying that the compound which Peter mentions was latterly used by the late Merv Hutchings - a great character - as part of his business emporium.
Dick Passmore by Peter Hinchliffe » Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:18 pm
With regard to the railway lines around the Basin. I doubt that the turntables at the Basin would have been big enough to allow even the smallest steam locomotive to use the lines beside the Basin. I suspect that before the 1940s horses would have been used to shunt trucks on the dock side. My earliest memory of them shunting was when they used the old army truck which was parked under the canopy at MacClaines warehouse. The lorry had been fitted with buffers front and back, and used ropes to tow the trucks on to the turn tables. The lorry was very similar to the one shown at http://www.flickr.com/photos/beerdave17 ... otostream/. Steam locos were used to place the petrol tankers at the end of the line by the fuel compound.
Peter Hinchliffe
Dick Passmore by Peter Hinchliffe » Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:18 pm
With regard to the railway lines around the Basin. I doubt that the turntables at the Basin would have been big enough to allow even the smallest steam locomotive to use the lines beside the Basin. I suspect that before the 1940s horses would have been used to shunt trucks on the dock side. My earliest memory of them shunting was when they used the old army truck which was parked under the canopy at MacClaines warehouse. The lorry had been fitted with buffers front and back, and used ropes to tow the trucks on to the turn tables. The lorry was very similar to the one shown at http://www.flickr.com/photos/beerdave17 ... otostream/. Steam locos were used to place the petrol tankers at the end of the line by the fuel compound.
Peter Hinchliffe
City Basin Trackbed for Sale In 2019 a considerable length of track bed was up for sale - details can be found 0n https://peppercommercial.co.uk/property/freehold-development-land-water-lane-haven-banks-Exeter/
Post from Richard Holladay
CITY BASIN BRANCH
I am not a C.R.S. member but I am interested in a certain area of former railway in Exeter between the years 1939 and 1981 approx. that served Exeter Gas Works, The Basin and Kings Asphalt. The line also ran past the family foundry of Garton & King Ltd which was built on former GWR property in 1939 and remained there until closure in 1981.
On this page from on my archive website you will learn more about this area:-
http://www.exeterfoundry.org.uk/tan-lane-foundry.php
It is highly recommended that you take a look at Richards archive site using the link above - it is very interesting.
The following four Aerial Shots of Garton & King's are photographs which the Holladay Family have Copyright on. They include the sidings to Alphington Road, the Cattle Market Sidings, the line to the Teign Valley through Marsh Barton Estate, the Water Tower, Footbridge, the Signal Box and the line to the Gasworks and Basin that passed by the boundary fence of Garton & King Ltd and opposite from Kings Asphalt (you can see Tar Tankers in the Siding - G & K is the other side of the tracks.
I have checked out the relevant section in your website. I am searching for ANY images to add to my archive website that may, in the shot, include any part of G & K's property and buildings and thought maybe your membership could help by rummaging through their collections. Images of the foundry at Ground Level I have been unable to trace but maybe could have crept into shots taken by rail enthusiasts in the timescale mentioned. Similar perhaps to a shot on the webpage link I have given that shows a gear being loaded by crane onto a railway truck and a Tar Tanker can be seen in the background. (Photo 10) This shot was taken from the foundry yard 'over the fence. A pity one wasn't taken from the embankment!
Richard asks :- If any member can help with images or information about this specific area at any time between 1939 & 1981 please could they contact me on [email protected]
CITY BASIN BRANCH
I am not a C.R.S. member but I am interested in a certain area of former railway in Exeter between the years 1939 and 1981 approx. that served Exeter Gas Works, The Basin and Kings Asphalt. The line also ran past the family foundry of Garton & King Ltd which was built on former GWR property in 1939 and remained there until closure in 1981.
On this page from on my archive website you will learn more about this area:-
http://www.exeterfoundry.org.uk/tan-lane-foundry.php
It is highly recommended that you take a look at Richards archive site using the link above - it is very interesting.
The following four Aerial Shots of Garton & King's are photographs which the Holladay Family have Copyright on. They include the sidings to Alphington Road, the Cattle Market Sidings, the line to the Teign Valley through Marsh Barton Estate, the Water Tower, Footbridge, the Signal Box and the line to the Gasworks and Basin that passed by the boundary fence of Garton & King Ltd and opposite from Kings Asphalt (you can see Tar Tankers in the Siding - G & K is the other side of the tracks.
I have checked out the relevant section in your website. I am searching for ANY images to add to my archive website that may, in the shot, include any part of G & K's property and buildings and thought maybe your membership could help by rummaging through their collections. Images of the foundry at Ground Level I have been unable to trace but maybe could have crept into shots taken by rail enthusiasts in the timescale mentioned. Similar perhaps to a shot on the webpage link I have given that shows a gear being loaded by crane onto a railway truck and a Tar Tanker can be seen in the background. (Photo 10) This shot was taken from the foundry yard 'over the fence. A pity one wasn't taken from the embankment!
Richard asks :- If any member can help with images or information about this specific area at any time between 1939 & 1981 please could they contact me on [email protected]
Map (1) The above map is reproduced from the National Museum of Scotland Collection under the conditions stipulated. The map is a copy of the OS 25" to the mile dated 1841 to 1952. This maps dates from about 1908.
Notes :- (1) The GWR Main line runs from A to B, the Teign Valley line leaves this map at C.
(2) To give some idea of scale it is approximately 600 yards from the bridge where the branch passed under the GWR to its fullest extent at the Timber Yard.
(3) Alphington Road Goods Depot can be seen on the left hand border, just below the GW main line.
(4) The site marked Engineering Works is in fact the works of Willey & Company. Garton & King's Tan Lane Foundry wasn't built until1939. It was located on plot 220. See site plan below.
(5) Note also the several other industrial sites served by the branch.
Notes :- (1) The GWR Main line runs from A to B, the Teign Valley line leaves this map at C.
(2) To give some idea of scale it is approximately 600 yards from the bridge where the branch passed under the GWR to its fullest extent at the Timber Yard.
(3) Alphington Road Goods Depot can be seen on the left hand border, just below the GW main line.
(4) The site marked Engineering Works is in fact the works of Willey & Company. Garton & King's Tan Lane Foundry wasn't built until1939. It was located on plot 220. See site plan below.
(5) Note also the several other industrial sites served by the branch.
Map (2) A site plan for the Tan Lane factory of Garton & King Ltd (Marked in red) which was built on former GWR property in 1939 and remained there until closure in 1981. This was located on plot 220 on map (1)
Copyright Richard Holladay
Photo (6) Garton & King's Tan Lane Foundry viewed from the North 1947 (South is at the top, East to the right and West to the left. Copyright Richard Holladay - and the www.exeterfoundry.org.uk website.
The GW main line is bottom left, note the tar tanks in the siding centre right.
Photo (7) Garton & King's Tan Lane Foundry view from the South 1947. Copyright Richard Holladay - and the www.exeterfoundry.org.uk website.
The is GWR Main line top right.
corner. The sidings leading to Alphington Goods can be seen nearest to the water tower.
Photo (8) Garton & King's Tan Lane Foundry view from the West 1947. Copyright Richard Holladay - and the www.exeterfoundry.org.uk website.
The GWR main runs across the top of this view. Note the solitary wagon seen on the track is in the position of the wagons being loaded with gear wheels in picture (5). Of the four tracks at the bottom left, the bottom pair which have just split into two leading towards Alphington Goods Depot and a sloping down towards the left. The next pair which have just split into two are the up and down connections from the main line.
Photo (9) Garton & King's Tan Lane Foundry view from the East in 1947 Copyright Richard Holladay - and the www.exeterfoundry.org.uk website.
The lines heading off the top of this photograph were towards the Teign Valley line which becomes single shortly to the left.
Photo (10) A gear being loaded by crane onto a railway truck and a Tar Tanker can be seen in the background. A 'Mushroom' water tank served the locos on the Alphington Goods branch can be seen 'peering' over the Teign Valley line which is crossing this view in the middle distance.
. Copyright Richard Holladay - and the www.exeterfoundry.org.uk website.
Many thanks to Richard Holladay for the above article and photographs.
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Tracing the branch
The following photographs are a combination of the results of two visits to the basin in 1981 and November 2015 by Roger Winnen.
The following photographs are a combination of the results of two visits to the basin in 1981 and November 2015 by Roger Winnen.
Photo (11) The view from the main line of the branch leading the right to Basin Junction and away and down towards City Basin and the Gasworks. Note the level crossing gate and the protective signal. 21st April 1981 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (12) Looking North East from a main line train as we pass the site of the sidings leading to City Basin Docks. The Cathedral in the background. 24th November 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (13) Looking down from the main line train which has moved a few yards towards Exeter. The line to the junction with the Teign Valley branch would have passed under the main line just to the right of the road. 24th November 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen. . Note on the large building the distinctive white area at ground level. This appears in the background of photos (14 & 15) below which are taken through the bridge over which the train is passing.
Photo (14) Tan Lane passing under the main line. 24th November 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen Note to further position this photograph and photo (15)
Photo (15) Swinging slightly to the right from the previous view the full extent of the bridges which carry the main line over the route between the City Basin and Alphington sides of the main line is revealed. Tan Lane and the rail route passed under the main line by means of two separate bridges. The rail route, to the right, is almost lost in the undergrowth. 24th November 2015. Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (16) Looking North East 50050 Fearless crosses over the low level 'Basin Lines'.
with a down train. It is the 28th September 1986. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Photo (17) A little nearer Tan Lane Crossing the same day as the previous picture 28th September 1986 the photographer having moved away SW by a few paces. The tankers previously in the shade of the passing train are now fully illuminated. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Images 16 and 17 - Garton & King's Tan Lane Foundry is the triangular area on the map above marked in RED - the Red Cross marks the position of the photographer in images 16 and 17 and therefore in the text for image 16 the Tar Tankers (which by the time of the photographs were being attended to by the successors of Kings Asphalt,+++ COLAS Roads) were being attended to on the track just above where on the map is printed BM 25.4 and as can be seen in both images the track that ran past G & K's foundry, over Tan Lane and under the bridge towards the Basin and the level crossing on Water Lane is closed with red tape and crossed red flags - consequently the Tar Wagons could only have been taken to that position along the curve of track that comes off the Down Line on the main Exeter - Plymouth Main line at the junction to that track in the bottom right of the map.
+++ Originally Kings Asphalt unloaded Tar Tankers in one location only before Colas became involved and that was in the Rectangular Building shown on the map below the words 'Basin Junction' to the left of the Red Cross., immediately opposite G & K's Foundry site - Please refer to Richard Holladay's aerial graphs taken in 1945.
Note that on the map above looking from left to right the first pair of tracks are those descending towards Alphington Goods Depot, the next pair of tracks are those of the Teign Valley branch heading towards the junction with the GW main line, the third pair of tracks (one of which is a siding) become single and lead under the main line towards City Basin. The signalbox shown at the junction has a bridge towards the Teign Valley line to facilitate access by the signalman for token exchange purposes. A further picture of some of the above tracks by Peter Joanas is available at the this location - please click. https://www.flickr.com/photos/110691393@N07/12174032874/in/photostream/
+++ Originally Kings Asphalt unloaded Tar Tankers in one location only before Colas became involved and that was in the Rectangular Building shown on the map below the words 'Basin Junction' to the left of the Red Cross., immediately opposite G & K's Foundry site - Please refer to Richard Holladay's aerial graphs taken in 1945.
Note that on the map above looking from left to right the first pair of tracks are those descending towards Alphington Goods Depot, the next pair of tracks are those of the Teign Valley branch heading towards the junction with the GW main line, the third pair of tracks (one of which is a siding) become single and lead under the main line towards City Basin. The signalbox shown at the junction has a bridge towards the Teign Valley line to facilitate access by the signalman for token exchange purposes. A further picture of some of the above tracks by Peter Joanas is available at the this location - please click. https://www.flickr.com/photos/110691393@N07/12174032874/in/photostream/
Photo (18) With our backs to Tan Lane Crossing we see the line to the Asphalt works to the right and the connection to the main line climbing away to the left. City Basin is behind us.
1981. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Photo (19) A bit of line linking between the City Basin line and that which passed under the main line - the direct connection with the Teign Valley line. Note the road tanker in this shot also appears in photo (12) .15th November 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen
Phot (20) Crossing gates at Water Lane. An HST is seen passing in the distance. 29th November 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (21) Tar Tankers being unloaded. Exeter City basin sidings looking to the left towards the GWR up the grade to the left. 7th July 1981 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (22) The remaining single line to the left leading up towards the main line connection. 7th July 1981. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Photo (23) Exeter City Basin branch Exeter City Basin Branch. 29th December 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen
Now on to the towards the City Basin :-
Photo. (24) Heading towards the City Basin having passed through the level crossing gates shown in the previous picture the single line split into two to form a long loop past the Engineering Works of Willey & Company. 29th December 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (25) The end of the truncated branch to Exeter City Basin. 29th November 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen
Map (3) Exeter City Basin map. Apologies, source unknown. Note the short sidngs alongside the docks and the turnplates on the corners. It can be seen that the branch also served the Gas Works, and saw mills and a timber yard plus warehouse.
Photo (26) The alignment of the branch towards the main line. 24th November 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (27) The railway crossed the road here at Haven Road to the quay on the left through the gap. 24th November 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (28) The railway went through this narrow gap between buildings. 24th November 2015. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Photo (29) A turntable at the basin 29th December 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen This is possibly the one of the two turntables at the basin to have been buried under building developments.
Photo (30) The one remaining turntable Exeter Quay. It is possible that the apparent broad gauge track here may have been in use for a crane. 24th November 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen Note there were two of these wagon turntables as seen in map (3)
Photo (31) Lines on Exeter Quay. 24th November 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (32) Exeter City Basin branch. Steam Tug 'Canute' reflects on the past at Exeter City Basin. 29th December 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (33) Another shot of 'Canute' at Exeter City Basin. 29th December 2015. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Exeter City Gas Works
Richard Holladay recalls visiting the Gas Works in it's heyday as a young boy - he was born in 1945. He says I was taken by the Foundry Foreman to the Gasworks sidings to see the small steam engines shunting coal trucks around the complex. David Cornforth runs the much admired Exeter Memories Website and he has a very interesting page on the Gas Works here this is highly recommended:- http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/gasworks.php
Map (4) A map of the Gas Works. Note The railway from the main line was not immediately available for supplying coal to the gas works and the canal basin was used to deliver to the works by sea.
According to 'Industrial Locomotives of South Western England' the South Western Gas Board Exeter Gasworks had during the period of operation seven locomotives of which six were steam 0-4-0 tanks. Of these three carried no numbers. The remaining three No. 1 Loco, No. 2 Loco, and No. 3 Loco had various fortunes. No. 3 went to Torquay Works in 1956, was retired in March 1957 and went to the Dart Valley Railway (South Devon Railway in September 1969. No. 4 went to Derenthaugh Coke Ovens at Co. Durham. No. 5 went to Gloucester where it was scrapped in 1971.
The Gas works was established in 1836 as the Exeter Commercial Gaslight & Coke Co and taken over in 1869 by the Exeter Gaslight & Coke Co. Rail traffic to the works ceased in 1971 and the works were closed and demolished in 1974.
Photo (34) Exeter Gas Works No 1 Buckfastleigh 19th April 1974. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Photo (35) Exeter Gas Works No 1 Buckfastleigh 29th June 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen. A nice view of the signalbox but also note how the dreaded A38 is now intruding on the site. What a shame the by-pass happened - it's called progress!!
Photo (36) Copyright Ron Kosys
'Exeter City Basin' Junction
Map 5 Exeter City Basin 'Teign Valley' Junction - From the National Museum of Scotland Collection 25 inch 1908. Note (1) The footbridge crossing between the signalbox and the Teign Valley line providing access for the signalmen handing over and collecting the token. Note (2) The railway layout here became much more complicated in later years with an additional siding being laid alongside plot 220 later the Garton & King factory and the line towards City Basin. Also access was provided to the cattle sidings which lay off the map alongside and below the Teign Valley line. The signal box shown on this map was replaced in 1962 by a new flat roofed box nearer the junction in 1962. The Teign Valley branch closed in 1958.
Photo (28) 'Exeter City Basin' Signalbox. This is the second signalbox to serve this junction. 15th July 1984 - Copyright Chris Osment
850527q Exeter City Basin signalbox. Note the bitumen tanks parked on the run round loop leading to Alphington Goods . Copyright Roger Winnen N. B. Taken from the return working of the Cornwall Railway Societies 'Oxford Explorer'.
Fortunately Paul Barlow had friends who worked on the railway which enabled him, and us, the good fortune of seeing his pictures which follow.
Photo (29) 50002 Superb on the 10.32 York to Plymouth relief on the 25 May 1985 Copyright Paul Barlow
Photo (30) 50029 Renown approaches City Basin Junction on the 09.10 Brighton to Penzance 20th September 1986 Copyright Paul Barlow
Photo (31) 50022 Anson passes the box at Exeter City Basin with an up train on the 20h September 1986 Copyright Paul Barlow
With his friendly railway man Paul was able to visit the signal box at City Basin.
Photo (32) A privileged view from the signalbox at Exeter City Basin as 31458 approaches with the 09.29 Nottingham to Paignton n the 20th September 1986 Copyright Paul Barlow
Photo (32) A real treat, a view inside the signalbox. Exeter City Basin box 20 September 1986 Copyright Paul Barlow
Photo (33) HST 43034 with 43022 leading on a down service from Paddington. The date - the 20th September 1986 Copyright Paul Barlow N.B. The metals in the foreground became known as the Alphington Branch after closure of the Teign Valley Line.
Photo (34) We are now down on the direct connection from the Teign Valley line towards City Basin Docks and the gas works. This line ran alongside Tan Lane and passed under the main line.
Exeter City Basin Signal Box Closes and is demolished.
Photo (35) Pauls camera on a long exposure catches a down HST passing the bracket signal at City Basin Junction. Note however, the same signal in both the on and off positions Probably one of the last movements of this signal. 13th November 1986 Copyright Paul Barlow
Photo (36) Exeter City Basin Signalbox on the penultimate night. 13th November 1986 Copyright Paul Barlow One wonders if the local residents living in Welcome Street slept better once the signalbox had been decommissioned and the crashing of the levers ceased!!
Photo (37) Exeter City Basin down bracket being removed on the 15th November 1986 Copyright Paul Barlow. One wonders quite how safe the man is who is apparently hanging on to the signal?
Photo (38) Demolition of City Basin signal box is well under way on the 8th February 1987 Copyright Paul Barlow. Note the plywood construction.
Photo (39) We now take a stroll with our railway friend along what remains of the Teign Valley line - we're looking towards Alphington. The point leads to the siding alongside Tar Lane. It's the 26th March1989 Copyright Paul Barlow
Photo (40) Teign Valley line looking towards the main line connection. The line is rising to cross Marsh Barton bridge. 26th March 1989 Copyright Paul Barlow
Loco hauled railtour on the Alphington Branch Saturday 17th April 2010
Photo (41) 66182 on the main line end of the 0738 Paddington to Okehampton Railtour which fitted in a run on the Alphington branch as part of its itinerary. The train was booked there between 11.51 and 12.00 Marsh Barton Bridge 17 April 2010 Copyright Paul Barlow
Photo (42) Marsh Barton bridge. Seconds later 66182 is being drawn over Marsh Barton Bridge at the tail end of the 0738 Paddington-Okehampton Railtour. 17 April 2010 Copyright Paul Barlow
Photo (43) 66182 ready to pull away from the terminus with 0738 Paddington to Okehampton Railtour - Okehampton will be the next terminus to be reached. 17 April 2010 Copyright Paul Barlow
Unfortunately we do not have any photographs of Teign Valley trains on this stretch however, with many thanks to Roger Winnen we do have pictures of a scrap metal train on the remaining stub of the TVR.
Photo (44) Passing the junction on an up train Roger Winnen spied a train on the TVR now Alphington Scrap Yard Branch. The train was headed by 66729 Derby County' and seen on the 25th October 2011 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (45) A quick dash from the station was rewarded. Amongst the motor dealers stock the Alphington Branch Scrap Train with 66729 'Derby County' can be seen standing on the embankment.. 25th October 2011 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (46) Preparing to leave the branch, the Alphington Branch Scrap Train with 66729 'Derby County'. 25th October 2011 Copyright Roger Winnen
Photo (47) The Alphington Branch Scrap Train with 66729 Derby County in charge returns through Exeter St Davids. 25th October 2011 Copyright Roger Winnen
Video - there is also a video of a scrap train on the Alphington branch taken by Richard Holladay.
This is available on http://www.teignrail.co.uk/whats-new.php#exeterrailwayjunction
This is available on http://www.teignrail.co.uk/whats-new.php#exeterrailwayjunction
Paul Barlow wonders are these the last scrap trains?
37894 0648 Exeter Riverside to Marsh Barton bridge 18th August 1998. Copyright Paul Barlow.
37894 0648 Exeter Riverside to Marsh Barton bridge 18th August 1998. Copyright Paul Barlow.
37894 0648 Exeter Riverside to Marsh Barton. 18th August 1998. Copyright Paul Barlow.
0648 Exeter Riverside to Marsh Barton trundles though Exeter St.Thomasj 18th August 1998. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul.
Also Various Pictures of the Alphington line are available via this link. N.B. It is obvious that all images available here are not of the Alphington and Alphington branch that we know. We'll leave it up to you to view those appertaining to the line.
You can also Google 'Class 142 Farewell Tour ' and get various views, some video of a trip down the Alphington line which is of poor quality but nevertheless gives one an experience of the line.
You can also Google 'Class 142 Farewell Tour ' and get various views, some video of a trip down the Alphington line which is of poor quality but nevertheless gives one an experience of the line.
Excellent coverage of the Teign Valley branch on the last day of operation
By Roger Joanas.
*** The last day on the Teign Valley 7th June 1958. Try clicking below for a superb selection of copyright pictures of this fascinating line taken in black and White by Peter Joanas - these are copyright. Not to be missed. Many thanks to Clive Smith for drawing our attention to this marvellous selection and a special thanks to Roger Joanas for putting them on the web. https://www.flickr.com/photos/110691393@N07/12174032874/in/photostream/
Railtour visit to City Basin Branch on the 10th May 1980
Branch Line Society
South Devon Rail Tour
Loco Used47134
DMUs UsedC596 (51099+59416+51076) & B812 (51462+59530+?????)Route :
Traction
Route
51462+59530+?????Bristol Temple Meads – Philips Marsh – Worle Jn - (8) - Uphill Jn – Taunton Goods line – Exeter St Davids – Exeter Railway Jn (Down Main)
51462+59530+?????Exeter Railway Jn (Down Main) - Up Main
51462+59530+?????Exeter Railway Jn (Up Main) – Marsh Barton Trading Estate (almost end of line, before A379 road bridge)
51462+59530+?????Marsh Barton Trading Estate – Exeter St Thomas / Exeter Railway Jn (1)
51462+59530+?????Exeter St Thomas / Exeter Railway Jn - City Basin Jn
51462+59530+?????City Basin Jn - Exeter City Basin (Texaco Sidings Branch, almost to last level crossing, by Maritime Museum)
51462+59530+?????Exeter City Basin – Newton Abbot – Heathfield Gulf Oil Sidings – Newton Abbot (2)
47134Newton Abbot – Plymouth North Road (3)
51099+59416+51076Plymouth North Road – Lipson Jn - Turnchapel Branch Jn (9)
51099+59416+51076Turnchapel Branch Jn - Cattewater Branch (to MP 1¼ Cromwell Road LC)
51099+59416+51076Cattewater Branch (MP 1¼ Cromwell Road LC) - Turnchapel Branch Jn -Plymouth Friary
51099+59416+51076Plymouth Friary - Mount Gould Jn - Speedway Jn - Laira Jn (4)
51099+59416+51076(5) Laira Jn - Speedway Jn - Mount Gould Jn (5)
51099+59416+51076Mount Gould Jn - Lipson Jn - Plymouth North Road - Keyham West GF
51099+59416+51076Keyham West GF - Drake's Platform - RN Devonport Dockyard (just short of exchange sidings)
51099+59416+51076RN Devonport Dockyard - Drake's Platform - Keyham West GF - St Budeaux Jn
51099+59416+51076St Budeaux Jn - RN Bull Point
51099+59416+51076RN Bull Point - St Budeaux - Royal Albert Bridge - Saltash
51099+59416+51076Saltash - Royal Albert Bridge - St Budeaux - Plymouth North Road - Newton Abbot (6) - Exeter St Davids - Taunton - Uphill Jn - (8) - Worle Jn - Bristol Temple MeadsNotes :
(1) It was hoped the train could use the direct chord from Marsh Barton to City Basin but, not surprisingly, didn’t.
(2) Unit declared a failure (broken sidespring). 47134 & 13 coaches commandeered off 13:45 local to Paignton.
(3) The tour was scheduled to run from Laira Jn direct to Friary from Newton Abbot. (see also note 4 below). Train ran direct to Plymouth because of the need to change trains.
(4) Shunter not available to allow the train to reverse at Laira Jn to run onto the main line back to Plymouth. The original route from Mount Gould Jn to Laira Jn had been severed not long before the date of the tour at the Laira Jn end to form dead end sidings for carriage stabling accessed from the Mount Gould Jn end of the Laira depot layout so was no longer available for the tour, necessitating use of the upgraded single line to the west of the depot known locally as the speedway.
(5) Extra move in partial compensation for earlier diversion, (see note 3).
(6) Stopped outside Newton Abbot on return to attend to a door not properly closed.
(7) Timings shown are the 'Booked' timings with mileages being the 'actual mileages'. A loose insert with the ticket letter said "....slight timing adjustments from Taunton to the Exeter area, .... now leave Exeter St Davids at 11.49..."
(8) Via the Weston-super-Mare avoiding line.
(9) Booked reversal point was Plymouth Friary.
A break for participants at Plymouth Friary (photo: Alan Holmewood)
Sources : Andy Pullar (on train to Plymouth on the return leg), Kevin Driscoll
Ian Umpleby & John Broderick
Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Greg Beecroft, Kevin Driscoll, Ian Umpleby & John Broderick)
M.CLocationBookedRevised
BookedActual
0.00Bristol Temple Meads10.05d10.05d10.07½
0.22Bristol East Jn10/0710/07?
0.67North Somerset Jn10/0810/0810/10½
1.38St Philip's Marsh10/1110/1110/12
2.03Bristol West Jn10/1510/1510/16
18.42Worle Jn10/35 [AL]10/35 [AL]10/32
21.35Uphill Jn10/3810/3810/35½
34.78Bridgwater10/5010/5010/49½
46.14Taunton East Jn (goods line)11/03 [GL]11/03 [GL]11/03
?Silk Mill Crossing11/2511/1511/13
57.11Whiteball Tunnel11/3811/2811/25
75.63Cowley Bridge Jn11/5511/4511/45½
77.03Exeter St Davids11.57a ~ 11.59d11.47a ~ 11.49d11.48½ ~ 11.52
78.21Exeter Railway Jn (Down Main)12*03 ~ 12*1311*53 ~ 12*0511.59 ~ 12.02½
78.26Exeter Railway Jn (Up Main)
79.01Marsh Barton Branch12.18 ~ 12.2312.08 ~ 12.1312.08½ ~ 12.19
79.51Exeter Railway Jn?? ~ ??12/1812.26½ ~ 12.27½
80.07Exeter City Basin Jn12*28 ~ 12*3812/2812.30 ~ 12.32½
80.41Texaco Sidings Branch12.43 ~ 12.5312.33 ~ 12.5312.35 ~ 12.47½
80.75Exeter City Basin Jn12*58 ~ 13*0212*58 ~ 13*0212.51½ ~ 12.56½
90.16Dawlish Warren13/1413/1413/11½
99.65Newton Abbot East13*26 ~ 13*3113*26 ~ 13*3113.27½ ~ 13.36
104.26Heathfield (Gulf Oil siding)13.55 ~ 14.0013.55 ~ 14.0013.59½ ~ 14.08½
108.67Newton Abbot14*25 ~ 14*2714*25 ~ 14*2714.35 ~ 14.39½
112.60Dainton Tunnel14/3514/3514/52
117.47Totnes14/4214/4214/58
124.33Brent14/5314/5315/08½
134.03Hemerdon15/0615/0615/18
138.63Laira Jn15*12 ~ 15*1415*12 ~ 15*1415/22
140.56PlymouthDIVDIV15.26 ~ 15.38
142.16Lipson JnDIVDIV15/53
142.54Mount Gould Jn15/1915/1915/45
143.64Plymouth Friary15.27 ~ 15.3715.27 ~ 15.37DIV
???.??Turnchapel Branch Jn??15.47½ ~ 15.49½
145.40Cattewater Branch (1¼ MP)15.47 ~ 15.5215.47 ~ 15.5215.59 ~ 16.05½
147.16Plymouth Friary16.02 ~ 16.0716.02 ~ 16.0716.15½ ~ 16.24½
148.26Mount Gould Jn16/1716/1716/30
148.56Laira Jn (approach signal)DIVDIV16.32½ ~ 16.35
149.06Mount Gould JnDIVDIV16.37½ ~ 16.39
149.44Lipson Jn16/2116/2116/42
151.04Plymouth16*24 ~ 16*2616*24 ~ 16*2616.48 ~ 16.51
153.21Keyham West GF16*31 ~ 16*3616*31 ~ 16*3616.56½ ~ 16.58½
153.71Dockyard Exchange Sidings16.41 ~ 16.4916.41 ~ 16.4917.06 ~ 17.08
154.41Keyham West GF16*54 ~ 16*5816*54 ~ 16*5817.21 ~ 17.23
154.76St Budeaux Jn17*00 ~ 17*0517*00 ~ 17*0517.26 ~ 17.28
155.16Bull Point17.10 ~ 17.2017.10 ~ 17.2017.33 ~ 17.42
155.36St Budeaux Jn17*25 ~ 17*3017*25 ~ 17*3017.44 ~ 17.51
156.56SaltashDIVDIV17.55½ ~ 18.03
160.68Plymouth17.39a ~ 18.05d17.39a ~ 18.05d18.12 ~ 18.13
162.28Lipson Jn18/0918/0918/16
167.41Hemerdon18/1818/1818/23½
177.11Brent18/2918/2918/35
183.77Totnes18/3718/3718/43½
188.64Dainton Tunnel18/4318/4318/50
192.57Newton Abbot18/5018/5018/58
202.26Dawlish Warren19/0119/0119/09
212.71Exeter St Davids19.14a ~ 19.16d19.14a ~ 19.16d19.20 ~ 19.22
214.11Cowley Bridge Jn19/1919/1919/24½
232.59Whiteball Tunnel19/3819/3819/42
243.51Taunton19/5019/5019.53 ~ 19.55
255.06Bridgwater20/0320/0320/06½
268.49Uphill Jn20/15 [AL]20/15 [AL]20/18
271.42Worle Jn20/1820/1820/20½
286.21Bristol Temple Meads20.45a20.45a20.37
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Apprenticeship Memories - Bill Elston
E-mail from Bill Elston. As you have probably gathered by now, I'm from a mechanical engineering background.
I served my apprenticeship at the Exeter firm of Marcus H Hodges and Sons, near the City Basin, starting late 1962. One of my earliest trips away from the workshop was assisting our blacksmith across the road at Exeter Gasworks to effect a repair to their Pecket shunting loco.
For some reason, I managed to hang on to the job card detailing the work required, as you can see from the enclosed photo. Towards the end of my apprenticeship, I moved up in to the drawing office
which had a grandstand view of Water Lane level crossing, which at the time saw a bit of traffic onto the gasworks and the Texaco terminal. Shame I didn't have a camera !
Hope this is of interest, Best wishes, Bill
I served my apprenticeship at the Exeter firm of Marcus H Hodges and Sons, near the City Basin, starting late 1962. One of my earliest trips away from the workshop was assisting our blacksmith across the road at Exeter Gasworks to effect a repair to their Pecket shunting loco.
For some reason, I managed to hang on to the job card detailing the work required, as you can see from the enclosed photo. Towards the end of my apprenticeship, I moved up in to the drawing office
which had a grandstand view of Water Lane level crossing, which at the time saw a bit of traffic onto the gasworks and the Texaco terminal. Shame I didn't have a camera !
Hope this is of interest, Best wishes, Bill
Exeter Gas Works Loco Job card Copyright Bill Elston
Many thanks Bill.